[console | video] or do you feel the same?

[edgeoftheknife]

[Yes, it's really arse-o'clock in the morning when this post hits the network. The background of the video is a console cafe out in the city, one of the ones that doesn't close until the wee hours of the morning. Erskine looks gorgeous as usual, although his suit is a bit rumpled and his hair is not quite sitting right, and there are dark circles under his eyes.

Still, he's smiling, with his chin in his hand as he peers at the camera.]

All right, Keeliai. What's the usual way to celebrate a Turtle anniversary? It seems to me I showed up in the Hotel around this time last year, although... the date's a bit fuzzy. I think it's been a year, though.

So how should I celebrate? Do I get gifts? I'm willing to accept silly ties and/or coffee mugs. I don't golf, though. No golfing... things.

[He frowns]

Is golf even a thing, on the Turtle? Football? Cricket?

[Someone has lost his train of thought.]

Comments

[voice]

[pompous_today]

That's a pretty good question, actually. I suppose congratulations are in order?

[video]

[edgeoftheknife]

Considering how much healthier Keeliai has been for me than my own world, I'll definitely take congratulations. So, thank you.

[He stares at the name on the reply thoughtfully for a moment]

Simon... the doctor, right? How've you been?

[video]

[pompous_today]

Cheers, then. I'm glad you've been able to find health here. Being yanked from one's own world isn't easy, but... some of us do truly make the best of it.

That's me, yes. I have been very busy- several of our medics have departed, and with the opening of the shelter, we've been stretched thin. But I enjoy being busy, too.

[edgeoftheknife]

Trust me, I was pretty happy to be yanked from my own world. What about you, though? Better here? Worse here?

...ah. [He looks a bit sheepish at that.] I suppose some of that is my fault, then.

[pompous_today]

About the same, honestly. I hate being separated from my girlfriend, since we'd just gotten together, but I am also content to be where my sister is. So I do like it here.

No need to apologize! It's not like any of us can control who stays and goes- and again, I like having a purpose.

[edgeoftheknife]

Ah... yeah, that's a bit rough. I... I know all about the 'being separated' thing, trust me. You'll see her again, though. And it's great that you have family here. I don't think I would have survived if Anton hadn't been here.

Well, I meant pulling some of you away for the shelter, but I suppose most of you lot are workaholics anyway, aren't you? [He gives a friendly smile at the last part]

[pompous_today]

I'm not sure what I would do without River, either. She and I have been close our whole lives.

[Simon laughed.]

Well- I do have that problem sometimes. Often, actually. Sometimes it is hard to back away when we know that people need our help.

[Video]

[purered]

That... certainly puts things in perspective. Though if I may congratulate you on your year long anniversary here.

[edgeoftheknife]

Thank you, Klaus.

...wait, what's being put into perspective, now?

[purered]

Ah, only how quickly the time passes.

How would you like to celebrate your anniversary on the turtle? Drinks, perhaps? I will see if I can acquire a suitably humourous tie.

[edgeoftheknife]

Oh, right. [He pauses for a moment, then squints slightly at the image of Klaus on the screen] Just how old are you, Klaus?

[It's possible Klaus has told him before. It wouldn't surprise Erskine if he'd been told before.]

How am I supposed to say no with a tacky tie on the line? [he laughs] I suppose we can't do another drag night again so soon anyway--and I really ought to start acting like a halfway respectable member of society again. Drinks it is.

[purered]

I will be thirty in December. [He's a baby compared to you sorcerers.]

I would be happy to do another drag night with proper forewarning. But to spare my dignity for now, I think drinks would be best.

[edgeoftheknife]

[Erskine doesn't say what he's thinking, about thirty years being practically the blink of an eye. He can only imagine how a mortal would take something like that. But Klaus, despite being a giant of a man, really is kind of a baby compared to him.

So Erskine just grins at him.]

I'm holding you to that, then. Another drag night, I mean. I'll even help next time if you like. If we manage to plan a little better than last time.

[There's a slight lull after that, before he speaks again.]

How's the Hotel?

[purered]

[This gets a small chortle out of Klaus]

I look forward to it then.

The hotel is doing fine. Though if that were an indirect way to ask after Mr Shudder, he seems to be doing just as well. Shall I check for you?