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[rule_britannia]

To anyone who might have heard about my brother Phineas' unfortunate accident and subsequent stay in hospital, mother has informed me that he's perfectly fine now. I'm sure all of those whose lives he has touched with his generosity and gentleness of spirit will be very relieved.

[The sarcasm, it's dripping off the page]

This year is turning out to be rather interesting already, I must say. Magical Languages looks as if it's going to be... enlightening.




Also, I found a copy of Spellman's Syllabary stuck between two chairs in the common room. There's no name in it. I believe I may keep it if no one claims it, so if it's yours, do speak up.

Comments

[eighttimeshandy]

Well, that's disappointing. I was hoping for something a little closer to divine retribution. Did he at least lose a tooth?

[rule_britannia]

Sadly, no, but he will have a lovely scar across his hairline for the rest of his life.

[eighttimeshandy]

Poor, poor, pitiful Phineas. What ever will he do with such a disfiguring alteration to his countenance? He will never have a girlfriend again. The world is in mourning.

[rule_britannia]

I'm sure he'll milk it for all its worth but I'm here and don't have to deal with the tosser.

[eighttimeshandy]

Honestly, how old is he? And he's still being coddled by mummy? I don't think I could roll my eyes harder if I tried. Like we never experienced worse at his hand alone and ever got more than a "shake it off" for it.

[rule_britannia]

He's twenty, and believe me, he couldn't stop mother from coddling him if he wanted to. It's just what she's like.

She keeps asking me if she ought to send something for you when she posts baking from home, by the way.

[eighttimeshandy]

Oh gosh. Is she serious? She's going to make me fat, I swear. I haven't even finished the last batch of sweets.

[because that requires remembering to eat, oops]

She's going to do it anyway, no matter what I say, isn't she?

[rule_britannia]

I'm not entirely sure it would be possible to make you fat.

But yes, she is, so you'd best decide what you want before I write back to her or you'll be getting those chocolate and blood orange cookies again.

[eighttimeshandy]

She would find a way.

Actually, I did rather like those. Is there any way I can convince her to try a darker chocolate, however?

[rule_britannia]

I could ask her.

Or you could always write to her yourself. I'm sure she'd not object.

[eighttimeshandy]

I always feel strange writing to your mother. I hardly know what to say.

[rule_britannia]

She rather likes you.

[eighttimeshandy]

Yes, and who's fault is that, I wonder? Surely, it cannot possibly be mine, I do not make good first impressions. Someone must have intervened on my behalf.

[rule_britannia]

I may have given her several dozen glowing reviews on your character.

Every year.
For the past five years.

[eighttimeshandy]

Gee, this is a shocking discovery. Turn your head and look at me, I am so completely shocked.

[His face is completely dead pan, btw]

I don't what would prompt such excessive praise, but I will accept it.

[rule_britannia]

Why ar

[Arthur rolls his eyes and snaps his journal closed, moving over to where Eriq is and dropping into the seat beside him]

Of course I'm going to speak well of you. You're my best friend, you bloody pillock.

[Shouldernudge]

[eighttimeshandy]

[Snickers as Arthur comes over, rolling his eyes and heaving an overly dramatic sigh as he sits down]

Be careful, Herbert might get jealous if he hears you calling me that.

[Tiny smirk]

[rule_britannia]

Let him get jealous. I can take him.

[He grins crookedly]

[eighttimeshandy]

[snorts unattractively, covering his mouth with his hand]

All this fuss over little old me? Goodness, I think I might have to swoon if a fight breaks out. Oh boys, stop, I'm hardly worth it.

[rule_britannia]

[The snort draws a laugh from Arthur and he leeeeans and rests his head lightly on Eriq's shoulder, looking up at him]

I'm sure we can keep the bloodshed to a minimum for the sake of your delicate sensibilities.

[eighttimeshandy]

[Eriq tenses a little, lowering his eyelids and tilting his head back at the contact, but doesn't make any other move to pull away]

Oh, you know it's not that. You just wouldn't want to send me into a feeding frenzy, now would you?

[And then he licks his canines, as if they were going to turn into fangs at any second]

[rule_britannia]

[He stills a moment, then sniggers]

I must have missed the memo where you became a vampire, Eriq. I'd hope you'd tell me if something like that happened.

[eighttimeshandy]

Oh, well, you know how it is, Arthur. [he sighs] Finding the time and the privacy... frankly, I don't trust the journals one bit for personal sorts things.

Besides... [He lowers his voice, tilting his face down to run his lips over Arthur's neck] I'd rather do it where I could... take a bite.

[rule_britannia]

[That was utterly unexpected, and Arthur jolts, sitting up with his back rod-straight and an instant, heated flush racing across his cheeks]

.. Stop that.

[eighttimeshandy]

[Smirks, leaning to the side and dropping his chin into his hand]