Network post - audio

[manofiron]

[ Ordinary people might at least introduce themselves when making their first public address to whoever's out there on the other end of an unfamiliar network. Not Tony. In lieu of an introduction, or anything approaching a greeting, he says only this: ]

Okay. Seriously. What do you people do for fun around here?

[ The quiet sound of a sigh can be heard, followed by an under the breath mutter. ]

This place is killing me.

Comments

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[infernoandhearth]

[There's an audible grin in his voice.]

People bet on it.

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[manofiron]

[ There's a snort, quiet and amused. ]

Tell me they're not sober when they do this.

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[infernoandhearth]

I shouldn't think so but you never know with some people.

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[manofiron]

So, I'm curious. Are you one of the fans of the wonderful world of drying paint? Or do you actually know how to have fun?

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[infernoandhearth]

Oh, I know how to have fun. Have you been on a ramble yet? Do you realise that if you walk out of the town and think very hard about a place, quite often you'll end up there.

I'm talking about something rather less specific than "home", of course. Like "desert" or "small hidden society of carnivorous badgers".

If all else fails, there's always pubs, as long as you fancy paying with something intangible.

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[manofiron]

So I can find secret badger society all right but New York's out of the question? That's great. Perfect, really. Just what I always wanted. Carnivorous badgers.

Okay, I'll bite. Intangible money. How's that work? I imagine handing over a dollar or what?

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[infernoandhearth]

You might find a city if you try for long enough. Just not yours, probably. It's not too hard slipping through the realities once you've found the mindset, you know.

I've paid in favours, so far, as well as the colour of my hair. It was alright. I switched it back after. Anyway, it's heaps better than actually finding a job.

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[manofiron]

Is that part of the daily routine for you? Slipping through reality? Is that normal behavior?

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[infernoandhearth]

Not really. Except for here, I guess, I mean, people slip through all the time. You did as much coming here. If you need pointers, of course, I don't exactly have a busy schedule.

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[manofiron]

Yeah, I'm still trying to figure that one out. Coming here, that is. And sure, if you're offering, I won't say no.

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[infernoandhearth]

Alright. We'll see if any of it translates. Kindle a flame, and I'll come and help you. It's your choice when, of course.

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[manofiron]

What, you mean a fire? I don't actually have a fireplace. You can just come over in the daytime, you don't have to come at night.

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[infernoandhearth]

It doesn't have to be that big. Don't you have matches, or a lighter? Come on, it'll be much easier than searching you out without.

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[manofiron]

You know, I can just give you directions. Instead of lighting the place on fire. It's the twenty-first, well, around here it's like ye olde England meets the Nineties, but I'm telling you, signal fires are so Stone Age these days.

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[infernoandhearth]

Humour me.

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[manofiron]

[ He sighs. ]

Fine. Okay? Give me a minute here.

[ There's an indistinct click of metal. And then; ]

There. Humored.

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[infernoandhearth]

[And wherever Tony is, Luke is already walking up to him with a grin, or climbing in the window.]

[manofiron]

[ He doesn't automatically connect the two. Sure, the guy made a request, but that doesn't mean that the guy he's just been talking to is this guy who's wandering up to the place he's commandeered as his own. It could, theoretically, he a coincidence.

So Tony flashes him a tiny, bland smile that's a nod to courtesy. ]

Nice day, huh?

[infernoandhearth]

[Luke finds this hilarious. His smile is full of mischief.]

Yes, definitely. Though I wonder: would it be quite as nice a day in a city?

[manofiron]

Depends on the city. Trust me on that one. Some of them suck.

[infernoandhearth]

What about yours?

[manofiron]

My city? My city's fine. Well, depends on which one you mean. I have two. New York and Malibu. They're kind of my, you know, domain. You?

[infernoandhearth]

[Luke's smile is a bit secretive.]

My town's always Ashbury but it's not always in England. Did you want to set out for a city attached to Hughsborough? You did summon me.

[manofiron]

I did-- What? What do you mean, summoned you?

[infernoandhearth]

[Luke raises his eyebrows.] You lit a flame. With a lighter of some description, I think, the chemicals were wrong for a match.