02 | Video

[maddeninghatter]

[ Baaa Baa-aa-aaaaaa Baaaaaaaaaaa! ]

I say, hello, hel-looooo! I have a question for you all--

[ The grime-smeared face of Xerxes Break appears onscreen. His white hair is discolored with dust and stuck together. There's a semicircular wound under his right cheekbone, and the shoulder of his jacket looks chewed. Despite all of this, he seems terribly pleased with himself. ]

Does anyone here have qualifications in animal husbandry?

[ More angry bleating and a yelp! Break turns. Visible in the background is another (also dirty and disheveled) man, desperately fending off a sheep. It’s not going at all according to plan; with a single headbutt he’s out of the camera’s line of sight, followed by a thud and worrisome tinkling noises. ]

Why, Gilbert. I think she likes you! ♥

[ Moving right along... ]

Anyway - yes. I'm looking specifically for people with experience or interest in shepherding, as well as shearing, spinning, knitting, cheese-making--

[ Another CRASH! and a voice yelling, “Break, look out!" ]

--and hand-to-hand combat! Kindly respond to this post, or apply in person to the botanical gar--

[ Break’s face suddenly disappears. The last image visible onscreen is… this. ]

Comments

[hyanaimne]

[she just shrugs and smiles at him, innocently]

1/2

[retraced]

[SUDDEN THREATENING ATMOSPHERE--]

2/2

[retraced]

[But whatev, Break will deserve whatever she has in mind.

He rubs at the back of his neck and looks out into the rain.]

Um - would you like for me to walk you home, or -

[hyanaimne]

[smart boy.

Though the offer surprises her, and the smile loses its fake innocence]

That would be lovely, if you wouldn't mind.

[retraced]

No, I don't mind.

[He does silently hope that she also still lives in the apartments, though, because a few extra minutes between himself and a bath isn't a big deal but another hour in the rain is only going to make him feel even more depressed.]

[hyanaimne]

[she does, if the direction she starts in is any help]

[retraced]

[As they walk, Gilbert attempts to start conversation a few times but every time he's drowned out by his own awkwardness. If she's paying close enough attention, she can probably see it in his body language even though he doesn't ever get around to actually saying anything.]

[hyanaimne]

[it takes Tempest a while to notice, but when she does she glances over and slows her steps. How odd . . . she tilts her head, curiously]

What is it?

[retraced]

[Caught! He flinches before he answers.]

Um - w-well, it's rude to walk in silence, but...I can't think of anything interesting to say after a situation like that.

[At least according to polite, noble society this is true.]

[hyanaimne]

[she actually looks surprised]

It is rude?

[retraced]

[NO WAIT HE SAID THAT WRONG.]

I-in my case it is!

[hyanaimne]

[she still doesn't get it]

Why? If you do not know what to say . . .

[retraced]

A man should know how to make polite conversation.

[#nobility problems]

[hyanaimne]

[I'm sorry you decided to walk home a rude lower class woman Gilbert]

That is ridiculous.

[retraced]

[It's okay, he's only a servant temporarily borrowing a noble's name, he just sucks at it.]

It is...?

[hyanaimne]

Yes? Why should one force conversation if one cannot think of anything?

[retraced]

[He's quiet for a moment. Really, it's a good question, one of many that he's asked himself ever since he took the role of noble and reluctantly shrugged off the title of servant.]

Because it's expected?

[It's a question.]

[hyanaimne]

And why is it expected? Because you are a man? [she regards what he's wearing, then looks back up at him] Because you are one of the higher class?

[retraced]

I'm an adopted son of the Nightray family. To say that I'm a higher class isn't technically a lie, but...

[He shakes his head.]

I've only ever been a servant. I'm not suited for anything else.

[hyanaimne]

How do you know if you are suited for anything if that is your only experience, Gilbert?

[it was strange, trying give some words of wisdom, when the ones she had were few]

[retraced]

Because every attempt has been just as embarrassing as this.

[Story of his life.]

[hyanaimne]

[she tilts her head]

How is this embarrassing?

[retraced]

Every time I open my mouth I sound more idiotic.

[At least he's aware of it.]

Sorry.

[hyanaimne]

You do not sound idiotic at all, Gilbert. Though insisting you do does come across that way, but only a bit.

[retraced]

Is that so...

[He mutters back under his breath, for lack of anything better to say. But tone plus body language seem to cry his agreement.]