Voice testing for luceti and maybe eswareinmal

[consultmybooks]

Right. So, we're doing this again, then, are we?

...at least you're excited. If we both don't want this, well, what's the point? I'll be gone in another month. And I refuse to put anyone else through that again.

Certainly some interesting plans in the works. No...sorry, I meant "horrific". Yes, I'm sure that's what I meant. Yes, that includes the party. Especially if one of them takes it into their heads to make it a surprise party. And depending on when Helios decides to admit what happened over Valentine's Day. To say nothing of all the people who I know fully well are hoping for a chance to shout at me or, um, smack me. Or hit me. In some cases, probably hard enough to knock me unconscious. And, with my luck, I'll probably be tossed at one or two individuals who wouldn't mind another chance at attempting to murder me, just for the flavor, and I don't just mean Drusilla.

Still. Um...it will be nice to see Willow, again. That's...something. Still as far ahead as ever, of course, but...well, you know how it is. I can at least make that work to my advantage, this time. And I most certainly intend to.

As for the other place...all right, fine, it's a shame about the train, but you do recall that having me in two places at once never works out, yes? I don't care how much the three of you are amused by it. We would not do well in a medieval setting. They stoned people like us to death, back then.

...but, we'd, we'd be able to remember one another? Helios, a-and Ginia, and I? Fine. I, um, I suppose my tastes towards weaponry, fighting style, and reading material might finally be relevant. I can only imagine how much that news might amuse Buffy.

And I hope the fact that I very strongly protest being made a ghost is assumed. In other words, I would hope you would know better than to, um, make me argue that point with you. I don't care if it sounds interesting. Things that, um, sound interesting to you rarely end well for either of us.

Comments

[consultmybooks]

No offense intended, Alice, but you aren't terribly funny.

[He's explained why. There are a great many reasons why Alice just unnerves him.

But he tries to control himself.]

[shadedsunlight]

I don't try to be. Everyone just thinks I am.

[Her tension fades into something a little more tentative as she watches him with a bit more wariness.]

...So... you two going to get back together?

[consultmybooks]

Yes, um, well. People can be absolutely ridiculous sometimes. Seeing me attempting to play the violin is funny. You...just, um, d-don't get out much, and you unsettle people as a result. Or, um, you unsettle me.

...but, um, I'm sure you know that, as well as anyone.

[Fastest. Subject change. Ever.]

That's, um, th-that's the hope. Well, um, my hope, at least.

[shadedsunlight]

...I hope it works out. For what it's worth coming from me.

[...]

You play the violin?

[consultmybooks]

It means a great deal, Alice. You're, um, probably going to be a persistent part of my life, as well, even if not in the same fashion as Ginia. [Which is to say that Giles is never going to consider you romantically while he's in his right mind.]

So, um, thank you.

[...]

I attempt to play the violin. I was desperately bored. And, um, I received a great many complaints.

[shadedsunlight]

I guess. My mun's thought about getting rid of me before, but it probably wouldn't work. I mean... it would, but... [Alice trails off and looks away.]

.....Going to try again in Luceti? The violin.

[consultmybooks]

Probably not. I mean, um, I might ask for piano lessons, or even ocarina lessons, but...give me my guitar, and, um, I'm happy enough.

[shadedsunlight]

Ginia could help with piano lessons. She has a piano now.

[consultmybooks]

Oh, I know. It, um, it was her that I was intending to ask.

Especially if I come back to work at the club.

[shadedsunlight]

She'd probably like that. Both things. She's putting on a concert too and would probably like it if you helped out.

[consultmybooks]

And I, um, would be happy to help out. A nice way to get reacquainted with the village, I suppose.

Do you know, um, when she's planning this?

[shadedsunlight]

Whenever the New Feather party usually happens. The torch is her's this time around.

[consultmybooks]

[...whoops.

Giles actually looks a bit guilty, at that.]

I suppose that makes my plans to, um, give the party a miss this time around rather invalid, then, doesn't it?

[shadedsunlight]

You have two options; she'll either give you a pass and you can make it up to her after the party by ravishing her fully and completely, or you can go to the party and do that social thing and then ravish her fully and completely after the party.

[consultmybooks]

[...]

Have you moved past commenting on other people's sex lives, just out of curiosity? Because that is generally considered impossibly impolite.

[shadedsunlight]

...Why? Everyone has sex, and everyone knows you two were having sex. [That would be a no, Giles. But she does look a little more uncertain about it.]

...But I didn't know it was impolite.

...Sorry.

[consultmybooks]

Most everyone. That, um, doesn't mean it's something that people want discussed. Even if the, um, the lives under discussion aren't their own.

[...sigh.] I, um, I can't exactly stop you asking Ginia or myself, much as I wish I could. It is...I suppose it's, i-it's your body as well, after all. [MOVING ON.] Anyone else, however...well, no, it's very bad taste, and very impolite.

Just...try and remember that.

[Giles is too refined and in control of himself to actually flail, of course. But the tone of voice absolutely radiates helpless flailing.]

[shadedsunlight]

Okay. I will. ...Sorry again. [Lesson learned! Three months and she's shown a bit of growth in maturity and processing everything. And now she feels a little embarrassed, realizing why people had laughed at her or changed subjects.]

...Is love okay to talk about?

[consultmybooks]

Apology accepted.

[...] Um, by and large. If you have any, um, specific questions or concerns, it's best if you actually ask...whoever you're in love with, of course, but it's actually common enough to ask for, for advice beforehand.

If s-some of the conversations I heard now and again over the journals are, um, any indication.

["Just tell her 'look, I have a thing, you have a thing, how do you feel about Mexican?'"

"Oh thank you, Cyrano."]

[shadedsunlight]

Oh, okay. Because I asked about that on the journal and got a lot of nice responses and tips.

[consultmybooks]

By and large? People find love much easier to, um, wrap their minds around. It's something that, honestly, most everyone actually has felt...at least in passing.

I'm, um, I'm glad you got some good advice, at the least.

[shadedsunlight]

[A happy nod.] Oh yes, I learned about setting the proper mood and that you have to claim them otherwise someone else can.

[consultmybooks]

An unfortunate truth of general society, but...um, yes. Making your own feelings known on the matter generally leads to, um, less confusion and upset feelings all around.

[...] The object of your affections is, however, entitled to not want to be "claimed".

[shadedsunlight]

Oh, I know, and that's okay too. [She actually sounds quite... chipper about this topic.]

And, um, people say I'm allowed to love too. [And there goes the chipperness as she eyes Giles warily.]

[consultmybooks]

[Giles stares back at her, his expression very calm and level, albeit with a good bit of hidden effort on his part.

...after a beat, he takes off his glasses to clean.]

That's, um, something you would have to confirm with Ginia, I'm afraid. If, if you're uncertain.