voicetesting; canon is the Bartimaeus trilogy

[birthname]

This is absolutely out of the question. I need to get back to London. Who knows how bad things've gotten while I've been gone.

And no, the username is neither clever nor even vaguely amusing. Don't you dare tell anyone, or I swear I'll send a marid after you.

[Nathaniel? Who's Nathaniel? His name is John Mandrake, dammit.]

Comments

[likesfootnotes]

[Given the boot-shining imps the day off, have we? How kind of you. He could use a century off, if you're feeling so generous.]

You're the one playing at insanity. ² It obviously was1868, when I had a Czech magician insisting that I do things for him. You can change the language, but the whining demands remain pretty much the same.

[Raising that incredulous look with a challenging one. Then feigned concern!]

Maybe all that trouble with Lovelace went to your head.

[He holds up a hand with eighteen fingers created and extended.]

All right, you know the drill: How many fingers?

2 - Winning at it, I might add. It's to be expected, as only a half-wit or a nutcase would try to cross wits with me. You happen to meet both criteria.

[birthname]

[Stop trying to sound concerned, Bartimaeus. It doesn't suit you.]

There is nothing wrong with my head. It's you who can't remember. We were almost killed!

[likesfootnotes]

[Okay, now he's measuring you for a straitjacket.]

You're talking about being alive in 1868. You magicians live ridiculously long lives too often, but there's no way you could have been there and not have a face full of old warts now.

Besides, I would certainly remember seeing that terrible fashion sense of yours, no matter the year.

[A sigh.]

But, you magicians are not happy unless you're right. Prove it, O illustrious one. Recite some bit of proof that supports us being there at the same time and I'll refrain from calling you a mindless bucket of codswallop for a whole hour. Maybe even two.

[birthname]

[He splutters a little out of unhappy indignation.]

The golem's eye that Lovelace had. Certainly you remember that, at least?