Video, UN: Puppetking

[throneaway]

[ The video cuts in to a very plain assigned apartment room, and a tall, reedy-looking individual who smiles to see something light up or turn on on the device. Success!

Maxwell doesn't look too worried about all this 'saving the world' jazz.

Neither does the little floating eyeball that nuzzles up to his shoulder. He pets it absently. ]

Say, pal. How many of you 'randomly chosen' otherworldly visitors were already heroes in your own worlds? How many of you were ... Less heroic?

I don't mean to be suspicious, you understand: I'm sure they actually do need help here.

But I have some prior experience with kidna--err--this kind of selection process.

Comments

[disgracedprince]

{It really would! Most people overlook scraps, but they are so useful.}

What you're talking about is familiar. {Those that rise usually fall.} Faith is an important thing to never lose, friend, if you can help it.

{But maybe that's just his inner god talking?}

My world was strange enough on its own. This is the first one I've visited outside of my home.

[throneaway]

[ Maxwell ponders. This is going well, for more reasons than just that they're strangers, instead of people with an established antagonism. ] I'll take that on board, I think. Have you been here a while? Or are you just naturally laid back?

[ Oh, or his world being bizarre, that could account for it too. Maxwell hesitates, then offers: ]

I'd be happy to go out for a coffee sometime, chat about universal strangeness. Or homesickness. I could see it either way.

[disgracedprince]

I'm old. {He has seen a lot. A lot a lot.} I've been the center of attention and I've watched others struggle in their hunger for attention, for vengeance. I've fought in numerous battles and... I am accustomed with spells.

I prefer tea, but I am always open for a chat.

[throneaway]

You're only as old as you feel, Scraps. Although some days, that might make it worse. [ He's gently amused, all of this feels very welcome and easy for him to understand. ] We don't have to 'talk shop' either, if you prefer not to discuss magic. It means different things to different people, in my experience.

Tea is fine. [ A man of culture! ] Do you know a good place?

[disgracedprince]

That's a good point! {Some days he feels as ancient as a stone; others he remembers what it's like to be a true seventeen year old.}

I don't mind discussing magic or spiritual power! Or swords. I do like weapons.

{He is a well-rounded prince.}

I do, actually. {Directions are sent to his favorite tea shop.}

[throneaway]

That's me. Extremely pointy. [ Though that's not quite as self-deprecating as it could be. This is going well! ]

Delightful. It's on me, since I seem to have a sympathy budget allotted to me until I can find gainful employment. Perish the thought.

I'll meet you there in an hour, if you like? Oh! And it's Maxwell, if I didn't mention.

[disgracedprince]

{Pointy, is he? Xie Lian gives a small, soft laugh.}

You're very generous. I wouldn't worry too much about acquiring employment; I have had a number of odd jobs and they pay well.

{He likes helping where it is needed.}

I shall be there, Maxwell. I am Xie Lian.

action

[throneaway]

Odd jobs, hm. I suspect you don't just mean what they're calling 'quests' to save this land? I have no real objection to that. At least it looks like you could buy a half-decent cigar here. I miss Dixie Queens.

[ He smiles faintly in acknowledgement. Wow. Maybe it's a little soon to assume he's made a friend, but it feels like he's doing a lot better than he usually feels. He's almost jaunty, even, as he crosses the street and heads out, following the directions on his little magic crystal slab phone.

It's nice, even if Maxwell is kind of waiting for the other shoe to drop. For their benefactors to turn out malevolent, or for the tasks ahead to be filthy, degrading, dangerous and so on.

The tea shop is easy to find, he's even a few minutes early, and he tries not to seem too over-wowed by civilization. It's been too long, indeed. But talking briefly to the staff is a delight. Sitting down in a chair has... not great connotations, but it's only a minor nausea, and it can't squelch the pleasant anticipation of meeting Xie Lian. ]