For mayfield_rpg!

[inauspicious]

[A young boy's voice comes over the phone, sounding bored and English.]

Does anyone play cricket here? There isn't a single book on it in the library-- I've looked everywhere. Twice. It's nearly as bad as the castle.

Comments

[likescats]

[Have a strange voice in your head/from the phone. Yes he talks like this.]

I THOUGHT THAT WAS AN ANIMAL?

[inauspicious]

Oh-- the insect. They're not animals, I don't think. Strictly speaking.

But it's a sport as well.

[likescats]

I SEE.

IS IT NAMED AFTER THE INSECT FOR A REASON THEN?

[inauspicious]

It's only a coincidence really. They're not quite sure where the name came from, but it was some old word for a stick. French or Saxon or something like.

... Why are you talking in my head?

[likescats]

IT IS THE ONLY WAY I CAN TALK.

[inauspicious]

Is it?

[likescats]

YES.

[inauspicious]

What for?

[likescats]

SO PEOPLE CAN HEAR ME. IT'S HARD ENOUGH TO DO MY JOB AS IT IS, WITHOUT NOT BEING ABLE TO SPEAK TO PEOPLE.

[inauspicious]

Why can't you talk the normal way?

[nunganunga_k_o]

[Have a fellow Billy-Shakespeare land person.]

Blimey, are sports the only thing blokes think about? You'll be asking about the footie scores next.

[inauspicious]

They aren't the only thing, they're just my favourite thing. Just cricket mostly.

[nunganunga_k_o]

I've only seen my vati make a complete arse of himself playing. Are you any good?

[inauspicious]

I would have made the school team, if I hadn't been plucked away and forced to live in some dreary old castle.

And then here, I suppose.

[nunganunga_k_o]

Forgive me if I am hearing wrong, but are you complaining about living in a castle?

[inauspicious]

It's awful. It's dark, and cold, and full of spells that keep you feeling anything you really feel. You'd hate it too.

[nunganunga_k_o]

Are you sure you haven't just started secondary school? I know being in first form is tough, but it is not that bad.

[inauspicious]

Oh, yes, I must have made the whole thing up. This is all another dream. Thank you for telling me, so I can wake myself up and go back to becoming a professional cricketer.

[nunganunga_k_o]

Cheers, you're welcome. Good luck to all who sail in you.

[inauspicious]

Sail in me?

[nunganunga_k_o]

It's an expression. You don't actually think "Bob's your uncle" means you have an uncle named Bob, do you?

[inauspicious]

I haven't heard that one. Maybe your world is a bit different than mine.