sixwordstories | (no subject)

[He looked up, shining his flashlight]

Well, at first glance...I have no idea.

[glances around curiously, twisting her flashlight in her hand]

Something new and exciting, obviously. Curious indeed.

I'm debating whether this was carved in place or imported.

[He taps the ceiling of the cave with a hand.]

Either way an impressive achievement, given the depth they've reached here.

Please don't press anything that'll trap or otherwise maim us.

[examines the wall with a slight furrow of her brow]

I think it's a bit half and half. As if there was something here and then someone tried to cover it up.

Oh, please. How often have I done that?

[He frowned, looking more carefully]

Interesting...

I'm quite certain the tales would fill more than one book because of your repetitiveness of it.

[runs her fingers across the markings]

It's a language I don't know.

[He frowns at them, nodding]

Neither can I...barely even a language, it's mostly pictograms...do you think this could be older than Sumerian? A more primitive script?

[chips away at the first layer a bit with her nail]

Perhaps the underlying symbols, yes, but I can't fathom what sort of cavern this would be if it was older than Sumerian.

Edited 2012-06-09 01:12 (UTC)

[He leaned closer. Mostly to get a better look at what she's doing. Mostly.]

Neither can I. It's not a Praxian script, or a Sanguine Vampiris one - a servant race of either? An ally, lost to history?

[pulls out a leather book from her pack as well as a pencil, using them to make a rubbing of the two sets of marks]

I'm not sure, but I'll take samples and then send a photo to Henry so he can run it through the database.

[finished with the rubbing, takes a photo with her phone and sends it off]

With any luck that'll turn back something. At any rate, we can continue to explore our little find?

[He chuckles.]

Is he still annoyed we left him behind? But yes, absolutely.

[Since he will never, ever refuse to explore with her]

Partial. But I sent Erica to visit him while we were away to make up for it.

[smirks, turns her attention to another tunnel]

Wonder how far this all leads . . . .

All the way to Wonderland, I'd wager.

[He was silent a moment]

How is she doing, by the by? With the pregnancy?

Then come along, Mad Hatter. This Alice wants to go to Wonderland.

[grins, continues walking]

As fair as to be expected. Still quite a bit to go, but I've been monitoring her and doing what I can - and admit-ably gushing somewhat that I get to have a grandchild.

[He puts on his best impersonation of Ed Wynn] Everybody change places! [With bonus jazz hands]

[He does smile at the latter, however.]

Five to one the child is named Helen. And I'll be ol' Uncle Tesla. Always willing to tell a story or sneak them a treat.

[stifles a laugh at his impersonation] Oh, Niko, whatever shall I do with you?

[shakes her head and continues forward]

Doubtful. Henry wanted to name it Allister, if it was a boy. I overheard them mentioning the name Ashley if it were a girl. [chuckles a bit softer] The best Uncle anyone could ever have, of course. You and Henry will likely have that child hacking and inventing and getting into everything before it's second birthday.

Well, I can make a few suggestions...

[He goes a bit quiet at that point, but nods]

Ashley is a good name. A very good name. But I'll have a quiet word with Heinrich. I won't rest until the daughter's name - I've a feeling - is Ashley Helen Foss.

[eyeroll] I'm so not even going there with you right now.

[glances over her shoulder at him] Might get a bit confusing if we're both named Helen. [amused look] It could still be a boy. Allistair Nikola Foss. [smirks cheekily]

[He chuckled]

Oh now that would be rather excellent. Between you and me, I've taken rather a shine to young Henry.

[knowing look]

I'm well aware, believe me. And he sees you as a father, I hope you know.

[That stopped him, and he quirked an eyebrow at her]

I thought I mostly just annoyed him.

At times, yes, but he looks up to you. He never had a father figure in his life, then you waltz in all inventions and computers? What else did you expect?

[stops, turning to look at him]

[And that stops him cold - her words, not her gesture.]

I never looked at it that way. I hope this doesn't mean I need to wear flannel and smoke a pipe.

[But he is using humour to cover his shock, and she'll know it.]

Of course not. But you could stand to treat him a bit better.

[studies him a long moment, shaking her head]

I'm not saying you have to play catch with him and take him to football games, Nikola. But at least acknowledge him.

[He was silent a long moment, watching her eyes]

Right. I can do that.

[And he means it. He looks away from her, the smile faltering back into life.]

And good. I'm terrible at catch.