[voice] it had been strange, even in a dream

[abidinglaw]

[While over the past few days the draft has been threatening the lives of cast-mates and strangers and acquaintances alike Admiral Norrington has been fighting a battle of his own. He chose the evening of the fourth to investigate the purpose of that odd little bump on his wall. Flick.

At once he murmured a quick curse to himself and spun around. All alone in his apartment he stepped back and drew his sword. There was no-one at the door, of course, no army of pranksters could have simultaneously lit up each and every one of the candles on all the tables and counters in the room. The light was coming from above. He narrowed his eyes at the brilliant bulb and tentatively flicked the light-switch back with the tip of his blade. Darkness. Light. Darkness. Light.

It was quite enough excitement for one evening.

On the morning of the fifth he tried all of the lights in his apartment, and then a few on the landing outside. Buoyed by his success, he then investigated the electrical devices in his residence and the kitchen beyond - strange boxes with nobs and things which he had ignored up until now. Unlike the light these made horrendous droning noises, or else they glowed in unearthly shades of red and gave off uncanny amounts of heat. He aborted his efforts for fear of them.

Today he sits at a table in the kitchen and opens his journal.]

Might I request that someone explain by what force the light above my head is being generated? And, since I hardly believe that mine are the only quarters to be granted them, what on earth is the function of all of these peculiar boxes?

Comments

[ voice ]

[herotypical]

[ she's busy. strategies to work out. safety to ensure. ergo, this is the sort of post that -- right now? -- she would prefer to ignore. but it's that too-evenly-toned voice she has come to pin instinctively on the admiral. and she is very curious about the admiral. ]

...Peculiar boxes? [ it sounds like he's griping about electricity. still -- a peculiar box could mean any number of mod-cons. ]

[ video ]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[The journal lifts to display Norrington's stern expression and behind him - for starters - a microwave. He twists his body to the side and gives it some sort of threatening glare by way of demonstration.]

That is a box, is it not?

[ video ]

[herotypical]

That's [ she drawls ] a microwave. Mic-ro-wave. You use it to cook things. It's a cooking things kind of thing.

[ she leaves the setting on video; after all, she is well healed up from the draft. no bruises or cuts left. ]

[voice]

[all7seas]

It's called the "sun", mate. Large shiny thing in the sky, what appears during what is known as "day".

[video]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Flick. Flick. Flick.]

If that is the sun, then I am a sorcerer.

[voice]

[all7seas]

James, how the devil are you? We missed you in the war. Could've used your stern command, likely.

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

The light is in a small glass container, yes? That should be a light bulb powered by electricity.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Short, concise, and as far as he can tell there is no mischief lurking behind her words. Will wonders never cease?]

It is bulbous, certainly. The name is fitting enough.

[He considers this for a moment before replying,]

My thanks. Might I ask you another question?

[crytearsofjoy.livejournal.com]

Please, be my guest.

[voice]

[poorneedyand.livejournal.com]

Depends on which boxes you're talking about.

[video]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[This one is a fridge, and this time the admiral is not in frame.]

I am referring to these - and their unearthly humming.

[video]

[poorneedyand.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's the icebox. You trade the noise for unspoiled food--not a bad deal, if you ask me.

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

It's mostly through evil sorcery.

[ she's not laughing at you, norrington, she's-- no. she's laughing at you. ]

[ voice ]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

[Just as well, then, that he has already been informed of the truth of the matter.]

You mock me.

[ voice ]

[tothelibrary.livejournal.com]

Just a little bit?

[ well now she kind of feels bad. ...not that bad, though. ]

For the record, my sister isn't exactly the most reliable teacher of food-related stuff on the planet. [ because in dawn's mind, who DOESN'T know she's buffy's sister. ]

[voice]

[gravity-splode.livejournal.com]

You had anyone explain electricity yet?

[voice]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Not as such, no.

[He knows that electricity is what is powering the lights and the fridge and the microwave, but not a great deal more than that. It hadn't seemed important at the time.]

[voice]

[gravity-splode.livejournal.com]

You want the long version or the short version, then?

voice

[cuteobsessed.livejournal.com]

Don't put anythin' metal in 'em!!

The boxes, I mean.

Bad things happen.

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Duly noted.

-- what bad things?

[cuteobsessed.livejournal.com]

Lightning. Inside.

It was awesome, but I think I pissed off the spirit that was causin' it.

[voice]

[emp3thy]

[This poor man. At least Winry is being helpful. And a few other non-Buffy people.]

Are you still having trouble?

[voice]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

I believe that I understand the basic premise at work behind these devices now. As for their mechanisms -- I shall merely have to take it for granted that they function as they should. I am no engineer.

voice

[stilldontgotit.livejournal.com]

Heh. Not familiar with electricity?

[He hasn't heard this kinda reaction over the journals in a while.]

[abidinglaw.livejournal.com]

Indeed not -- and more and more I regret voicing that fact so publicly.