[001] audio;

[rule_britannia]

Well, this is just bloody brilliant.

Unless they’re lying. They could be lying. I don’t feel any different. I certainly don’t feel more sodding real than I did before… but this isn’t London. Magic, maybe? Could be. Maybe I’m dreaming. Pinching doesn’t work though so it must be one hell of a good---… Maybe I’m dead? Oh, bloody hell, what if I am dead? How the bloody fuck did that happen?!

No, no… Calm down, Arthur…

… Thinking about it, I suppose I should have expected it, if I’m honest, but who the bloody hell is going to entertain for a moment the idea that they’re fictional? The world’s always felt perfectly real to me and I… ah, bollocks… I’m not dealing with this very well...

...

I need a drink.

Comments

[lifewithoutrest]

What gives you that impression, Mr. Kirkland?

[rule_britannia]

Call it a hunch.

[lifewithoutrest]

A very good one.

[rule_britannia]

We have something in common, then.

[lifewithoutrest]

[She's quiet a moment, but then she nods.] So it would seem.

[rule_britannia]

[Arthur smiles, just a little]

What did you do, before you came here?

[lifewithoutrest]

I get the impression you might actually believe me.

[There's another brief silence before she continues.]

I worked with creatures known primarily to myth and legend, studied them. I offered sanctuary to those who needed it and neutralized those too dangerous to remain free.

[rule_britannia]

[He takes that in for a minute..]

I do believe you.

[lifewithoutrest]

[She nods.]

And you?

[rule_britannia]

I get the impression you might believe me.

[He gives a faint smile]

I am - or was, I'm not entirely sure which applies - the physical representation of the nation of England.

[lifewithoutrest]

[She can't help but return the smile. It does take her some time to process that piece of information, however.]

The embodiment of an entire nation. How fascinating.

[rule_britannia]

I suppose it must be, to someone who hasn't met one of us before.

[lifewithoutrest]

I don't imagine you would be able to tell me how?

[Yes, she's curious. So very curious.]

[rule_britannia]

.. How?

You mean, how I exist?

[He frowns]

I wish I could tell you.

[lifewithoutrest]

[She smiles, but shakes her head.]

The simple reality of your existence is far more significant than how it came to be.

[There's a pause as she considers how best to phrase her question without sounding as though she's studying him.]

How does a single individual embody an entire nation? In what way? I would think the physical strain would be incredible.

[rule_britannia]

[This might take a while]

It's difficult to explain even that, I'm afraid. I've.. well, I've always been this way, so I couldn't tell you how it feels in comparison to something else.

[He frowns, rubbing the back of his neck]

Customs, political leanings, even widely held stereotypes seem to have some influence in how we behave. Economic troubles can cause illness, war.. well, war brings its own unique troubles. I personally try to separate myself from the chess games of the idiots running my country, but some choose to take a more active role.

[lifewithoutrest]

Of course.

I can't imagine it's made for an easy life, if certainly not a dull one.

[rule_britannia]

That rather depends on the way you look at it. When you live long enough, history starts to repeat itself.

[lifewithoutrest]

So I've learned.

[rule_britannia]

Is that so?

[lifewithoutrest]

[A faint hum.]

Yet I suspect I'm still quite young, by your standards.

[rule_britannia]

[He chuckles quietly]

I'm not looking too bad for over a thousand years, I think.

[lifewithoutrest]

Certainly not.

[rule_britannia]

I find it rather impolite to ask a lady her age, but if you would indulge my poor manners..?

[lifewithoutrest]

I am 274 years old. Though, I haven't lived it entirely in order.