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[The recording begins regularly enough. A deep voice intones with all the enthusiasm of a call center operator giving their rote pitch:]
Hello, this is Waver Velvet. Leave a short message with date, time, and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...
[Suddenly there is an excited voice in the background clamoring for Waver's attention and not going to let up until Waver completely gives them exactly that.]
Stop! Idiot! Can't you see I'm trying to record something?!
... hold on! Hold on!
[This thing still on? Yes? Okay then...]
Give me your number! I'll call you back when I bloody well can!
[More excited cajoling and Waver squawking before the recording goes click!]
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
[Oh dear. Oh dear. ... Waver hasn't gotten around to changing this, has he? You're hearing it, after all. Maybe you should... remind him to change his voice mail message. After you leave your message.
Remember! Leave a number!]
[voice]
[He wasn't expecting an answer. Not that quickly. But that's Waver, it's obvious he'd reply immediately. They're both absolute priority to each other. Unless the world is literally on fire they'll both literally drop everything else to come to each other's aid. Though Iskandar is quite sure they'd do it even if the world was indeed on fire. He knows himself. World be damned, he couldn't care less if Waver needed him.]
I heard no horror stories but saw enough on my own to form an opinion that's not exactly a favourable one. But, yes, you're absolutely right about Lord Ebisu being the exception. They all could learn a lot from him if they weren't so obstinate.
[There's a slight pause, then an almost inaudible sigh.]
As for shall I wait with the Naming or not. I thought about it. This woman needs a home, Waver. A roof over her head, food, shelter. I can't deny her this even if we end up not liking each other too much. [Yes, he knows it is so much more than that. Doesn't change anything.] If I have any doubts they're more about her reaction than mine. If she's willing to accept a Name from me when she hears what I think about the Nora question. Everything else I can work around. This one thing I will not.
[Yes there are wounds that don't heal that easily. As there is an empty room in his Temple that not a person other than the one who occupied it once will ever be able to use. But he's a King and a warrior. He can handle discomfort.]
I'll tell how things went after I speak with her.
[voice]
No, I agree. She needs somewhere, but only with you if she can abide that. It's there for good reason.
I think with her, though, it'll take some time to tell in full how things are. She's cautious what she shows and a hard read from the outside. I get the impression Nesir doesn't trust easy.
[It's a slight caution that while she may agree to those terms, there might be problems down the road because she might not let on she having issues till they explode.
That said, the Nora restriction has been one Waver has always understood, though it's a question he's been wrestling with as well now that he's on the other side. There are good reasons to Nora, there are good reasons not. But when it comes to Waver, one thing any shinki has to understand is that while he may have authority over them, Iskandar has authority over him as his king, and that has to be respected, as Iskandar must be respected. Their actions can affect more than Waver and that Waver has duty to both them and his king.
It makes the situation more complex than the usual relationship between a god and his shinki, due to this possibility of conflict, and why he also won't allow Nora save for temporary Names for life or death situations or if things go to shit and something happens to him, to Iskandar. He has no choice but to be just as strict on this matter for everyone's sake.]
[voice]
[He smiles. Waver always worries. Not that his doubts are unfounded. Almost anything can happen. He doesn't know this woman. She doesn't know him. Even if she asked around. Technically, she doesn't even know herself with memory loss and all the other problems that go with it. Still, she's willing to take the risk. Why wouldn't he?]
I'm not going to do anything stupid. I promise. I just want to give her a chance. If it doesn't work that it doesn't and we'll part ways.
[voice]
[There's a fond smile at the other end. Stupid? They're both idiots but they aren't fools. Besides they have each other to back the other up. Neither of them have to go it alone.]
We'll see what comes and figure it out.
I'll see you for dinner. Anything you want me to bring with me from Kyoto or do you want me to surprise you?
[Surprise option means what Waver figures is Iskandar's comfort foods and the best wine he can hunt down. Not that they don't already have wine, but the both of them go through it like water.]
[voice]
[And Iskandar has been too optimistic way too often. That's what makes them such a good team. They complement each other in more things than just that.]
Mhhm... you're there. You know what's interesting.
[He would never say no to wine.]
But you don't have to bring me anything. Just come back home.
[voice]
I'll see you soon. I just have to clean up a little here first.
[His shrine is located at Kyoto University and there's always some minor ayakashi running around the grounds drawn to stressed out students like mosquitoes. It's good hunting practice with Eirene just to do some housekeeping each and every time he comes through. Now that he's done with the prayer (also on the grounds), he'll take care of that before grabbing a few things and returning to the Far Shore.]
Re: [voice]
Now you're just making me curious. Can't wait to see what is that came up with.
[He looks at the time. Nesir could be here any moment now.]
I really have to go. Good luck with that cleanup.
[voice]
[Click. A hunting for ayakashi we shall go~~~
Then a hunt for wine and all Iskandar's favorites. Where was that bakery again? Maybe he should ask a follower...]