12 Purple Files - Audio Memory

[proudambassador]

[A heavy sigh is the first thing that’s heard before Ambassador’s voice speaks.]
Vir. How many gods are there in our pantheon? I have lost count, since the last emperor was elevated to godhood.

[A much younger male voice answers him. It’s nervous and anxious and sounds a little flustered.] 48. No, no, 49. 50, if you count Zuug, but, you know, I never thought you should—

[Ambassador interrupts him.] All right. Let us say 50.

[Vir again.] 50.

[There’s a wry, sarcastic edge to Ambassador’s voice.] Now. Out of that 50. How many gods do you think I must have offended to have ended up with ---‘s teeth buried so deeply in my throat that I can barely breathe?

[A beat.] All of them?

Sounds right. [Ambassador sounded tired.] And now I have to go back to the Council and explain to them that in the interest of peace the Centauri government will agree to “give” Quadrant 37 to the ---. [He sighed.] I think I will stick my head in the station’s fusion reactor. It would be quicker. And I suspect, after a while, I might even come to enjoy it!

[Vir sounded very unsure.] Ambassador, why—

[Ambassador ignored the attempted interruption.] But this, this. This, this is like being… nibbled to death by, uh… [He makes an annoyed noise.] What are those Earth creatures called? Feathers. Long bill. Webbed feet. Go quack.

[There’s a pause, and then Vir sounded triumphant.] Cats!

Cats. [Ambassador sounded disgusted.] I’m being nibbled to death by cats.

Comments

[proudambassador.livejournal.com]

[There's a long pause before Ambassador slowly speaks.] Unless one is born under a certain god. And are pledged from birth to them.

[white-disciple.livejournal.com]

Ah you raise a valid point, stranger. That thought had escaped me, somehow...

They would fall under the category of holy devotees, then.

[proudambassador.livejournal.com]

Would they? Maybe. Maybe.

[His voice is thoughtful. He has more to ponder, now.]

[white-disciple.livejournal.com]

[And she's moderately confused by the alternative]

You did say pledged did, you not?

[proudambassador.livejournal.com]

I did. But what it all means, I am not sure, my dear girl, not sure at all.

[white-disciple.livejournal.com]

[She doesn't sound insulted, just firm & trying to figure this guy out] I have a name. It's Rauxes.

[proudambassador.livejournal.com]

Ah, of course. My dear Rauxes, then.

[white-disciple.livejournal.com]

And you are... Ambassador, I think I heard?

[proudambassador.livejournal.com]

Yes. My title and my name, double duty, it does.