milliways_bar | (no subject)

*Meg is beyond words.*

. . . . . . .

Cuthbert?

Cuthbert has literally collapsed with laughter.

So much for coming to the rescue.

Anthy sees Cuthbert writhing in agony, and hurries over to make sure that people who count aren't also in pain. "Is anything wrong?"

"HHHALLO! DO YOU HAVE SIBLINGS?!"

"Yes," Anthy says, and suddenly realizes who Manuel reminds her of.

*Meg staaaaaares at the man in scary manpants, and meanwhile kicks Cuthbert. Surreptitiously, of course.*

Er.

Monsieur, would you like some clothing?

Also, Cuthbert here, he's like my brother, does that count?

"No no no. Manuel has no use for man parts."

Cuthbert stops laughing long enough to be relieved. And get to his feet.

"So, um...Manuel, is it? As Meg here said, can we get you some pants or something, perhaps?"

I have a tutu in my bag, *Meg offers, keeping well behind Cuthbert.

When it comes to scary manpanties Meg has no compunctions about human shields.*

He looks at Cuthbert.

"Do you hhhave a beautiful WIFE?"

".....Sorry, but no."

Manuel pouts.

"That is too sad, say sorry."

*Meg holds out the tutu, wordlessly.*

". . . Roland?"

Anthy suspects curry.

...

...

Cuthbert stops staring at Manuel long enough to staaaaaaaaaaare at Anthy.

"Who is this 'Roland'? Is he your FAMILY?"

"He's Cuthbert's," says Anthy sweetly, ignoring the staaaaare.

*Meg has had enough of this.

She shoves the tutu over Manuel's head. And then dives under the table.*

As Cuthbert now sees it, he has several options.

a) have a seizure

b) fall down laughing again

c) harm Anthy

d) join Meg under the table

e) all of the above

or,

f) make a desperate grab for sanity

"Roland," he says in a perfectly level tone, "would be my friend. My male friend. Who has no more interest in people of the same gender than I do. Which is to say, none."

"He seemed very interested in Walter," Anthy points out, with a look of innocent confusion.

This is true, *Meg volunteers, from under the table.*

Also ka-tet is family, Cuthbert. You said!

Manuel looks disdainful.

"You are not to be putting your gun in another man's holster."

"That's...a rather apt way of putting it."

Having decided, for the moment at least, to simply Ignore Anthy, Cuthbert glances under the table and says, sweetly,

"In any case, Meg, I'm certain Manuel here would find your family ever so much more interesting than mine."

He looks at Meg consideringly.

"Do YOU have a beautiful wife?"

I have a beautiful ex-fiancee, *Meg says dubiously.* But, er, no wife.