Journal the Fourth

[theabjectauthor]

[the journal picks up the sounds of rustling, creaking, and other hubbub - a phrase which here means hustle and bustle. Lemony is in the process of packing himself a trunk, and dictating as he does so]

My dear residents ... [ahem]

I do apologize for dictating to you thus, rather than my usual written discourse, but I have something to prepare for, and I have lost quite a bit of my preparation time due to having been - [cough.] - terribly transmogrified into a cantankerous caterpillar for the last few days. While I appreciate a literary allusion as much as the next well-read, open-minded individual, I must admit that sitting on mushrooms for such an extended period was neither a comfortable nor recommended pastime.

[cough cough] And neither, of course, is the constant inhalation of mood or mind-altering stimulants, no matter how harmless they may be in a nonsensical situation. I certainly hope that I did not form any lasting first impressions on any of you during that time. While I do enjoy the occasional dose of nicotine, I am hardly such a wanton imbiber under normal - [COUGH.] - circumstances. ... Good heavens. Castle, might I have another pitcher of lemon water? ... Thank you.

[there's a pause as he takes a sip] That being said, I hope that some of you found enjoyable circumstances in recent days, and that no one was terribly injured by that terrible, manxome creature.

[general reparations having been made, he sets to folding up the laundry he'll be taking along, and starts in on the bevy of filters he's been intending to make for a short while now]

[Kalinda]

I have not heard from you recently ... I hope you've been well?

[Jane Crocker]

When would you like to have that cooking lesson in the kitchen?

[Dr. Gregory House]

Sir, I apologize for contacting you out of the blue, but may I have a word?

[Spike]

I have located that book on knids, if you are still interested!

[/Filters]

Comments

This guy

[gottaknockhard]

Spike is a more common name than you'd think.

This Other Spike

[theabjectauthor]

Is it? I'm terribly sorry, then. I did not mean to cause you any confusion, sir.

This guy

[gottaknockhard]

[He'd make a point to leave out the 'sir's, but given the circumstance, it might make things easier for him.]

Just weird to find out that a little dragon's friends have a better vocabulary than I do. [--he lied about it being common. There are exactly two of them since the vampire left.]

This Other Spike

[theabjectauthor]

Why does it unsettle you? And, for that matter, why should the species of an individual designate what manner of company he might keep in relation to yourself?

This guy

[gottaknockhard]

[Processing...]

Hey, whatever you want to do.

This Other Spike

[theabjectauthor]

[Spike, you do realize that what you just said isn't even a viable answer to the question at all, right? Lemony frowns at the page, trying to figure out how to say so]

Sir, do you realize that what you just said isn't even a viable answer to the question?

This guy

[gottaknockhard]

It's not?

[He took a stab at it and everything.]

This Other Spike

[theabjectauthor]

.... No, sir, it is not.

This guy

[gottaknockhard]

You know, you really don't have to bother with the 'sir'. [It's getting to him now.]

[theabjectauthor]

If you insist. Do you have a surname, so that I might properly distinguish you from my similarly named acquaintance?

[gottaknockhard]

[He was here first, but whatever. It's not like he's petty enough to be upset about something like that.]

Spiegel.