→ o2. [video]

[aperfectthird]

[There's a bit of shaking as Percy fiddles with the phone, getting it in place, and then he appears in frame, peering at it cautiously. When he's certain it's settled, he sits at the desk he's charmed the phone to float in front of, folding his hands on the top. His suit is impeccable: clean, perfectly pressed, tie straight, shirt spotlessly white. His hair, too, is gelled within an inch of its life, and he is, by all appearances, the perfect young professional.]

Good afternoon, residents of the City. My name is Percy Weasley, and I am looking for a gainful employment during my stay here. I am a very organized, detail-oriented, hard worker, with experience in international cooperation as well as working directly with one of the top government officials in Britain. I am an excellent editor and transcriptionist and I have an unmatched mind for rules and regulations. My CV is available on request. Allow me to assure you that if you hire me, you will be getting the very best employee. I look forward to hearing from you.

[A brief smile and a brisk nod, and he ends the transmission.]

Comments

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have. They show up on the network sometimes.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

I would say that's unbelievable, but nothing here is that unbelievable. Perhaps 'incredible.'

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Why?

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

Because it seems everything does happen here, whether I believe it or not.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Are you a wizard or aren't you, Percy Weasley? Anything's possible, you know that.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

Most things are possible.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Alright, don't get your wand in a knot, Head Boy.

You're not thinking of talking to them, are you?

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

It had occurred to me.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

And talk about what, exactly? They're not going to point us home, you know.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

Just for information. It can't hurt to ask about the city itself.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Have you tried asking the network?

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

I've this guide that Miss Ariadne gave me, but no, I haven't posed the question to the network at large.

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

You've a specific question? You haven't tried me yet, have you?

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

...no. I suppose it didn't occur to me.

[Mostly because he's the older brother, he's the one with the answers.]

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

Go on, then. I've only been here three years.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

All right.

[A moment, as he gathers his thoughts.]

What is the source of the ticking noise?

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

The clock.

Supposedly it's under the City, though most people find it difficult to get to the centre of it all. There are monsters in the Underground and it's sort of a maze down there, so the City's defending it quite a bit. As for what it does or means, Merlin knows. I've heard people say the ticking's a countdown to the end of all the worlds, but... There've been times when the ticking's stopped entirely and you lot still turned up from home, so maybe it isn't that.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

How long has it ever gone without ticking?

[7thborn.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. A few days, maybe.

[aperfectthird.livejournal.com]

And what happened during that time?