Second Floor Common Room [Tuesday afternoon]

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

It had been several weeks, now, since Po had arrived in this strange land, and he felt fairly educated about his new surroundings. The indoor lights and running water had fascinated him, certainly, as had these mysteries called "electronics," but he felt confident that now, at least, he understood these things in theory, if not wholly in practice.

Today, though, he was left with questions as he stared in confusion at the television. He had been told these devices were for entertainment, and thus he'd happily watched as people behind blue boxes bearing their scrawled names had answered questions about this world, moments earlier. But for the last twenty minutes, an older man had appeared and attempted to convince him that comfortable sleep was nigh unto impossible.

Po frowned as he watched, unsure what this strange man's purpose was. He made sleep seem as though it were a mission that could never be achieved without this pillow -- surely the same audience that so enjoyed the questions before wouldn't fall for this spiel? It seemed like misplaced advertising.

And, also, a really stupid pitch for a fairly useless-sounding product, but Po supposed that was neither here nor there.

[this post brought to you by the endless My Pillow infomercial that has been airing on every TV I've happened to see this week. Open!]

Comments

[pursuedthestars]

"Unless they really liked the pillows!" Jim pointed out. "Then, they might ask you for more and your castle -- "

First guy he'd met with a castle.

" -- would just be filled with pillows. At least no one would ever have to go without one where you're from."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"Pillows for every citizen of Lienid!" Po declared, throwing his arms wide. "No man, woman or child will be without the comfort of one of these very odd pillows!" He paused, and added, "These sorts of declarations remind me why it's best that I'm a younger son and my kingdom will continue to go on without such rulings."

[pursuedthestars]

"And your kingdom is the lesser for it!" Jim joked with a laugh. "They will never know the glory of these pillows."

That was probably for the best. The pillows were pillows, after all. "The important thing is that you have their comfort in mind, at least."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"I care only for the support of their necks," Po said, nodding to the television. "Look how uncomfortable that poor woman is! Tragic."

[pursuedthestars]

"Extremely," Jim agreed with a heavy (oh so heavy) sigh. "And only an expensive pillow can save them. Hopefully, if chronic neck pain becomes a problem where you're from, they'll listen to your advice and buy a boatload of these pillows."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"I don't have a Visa, though," Po said with a frown as he peered at the screen. "Nor am I a Master of Cards."

Now he was extra-confused.

[pursuedthestars]

"Don't worry, I don't have anything like that either," he shared. Ah, being from a place where credits were primarily used. These people probably wouldn't take those.

"Maybe you could just ask nicely?" he suggested with a small laugh.

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't know who to ask," Po sighed dramatically. "I fear I shall have to live with my neck cramped forever, as will all others who live under my banner. So unfulfilling."

[pursuedthestars]

"Your name will forever be associated with neck pain," Jim quipped. "What a thing to burdened with. Hope you've got strong shoulders."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"'Prince Po of Lienid: the reason for your discomfort,'" Po said, spanning his hands out before him and shaking his head. "It does have a certain ring to it."

[pursuedthestars]

"It really does just roll off the tongue," Jim agreed with a nod. "I think it suits you, man. It's very...fluid. Very fitting. And no one else is gonna have anything similar to it, right?"

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"No one here has anything similar at all," Po admitted, "but adding that bit does sort of set me apart even more. I shall forever be unique."

[pursuedthestars]

"So, I guess something good came of this commercial then, right?" Jim said with a shrug. "Even if you're not gonna be springing for pillows, you still got a nice, new title out of it."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"I shall place it on my door, so that all might find me," Po decided. "I imagine it will adhere to what small reputation I've formed here, as well."

[pursuedthestars]

"You've already got a reputation?" Jim asked. "Congrats, man. Think that might be faster than even me and I thought I was pretty fast."

[rings-of-grace.livejournal.com]

"Well. Such as it is," Po amended. "I assume that there are people who'd know me, having met me now."

[pursuedthestars]

"Good point," Jim said, nodding his agreement. "How do you think your reputation's shaping up so far? Good? Bad? Neutral?"