[video] You only THINK I guessed wrong!

[nonscriptum]

I fell victim to one of the classic blunders- do I seriously have to read this?

[You may recognize the guy on your screen as local parkour enthusiast and history nerd Nathan Drake. What he is wearing, however, differs so resolutely from his typical "jeans and a Henley" aesthetic that the broadcast appears to be hosted by a man whose sartorial sensibilities make him look like the quintessential Harvard professor: tweed vest, bow tie and all.

He gives a pleading expression to someone out of frame, who appears to have no mercy. Nate takes a fortifying breath and continues his recitation with approximately zero enthusiasm.]

...the most famous of which is "never get involved in a land war in Asia" - but only slightly less well-known is this: "never challenge an FBI psychologist to deliver a line with a straight face."

[He looks directly at the camera, then at the figure behind the camera, and mimes a finger slicing across his neck at the figure in question with a mouthed I'm going to kill you.]

Comments

[hellosirs]

[ Not to worry, Angus is very secure in his nerdy fashion sense! ]

I still wouldn't take my chances, even if you do play poker often. Don't feel too bad, sir! I'm sure you'll get Dr. Sweets next time, and you look like a very well-to-do college professor!

[ He means it as a compliment ]

[nonscriptum]

[You and Lance both, Angus.]

...thanks, [comes the tempered reply, because he knows the kid means well.] I'm just assuming this is what most college professors look like.

[Since, you know, he never went.]

[hellosirs]

I've met a few, I think it depends on the vocation. The more wizardly professors wore robes.

[ Granted, the few professors that he's met were generally tangled up in the middle of murder investigations, but Angus won't mention that part. At least one of those professors in the Neverwinter University Murders was a victim, and he's pretty sure bloodstains aren't part of the professor uniform. ]

[nonscriptum]

Right, right, [he says, like a man who knows what wizard professors look like, like a man who definitely has an idea of what Angus is talking about.

(He does not.)]

You have a lot of experience with those?

[hellosirs]

I solved a murder at a college, once, but I've never attended one as a student!

[ He just brushes over the fact that he's like... twelve. ]

... Oh, I'm a detective, I probably should've given the context up front.

[nonscriptum]

Oh, is that all?

[Nate can't help the grin on his face, since the statement itself was said with such consummate nonchalance that it might as well be a very dry joke. It's all right, kid. He didn't go to college, and he turned out okay!]

What's your name, inspector?

[hellosirs]

Angus McDonald, sir. I'm the World's Greatest Detective, back home.

[ Angus has seen amused grins like that before; he gets this kind of reaction a lot! He's used to it. ]

I know that sounds like a brag, but it really isn't, I'm being serious!

[nonscriptum]

Hey, I believe you!

[He isn't about to judge the state of anyone's home world, and if a preteen is an ace detective, who the Hell is Nate to argue otherwise? When he was twelve he was a pretty decent magician, even if his brother claim the opposite. Sam was definitely just jealous.]

I'm Nate. Drake.

[hellosirs]

[ Ten points for Nate, most people don't believe him at first! Angus looks surprised for a second, and then gives him a big, gap-toothed grin. ]

Oh! Oh, you're Lup's friend!

[nonscriptum]

Uh. Yeah. I am.

[Nate isn't certain whether to attribute that particular association to clever sleuthing on Angus' part, or the fact that his friends might talk about him. Maybe both.]

How'd you know?

[hellosirs]

[ It's a little of both! Angus has lived with the twins for a year now, and has probably overheard Nate's name come up in conversation before. Also, he's a big snoop who reads through the network in his offtime. ]

I just pay attention, sir!