The washroom was quiet, insulated from the rest of the castle by thick stone and reinforced doors. Mana-lamps cast a steady glow against polished walls as Noel leaned back slightly and pulled the communication device from his Dimensional Pouch.
The runes along its surface shimmered faintly when he pressed the activation seal.
He sat down on the closed lid of the toilet, resting his elbows loosely on his knees while the device hummed to life. A soft ringing pulse traveled through the artifact, carried across continents.
He waited.
A click.
Then Elyra's voice, slightly drowsy.
"Hello? Who is this?"
Noel smiled faintly. "It's me. Who else would be calling you at this hour? I don't imagine you have other men waiting for your voice."
There was a pause.
"No."
It wasn't playful.
Noel blinked once, catching the shift in tone immediately.
"…Alright. That joke didn't land," he admitted. "Sorry. How are you?"
On the other end, fabric shifted softly.
