The messages have finally gotten clearly to St-Patrick-Hartbrooke, and he stops by Hartbrooke Hall to pick up the ledger. Coincidentally, his father’s butler, Jeremy is there (as he always is), so he decides to make use of this additional resource.
“Jeremy, could you please bring me a copy of Customs of the Aurient, the Code Duello (Weatherby Edition), and the by-laws of the Leviathan Club? I must research the subject of a car-oak duel to the death.”
“At once, sah, although, if I may the libahty…”
The Space Griffin cocks his head at the butler. “Yes?”
“I believe the wohd is pronounced ‘kah-rah-oh-keh,’ or, in the vulgah sense, ‘kay-ree-OH-kee.’”
“My thanks, Jeremy.”
The butler bows and retreats to the library to retrieve the specified resources, while the Taaa’Keee practices the pronunciation of the unfamiliar word.
When the servant returns, St-Patrick-Hartbrooke stands to take the books from him, and asks, “Karaoke?”
“Indeed, sah.”
With a curt nod, he sits back down and starts his research.
After reading Customs of the Aurient, St-Patrick-Hartbrooke summons Jeremy again.
“Sah?”
“Am I understanding this correctly, Jeremy? This… karaoke… is a competition of musical ability?”
“Vocal ability only, sah; the instrumental poahtion is provided, and one must replicate the vocals of the original song, adding, of coahse, pehsonal embellishment to suit one’s own taste.”
“I do not understand, Jeremy. I specifically and explicitly stated that this was to be a duel to the death. I threw down the sinister glove, as well; there should have been no ambiguity! Unless that one’s species can kill or be killed through music…”
“Probahbly not, sah, but Leviathan’s has the means foah the fatal duel to occah. If you’ll refahrence the chaptah on duelling?”
The gentleman turns to the page in question and starts reading. “Ah. The rules seem fair enough. Unusual, but fair. Well, then, let us start preparations.”
“You do not wish to dispute the absuhd choice of weapons, sah? It is youah right, undah the Code Duello.”
"Jeremy, I am Taaa’keeen. We may be more raptor than songbird, but song is part of our mating behaviour, precise timing built into our native language, and my own lyricism has been honed by long years at finishing school. I would prefer to duel with plasma pistols, but if that one’s weapon of choice is song… I will make <pleasing hum>(@manwich) rue that choice. "
St-Patrich-Hartbrooke frowns for a moment, thinking of the consequences of disputing the weapon choice.
“Perhaps if the choice of weapons were not an absolute right… But if I dispute it, it gives the challenged party the ability to withdraw honourably, and I will not let that being escape the consequences for its actions. No, if that one wishes to wager its life on a test of its singing ability against mine — although I cannot see how a being incapable of vocalizing intends to win a duel of vocal ability — then so be it. A pen, and paper, Jeremy. I must send word to Mr. Karekin(@David_Falkayn) of my acceptance of the terms of the duel.”
