Arthur hadn't expected Lyra to text first. Now that she had texted him, he was shocked. He was stunned… he was too bewildered for words.
'I was supposed to call her later… How is she? Why did she call? Is she worried? Is she liking it in the Barthlorn dormitories? Oh dear…' Arthur's thoughts raced.
'Get your head out of the clouds! Who are you?' a deep voice echoed through the prince's mind.
'I am Prince Arthur Emberfallen.'
'And when have you ever frozen before a girl?' his phoenix replied with more gusto.
'Never.'
'Good, now pick up your tail feathers and be the prince that you are.'
'Aren't you the one with…'
'…STICK TO THE POINT WE'RE MAKING HERE!'
'…YES, SIR. INTIMIDATE AND FRIGHTEN LITTLE GIRLS, SIR!'
'…No, that's not…'
*Bzzt bzzt…* the phone went again, stunning both him and his phoenix from their failing hunt for courage.