I love the interactions between Sybil and Nobby and this characterization makes me crack up.
—Men at Arms by Terry Pratchett
Underlined ⬇️
[For some reason Lady Sybil, keen of eye in every other respect, persisted in thinking of Corporal Nobbs as a cheeky, lovable rascal. It had always puzzled Sam Vimes. It must be the attraction of opposites. The Ramkins were more highly bred than a hilltop bakery, whereas Corporal Nobbs has been disqualified from the human race for shoving.]
“I’ll tell you,” said Vimes. “A monarch’s an absolute ruler, right? The head honcho–”
“Unless he’s a queen,” said Carrot.
Vimes glared at him, and then nodded.
“OK, or the head honchette–”
“No, that’d only apply if she was a young woman. Queens tend to be older. She’d have to be a…a honcharina? No, that’s for the very young princesses. No. Um. A honchess, I think.”
Vimes paused. There’s something in the air in this city, he thought. If the Creator had said, “Let there be light” in Ankh-Morpork, he’d have got no further because of all the people saying, “What color?”
Make way for one of Discworld’s saddest scenes at all, ladies and gentlemen.
“A shadow appeared in the doorway.
Detritus walked in.
They looked at the limp shape in his hands. He laid it carefully on a bench, without saying a word, and went and sat in a corner. While the others gathered round the mortal remains of Acting-Constable Cuddy, the troll removed his homemade cooling helmet and sat staring at it, turning it over and over in his hands.” - Men at arms.
“Can’t one of you get him a blanket or something?” Cuddy said. “A very fat man said, “Huh? Who’d use a blanket after it had been on a troll?” “Hah, yes, good point” said Cuddy. He glanced at the five holes in Detritus’ breastplate. They were at about head height, for a dwarf.
I’m rereading some Watch books, so it seemed appropriate for me to try to draw one of my favourite duos again. I love Detritus and Cuddy’s friendship so goddamn much.
