The stubborn life

The four of them were talking all at once and gesturing wildly in the basement of the palace: the professor of history and art, and the other three – not quite humans, one of whom was currently blaming another for a leak in a massive vintage water heater. “Pip, you sure you’re an engineer?” The Captain lowered her thick-rimmed glasses to stare at the slim man in front of her. “How could you miss a leak in something that hasn’t seen a drop of water for a hundred years?” The man ran his hand through his shiny black hair and eyed the puddle near the heater. “I’m telling you, it’s not from the portal,” he said, knocking on the heater which responded with a hollow metal sound. “And for the thousandth time, don’t call me that. I’m Mr. Piper to you.” The Captain chuckled. “Save the titles for your girlfriends,” she said. “And if you want to be Piper, locate the pipe that’s leaking.” The Captain squealed with laughter at her own joke. The professor groaned to get everyone’s attention. “How…