milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Lily doesn't usually do more than theorize about how to modify Potions until her actual class, but this evening has found her at the end of the universe, experimenting with the Elixir to Induce Euphoria.

As Advanced Potions go, it's relatively straight forward ... until a person drinks it. Then it can produce some interesting side effects. Like nose-tweaking. And excessive singing.

Lily's adjusted the amounts of most of the ingredients, but it still doesn't feel right.

Maybe if she adds peppermint ...

But when she asks Bar for a sprig of peppermint, she also gets a note asking her take care of happy hour.

Lily looks thoughtfully over at her cauldron, and then nods. "All right."

Fifteen minutes later, there's a cauldron full of a sunshine-yellow potion, giving off a sweet smell (with just the tiniest hint of mint to it). The sign next to it reads, "Sample the Elixir to Induce Euphoria, and your first drink is free."

[OOC: The effects of the Elixir should wear off in an hour or two. How exactly it affects your pup is up to you, though the nose-tweaking has been taken care of. Come, play, threadhop, etc.]

[ETA: And I am going to have to ask for slowtime all around -- I've got a headache I can't shake and need to get away from the computer. I'll pick up tags tomorrow. Thanks!]

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To say William has been hiding isn't exactly fair, it's just he doesn't want to talk about why he has nice new bruises on his face.

Horus though does need to eat and has found Mary, so greets her with a meow and a headbutts her hand.

William is a few seats down and adjusting the ice pack on his face.

Mary, having tried a sample of Elixir to Induce Euphoria, seems to find Horus' arrival unexpectedly amusing, if the giggle that the kitten gets is anything to go by.

"I say, should kittens be on the bar?" she asks, scooping him up and looking about for his person.

"Mr. Evans, your cat has gone astray," she says, walking down the bar a bit.

"And....good heavens, what happened to you?"

The question is almost cheerful. Certainly not as sharp as it otherwise would have been.

Edited 2012-03-15 00:57 (UTC)

He looks up and starts to answer before realizing how nicely its asked, "Thank you, he likes wanderin'. You look happy."

Best to just ignore the other question for now as he sets down the ice pack and Horus purrs in her hands.

"Oh, it's because I tried some of the potion."

Mary nods to the sign.

"It is a distinctly pleasing sensation, I must say. I confess, I've been extremely disheartened and gloomy for the last day or so. It's quite nice to have a bit of a respite, even if it is artificially induced."

The potion seems to have loosened her tongue a bit as well.

"And you've avoided my question, which I take to mean that you feel some sort of shame in how you came about your injuries. You needn't worry. I'm not sure I'm capable of disapproving or delivering a lecture at present."

"I recokon then I won't ask about it while you're feelin' good. Wouldn't want to test the potion. I got in a fight with someone here who wouldn't believe in Milliways and called me a liar. We both ended up in the cells. It was a good fight though, he looks as bad as I do,"

It's nice to see her happy though a little odd.

"Well, that was very silly of him. If he were already here to deny its existence."

Mary may have conveniently forgotten that she had a not dissimilar feeling when she first found herself in Milliways.

"But you shouldn't be fighting, Mr. Evans. Really, you shouldn't, especially if it's going to cause you to be sent to jail. You could have challenged him to a duel, though. That's gentlemanly."

"Though, I confess, sometimes I think it would be quite a relief to strike out at things. Especially when one is wrought up."

"Duelin's just a fancier name for fightin' and I ain't ever goin' to be a gentleman. Anyway don't really know how to use a sword except for what that costume made me know. You ever want to strike somethin', let me know and I'll show you how. You can even hit me if it'd help,"

As seeing her punching would be worth a few bruises.

"Oh, practically no one uses swords now. Pistols are the weapon of choice."

Much more efficient.

"And I couldn't possibly, you know. It's not at all ladylike or proper to strike out at people. And if I were I would not want to do so at someone that I like."

"And besides which, you seem to be quite damaged enough as it is. I'd hate to add ot it."

"I don't think he knows how to use a gun so that wouldn't work. Fine, then I'll teach you how to punch on somethin', there used to be a bag for hittin' out back. Then when you find someone you want to hit you can. I'll stand as your second,"

Since if Mary actually hits someone, he wants to see it and help if he can.

"Really, Mr. Evans, the answer to every problem does not lie in violence."

Mary beams.

"I will propose a compromise. If...if you can provide me with more than one rational reason why I should learn such a thing, I will attempt to punch your bag."

A simple nose-thumbing at propriety will not be considered a reasonable argument.

"I never said it did. That's you goin' and assumin' things. Most things are best talked about and never want to bring guns into an argument if you can help it. A rational reason? If I teach you, then you'll be able to. I could also teach you how to rope, so's you're learnin' somethin' that ain't violent as well,"

Maybe Miss Barlow can even persuade her to try wearing pants to go riding.

Mary blinks. And looks as if she's trying not to laugh again.

"You would have me bind them before I beat upon them? That hardly seems sporting."

Or maybe it's how ladies are meant to fight in William's world.

"Simply to know how to do something is a poor reason, Mr. Evans. Of what possible use would it be?"

"No, it ain't. Ropin's just somethin' I know how to teach. What if you get attacked in Milliways and Security ain't about? Or you go to another world that ain't so proper? Anyway you were the one sayin' we should take advantage of what Milliways can teach us. I can teach you this and in return you can give me lectures on bein' a gentleman for each lesson,"

It's not fully a fair exchange but he thinks it's one she might take up. He'll just find ways around the lectures.

"I'm still not certain how rope is meant to be an effective weapon."

Mary wags a knowing finger at him.

"And you propose a bargain, Mr. Evans, when in fact it would be quite a poor one. You would teach me things that presumably you could measure the correctness of, when in return all you'd do is have me talk at you?"

"That's not to say that you would listen and learn in your turn."

She's seen Lydia duck out of enough lessons to be taken in by that one.

"Fine then you propose somethin' to teach me in exchange. If not ropin', what about ridin'?"

Horus tries to pounce on her finger as the humans are being weird.

Mary wiggles her fingers for the kitten's benefit.

"I am quite hopeless at riding," Mary admits. "Father taught us when we were children, but I fell off once and never cared to try much after that. But I'm not sure how you could help me in that arena, Mr. Evans."

Mary grins.

"Unless you are proficient at sidesaddle riding, and I somewhat doubt that you are."

"I'm not sure what I could attempt to teach you. Other than piano. And sewing. I'm a fair hand at nursing, but for all I know, the methods I know would be quite primitive by your time."

Horus gets a little height and manages to bat at her fingers,

"I bet Miss Barlow is but I don't see her doin' it that often. We need to talk to her anyway. I bet she'll have some ideas. They might be, I don't know. I know how to do a little mendin' but Ma does most of it."

"I'm quite sure she is. Miss Barlow seems to be quite competent at most everything."

Or at least she conveys the impression of being competent. It's an assurance Mary has wished she could copy.

"I could teach you mending. It would be a useful thing for you to learn. What would become of you, after all, if you didn't have a woman around to do it for you?"

"All my clothin' would have awful holes in it. Then we'll ask her for help. And you should learn how to at least know where to hit in case you ain't got a man around,"

Which is quite logical and reasonable.

"Well....very well."

Mary cannot imagine where such an instance would arise in her daily life. But there's no telling what might happen in Milliways.

"You may attempt to teach me, Mr. Evans. I cannot promise that I will be adept. In fact, I imagine I shall be rather poor at it."

"That's why you'll be learnin' to get better. I think you'll like it once you try it to. Another way to be sharp at people."

"I am, aren't I? But sometimes being sharp is the only way to get people to listen."

It can also cover a myriad of insecurities.

"You try sharing a house with four sisters, and you'll understand what I mean."

"Same with fightin', sometimes its the only way to prove your point. No, you can keep to that. I argued enough with my Pa when he was around,"

As fighting keeps him from having to acknowledge all the things he can't do.

"Did you? Why?"

Mary can't imagine arguing with her father.

"Cause he didn't seem to be doin' enough and nothin' ever felt like it was changin',"

He also wished that his father didn't have to die to show that he take care of them.

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