First Entrance

[boyscout]

The door opens and a young man slips inside, one hand holding an old duffel bag, and a bus ticket clutched in the other. He's a good few inches over six feet, dark hair and light-eyed, with a few weeks worth of stubble obscuring the line of his jaw. His clothes -- jeans, denim shirt, jacket, muddy work boots -- are the kind found in any thrift store and look well-worn. Since his attention is on the ticket, it takes a few moments for him to glance up and look around.

From the way his brow immediately furrows, this establishment is obviously not his intended destination. His steps slow down, body language becoming a little wary, but still heading toward the counter in search of a drink. And, hopefully, some answers.



[ooc: Clark is arriving several years before his arctic adventures. Discretion is awesome re: his identity. Ping the mun with any questions. Standard slowtime warnings apply, but the post is open nearly forever.]

Comments

[holds_her_own]

The snatch-and-grab nature of Milliways takes some getting used to. Hill is in uniform, fresh from headquarters, but since she's off duty as long as she's here she's not standing on any protocol.

"You came prepared."

She leans, one leg hooked on a bar stool.

There's a sharp little twist to her mouth.

"Do you need to buy tickets to get in now?"

[boyscout]

That's a bit of an understatement; 'getting used to'. You get used to packing up and moving every few months. Getting kidnapped by a bar is totally different. Especially when the unofficial greeter is military.

"Prepared?" Clark frowns in confusion before she mentions tickets, and looks down at his. "Uh, no. This for a bus to the Midwest."


[sorry for late reply. still coding, which kills brain.]

[holds_her_own]

"You've never been here before, have you?"

Her eyebrow tics.

This is new. So far, everyone seems to know what's going on except for her.

Now she's got an opportunity to see a fresh perspective.


(OoC: Hey, no problemo! Slowness is A-OK.)

[boyscout]

Clark takes another look around before shaking his head.

"Not in my best recollection, no."

Especially one like this. With a subtle use of special vision, he can see woods outside the building that look nothing like from where he just came.

"This a regular thing?"

[holds_her_own]

"So I've been told."

She straightens now, turning her back to the Bar to give Clark her full attention.

"I just arrived two weeks ago myself. They call it 'Milliways'."

[boyscout]

Clark, accommodatingly, shifts into full harmless mode.

(Which is a little difficult when you're built like him.)

"Swell. That's a strange name for a bar."


Well, it is.

[holds_her_own]

Swell.

"That isn't the strangest thing about it. I don't know where you came from, but according to the locals you're now standing at the end of the universe."

Full harmless mode is interesting.

(She doesn't believe it for a second.)

She holds out her hand.

"Maria Hill."

[boyscout]

Yes. It works in lieu of other, potentially more harmful words.

"I don't think time works quite that way."

Outside certain Zones he isn't yet aware of. Or in general. Lots of physics is still theoretical.

"Clark Kent."

He holds out his own, fingers wrapping around hers for a brief, firm shake.

"Miss Hill."

[holds_her_own]

He'll find her grip just this side of too-firm for a woman of her height and weight.

(But it's in keeping with the rest of her.)

"I find it's best to think of rules more like guidelines, and facts as suggestions."

At least when it comes to natural laws.

"Is it Mr. Kent, or is there a rank to go along with that strong jaw?"

[boyscout]

It's strong, at least. His dad told him years ago you could tell a lot about a person by the way they shake hands.

"Yes, ma'am. Just Mr. Kent."

Clark isn't cut out to be a member of the Armed Forces.

"Really? I happen to think rules and regulations are there for a reason."

Unless there are better reasons to ignore them.

[holds_her_own]

Huh. Not how she would have pegged him.

But Mr. Kent it is.

"I happen to agree with you when it comes to systems of government, law enforcement, and basic queuing courtesy at the movie theater."

She gestures to the empty seat beside her.

"But I've seen too much weird shit to believe time and space work in any way controllable by our ways of understanding."

[boyscout]

"Or Clark," he adds, trying to squash a smile.

Her sense of humor might jar with his. Not that the possibility prevents him from settling on the stool.

Or remembering to finally drop the shake because that would make moving a little awkward.

[holds_her_own]

She smirks.

He's an interesting enigma, isn't he?

"Clark."

She nods, and takes the opportunity to likewise offer:

"Maria."

No need to stand on formalities.

"So. There must be some questions on your mind."

[boyscout]

"About basic queuing courtesies?"

His eyes crinkle a little at the corners; laugh lines that will smooth out when his amusement isn't on display.

"Or about this place."

Which Clark is almost positive she really meant.

"Alright, Maria. Lay it on me."

[holds_her_own]

"There are three rules: never save a spot for more than one late friend; don't elbow the people around you; and most importantly, no cutsies."

Her expression could scare a young child.


Until she smirks.


"Apparently this place materializes anywhere it sees fit, bringing in clientele from any universe and period of time it chooses. There is a strict no violence or disorderly conduct rule."

Beat.

"Well. There is a rule, anyway."

How strict it is remains to be seen.