milliways_bar | (no subject)

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As always, there is much to think about. Here or there, outside or inside, Egypt or London, London or the end of the Universe, work or play, magic or not? The holidays in London were delightful -- a veritable escape -- but now he and Fleur are back here once more and they need to decide what to do.

What to do, what to do, what to do: it's a good thing Bill is not prone to pacing. Instead, he sits at a table in the middle of the bar, simply... contemplating. If his foot taps slightly in impatience, he really can't be blamed. He's not used to stasis.

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Elaine ducks when Bill says to, and laughs when the magazine comes flying into his hand.

At the pictures, Elaine's mouth falls open. "It's so...different." She's taking everything in, the desert and the pyramids, the people and the street scenes.

She points to the temple. "That is...amazing looking."

Bill nods, agreeing with her assessment. "It is rather amazing." Upside down, he studies the picture of the Karnak temple. "They say it takes half a day just to walk the grounds and get a feel for the place, but it can take years before one knows it well."

He happens to know it well.

"And what this publication won't tell you is that there's an entire separate side of it that only wizards know of; Egypt is steeped in all manner of antiquities beyond what you see here. There are layers up on layers upon layers and not just in Luxor and Karnak, but everywhere in the country. It's got a... defining odour to it, and a feel, and the sun is so bright it makes one's eyes ache, and the wind is warm and full of sand, and..." His voice trails off.

Clearly, it's a place he loves passionately.

He thinks he's just made up his mind: he's going back.

Elaine smiles as he speaks. "It sounds like you love it very much. And it is very hard to imagine a whole other world besides this. The world just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I should be quite nervous if I thought I had to keep up with it."

She laughs.

It is a very big world, without doubt. "Here, let me show you something." Again, Bill draws out his wand; this time, he taps it to the magazine. "Vivere... There."

The picture springs to life: it rises from the page, a tiny and perfect representation of the temple at Karnak. Perfectly small tourists wander round the columns; lights go on and off, a warm breeze blows round the table. "There. A little more of a taste of the place for you. I'm no good at large-scale work like that, but I can manage it on a photograph, especially if it's one of a place I know well."

Elaine's eyes widen and she looks at the small, perfect structure. "It's...it's so big. If the people are that small in comparison..."

She can feel the breeze, warm and dry, against her hand.

"Isn't it marvelous?" Bill's smile is evident: he adores the place. He points to a location in the middle of the temple. "One of my first curse-breaking assignments was just under here. Started out with another curse-breaker; it's both safer and educational." He laughs. "I've not worked with a partner on this type of thing in a long time, but you'd be amazed at the way the ancient Egyptian wizards thought to guard their tombs. Amazing."

Sitting back, he shakes his head at the memory. He also remembers going out and getting completely, utterly pissed afterward by way of celebration, at the wizarding bazaar behind the city of Luxor.

"Oh...like what sorts of ways?" Elaine is curious about everything. Her eyes are rather riveted to the small temple, though. She's imagining being down there, and what it would be like.

"Company secrets, Missus. 'Fraid I can't divulge." Bill laughs again. "I'm teasing. Do you know what a glamour is?"

That would seem to be the place to start.

Elaine's read lots of stories. "Is it...a sort of magic disguise?"

"Exactly." Bill taps his wand to the table beneath their fingers; it shimmers for a moment and then takes on the appearance of a piece of blue silk, fluttering in the breeze. He knocks on it with his knuckles and there's a rapping sound. "You see? It's still the table, but it doesn't look like it any longer. Finite."

The table is just a table again. "That's a simple glamour. The ancient wizards were so expert at them one can barely tell they're glamours at all, and they worked them on huge scales. For instance, there are tombs at the Valley of the Kings, and they're well-known, marked and preserved. However, there are also wizard's tombs there, entirely hidden from non-wizarding eyes by some of the most expert glamour work I've ever had the privilege to see. After studying for the better part of a decade there, I've almost got to the point where I can tell where one might be."

He watches with a combination of boredom and fascination at the little picture-come-alive. "They also use magical creatures, like... oh, let's see, sphinxes and mummies and pythons and a host of others, hugely long-lived, some immortal, as guardians. There are also complex series of traps combined with glamours: step on the wrong slab of marble and you're dead in an instant. Their weapons still frighten me. But the rewards... well, you've seen some of what they've hidden. That gemstone I gave you is a very nice example of the types of things one might find."

Elaine is utterly silent as he tells her about the spells. "That's...incredible. I can't imagine how much knowledge you need to have in order to do the work you do."

Very learned people still impress Elaine quite a bit--though she is by no means ignorant anymore, either.

"How long did you study to do this sort of thing?"

Bill shrugs gently. "I started preparing while I was still at school, but the bank hired me straightaway, and I apprenticed for a year before they'd let me out on my own."

He's very good at his job. It's glamourous, but in a different way.

"You must have learnt quite a bit in that year. How did your mother and father react when you told them what you were going to do?"

"Good-bye and good riddance?" He laughs. "No, no. I think they didn't like it particularly well. At least not my mum, but Dad was fascinated by the prospect of visiting there. And they had their hands full: I've got five brothers and a sister, all younger. So I'm quite sure they didn't mind as much as they might have, were I their only child."

He did have to promise to write from time to time, though.

"Yes, that is a large family. I believe I met your brother, Fred, once."

Elaine grins. "I suppose one can't worry too much when they've got six other children to run after."

Bill rubs his forehead: he can't really imagine having that many children, or watching them, or caring for them. But his mum and dad did it, and they did it spectacularly well.

"Fred's a bit... well, he's one of two. Twins, you know. You've got to meet George to get the full picture on him."

He taps his wand to the magazine; the little picture disappears and flattens back into the magazine page. "You're welcome to keep that if you want, you know."

"Might I? I'd love to show David the pictures." Realizing Bill didn't know who David was, she explained, "Oh, he's a little boy who wandered into the bar, abandoned by his mother. He lives with Ryan and I now." She smiles softly.

"You've got a family -- that's -- it's wonderful. Of course, show it to David. I've got many more if you need anything else." He reaches over and squeezes Elaine's shoulder. "Now I'm doubly happy for you. How old is David?"

Elaine constantly reminds herself that she is not David's mother, but she has a hard time helping that.

"He's ten. He's a very sweet little boy. Quite shy, though, so he doesn't come into the bar often, even with us."

"Still... that's so very sweet. I assume you've moved, then? To some larger accommodation?"

Really, the rooms here are fine for one or two, but not for more than that. "If David likes the magazine and wants to learn more... I'd be so very glad to share the rest of my books and periodicals with him. I've got a number of them upstairs. All you need to do is ask."

"Yes, we moved into a flat in the Staff Wing a few months ago. It's quite lovely and we're very comfortable there."

She smiles. "I appreciate that, Bill...and speaking of the flat, my shift is nearly over...and I should get home." She stands. "Greet Fleur for me and I hope you have a very, very pleasant evening."

He stands with her; it's that whole gentleman thing at work. "And you, love. It's been a pleasure." He kisses her softly on the cheek. "Take care of yourself. I'll see you soon."

Elaine smiles. "Good night, Bill."

And with that, she goes up to Bar, turns in her tray, and has gone home for the night.

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