Entrance Post

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

[OOM: In the Nexus]

The Door opens. Beyond can be seen a room decorated for Christmas. Though the architecture and furniture are nineteenth-century, some of the decorations and toys could not be made by that level of technology.

The sounds of laughter and friendly conversation filter through from an adjoining room.

A hawk cries. As it does so, a man steps through the Door, which closes behind him.

This man is wearing a red-and-black uniform. On the collar are four pips, indicators of the rank of Captain. There is a commbadge on his chest; a silver chevron atop a gold rectangle. Yes, Jean-Luc Picard has come to Milliways.

After a moment he says "This doesn't feel like the Nexus. Q! Is this your doing?"

Comments

[notabricklayer.livejournal.com]

(ooc: *fangirls, massively* Why must I have clinics in half an hour, why?)

[lvpd_sidle]

She'd stopped crying a while back and come downstairs. Probably so her body can replenish the lost moisture.

"I doubt Q's responsible. He doesn't want to get in trouble with Security again," she comments.

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"In that case, would you kindly tell me who is? This seems like just the sort of juvenile prank he would love."

After a short pause: "'Doesn't want to get in trouble'? Perhaps we're talking about different Q's."

[lvpd_sidle]

She sighs. "Look out the window, please. This is called Milliways, the bar at the end of the universe. Every universe and reality you can think of. The Bar is run by either magic or technology so advanced you'd call it magic. It brings people here. And Q's already gotten smacked down for screwing with people here. He won't do it again."

Belatedly, "My name's Sara Sidle. I'm from Earth, Las Vegas, the year 2006."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

Picard looks, and takes an unconscious step toward the window. "Amazing..."

He shakes his head and looks at Sara again. "Captain Jean-Luc Picard, of the Federation Starship Enterprise, in 2371."

[lvpd_sidle]

Another sigh. She has a full stock of them. "Another thing, sir--people are brought here from different universes. Some might be fictional to you. Gods, demons, angels, wizards and witches also exist. But yeah, welcome. The first drink is free. And the Bar," pointing to the structure, "is a living creature. She can make anything from any reality you'd want to eat or drink."

She is grateful for the distraction more than she can say.

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"Thank you. I shall take that under advisement."

[lvpd_sidle]

That surprises a laugh out of her. "Also, Captain, can you see the door you came in?"

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"The door?" From his perspective, he'd simply stepped forward and been here. Nevertheless, he turns. "No, I don't."

[lvpd_sidle]

"Congratulations. You're Bound here and won't be able to leave until Bar lets you go. Sorry."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"Ah." He tugs instinctively at the hem of his tunic. "I'll have to make the best of it, then. Are there rooms to rent here?"

[lvpd_sidle]

"Yeah. Just ask Bar for a key. They're up those stairs," she says, pointing in the indicated direction.

"Out that door is a recreation of Scotland. No one's really sure why. And there are a few rules: no sex, violence, or business in the bar. Pretty simple."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

Picard nods. "Thank you again."

[lvpd_sidle]

"Not a problem. And thank you for not freaking out the way some people do. Forgive me if this seems abrupt, but I need to get back upstairs to my friend." A slight smile.

"Enjoy your stay, Captain."

She gets a pitcher of water and goes back upstairs.

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

He goes to the Bar and receives a key.

The number on it is 1701-D.

"How appropriate."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

Q, in an alternate timeline, is seen leaning up against the counter. "Oh, it's not me, mon capitaine. I hadn't thought this would be the low sort of entertainment you'd find amusing, so it never occurred to me to bring you here."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"And when did you start to care what I would find amusing?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

His voice sounds hurt and he takes on an expression as one wounded. "Now, Jean-Luc ... All I've ever wanted was for you to be glad to see me at some point. Haven't I helped you and your crew time and again against impossible odds?"

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"Only when you had put us into the situation in the first place. All you ever seem to care about is your own continuing entertainment."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

"What about when I sacrificed myself to save your ship?"

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"Oh, very well. I'll grant that you acted selflessly once."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

"Once that you know of and recognize. Could you grant that there may have been other times you weren't a party to?"

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"Q, I'm in no mood for your games. There are over two hundred million lives at stake."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

"Captain Picard." His tone is quite military. "Look at that wall. Do you see a door?" He points.

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

Somewhat grudgingly, Picard looks. He is momentarily tempted to call out 'Computer, arch', but chances are low that this is the Enterprise's holodeck.

"No."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

He relaxes against the bar's counter again. "Then you have all the time in the world to indulge me. Until that door appears, time back home doesn't move. For you lesser beings, anyway. Q are immune to time problems."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"All right, Q. What do you want of me?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

"Nothing," he smiles. "I didn't bring you here, Picard. I suspect the Landlord, He Who Must Not Be Named, is trying to teach me for something.

"It really bothers me when he tries these little things." He buffs his nails.

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"I wish him luck, then. Is there a reason you don't take your irritation to him?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

He sighs. "I am. He's not taking my messages."

[jeanluc-1701.livejournal.com]

"That's probably a wise choice on his part, then."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_queue_/]

He shoots Picard a dirty look. "Just for that, Jean-Luc, you get to figure this place out on your own." He snaps his fingers and vanishes.