Barmaid on Duty!

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

[ELAINE enters from stairs upper right. She is dressed as a WAITRESS. She picks up a tray from BAR and waits in front of it.]

ELAINE (cheerfully): How may I help you?

Comments

[kitchen_maid]

[AMY comes in from the stables, with a few stray bits of HAY still clinging to her dress. She blinks for a moment in confusion in the change in narration style, then shrugs.]

AMY (with a smile): Hello, Elaine. How are you this evening?

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

[OOC: LOL, I definitely can't keep that up!]

"I am very well, thank you. How have you been? I've not seen you in quite some time."

[kitchen_maid]

[ooc: I couldn't resist, but I don't think I could keep it up, either!]

"I've been well, for the most part. Caspian gave me a horse for Christmas, and she and I have been getting acquainted. How are you, Elaine?"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I shall have to come and see your horse. I have not ridden since..." the smile fades for a moment, "Susan left." She brightens. "I am quite well, very content and happy. So, have you named this horse?"

[kitchen_maid]

Amy's hand closes on the necklace she's wearing for a moment, and lets it go.

"I miss Susan," she says, quietly. "You're one of the few people I've heard mention her name since she left."

And then she lets go of the necklace.

"And you shall have to come and meet her. She hasn't a name yet, and if you've any suggestions, I would be happy to hear them. She's not trained for riding yet, and I think she should have a name before I start working on anything too demanding."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"She was a person who I truly...that I could feel..." Elaine doesn't have the words. "She was--is--a good friend."

"And I shall have to come to see her--have you broken a horse for riding before?"

[kitchen_maid]

"A very good friend," agrees Amy, simply. There really aren't any other words needed, are there?

"And I've been badgered grooms into showing me what they were doing and such. And I worked with the trainer in Phantasmorania, with my horse at home. And Caspian will help if I ask him to, and probably if I don't."

Older brothers are like that.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

Elaine laughs. "Well, it sounds like you have things well in hand at that score..." Elaine pauses for a moment. "I've not seen Anne in quite some time. Is she all right?"

[kitchen_maid]

"I've not seen her for a few weeks, either, but she seemed quite well when last I did. She's teaching, and spending time with Gilbert and her family, and I think she's quite happy to be home again.

"I'm sure she'll be back soon."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"I am glad she seems to be doing well, then. And glad she is with family. But I do hope to see her again. What have you been doing to occupy non-horse filled time?"

[kitchen_maid]

"The usual for here," says Amy. "Mostly talking, to new friends and old, and embroidery to keep my hands busy. Walking outside, but it's too cold to do that for too long.

"What do you do, Elaine, to pass the time here?"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Much the same as you, but I do have a flat to take care of. Not to mention my husband--though we take care of each other." She smiles fondly at the ring on her finger. "It's going to be nearly a year for us soon."

A year since she couldn't figure out what to say, threw words away, and kissed him. A year since he kissed back.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy smiles very brightly, as she follows Elaine's look at her ring. "I'm very very glad you found each other, Elaine. A year. That's wonderful."

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Hello, sir. Welcome to Milliways. Have you been here long?" Elaine smiles. "I am Elaine, and your waitress for this evening."

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

"Hi!" chirps Preston, clearly in a good mood. "This place has waitresses? I didn't know that. I've been here for a day."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"There are not many, but then, not many are needed. May I get you something, Mr..."

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

"Preston." He thinks. "Clam chowder?"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Coming right up, Mr. Preston." Elaine gets the chowder and comes back. "So, you have been here for a day? Where did you come from?"

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

"New York City."

Mmm, chowda.

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"I meet so very many Americans here," she says with a smile.

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

"There are a lot of us. Where are you from?"

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Astolat, Britain, 1143." She looks down at herself. "I do not look it now, since I am waitressing."

[honest-preston.livejournal.com]

"Wow...that's...790 years in my past." Because Preston has a calculator inna head. "I'm from 1933."

[maid-of-astolat.livejournal.com]

"Oh, I know someone else from your where and when. And yes...it is quite some time ago. I'm married to someone from the twenty-first century. I think we keep surprising each other," she says happily.