milliways_bar | (no subject)

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*Meg's sitting at a booth in the bar, with a fire extinguisher well within her sights.

Theoretically, she's working on a lesson plan.

But every fifteen seconds or so, her eyes dart up, scanning the bar for dancing. Which alas means she has not made much progress on the aforementioned lesson plan.*

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- oh - it's a fire extinguisher, *Meg says, helpfully, looking up, and smiles at the girl.*

Er - which means that it's a thing that puts out fires. I didn't know what it was either 'till the other day, they're kind of a modern invention -

"Really?" Alice tilts her head, studying it. "How does it work?"

Well -

*Meg picks the fire extinguisher up, the better to demonstrate.*

You only have to push this thing here, really, and this foamy stuff comes out, which is good for stopping fires - better than water, apparently, 'cause it's all - you know, scientific.

"Is it?"

Alice looks a bit like she's surpressing button-pushing urges. Or whatever it is you push on a fire extinguisher.

"I didn't know there was anything better for stopping fires than water."

Neither did I, *Meg says, and grins at her.*

But then again, I didn't know about plumbing before I came here either, so you do learn a lot - d'you want to try? Considering what's been going on, it's probably best if as many people know how to work it as possible -

Alice smiles brightly. "Oh, may I?"

She reaches out a hand, then pauses. "But what do you mean by 'what's been going on'? Have there been fires?"

*A little grimly:* Not yet.

*Meg does not really believe in sparing the children.*

Things could get hot around here pretty soon, though, *she adds; and then beams, a little, because even when threatened by a demon, Meg really honestly believes this sort ofp un is clever.*

Alice's eyes are slightly wider by this point.

"Are there going to be fires? And how can you tell there will be?"

Hey, Alice learned about horoscopes earlier tonight. Maybe this lady can tell the FUTURE.

It's the dancing, *Meg explains, and gestures vaguely around the bar.*

I don't know if you've seen any of it - there's a curse going around, and too much singing and dancing and people start to smoke -

and that, *she adds, firmly,* is when you rush in with the fire extinguisher, and then everything is pretty much all right. If slippery.

...

...

"...People can catch fire from singing and dancing?"

:O, says Alice's face. :O.

*Hastily:* Only when there's a demon involved. Normally it's quite safe - and, I mean, I worked at an Opera House, and we never had spontaneous combustions there.

*. . . falling chandeliers do not count.*

"Oh."

There is visible relief.

"I suppose it is a good idea to have a...a fire extinguisher, then."

Oui - just to be on the safe side, *Meg says, nodding, and then grins, suddenly.

A little conspiratorially:* Besides - the foam really is kind of fun.

And that reminds her!

"Oh, yes--may I try it?"

She holds out a hand again, utterly unsure how to proceed.

Of course - just aim for the booth right across from me, *Meg instructs cheerfully, oblivious to the damage the poor waitrats may have to clean up later.

. . . well, perhaps not entirely oblivious. She does have a score to settle with them, after all.*

No one's sitting there, so it won't cause any damage - just be careful, it's a little heavy, *she adds, and hands the fire extinguisher over to the girl, ceremoniously.*

Alice grapples with the fire extinguisher for a moment, then ends up simply setting it on the ground and bending down to try and operate it.

The workings of it still seem to elude her, for a moment, but then--

--FWOOSH!!

Unprepared for the force of it, Alice tumbles backwards, looking delighted.

*Meg lets out a laugh, reaching out a hand to steady her.*

Not bad! I think you're definitely going to be able to join our sort-of volunteer fire department here -

Alice brushes herself off, still beaming.

"Thank you very much for letting me try it."

And then, remembering that there's been no proper introduction here, she curtseys. "My name is Alice."

Pas de problem - I'm Meg, *Meg says, smiling, and dips a curtsey in response.*

Nice to meet you, Alice - this your first time here, or are you a veteran I ust haven't met?

"I used to come here, but then the door I used to go to to get here didn't lead here for a long time. I'm glad it does again." Pause. "Even if there are demons who make people catch fire."

It's definitely never dull, *Meg agrees, a little wryly.*

- but you're right; I'd miss it if I couldn't come here, too, *she adds, with another smile.* There's lots of people who tend to make it worth the demons who make people catch fire, in general.

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