return of the brainkiller

[manofthecity.livejournal.com]

In honor of mentioning she would do it sometime in a Big Back Room Thread, this post exists.

Around the pool table, which is sometimes in the bar and sometimes not, there are many, many people for one pool table.

Carrot Ironfoundersson is sitting on a stool keeping the score (and keeping peace), and next to him is Badger, who is collecting bets. Carrot keeps giving Badger sidelong disapproving looks, but doesn't actually say anything, since gambling is not directly against the Rules.

Greg Sanders is still trying to decide who to bet on -- the underdog keeps changing, see.

Playing are Rose Red, Sariel, Max Evans and Slack -- Thursday Next is hovering, waiting for a chance to get in, and Cole Sear and Kit Rodriguez are watching and sulking, as they were told they're too young to participate.

(Stupid adults.)

Kurt is getting an amazing view from the rafters, and occasionally swiping a strawberry from the bowl Eilinel's holding. Sitting with Eilinel are Sheila and her infant.

In the other corner, Claire Keogh and Mary O'Brien are just talking about pool -- they're both new to it.

And just wait until Tristan Farnon shows up.

[The original purpose behind the multi-pup post returns: help destroy Rue's braincells! Open to all comers, all day, though I do have a couple of classes in there somewhere.]

Comments

[general-lando.livejournal.com]

Lando has of course seen games like this - though usually involving holograms and force fields and the like - but hasn't seen this old-fashioned variety of it. He watches with interest. And can't help but notice the man taking the bets.

"What kind of odds you give?"

[crimeandpolitic.livejournal.com]

"Ten to one on him," Badger gestures at Max, who is at present winning.

This is new to Badger, too. On Persephone the pool tables aren't actual tables with real balls -- that'd be far too dangerous for windows.

[general-lando.livejournal.com]

"I think I'll hold off for now. How does this game work?" The clatter of the balls is a bit surprising.

]ooc: is Max blue?]

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

Magius watches this exceedingly interesting collection of people. Clad in his white robes he is rather bemused. He has no idea what this game is they are playing, and keeps watching, trying to figure out the rules. His watching slowly brings him closer than he was before.

[antarianmax.livejournal.com]

"You are going down, fairytale," Max is teasing as he makes his shot.

He and Rose tend to be teasingly competitive, and she laughs as he makes that delcaration.

[magius-unlocked.livejournal.com]

Magius grins as he watches.

"Intriguing."

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

And Gorlim steals a strawberry, too!

He's way better at it than this Kurt guy. Who gets Eyed.

[eilinel.livejournal.com]

Ellie laughs, and throws a berry top at him -- Gorlim, not Kurt.

"You thieves are common, today."

[gorlim.livejournal.com]

Gorlim catches it and pops it into his mouth.

"Common as the rats we are, my Lady," he agrees. "I could remove certain limbs from that one, though, if you like." He winks at her. And continues to Eye Kurt. Because stealing his wife's strawberries is just WRONG ON MANY LEVELS. Unless, of course, he's interesting. In which case, it is tentatively permissable under strict supervision.

[h-constant.livejournal.com]

There were many who had that look in their eye - a look she recognized very, very well. She didn't know what he could see, but she knew what she saw. She than so many could see.

And so him, she watched.

[notablessing.livejournal.com]

Kit could fit that description, somewhat.

Kurt, a bit, as well, and Max.

But Cole's the one who hides it, and Cole's the one with a familliar glint, and Cole's the one who looks twice at everyone to make sure he's not the only one looking.

Right now, he's sketching the game -- but that's not to say he hasn't noted eyes on him. He always does.

He just hasn't looked yet.

[h-constant.livejournal.com]

Everyone knows when they're being watched, and everyone gives in eventually.

That is - if the one watching has .

A good thing she does.

Her tea occupies her for most of it. Her tea, which she calmly drinks while calmly considering what she thought was certain. What she thought he could .

[agnes_nitt]

Agnes sees the congregation of people and firmly intends to steer clear until she hears an unmistakeable Ankh-Morpork accent. This place is still new and unfamiliar, so any connection to home is welcome. So, she walks over toward Carrot, trying to be as inobtrusive as possible, and waits for a break in the game to ask, "Excuse me, sir? Am I mistaken, or are you from Ankh-Morpork?"

[someonesdog]

It can't be resisted, not really.

The game has acquired a spectator, leaning against a table with her arms crossed across her chest, ostensibly watching the game but occasionally shooting fond glances towards the score keeper.

And maybe when the witch notices Carrot - because everyone knows Carrot - she'll recognise someone else in a very similar uniform.

[agnes_nitt]

Just for fun, let's say for the moment that the question asking was hypothetical and that Agnes will ask the question when there's a break in the game, but that such a chance has not yet arrived.

In such a situation, Agnes is free to notice what appears to be a City Watch uniform on the woman and steer that direction instead of interrupting the other man's concentration.

"Is that a Watch uniform from Ankh-Morpork?" she asks Angua.

[manofthecity.livejournal.com]

Threadhopping is, as they say, a tradition.

She is hard to miss, Angua, and Carrot can't help but look at her instead of the game every now and then. She's much more attractive than gambling, anyhow. Gambling isn't Right, and pool is conducive to drunken arguments.

If anyone is inebriated, however, Carrot has yet to notice, or he would have expelled them.

Though sometimes his smiles look drunk, when he's smiling at Angua.

It's almost puppy love in a literal sense.

[manofthecity.livejournal.com]

"In fact, yes," Carrot replies with a wide and sociable smile. "I am Captain of the Watch, under Commander Vimes, miss. You are a witch?"

He's always been inclined toward great respect for -- well, great respect for everyone, but quite a lot of it for people who can do magic.

[agnes_nitt]

She smiles back; it's hard not to.

"Yes, sir. Agnes Nitt, from Lancre. It's nice to hear a familiar accent. This place is just so... different."

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford is always a fan of games, so he's about, watching enthusiastically. He recognizes a couple of the faces, Max's in particular, but most of them are new. No matter, though, he's just enjoying the game.

[antarianmax.livejournal.com]

Max has just gotten his turn, and raises a mug of what looks like beer in Ford's direction. Of course, seeing that this is Max, it's actually very cold apple cider and club soda which looks like beer.

He's trying to fit in minus the fainting.

[shelley_winters]

Shelley wanders in to watch with some interest. She was always aware that pool was a game, and yes, in fact, some people play it - but until now it's really been a background feature.

But lo, for there are many people she recognises around here, so investigation it is.

"Hi, guys!"

[antarianmax.livejournal.com]

Badger has moved to ask Shelley if she wants to place a bet, but Max talks first.

"Betting on me's a conflict of interest for her, she's sometimes an employee. Hi, Shelley."

[onehoopyprefect]

Ford smiles at the bubbly young woman, threadhopping like a thing that hops threads. He hasn't met her that he remembers, but she's in a good mood and certainly attractive. (As Faith might say: taken, not dead.)

"Hello to you, too."

[callmefelicia.livejournal.com]

Felicia wanders over, perching on an unoccupied edge of the pool table to watch the game.

[faithful-slayer.livejournal.com]

At some point, when Max is not trying to line up a shot, he will be hugged from behind - and possibly groped discreetly - by his future Queen.

"Something interesting happened this morning," she will say, in his ear.