milliways_bar | return of the brainkiller

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.]

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Agnes flushes.

"I didn't mean it like that," she says, looking down and away.

"Of course you didn't," she says, shaking her head.

You just didn't think.

"I'm sorry."

"So 'm I." She scuffs at the floor with her boot.

Will you stop that? It's pathetic.

"It just must be... never mind. How long have you been on the Watch?"

"Three or four years," Angua says. "Since I came to the city. To be fair, it's not like there are a lot of career opportunities for a woman with no artistic talent."

"That's what I've heard. I'm glad I made the chorus. I had no idea what I would have done otherwise. Where did you come from?"

"Originally? Uberwald. My name's Angua."

Agnes freezes.

Uberwald! I told you!

They wouldn't have let her on the Watch if she was dangerous. Would they?

How should I know? Say something! She's staring at you!

"A-Agnes. Agnes Nitt," she repeats, more confidently. "Nice to meet you. Do you like Ankh-Morpork better than Uberwald, then?"

The werewolf notices sudden fear.

The policeman notices sudden 'suspicious behaviour', which translates to 'guilt' usually.

"Absolutely," Angua says pleasantly. "The weather's more clement, the people are slightly less likely to try and kill you, and I can get a decent pint."

She pauses, and runs a hand through her blonde hair.

"Are you going to ask it, or do I have to guess what it is and try to answer?"

Deep breath.

"A family of vampires from Uberwald tried to take over Lancre not long ago. One of them tried to kill me. Guess I'm still jumpy."

A fair enough lie.

Fair enough.

Angua shakes her head. "I'm not a vampire," she insists. "Not by any means."

"But you are from Uberwald. And you're not exactly... strictly human, either."

She swallows, palms sweaty. She feels like she might as well have invited a troll over to meet her pet billygoat.

"It's a witch thing."

"I'm a werewolf," Angua informs her bluntly, and, being incapable of saying anything more reassuring, shrugs. "I'm a vegetarian, though."

Agnes tries not to let her eyes widen. She really tries!

"Does the Watch know?"

Angua sighs, and really tries not to roll her eyes.

"Of course they do," she says. "You don't think they'd notice that their best tracker dog is her own handler?"

"Considering some of the Watchmen I met during that trouble at the Opera House? It wouldn't surprise me."

"Oh you were there, then?" she replies, looking up. "You'll know Constable Webber?"

"Not by name. I just remember watching them fumbling around, thinking they were blending in."

Angua pauses, trying to remember the investigation more fully.

"Oh!" she suddenly says. "Detritus and Nobby, yes. Um. They stand out."

"They looked damn silly, you know. They were still wearing their badges!"

"Well, yes," she admits. "It's hard to separate a policeman from his badge."

Angua herself is still wearing hers, even though her helemt is under her arm. The badge glints on a leather collar around her neck.

Agnes catches the glint and smiles sideways. "Or hers?"

"Or hers," she admits. "Luckily I can still wear mine undercover, most of the time."

"Underco-- oh. That would be why the, uh..."

She motions back and forth across her neck.

Angua says absolutely nothing about the slightly death-like motion of the hand, and smirks.

"Quite. It makes it harder to lose."

"Well, that makes sense, I suppose."

Agnes rocks back on her heels and looks out across the game again. She's also not completely oblivious to the looks that Angua is trading with that other Watchman.

"I think I'd like to get something to eat. It was nice meeting you, Angua. See you around?"

(no subject)

someonesdog - 2006-04-05 14:39 (UTC) - Expand