milliways_bar | (no subject)

A little boy, perhaps no older than five or six years of age, wanders over and tugs on her arm, frowning. "What's wrong pretty lady? You look sad..." He is, basically, the picture of innocence. Short blond hair, bright blue eyes, little sneakers, a red t-shirt and blue shorts. His smile is worried and his eyes shine with concern.

She gives him a wan smile. She's used to kids, where she lives, although they usually watch her carefully once they're old enough to know she's the one who protects their moms.

"Nothing, sweetie. I'm fine."

"You don't look fine..." He continues to frown, almost pouting. "You look sad. Why're you sad? I hate it when people are sad, 'cuz then I get sad!" It's selfish-yet-considerate thinking. "You sure you're fine, pretty lady?"

"It's just boring grown-up things."

She gives him a conspiratorial smile.

"But everything can be made better with the application of chocolate milkshake. Would you like one too?"

All small children can be bribed, surely.

Indeed they can. His face lights up in a second. "Ya!" All thoughts of her being sad seem to have been swept from the child's mind. "You sure it's alright? 'Cuz my Mommy always told me that it's not good to just take stuff from strangers."

"Then your Mommy is very sensible. But," she says reasonably, "Bar will give you the milkshake, and she's not a sranger."

She stands and offers him her hand, ready to lead the way over.

He takes it quickly, his small hand clasping hers as best it can.

"Bar? Who's that?" He doesn't much care, really. He wants his milkshake!

She leads him over to the bar, then picks him up to set him carefully on a barstool. "Don't wobble," she warns.

"This is Bar. She's magic, and she can make you anything you like."

She gives him a thoughtful look.

"Haven't you been here before? Where's your Mommy?"

"Magic? Really!?" He runs his hands over the bar in awe.

When she asks about his mother, he suddenly becomes very sad, looking down at the floor. "I just got here...my Mommy and Daddy died...a big monster came and ate them..." There are tears in his eyes, though he blinks them away quickly and tries to hide it.

"Yes really, you just," she pauses as he continues.

"Oh, sweetie." And there is a hug, of the variety that knows how scary it is when that sort of thing happens.

"We'll look after you. I promise."

He nods wordlessly, blinking away more tears. "I was scared, really scared, and..." He pauses, then glances at her. "I ran away. I tried to run away, but it wouldn't let me. Am I...am I a bad boy for being afraid and running away? My Mommy and Daddy...they needed me! I should have been brave, right?" He has tears streaming down his cheeks now, and is clearly struggling not to burst out into full-out sobbing.

"No." It's very quiet, soothing.

"Running away was the best thing to do. They would want you to be safe. And sometimes no-one can fight the monsters. All you can do is leave."

He nods, eyes red now as the tears finally stop. He seems embarrassed at the outburst, glancing away from her as he rubs his hands on the bar. "I feel...weird, bad, stupid kinda. Because I got to go, but he wouldn't let my parents...it's not fair."