milliways_bar | (no subject)

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*Meg's sitting comfortably at a booth in the bar, engaged in sewing ribbons to two pairs of small ballet slippers.

If certain people - say, any students of hers - were to approach, these shoes would vanish LIKE THE WIND.

Meg is crafty like that.*

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There is another person sitting and sewing.
A little person. But she doesn't have ribbons.

So there may be some staring.

*The ribbons are promptly whipped away and hidden behind Meg.

As of now they are SECRET, yo.

With a bright smile:* Salut, Laerke!

She smiles, intrigued by this game of hide and seek.

"Hello Miss Meg. Are you well today?"

She walks closer to Meg, still eyeing the general vicinity of her back.
What? She's a kid, she's curious.

Oh, yes, very well, *Meg says, grinning, and leans back against the chair.

In order get comfortable. Yes.*

You looked pretty busy over there, *she adds, glancing towards Laerke's own sewing.*

Lærke beams.

"Miss Khemrys has been teaching me to sew. She is very good at it. She says if I learn well, she will make me pretty things."

Sometimes it doesn't take much to divert a child's attention.
Sometimes...

*Meg is going to try her best, in any case!*

I don't think I know Miss Khemrys, *she says, tilting her head.* What sort of things does she sew?

Lærke shrugs.

"All sorts of things. Pillows, shirts, aprons...anything. And guess what?! She has a special room, with flowers and plants! And she makes things with them and said she will show me how to do that as well!"

It isn't hard to guess that learning is a rare treat for Lærke; any skill she can bring home will give her family that much better a chance at surviving.

She sounds very knowledgeable, *Meg agrees, seriously.*

Sounds as if there's some things I could use to learn as well - I mean, I know hardly anything about flowers and plants - though I have a friend who grows beautiful roses.

"Roses are very pretty, I have seen them before! But Miss Khmerys crushes up most of her pretty flowers. It is very sad. But she says it is to help people."

She perks up. "What about Miss Mary, Miss Meg? She says she has her very own garden!"

To make medicines, you mean, *Meg agrees.*

Dieu only knows the herbal ones are better than leeches, at least - though I guess, *she adds, with a grin at the girl,* it depends on how bad they taste.

I've seen Miss Mary's garden, though I don't know her myself - I mean, I used to be in the greenhouse a lot this winter. It was kind of nice with all the snow around - have you not seen it yet?

She shakes her head.

"No Miss. There has been much to do for Ah-Chee and Miss Svava's getting married party. But I would like to see it someday."

She makes a face at the thought of leeches. Doctors were never called unless it was very serious as they were quite expensive, but they always had those slimey things with them.

- well, tell you what, *Meg says, with a quick smile.*

Flowers are good things to have for a wedding, aren't they? I mean, as decorations? So maybe you could talk to your friend Mary and see if she'd let you have some.

She brightens.

Miss Svava had made magic to have flowers in the forest, but she hadn't seen any yet, and it was better to be safe rather than sorry.

"That is a wonderful idea Miss Meg. Thank you!"

*Meg giggles.*

Don't worry about it - I mean, I do know a little about weddings. I've lost count of the number of times I've been a bridesmaid around here.

*Rather mischievously:* Who knows - maybe someday I'll get a chance to see yours.

Hers? That is so far away! When she's old.

"Really Miss Meg? You would come to Copenhagen to see me?"

Poor thing still thinks she'll be going home. No one has been able to break it to her yet...

As if I'd miss it! *Meg says, with mock indignation.* If you were getting married on Mars I'd go see it.

. . . you know, assuming there was a spaceship provided and all.

A small eyebrow raises, making one wonder if Mister Jason has been visiting the flat lately.

"Spaceship, Miss Meg?"

Something that lets you zoom around and visit other planets, *Meg explains helpfully.*

Like a regular ship, except . . . in space! And with less sails.

That was what Mister Wellard had been talking about.

Her teacher gets a wary look.

"Miss Meg, I think someone has tricked you."

*Meg puts a hand to her heart, dramatically.*

I solemnly swear - not only have I seen them, Laerke?

*Her voice lowers dramatically.*

I've been on one.

She frowns.

"But...they were just pictures...ships cannot fly!"

She is insistant.

They can when they've got wings, *Meg says cheerfully.*

- and, you know, engines and things. Like trains.

This Bar is full of crazy people.

...and wizards.

Meg gets a look that says as much.

*Meg beams back, unperturbed.*

- well, I mean, *she points out, reasonably,* you didn't know about people being able to go places through a portrait before you came here either, did you?

I can't explain how a spaceship works any better than I can that - but I know it does.

"Well, no, but...that's magic..."

She flails mentally and sinks in on herself.

"This Bar is a strange place, Miss Meg."