milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

[OOM: Ishamael releases Shelley for a few days, but not before taking precautions.]

Shelley had really wanted, first of all, to collapse onto her bed and cry with both relief and the knowledge that she has to go back when she stepped through the portal and it closed behind her. But that would have been a waste of good free time - time in which she's actually free, she thinks bitterly. So she simply takes a few minutes to change into a more normal top, before running quietly down the stairs into the main bar.

After a brief thought, she stops off at the bar before going straight to Antar, ordering a large glass of wine. She has the distinct need to be drunk, and Antarian alcohol is weak even by her standards.

She'll be here a while before going through to Antar, if anyone wants a chat. Or, you know, to ask her why she's drinking so earnestly.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

We thought, says the quiet not'voice, that you weren't coming.

Shelley stiffens, even as she recognises the difference in the mindvoice, and doesn't look around.

I wouldn't miss it, she replies after a moment.

Please don't -- She's started to be a little firmer in her statement, because she knows Shelley, and then wavers.

-- you don't like me, do you.

Shelley turns around on her stool, to see if she can spot the other girl - woman, she has to keep reminding herself. Lyrae- Random- she's actually older than she is now. In a way, anyway.

After a rather long silence, You confuse me.

Is that her over- no, it's someone else. Do you think I should? Elan is a liar, but... I get the feeling he told me quite a lot that was true.

She doesn't look it.

She looks, maybe, nineteen.

I confuse me too. I don't mean things sometimes. I'm not -- not malicious. Not sociopathic. Just damaged.

The words are Max's, and now they've become hers, too.

Shelley picks up her glass and stares into it, unable to miss seeing, as she does, the black mark around her finger.

So what are you? she asks. I mean - what do you think you are?

Random - Lyrae - Annabel - the girl whose name is Dent notices the motion, and notices the mark, just slightly.

From behind Shelley.

She'd come up, see, to be there in person.

But she doesn't react to it, really.

Broken. Strange little broken Severed lost girl with no time and no place and that isn't anybody's fault or anybody's problem.

I don't think you're broken, says Shelley.

Not completely, anyway. You're still there, after all.

The wine doesn't hold so much appeal any more. She rests the base of the glass lightly on her knee.

Always was. Always hoped for, never wanted. Hope is everything. Reality isn't important.

She twirls her hair about, half-smiling.

You're missed.

Hope. Nice to have. Reality would be nicer.

Shelley bites her lip. She's not smiling.

I'm back now.

Reality doesn't suit my mother.

Random doesn't really ever smile entirely.

You can speak, I do not mind, if it's easier for you.

It doesn't suit a lot of people. And this is fine, I've had practise with it.

She tilts her head dryly down at the floor.

Also, I think I would look very silly talking to someone when I'm not sure where they are.

She pokes Shelley in the shoulder.

I have a quiet approach.

Shelley jumps, and looks over her shoulder.

...You certainly do.

Don't mean to be frightening.

This is a teasing innocent face.

See, even she can be nice, sometimes.

No, and the mental voice is exceedingly dry. Of course you don't.

Shelley pauses, but why not, after all? She lightly taps the bar surface.

Want anything?

Shelley is glomped, enthusiastically, by a slightly flaily Slayer.

"Shelley! Hi! Help!"

"Wah!"

That would be a slightly tipsy Shelley being rather suprised.

"Faith! Hello! Er- how? What?"

"Need another bridesmaid!"

Faith makes puppy eyes at her.

"Please?"

Blink.

Pleased smile.

"Really? Me? All right!"

That was easy.

Faith beams.

"Good! Thanks! You, Isabel, Trillian, Maria and Meg."

Shelley beams.

Then thinks.

"Um, what do I need to wear? Or do? Is there some skill I need to have?"

"Dress. Fitting." Faith gestures at the door. "And...well, you can walk, so I think you'll do fine."

"Oh, good. Walking, yes. I can do that. Oh, and fitting, that makes sense. Um, now?"

Don't make her down the wine, Faith. She'll fall over.

"It can keep for a bit, but soon, or Meroin may kill me in my sleep."

Okay, she won't, but still.

Shelley nods firmly.

"Okay. I will be along as soon as I have finished my drink. I need to catch up on work anyways."

Faith nods back, and hugs her.

"Thanks! A lot! You're my saviour."

There may be an exuberant cheek-kiss before she flies back to Antar. Just saying.

Again with the blinking.

But of the two people who've kissed her on the cheek today, she definitely prefers Faith, so lets it go with a shrug.

Ohgod wine. Mmm.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only