milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Um...excuse me? If I could have everyone's attention for a minute."

The hustle and bustle of the bar continues a pace, as if he'd said nothing at all.

"Hello? Can I have your attention, please."

Still nothing. There are drinks being drunk and foods being eaten and hub-bubs to bub.

"Okay...that's it."

A near ear piercing whistle makes it's way through the din. You'd almost expect a fleet of taxis to pull up along side the dirty-blonde haired man standing behind Bar. After all, that's what whistles like that are cultivated for in the first place.

"Thank you. Uh,...I guess I have an announcement to make. Um...first things first. Apologies to those who've had questionable...uh...bar-fare in the last couple of days. There's a refund coming your way if you were inconvenienced in any way. It's been a rough week of transition for everyone involved, and we appreciate your patience.

This brings me to my second point, um...for the time being...."

At this turn of phrase he winces slightly, as if someone had just poked him rather hard in the brain.

"...I will be assuming the role of Head Barman. So uh...yeah. If you've got any concerns, let me know I'll do what I can. If you have any complaints...please keep in mind that I am a highly trained ninja that can kill you in your sleep.

Okay with that said...the Bar is open."

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"So anyway...when you see Addison, could you um...you know, ask him what the heck it is that I'm supposed to do?

Oh, and tell him that Alanna's stepping down as head of Security."

"She is? Oh sod a dog, that's perfect, that's--"

Visibly reigning herself in, 'Dora nods.

"All right. I will. And I'm sure she's got a good reason. It's Alanna, she wouldn't do something like that lightly."

Mike tries not to envision exactly how one would sod a dog, it's taking a lot of concentration.

"Oh she does. Sex, and lots of it."

And at that, her brow furrows.

"Hunh?"

"Her and Adam have decided to make with the baby-making. OH! And she's got some sort of Tortall court thinger-stuff to do."

Oh yeah, it's not hard to guess which of these two things Mike finds more important.

She shakes her head, as if to clear it. "Uh. Blimey. Well, all right."

'Dora's twisting her hands, a little, and is back to looking slightly awkward.

His eyes are naturally drawn to the motion of her hands, when he looks back up at her his dopey smile is pretty much gone.

"Tonks? Are you okay? I mean...are you?"

For a moment, she holds her breath, and then-- "No. Not-- not particularly." Her eyes get a little brighter. "I'm sorry you got pulled into this, I never meant for any of it--"

Mike doesn't wait for an invitation before he reaches across Bar and pulls her into as much of a hug as someone his size can muster.

"Shhhh. It's okay."

Shoulders shaking, 'Dora presses her face into Mike's shoulder. "N-No it isn't," she replies. "What if he gets hurt, or-- or what if Bar makes us leave, this is our h-home..."

Without letting go, and through some pretty amazing NinjaSkillz, Mike manages his way over Bar's top so that now he's standing right next to Tonks.

"she won't do that. i won't let her. and even if she fights back, there's only so many places you can run to when you don't have legs. you will always have a home here. Always."

She's trying to hold it in, but it's too much. The week's been too long, too full of everything, and she's spent too much time trying to hold it together for Bernard and Sunny and Anthony. A choked sob escapes her, and her hands fist in Mike's shirt.

"I'm s-sorry. I'm just so s-scared and I can't tell B-Bernard, he's worried enough already."

This reminds him of April. This reminds him of NoHo that Christmas that no one will ever forget. It was war then, much like it's war now.

Mike is so sick of war.

He pulls her into a tighter hug.

"then tell me. let it all out. i'm not going anywhere. i pay me by the hour."

"H-He comes with me to work, and they're all watching him, all of them, and what if they know he's a Muggle, what if there's an attack at the Ministry and I c-can't get to him, or we can't get back here to the kids?"

It's all rushing out, now, and she hardly takes a breath, still holding tight to Mike.

"And he w-wants to do this so much, and I do want him to, but it was so much easier when he just couldn't. There was no choice."

"...and then she goes and makes it so his only choice isn't really a choice anymore."

He sighs.

"you know the reason he wants to do so much is because every worry you have aboutg him he has about you, right?"

It's one of those things that he knows Tonks knows, but that she should hear outloud just the same.

"I know."

She sounds marginally calmer, now, her breaths slowing. Just saying the words, saying them to someone outside of her head, makes it all somehow less frightening.

Just a little less, mind.

"good."

He gives her a gentle squeeze.

"you know...a lot of people forget that i'm more than just a pretty face. i'm a pretty face with an amazing capacity for listening. if you ever ever need a friendly ear that isn't already one of yours, please don't hesitate.

I'll even make you cookies."

"'Kay."

She pulls back, her eyes and nose red.

"And likewise, y'know. This Barman lark's not exactly a cakewalk, believe me. Take it slow, okay?"

"Of course, it wins the race after all."

He reaches over and fetches a barnapkin for her nose.

She laughs thickly, and blows her nose. And then hugs Mike again.

"Thank you."

"Bah...with the thanks. We're family, no thanks are needed.

Though, after hearing that nose blow, I can't help but wonder if we have moose in our family somewhere. Do they have Moose in England?"

Thwack goes her fist against his arm, and she laughs again. "Anyway. I'll let you get back to it. You're... busy."

Somewhat helplessly, 'Dora waves at the clamoring patrons, all waiting for a word with the Barman.

She swallows hard, and looks away, before adopting a half-smile once more.

Mike watches her go before offering to help any other patrons. Family needs looking after.

Once out she's out of sight his shoulders slump, and he sighs.

He knows things like this get worse before they get better...he's just wondering how much worse there is to go.