milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

There's an inkstained gentleman, writing furiously in a booth. His fingers have ink on them, his hand has ink on it where it's been brushing the page, his shirt cuff has ink on it where it's been dragged. His forehead has ink on it where black fingers pushed hair out of his face.

He hasn't eaten because he's been writing and he looks incredibly excited to be nearly finished-- not even nearly-- here. We. Are.

Yes.

Telemain puts down the pen with a triumphant 'hah' and straightens up for an immediate head rush from sitting one way too long. He looks like he's about to die, possibly. But! He'll die happy.

First things first, the waitrat is flagged for more tea. Someone tell him to take a breath and eat something, for heaven's sake.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I met an interesting plant earlier this afternoon."

Yes, 'met.'

"...You met a plant? Not an enchanted person or the like?"
Oh, this ought to be a good story.

"No. It seemed to be of the venus-flytrap variety, only clearly speaking. It introduced itself as Audrey. The second."

Telemain's lips quirk into a faint smile.

"And gave me a business proposition."

"What sort?"
She's not entirely sure she likes the sound of this. Plants don't generally talk of their own volition.

"I wasn't paying attention. It called me 'babe.'"

Torn between bemusement and ire.

"I think it was safe to say we would not have managed a working relationship."

"It... rather doesn't sound like it."
The thought of anyone calling Telemain that (and somewhere in there, Morwen's including herself in that number) is just... no. Also, no.

He eats for a moment, in silence.

There's not much to be said about that.

"And what have you been up to aside from the paper?"

"And the botany? Books. I've been working more determinedly at building my library."

He's very much enjoyed it.

"Have you, then?"
She's not surprised. Libraries are good things to have.

"I was offered a position tutoring some noble or other's offspring. I declined."

Of course. Telemain, with children?

"Likely better for both you and the children."

"One day, I will become a patient person."

He has to laugh, at himself and the situation.

"I simply haven't the time yet."

Morwen has to laugh too, all things considered.
"Will you ever have the time?"

"When I run out of things to study."

So, nope.

"And that's... very much not likely to happen."
She knows him well.

"One never knows."

His grin makes the statement a lie.

"That's what they all say."

"When would be convenient for me to stop by, Morwen? I'd like to investigate your garden."

"Sometime in the next week ought to do."
As long as she has time to prepare the cats, and all.

"Is there anything I can bring? I seem to intrude on you more and more."

For her or the cats.

"...I can't think of anything in particular. The cats rarely say no to cream, if you feel you must bring something."
But she really doesn't require anything. In fact, she rather likes his company, for all the cats complain.

"If you need anything."

He sets down his fork, and leans back in his seat.

"Say."

"I will. You needn't worry about that."

"Then I will get home, I think. And get some sleep."

He reassures her before she can remind him.