milliways_bar | (no subject)

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*Will makes his way through the room*

*He sees no bartender, but he's learned that that's irrelevant here. He heads for the bar, towards the Dream-Lord and another who has the feel of an Endless, and a regal woman with copper-grey hair*

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*looks up from her cards and sees the boy she'd started talking with the evening before*

Will!

*glances over, smiles, and changes course to end up by her table*

Hullo. Anathema, right?

*smiles back*

Yes, it is. How are you?

Fine, thanks. Mind if I sit?

*at her nod and gesture, he does so*

A bit baffled by this place, I have to admit. But in a good way, I think.

*smiles a little* Well. Just be sure it doesn't turn into complete bafflement. That would never do.

*laughs*

No, I think I'll manage. Everyone I've met so far has been astonishingly helpful. Or perhaps not astonishing, in this place.

Can I ask where you're from? Or when, if that's better.

Well, I was from Lower Tadfield for a while. But now I'm from London. Oh, when? 1991. You?

Buckinghamshire. Little village called Hunterscombe. 1977 for me, though.

Oh? Interesting.

*looking up from her cards* So what brings you to the end of the universe?

*shrugs and smiles*

I was told that this was a place with interesting people. "Where everyone can be himself," I think was the phrase. I was curious.

And you?

Interesting's not the word.

*deals a few more cards and frowns* I was trying to get to a friend's flat and went in the wrong door.

Oh. Goodness, that is a wrong turn.

You must have been supposed to come here, though, or I shouldn't think the door would have let you through. If you weren't the right person, or at the right time.

Oh? *looks up from her cards* I suppose.

*deals a few more cards, then sighs and gathers them up* Cards?

Sure, I'd love to. What game?

*reorders cards and shuffles, trying to think of a two-player game* Hmm. War all right?

*Will's face goes very still for a moment*

Ha. Sure, sounds good.

*frowns slightly* You sure?

*smiles, once again entirely cheerful*

I'm sure. Just reminded me of something for a moment, that's all.

*A roan-haired woman approaches the table, smiling at Will.*

I'm sorry, have we met?

Don't think so, ma'am. I saw you at the bar earlier, that's all. How do you do? I'm Will Stanton.

*He smiles at her, but opts not to stick out a hand for a handshake. She has the air of a queen, and he doesn't know how she would respond to that. As an Old One he knows all the protocols for addressing royalty, but she is human, and so he is too, for the moment.*

*She inadvertently solves the minor quandary by offering her own hand for a handshake.*

Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan. Lately of Chaos Colony on Sergyar. Do you have the faintest idea where we are?

*shakes hands*

Milliway's Bar, at the end of the universe, or so I've been told.

Yes, 'outside space and time,' so they said. I'm not certain how much sense that makes. All I know is I walked here, from my bedroom, and it wasn't a wormhole jump that got me here ...

*She points with her chin at one of the empty chairs at the table, and turns to Anathema to include her in the query.*

May I?

Yes, of course!

Another wrong turn? Anathema arrived the same way. I'm afraid I can't help you much; places like this are loose in Time, I think. All the really important things are.

Or outside of time, I think. And space, for that matter.

*to Cordelia* Would you like to play?

I would, thank you. *She smiles, and seats herself at the table.*

So if we're outside of time here ... that would explain why no time at all passed at home while I was here.

Hmm. I wonder how time passes here while I'm at home?

It's usually a day here for a day home, I think. At least it is for me.

*does not say that he may not be the best person to ask about such things*

*looks at Anathema inquiringly*

...and why do I assume there must be a consistent rule?

*She snorts wryly at herself.*

*smiles a little* I'd help, but I've not figured out how to get home yet.

Do you know how to play War?

*hears the sound of singing (http://www.livejournal.com/community/milliways_bar/172853.html)*

*turns curiously to look*

*...STARES*

*shakes himself and, grinning slightly, returns his attention to the conversation*

*blinks and shakes her head* Oh dear. I think I ought to be getting to bed.

I've heard there's going to be a lake party tomorrow; might we play there?

Yes let's. I ought to be getting back home as well.

All right. *nods* See you tomorrow, then.

*heads upstairs*

Outside of Time, yes.

*he may, possibly, look slightly wistful, beneath the open friendly cheer*

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