milliways_bar | (no subject)

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The door opens.

The boy on the other side -- dressed in simple cotton kurta pyjamas -- stares for a moment and then shuts it very quickly.

The door opens.

The boy on the other side -- now in a blazer and carefully pressed trousers -- blinks, peers around the edge, and studies the bar for a minute before closing the door slowly and quietly.

The door opens.

The boy on the other side jerks to a momentary halt, throws a wary glance over his shoulder, and slips into the bar. He closes the door behind him, quietly, then reconsiders and cracks it open again to peek out. Apparently satisfied with what he sees, he shuts it and turns back to the bar with a curious, intent look on his face.

In precise, slightly accented English -- "Where is this, please?"

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"I've never actually met a Witch." She strokes the side of her face absently. "I don't know if they exist."

"Ah. Really?"

He glances down.

"I can assure you they do."

"Would that be the subtle way of saying you're one?" Cause, really, not so subtle.

"No." Instant, and sharp.

"The world is full of witches. They burn them when they catch them. Sometimes publicly."

She stares at him for a moment. "You're joking, right?"

"Why would I joke about something like that?"

"Because it sounds so..so..." C'mon, find the word. "Mideval."

Nirupam just looks at her.

He can't really argue it. It's just the way things are.

"My god, you poor boy!" She shakes her head. "That's horrible!"

"It is." That's resigned.

"But it isn't like that here, then?"

"Well, no!" she adjusts. "Well, back home, wizards aren't really out, except for my mentor. He's in the yellow pages. But nothing as horrible as that."

"But you're not . . . from my home. And you're not from here?"

"I'm from a different Earth. OH!" She smiles at him, so silly of her. "There is more than one."

"Ah."

That curious light is back in his eyes.

"That makes sense. Do you know how many?"

She spreads a hand absently. "Infinite, I hear."

He nods thoughtfully. "And they come together here?"

"Through that door." Pointing over his head.

He follows the gesture and nods again, lost in thought for a moment.

Then, looking back to her, he offers a quick smile.

"I'm sorry -- I should have said. My name is Nirupam."

She offers her hand. "Molly."

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