milliways_bar | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

[OOM: Another step in the wrong direction.]

Behrooz should probably know better than to try to escape the insanity of his own world by coming to the Bar. But he'd fortunately managed to avoid free food for the most part, and it's been a while since Halloween.

And it's hard to turn down a better meal than the rather slim sandwich he'd been offered on the outside. His hunger is not so single-minded that he doesn't notice the odd influx of animals in the Bar - after all, he walks into a chair while he tries to watch his step and is fairly certain he's hearing some of them talk. But he decides not to look into this further until he's finished eating.

Unfortunately, a couple steps from the Bar later, and it's a little too late for that. Anyone in near the wolf may overhear a lot of colorful comments about Milliways and sudden RANDOM TRANSFORMATIONS - Behrooz doesn't know he should at least be glad he already knows the language.

He's still grumbling as he moodily curls up under a table - attempt to pet him and you might lose that hand.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No petting, but Will does offer the plate of snacks he carries around, as he kneels down and puts his hand where Behrooz can sniff it,

"Did ye get turned too? 'ave a bit o'somethin' to eat, we're doin' what we can to figure this out."

The wolf sniffs at the plate only weakly, and looks at him for a long moment before - "I've already eaten."

And he doesn't plan on getting food from humans here, even if it means surviving off demon bunnies.

After a minute, a politer, "Thanks," is added.

"Oh aye, just tryin' to be 'elpful."

This wolf seems much surer of its shape then a lot of the other animals, so Will feels awkward and ponders standing up again.

The wolf stares at him for another moment, before -

"Sorry, I - I just -"

His bright eyes glance around at the other animals, working too hard to press out any instinct to get started on hunting now to sense how much more uncomfortable they seemed to be with this. "I didn't - come here for this..." he finishes lamely, sounding as though aware that he's stating the obvious.

"Aye, 'as caught lots o'folks by surprise is all though ye seem more sure o'yerself. Just I've 'ad lots o'friends get scared an 'ungry, so I'm tryin' to 'elp 'ow I can. Me name's Will Scarlett."

The food is put down so Will can offer a hand for sniffing, Will's basic scent is of the forest of Sherwood, but its been overlaid with Milliways and all the animals who've been really happy to see him.

It's fortunate for Behrooz that wolves don't show it to humans when they're flustered, as his reaction to being called more sure of himself would've certainly been noticeable.

As it is, there's just a pause before the wolf does sniff his hand. "I'm Behrooz," he answers, once satisfied. "Do - does anyone know what's causing it?"

"Nay, know isna food or anythin' to do with Lady Bar, but tis all we've been able to figure out."

Behrooz's name gets wide eyes from Will since it sounds like the type of name you'd get from the Holy Land and Will is from the time of the Crusades but he doesn't say anything.

Since he knows Sooraya and she's from the modern world and he's learned that to most people, the Crusades are just stories from long in the past as opposed to how they're such a part of where men go in his time.

That's not terribly reassuring, but this sort of thing is a common enough occurrence here that Behrooz isn't that worried about being trapped as a wolf forever. And there's worse things than being one for a few days.

If Behrooz notices the reaction to his name, he doesn't mention it - he just says "I guess I'm stuck here until then."

With Will's clothing it probably makes sense since having an Arabic sounding name meant something quite different in the Middle Ages,

"Aye, sir, tis there aught I can get for ye, understand na wishin' to eat since ye dinna really know me, but Lady Bar 'as been givin' other folks food directly."

"I can - get it myself." It's not precisely defensive, but said quickly, like an instinctive response.

"I'm - ok, anyway," he continues, more slowly, readjusting himself on the floor. "I can - figure it out."

Its pretty easy for Will to understand that this wolf would rather be left alone so stands up, giving a small bow out of politeness,

"Been sittin' by the fire, if tis aught I can do to 'elp."

Then he walks back to his seat to watch the Bar and look our for what may be causing this or any critters who need help.

There is a snake under the table, where it was avoiding being stepped on. (And looking in a hopeful sort of way for mice wearing socks.)

Deitmar freezes and begins pulling back a little into a wary coil. That's a large strange furry thing.

Immediately, the wolf's fur bristles and his ears flatten as he gages the newfound company.

The stance doesn't change, but Behrooz does try a rather cautious, "Hello?"

Big fluffy thing. Yes. Deitmar considers very carefully. He's thinking mostly in silent reptilian patterns right now. Words would jolt him out of that. . . but he's kinda deaf right now.

He does settle his weight back against the floor a little bit at the lack of movement. There doesn't seem to be imminent danger; maybe imminent threat, but nothing he needs to react to by biting.

(After all, a snakebite isn't instant death, so he's better served by not fighting.)

This doesn't really sit well with Behrooz - knowing he doesn't want to be bitten, or to attack what could be another Bar patron, he instead chooses to step slowly away, at least out of striking range of the snake.

(He's not too concerned about patrons that might trip over him as he moves out from under the table.)

Then he settles back down again in a slightly crouched way.

There are footsteps moving all around, large heavy ones; Deitmar is not a particularly large viper. So he slides in further under the table, looping into an unthreatening oval to try to trap a little of his own body heat.

He picked up a new idea worth developing, yesterday, and taps with a quick series of flicks with his tailtip. It's Morse code; worth a try. Hello.

Well.

That's not normal behavior for a snake, Behrooz can tell that easily enough. Unfortunately, he doesn't know Morse code, and doesn't know why the snake couldn't just - well, talk isn't the right word, but whatever it is for snakes. Maybe it was harder for others?

So the wolf pulls up from the crouch somewhat, but the response is just series of taps against the floor with a paw which manages to mimic the snake's.

He could ask--oh wait.

Oh, that's encouraging. The tapping is a different pattern, this time, and much longer.

Sorry, Behrooz.

... yeah, there's no real point, and instead of even attempting to respond (paws aren't great for Morse code, anyway), there's just a somewhat frustrated, "I... don't know what that means."

The wolf is, at least, more relaxed than a few moments ago.

Sway to one side. Sway to the other. Thought.

He can hear something. . . but the bar is busily translating canine subtleties and the sound patterns simply aren't travelling right.

Thought.

Then he slides in, very carefully. Can he put his head on a paw? His lower jaw transmits vibrations like anything.

Behrooz... puts a lot of effort into not recoiling. At least he doesn't really have a pre-existing fear of snakes.

The snake better at least keep its fangs to itself. Hoping for that, Behrooz tries, "What are you doing?"

Deitmar is very, very good at keeping his everything to himself. Sometimes you have to make exceptions.

Can't hear. It's a scaly sort of whisper. Can only feel sound.

Behrooz tries to keep his paw still.

Slowly, "You're - normally human, right?"

There's a warm bit of uncooked steak on the floor near that man there, the one that smells vaguely of wolf. (Vaguely because his shampoo muffles the scent.) Ryan's been trying to attract dogs to him, since howling for them in a crowded bar seems like a bad idea, steak is the next best step.

Despite that he's just eaten, the meat does attract Behroo'z attention. He's immediately wary of taking food from humans, but this one -

The wolf comes out from under the table, moving quickly over to the unattended, very tempting steak, but stops, looking between it and the man that sort of smells like a wolf.

Ryan watches him come, meeting the wolf's gaze.

More where that came from, if you'll answer a few questions.

I can get food myself, he answers, though it's like an afterthought - and he's certainly not planning on giving up this particular meat.

Go ahead and ask.

Ryan isn't trying to feed the canines, just keep their attention. Food is one of the best ways to do that.

Are you usually human? Always start with the basics! Especially since this one decides if he asks the rest of his questions.

Yes. I was until a little while ago, after I came in here.

For the moment, Behrooz decides against mentioning his connection to wolves.

Now Ryan flips open his notebook.

What's your name? He's being fairly impersonal. He can tell this is a wolf, so he's a little less...prejudiced against him.

There's the slightest hesitation before the answer - It's Behrooz.

The gold eyes go to the notebook, but he doesn't comment on it.

What? Ryan may have a very good memory, but it isn't perfect.

Alright, and what were you doing just before you changed into a wolf? Ryan blinks, suppressing an amused snort.

The wolf's ears flatten.

I walked in, and ate at the Bar. Someone said it wasn't because of food or the Bar, though.

I agree, but it's safest to cover all things. What did you eat, and where? he continues the interrogation, pen scratching across the paper. He's thankful Behrooz isn't as hyper as the last dog he spoke to. 'Princess Powerful' was a bit much.

- chicken sandwich, potato chips, and a Coke.

The all sound less appealing now. Behrooz turns to look back at where he'd been sitting.

Over at the Bar, to the left... He can't exactly point effectively, but his gaze rests on an empty spot between the patrons seated along the Bar.

Later, after he's spoken to Will, Ryan will still have no idea which object it might be causing the change.

Do you remember anything out of the ordinary?

Just that there were a lot of animals - Behrooz sounds like he knows this information isn't very helpful, but nothing particularly jogs his memory.

I thought Bar was pulling a prank or something.

Or someone else is, Ryan says darkly. Wouldn't be the first time, after all.

I think they - got the point across, then -

Yellow eyes wander around the Bar briefly. How long has it been happening?

Today is the third day. Ryan frowns at what he's written before closing the small notebook. There's nothing there that's helpful. Thanks for your help, he tells Behrooz before dropping another piece of meat to him.

And taking one for himself.

The wolf hesitates.

But, he decides, if he's planning on hunting demon bunnies for three days, it's really not worth passing up real meat now.

So he digs in, in a wolfish manner, not seeming at all awkward about it.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only