(no subject)

[not_a_hologram]

It turns out that Al has a lot more time on his hands now that he doesn't have Tina on them. Not that he's complaining, mind you--her voice could take the paint off a battleship from half a mile away. He is very happy to be done with her again.

While it lasts, anyway.

In the meantime, he is settled in at a table near the bar, enjoying a cigar and some coffee. His only plans for the evening involve the sign placed before him on the table, that reads simply: Advice

Go on, ask him anything. He's probably got an answer. Either way, it's free.

Comments

[will_scarlett]

Advice is something Will could use and so he comes up to Al, nervously twisting his sleeve,

"Tis there a price for the advice, sir?"

[not_a_hologram]

"It's completely free advice," Al says with a grin. "I would've put it on the sign, but then... you know, sometimes people equate 'free' with 'worthless.'"

[will_scarlett]

"Um aye, na sure if ye can 'elp just well 'ad an argument with my Kate, sir, an wanted to know what someone older thought."

[not_a_hologram]

"Relationships are my specialty," he says, gesturing to a chair. "Have a seat... what happened?"

[will_scarlett]

Will settles down and twists his sleeve once more,

"Tis a war on in 'er world an she finally agreed to let me 'elp 'er. We argued cause she wants me to leave if things get 'ard cause I 'ave a role to play in my world. I'd die for 'er, dinna wish to but I will an she doesna wish me to throw away my life for 'er. Ended with cryin' an think we're alright but na sure."

[not_a_hologram]

He listens, taking a slow drag on his cigar.

"How is she, usually? Is she the kind who acts like she's got something to prove, being a woman, that she doesn't need some man to keep her safe? Or is it just that dangerous?"

[will_scarlett]

"Tis that dangerous, she's 'onest 'bout the troubles an I've spoken to others from 'er world. Just love 'er an wish to 'elp 'er an protect 'er all I can."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"Advice, Admiral? What sort?" Any time Jim sees a sign in the bar, he's always curious. And it does beat the sort that Ray seems to put up with alarming frequency (as well as with alarm).

[not_a_hologram]

"Any kind, Captain," he says with a polite nod. "Any kind people want, anyway. There seems to be a need for it, so... it's one thing I've got to spare."

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I've never thought of the navy, or NASA, as historical sources for advice. But then people often come to me with the expectation that I can solve their troubles simply by being captain.

"And to my surprise, I often can." So Jim thinks. "Tell me, then...how much space should I give an ex-lover who almost married me and who is the mother of a son I failed to save from mortal enemies?" It's not like it's been weighing on Jim's mind for the past year. Not much, at any rate.

[not_a_hologram]

"My calling is helping people, now. Usually Sam's the middleman, but... I can do just fine on my own too."

A pause, as he thinks.

"How much space have you given her? Does she want space, or do you?"

[works-in-space.livejournal.com]

"I haven't talked to her since I told her about David's death. That was over a year ago. And while I made sure she was invited to the dedication of my ship, she's made no effort to contact me.

"I think that we both want space. We hadn't seen each other for 15 years when we met up again during an assignment, and at the time it felt like we had made peace. At the very least. But then...well, I don't think she blames me for his death, but she was certainly not what I'd call happy when I told her." She was curt, in fact. And cold.

[not_a_hologram]

"...well, yeah, that's not the kind of thing people are usually happy about," he nods. "But not blaming you, that's a good start. Do you want to get back together with her, or just be on good terms if you run into each other again?"

[smallestopener]

She reads the word on the sign and then she looks up at Al.

"Advice? What kind of advice?"

[not_a_hologram]

"Any kind," he says with a smile. "Is there some kind you're looking for?"

[smallestopener]

She ponders this a moment.

"Oh! Yes! My sister's birthday is next month, and I don't know what to get her for a present."

[not_a_hologram]

"That can be tricky," he says. "Are you close? Is she older or younger than you, and what kinds of things does she like?"

[smallestopener]

"She's really old; she's going to be twenty-one! But she's not as old as Tom, who's her husband. He's even older. Um, she likes to work, but she always Smakes time for me. She and Tom take care of me because Mummy and Daddy died."

[not_a_hologram]

"I'm sorry to hear about your parents, but it's good that your sister and her husband take care of you."

He thinks for a moment.

"What kind of work does she do?"

[no_justice]

After a while, a passing skeleton in a black robe pauses and reads the sign.

What is the nature of this advice?

[not_a_hologram]

...okay, dead things do still make Al uncomfortable. Skeletons aren't as bad as zombies--really, anything that isn't trying to kill him is better than something that is.

He wonders briefly whether the creepy and not-quite-alive have civil rights too.

"Any kind of advice," he says. "What's up?"

[no_justice]

Death, as it happens, is neither dead, nor doe he really have civil rights.

He takes a seat and looks over at Al with blue lights that shine from empty eyesockets.

Do you know anything about jam sandwiches?

[not_a_hologram]

"I've had a few in my time," he says. "Anything in particular about them?"

[no_justice]

I've had some complaints.

It's something he's been thinking about.

From people who want to take it with them.

[not_a_hologram]

"...uh. People want to take sandwiches with them? That's a little strange, but maybe they figure they'll get hungry?"