For once, he's just here for a drink.

[mago_sonriente]

Of course, he could have stayed in his own world for one of those (and he was sure his Tia Martina made the best margaritas in the known or unknown multiverse), but he really hadn't been in often enough and he was hoping to see some people. Some Agnes-shaped people. Or heck, Harry. Anyone. He'd been far too busy lately and he needed to talk. He was here as much for the company as for the drinks.

He wasn't drinking a margarita (when you've had the best, why have the rest?); instead, he sipped gingerly at a michaelada and started working on some nachos at the bar.

Comments

[agnes_nitt]

Oh, look. Here comes an Agnes-shaped person through the door now.

Oh, even better. It's Agnes!

She spots Carlos at the bar and hurries over to him. The problem with having a boyfriend on another world with no way to communicate is that it's very difficult to make plans to see each other, so these chance run-ins are about the best they have.

[mago_sonriente]

Maybe he's being unprofessional, but it's been way too long. She gets pulled close, his hands are on her cheeks, and while he's not terribly into public displays of affection, that is most certainly a kiss.

It's a Kiss even.

[agnes_nitt]

It's a kiss that could knock the hat off a witch. Which is not, strictly speaking, an actual expression that has ever been used on the Discworld before, but these things have to start somewhere, right?

When the kiss at last concludes, Agnes reaches down to retrieve her hat and put it on the bar before grinning at Carlos, her cheeks hot and flushed. "You better not let my boyfriend catch you doing that. I hear he's the jealous type."

[mago_sonriente]

"No, not jealous. Just aware of the treasure he holds," he says with a quick grin before kissing her cheek and patting the stool next to him.

"You've been missed, mi vida."

[agnes_nitt]

She sits happily, swiveling around to face him.

"So have you. There has got to be a better way for us to do this other than just happening to run into each other here."

[mago_sonriente]

"We're going to have to figure out some kind of schedule," he admits. "More paperwork."

But he was only teasing. Well, mostly.

[agnes_nitt]

"So long as this place doesn't decide to twist time on us again," she reminds him.

[mago_sonriente]

"I could do without that as well. How have you been, hmm?"

[agnes_nitt]

Agnes shrugs. "Same as usual. Overworked. Under-appreciated. Lonely."

[mago_sonriente]

"Plenty appreciated," he points out to her as he pulls one of her hands into his own. "And you won't be lonely for a while, hmm?"

[agnes_nitt]

She smiles and squeezes his hand. "A while is good enough for me."

[blue_ajah]

She is not at the bar, as it happens; she is seated at a corner table, and appears to be writing a letter.

An attentive observer might note, however, that the dark-haired woman in blue is paying rather close attention to the comings and goings of people in the room.

[mago_sonriente]

The attentive observer notices this; for one, he's a guy and she's reasonably attractive. He's taken property, but that doesn't make him blind. For another, he's a Warden.

And lastly, he's a man who regularly comes in from a war. He's just a bit paranoid, and for good reason.

As such, he sips on his beer and slips into his Sight, the cacophony of the bar singing in strange harmony within his mind. While what he hears from her is nothing like what he might have expected, it is not the distinctive pedal hold notes of a vampire, nor the echoing strains of one of those who work with the vampires.

He shuts off his Sight, letting his eyes focus again, and smiles at her in something like apologies.

[blue_ajah]

Moiraine studies him in turn, and then a slight answering smile curves her lips.

She inclines her head to him, either in greeting or acknowledgment.

Perhaps both.

[mago_sonriente]

He nods back.

"Good evening," he says with a tip of his beer bottle. Hey, he can be polite and respectful. In his own way.

[blue_ajah]

"Good evening," she replies. Moiraine's tone is serene, with a hint of faint amusement about it.

"I do not believe that we have met before, have we?"

[mago_sonriente]

He shakes his head.

"Not that I know of," he agrees before slipping off of the stool to his feet. The beer is put aside.

"Ramirez," he introduces himself. Then he holds up a hand. "Don't give me your full name, please."

[blue_ajah]

One eyebrow arches at his request.

"Very well. I am Moiraine Sedai, but you should call me Moiraine."

A pause.

"Is it a custom of your world, or something else that precludes your knowing another's full name?"

[mago_sonriente]

"It's a matter of courtesy," he says, which is the truth even if it's not the whole truth. It's a matter of courtesy as well as a matter of decency not to allow someone to accidentally place themselves within your power.

"A pleasure, Moiraine. To meet you."

[blue_ajah]

"And you as well, I should think," she murmurs.

"Have you been visiting this place long?"

[mago_sonriente]

"Not that long," he admitted. "Don't know how long it's been now, but not as long as a lot of people. Maybe a year now? At least, for time here, judging by the holidays. It's been a little longer for me.

"You?"

[blue_ajah]

"Almost four years, as time is measured in this place," Moiraine tells him.

A faint hint of some shadow flickers in her eyes and is gone.

"A goodly enough length, perhaps."

[mago_sonriente]

"Depends on how things have been for you, whether it's goodly or now," he quips.

[blue_ajah]

"Different at different times," she replies, and the Aes Sedai seems amused once more at something.

"Then again, it might said to be so for many, would you not agree?"

[mago_sonriente]

"I would," he admits with a brief grin, his lips curling to reveal teeth.

"Sometimes it's even hard to figure out if something's goodly or not until you've had some time to think.'

[blue_ajah]

"And sometimes it might not be clear even then," she replies.

[mago_sonriente]

"Good or bad, it's not dull!"

[blue_ajah]

This time her smile is more than slight as she nods to him.

"You appear to be an observant man, Ramirez."