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Tom keeps a perpetual Wizarding calendar in his study so he always knows the date in the Topside. In the Underside, time doesn't matter all that much. It still does to Tom in a knee-jerk, this-is-the-way-it's-done kind of way. Many of his old ways and habits have carried over. He's certainly been reminded of this often enough lately.

He knows it's New Year's Eve. Champagne and cheers aren't forthcoming this year.

Scotch and conversation are welcome, though.

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Doc's never been one to celebrate New Year's Eve; not since John was murdered on New Year's Day and his entire world shortly thereafter went to hell in a handbasket.

He's met Riddle once or twice before, awhile ago, which is why he feels comfortable in nodding in greeting as he passes with his own glass of something amber colored and likely stronger than Champagne.

Tom nods back in return. "Evening," he adds, placing the fellow after a very brief moment of recollection. Tom's good with faces.

"I hope this evening finds you well, sir," he replies politely.

"It finds me well enough," he says. "And, please, there's no need for 'sir'. It's Scurlock, isn't it?"

Edited 2009-01-01 03:05 (UTC)

"Josiah," he offers, as he inclines his head at the seat across from Tom. "Tom Riddle, if I'm right?"

Time is a funny thing.

It certainly is.

"You're exactly right. Please join me, Josiah, if you have the time."

"Thank you," he says, as he takes a seat across from Tom and settles in the chair, and glances around the bar. It's relatively quiet, tonight. He hopes it stays that way.

"Seems like most people who are here for the holiday are keepin' it down, so far."

"Good. The blessing of Milliways is the people, and its curse is the people. Or entities."

He glances around, as well.

"Ain't that the truth."

Some people you just don't ever want to see.

"Have you had difficulties with any- newcomers?"

OOC: Travel and exhaustion = slowtime Viv! I'd love to continue this thread, though.)

Eventually, a waitrat scampers over with a note. It is addressed to Tom Riddle, Lord Ostium in a neat, flowing script, and it is sealed with a dab of blue.

Tom --

I must needs arrange a few matters first, I am afraid, but you may trust that I shall return to Milliways as soon as I may, and shall seek you out without delay.

Light illumine and protect you and those of your House.

--Moiraine

Tom smiles as he reads the note. He'd worried he'd missed getting the note to Moiraine between whatever other business she might have. It's good to know he didn't.

He writes a note in return.

Moiraine -

I thank you for your response. Currently things are not, well, I cannot say things are fine, but the most immediate dangers I'd feared have not come to pass. However, I would still like to consult with you regarding an idea I have in mind for a protective spell. It concerns the Patronus charm, of which I might have mentioned. In any case, we shall discuss more when you are able.

Again, I thank you, and I look forward to seeing you.

- Tom

Amy is, alas, not much for scotch.

Conversation, on the other hand, she can provide.

"Good evening, Tom."

"Amy, come sit, please," he says, smiling. "It's good to see you. How's our Ingress?"

He'll ask how she is next. Promise.

Amy would ask about Susan first, were their roles reversed, so she quite understands.

"The belle of the Christmas Ball," Amy says, taking a seat. "We found her a very festive dress."

Well, all right, Amy had it made for her. But that's like the same thing, right?

"And the Duke of Appleton was quite taken with her. They danced several dances together. Were it not for the fact that he is seventy-six and quite happily married these last fifty years, Tom, I should think she had a suitor."

He frowns a little, more at the idea of the Duke of Appleton than the actual man himself.

"I should hope we're a few more years away from that. When do girls begin to court properly on Valdemar, I wonder?"

(Answer: Tom doesn't need to know.)

Amy laughs. "Heavens, Tom, I shouldn't worry about that just yet."

(Sooner than he might like, perhaps, but not yet. Actually, Amy can't imagine there's a any time that wouldn't be sooner than Tom might like.)

"The Duke is a dear. He might try to adopt her, but he's not very likely to try to court her.

"He showed her the tunnel that one of Perry's great-great-something-grandfathers had put in from one of the parlors out to the stables. I think King Archibald used it to escape teas and receptions."

"Oh, well, that's all well and good, then. Is she happy? Not having nightmares or anything?"

"I believe so," says Amy. "She's in the room just down from mine, and the night pages know to come get me if she needs me, and they've not done that. She's asked for a lamp in her room at night, but that's all.

"She's staying with us, or with Megwyn, a lot of the time. Yesterday, she and Susan decided to decorate Merry's nursery, and hung rather a lot of things made from colored paper and beads all around. And she really is charming everyone she meets, except the Protocol Officer, and he's uncharmable, so that's not a surprise."

Amy has fairy-given Charm and she can't charm the Protocol Officer.

"She's come closer than most, though, now that I think about it."

"That's very good. Door will be relieved, and I am ridiculously pleased to hear it. Are you doing well, then, and enjoying the holidays?"

As long as Ingress is happy and doing well, he feels a considerable bit better.

"You know that you and Door are welcome to come visit whenever you like, if you want to see Ingress, don't you?" Amy asks.

"And I am doing well. It's a busy time, and there's ever so much to do, but everyone is so cheerful and happy."

Amy's a little tired, perhaps, but the Queen keeps ridiculously late hours during Christmas, and there's naught that can be done about that.

"Oh, we know. We just thought- well, we've been busy, and Ingress has been under a great deal of strain. I thought it might be good if she could get away from everything - and everyone - for a bit. I should think we'll come collect her in a few days."

"Sometimes, yes, that's a great deal of help. It lets everyone see things more . . . calmly, perhaps.

"She really is doing well, Tom. And she's always welcome."

"It's very good to know that, Amy, and we appreciate it."

The House of Arch might even owe Amy a favor, if they wanted to play things that way.

Amy doesn't keep score with friends.

Besides, Amy would owe the House of Arch more than a few favors if they were going to play things that way.

"I should probably mention that I told her she could keep the dress," Amy adds. "And that it has bells on it."

It's very jangly.

"May I- if you're going back soon, might I come along with you? I'd just like to look in on her. I won't wake her, and I'd only stay a few minutes lest Door wonder where I am, but it would put me at ease."

"Of course," Amy says, rising. "We can go now, if you like."

Anything that would put his mind at ease, and that is in Amy's power to do, she will certainly do.

And if there are any changes or suggestions he wants made, those will made, with all due haste.

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