milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Urquhart is leaning in the dark corner by the fireplace, watching people while smoking a cigarette.

He's learned that from Ramon Salazar only today, and doesn't yet know that he's likely to attract antagonism for it.

The clementines or 'Christmas oranges' in a bowl nearby, he discovered all by himself.

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Demeter is in a thoughtful mood and also near the fireplace though with a gardening catalog.

Planning the garden for Spring always makes her happier and she smiles at the clementines,

"There's something so alive about citrus."

"I love their smell," Urquhart says, still smoking. That's a different smell, and a lot less pleasant, but it will go away when the cigarette is gone.

And the citrus fruit help with that.

"In their outer skin, they have these tiny pearls for spreading that scent when they're broken open. I like how inventive nature is."

In Demeter's mind there are far worse smells than cigarette smoke,

"Life will always find a way."

"But so will death, in the end," Urquhart says.

He has quite the experience at making that happen.

"Life is more persistent."

"Now," Urquhart says, "we could argue the classic egg-chicken-question until we are blue in the face."

"True we could or agree to disagree."

"I think agreeing to disagree," Urquhart says, "would be better. We can talk about something more interesting instead."

"Yes, tell me have you settled yourself better into Milliways?"

"I have," Urquhart says. "It is a good place, with many new and interesting things for me to sample."

Like tobacco.

"And the best women."

"Oh yes and the men can be quite fascinating too."

Urquhart gives her a slow grin. "They can," he says.

He is flexible that way. And...

"I try to prove that to the women in turn. I'm one of the men here now, after all."

"I'm sure you do. You seem like the kind of man who likes to be the best."

"Oh yes," Urquhart says. "To the advantage of the women involve, I hope."

He smiles at her.

She gives him a thoughtful look,

"Perhaps you might be able to keep up."

"Do you think the women of Milliways could wear me out?" Urquhart asks, amused.

"I might be able to."

"Would you like to try?" Urquhart grins.

She might be older than he is -- so what? He's been with women who were younger than he is, too.

Demeter is a goddess, age is less of an issue for her.

She stands up and walks over to give him a proper look, "You do keep yourself strong."

Urquhart stands straight, tall, strong, hairy, handsome.

Hoping she likes what she sees.

She does and grins at him,

"As long as you can keep up, dear."

"I'm sure I can," Urquhart says, smiling. "I'm already standing up, aren't I?"

He may be winking at her. He stands six foot five, after all...

What else could he mean?

Her smirk is quite clear that she knows exactly what he means and she grins at him before heading towards the stairs.

He follows, cheerfully, looking forwards to knowing a goddess that way.-

Atton will take the oranges. Or at least a few.

"You stole my dates," Urquhart says. "And now you take my clementines. Why do you do that?"

"Because I know you secretly want to give them to me. Urquhart, right?"

"Yes," Urquhart says. "You could have asked, you know."

Beat.

"And who are you?"

"Elephant Seal the Magnificent," Atton says, gravely.

"I have seen elephants," Urquhart says. "You don't look like one. Less nose, for a start."

"My nose is magnificent!" Atton protests.

"But not elephantine," Urquhart says, "or there would be danger of you stepping on it."

"So, I hear you've been causing trouble for Guppy?"

Sudden subject changes: They're sudden.

"Guppy?" Urquhart says. "Oh, you mean the little oriental physician who is so very scared of me."

"Yeah. There's not going to be any trouble there, right?"

Urquhart sighs, and rolls his eyes. "No," he says. "I said so before. The less I see and hear of him and his child, the better."

"Okay. He seemed to think there was a genuine danger from you, but then he's always been kinda ... Guppyish like that. So, cool, no problem there - I mean, if you do hurt him, I'll have t'use my not inconsiderable power to kill you, but y'know. That's pretty much a standard deal."

"I will say this only once," Urquhart says. "I don't plan on making any problems here. I plan on solving problems for other people in their worlds, if they want me to."

Beat.

"And there is considerable danger to me from that child. And that is all I will say."

Atton arches an eyebrow.

"He's a baby, Urquhart. But sure - just stay out of their way, they'll stay out of yours, and nobody'll have any problems. Then we can have a snugglefest." Atton says seriously. "It'll be heartwarming."

"I'm sure you'll excuse me from it," Urquhart says, giving him an odd look.

"No, Urquhart. The snugglefest is for everyone. Everyone in the entire bar," Atton says gravely. "Even you."

Beat.

"Especially you." Then he's gone.

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