milliways_bar | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Here's a guy who's not around much.

Or... yes, actually he is. But mostly he's outside, being depressingly healthy, upstairs being depressingly intellectual, or lurking creepily about in the shadows.

Today he's sitting at the bar with a notepad, a pencil, and a calculating expression.

It's probably not worth asking him what he's up to.

But it can't hurt to ask?

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With a name like 'Knockturn Alley,' Havelock somehow thinks not, but he'll let Tom explain that one.

"Maybe it is," he says. "This Diagon Alley sounds interesting enough to occupy you, in any case."

"It's fun. It's different from the Underside. We don't have shops where you pay money. We have markets where you trade things."

"A barter economy?" Havelock asks, interested.

"Do you have any currency at all, or none?"

"Currency? Like galleons?"

Wizarding money is the only currency she knows. She shakes her head.

"Oh, well, I guess favors count. You don't promise anyone anything unless you're prepared to owe them."

Havelock nods thoughtfully.

That makes sense to him.

"That sounds effective," he says. "I suppose there are ways to enforce obligation, once offered?"

"If you don't honor your debts, you usually get killed. But not at the market. Or at the May Fair. There's a truce for both places."

"Fair enough," Havelock says.

It is a language most people seem to understand.

"What did you want to go over before our first lesson?"

She is eager, and, like many children, she focuses in, and comes back to, the things she's most enthusiastic about.

Maybe she needs certain kinds of knives!

"Just a few things," Havelock says, and turns to face her, leaning sideways against the bar.

"Firstly, I will teach you with real knives, not blunted ones. Because of this, I ask you not to practise unsupervised until I say you are ready. That should not take long, but will hopefully limit the damage to bystanders, and also yourself."

He pauses to see how this goes down.

Real knives? COOL!

"That makes sense. I don't want to get hurt or hurt anyone else."

She's a terribly sensible child when it comes to weaponry.

Havelock nods to her.

"Good. I understand you have had several other teachers in specialised areas, so I assume you know to use common sense, and follow instruction accurately."

"I do. My other teachers expect me to be serious, too."

Lan and Laura are not what you'd call jovial when it comes to drills and lessons. Spike, while easygoing, doesn't ease up either. Ingress works hard.

"About lessons, that's probably a good idea," Havelock says.

"Very well. Outdoor practise is best, I think, and in daylight. When would you like your first lesson?"

"As soon as I can have it," she says. "I have school in the mornings most days, but I can come in the afternoons as long as it doesn't conflict with my other lessons."

Havelock nods.

"Afternoons are generally a good time for me," he says. "Do you know which day next week would be best to begin? Or if you like, we can make a start today, and see what capability you already have."

"Oh, yes, please, let's start today."

She bites her lip. If she's going to stay here longer than she planned, she'd better tell Tom and Door so they don't flip out.

"I'd have to ask permission first. Will you be here a few minutes?"

He nods.

"Go on, I'll be here."

"Okay!"

She runs through the painting. It's not very long before she returns. She's wearing a jacket, ready to go outside.

"Tom said it's fine so long as you're with me, and he'll be along in a bit to say hello."

Good. Havelock had been hoping to speak to Tom Riddle again.

"All right," he says, standing up. "Let's go and find somewhere before it gets dark."

He heads out towards the lake.

She follows. Every couple of steps she does a happy skipping step to keep up.

"Even if it's very cold, it won't bother me. Outside, I mean."

"It's not particularly safe out there at the best of times," Havelock says, pushing open the door to lead the way out.

"After dark it is especially wise to be inside."

"Oh, that's true. The demon rabbits and all."

She breathes in the brisk air as they step out onto the grounds leading towards the lake.

"Mr. Julia keeps an eye on me. He's the squid. I saved his life once. Well, with Raven and Ace's help."

"And the vampire, of late," Havelock says quietly, then glances back as they head out.

"A good reason to be grateful to you."

"Vampire?"

"Yes. There has been one occasionally attacking people in the bar recently."

He stops at a clear grassy area. "I don't believe anyone has been killed, but some have been hurt. Precautions are wise."