milliways_bar | (no subject)

The sky over Milliways outside has elected to break into one of those energetic downpours that the optimistic call a 'spring shower.' Sparring in adversity is one thing, but a sword fight becomes a tricky thing when you are rapidly beoming soaked to the skin.

Therefore Puck and Havelock have called a finish for today and open the door from the bar, each carrying a sword, and shaking off water.

Havelock peels off his coat, revealing a marginally drier shirt. "That went well, I thought," he says breezily, heading for the bar.

"Oh, I quite agree," Puck replies, who himself appears remarkably unconcerned by the fact that he is dripping all over the floor. "I am amazed, but it does seem your tutelage begins to stick."

(This might be putting it slightly optimistically, but at least Puck remembered to actually attempt to formulate his own sequence of attacks rather than just mimicking Havelock's.)

"It would seem so," the assassin agrees gravely, navigating around a table full of patrons. "Soon your technique will match your speed, and then I'm afraid I'll be no challenge at all."

Puck bats his eyelashes. "You flatter me," he says cheerfully. "Bar darling, could you see your way to a bit of cocoa?"

A few moments later sees the pair drying by the fire, Puck having been coaxed into a fresh shirt and breeches and Havelock with a towel, idly rubbing at his hair. The swords - both cleaned and dried before Havelock started on himself - are still in evidence.

[OOC: A combo post for all your threading needs! Merc and I are both here, taggable, and good for slowtimes!

EDIT: And now I am abed! Threads continue tomorrow? <3!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He follows Havelock's look. Ah. Tom knows how it is to seek out help for someone close to him in need.

"He's bespelled?" Tom asks, his voice low. "Was it done by one we've discussed recently?"

Meaning Blodwen, of course.

Havelock shakes his head.

"A vampire of some kind, it seems," he says, voice soft but manner calmly conversational.

As if there's more than one trouble-causing bloodsucker out there.

(Well. It is Milliways - but only one is currently notorious.

Somewhere, Harth Fray gets the sudden feeling that he's letting the side down.)

"Oh. Oh, the one that's been causing problems since the holidays? I had no idea Puck would be susceptible to such a creature."

But then again, he doesn't know a great deal about fairies in general, aside from the fact that they seem to get into predicaments at a fairly frequent rate.

"You say he cannot speak of it. Can he write words down? That's how I got around a similar situation with Blodwen, as I recall mentioning."

He knows too well that feeling of not being able to help oneself in the face of a more powerful opponent.

Havelock nods.

"Apparently so," he says, rather dry. "And no. The loophole we found - have you met a girl called River Tam?"

It's not the most pleasant feeling in the world, no.

"Yes. I've known River for quite a long time."

The corner of his mouth turns up. Aha.

"And she happens to be a psychic. Has she tried to look into his mind already?"

"Yes," says Havelock.

"And she has agreed to try again, hopefully to pick up information on how it can be broken."

"If you have a solution to the problem, then why are we discussing what my magic can do?"

He's not asking in a confrontational way. He's merely curious. Were it he in this dilemma, he'd want a few back up plans. He imagines this may be the case.

Partially, a back-up plan is what this is.

However.

"She has difficulty with communicating what she hears," Havelock says. "We understand each other quite well, I think, but I always find it better to have options if possible."

"I wonder. Perhaps-"

If River looks into Puck's mind, and then Tom in turn looks into River's... He knows her issues with communication. He knows she sees things others do not.

"I should speak with her. We may be able to work together and help you both."

He thinks, for a moment, about the favor he's promised Havelock in exchange for Ingress' lessons. This could fulfill his commitment. In the grand scheme of things, though, he'd offer his help freely in a case such as this. Milliways is a second home. Keeping people safe from harm is what he's often done in the past, if only to make things easier for him and for those for whom he cares here.

Havelock looks over, relieved despite himself.

It stings not to be able to cope alone, but there is no shame in finding help with something he physically cannot do himself.

"I would greatly appreciate it," he says quietly.

"We help each other out here. I shan't even call this a favor called in. I owe Puck for his kindnesses to Ingress."

Besides, he's developed a high regard for Havelock in the short time he's known him. Allies are good to have.

"I shall look for her."

"I won't forget it," Havelock says.

Tom is rapidly establishing himself as a solid ally in Havelock's eyes.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He won't forget it, either. But that's not a bad thing.

"I'm afraid I cannot stay much later tonight, but I shall come back as soon as my duties allow me. We've put down something of an uprising today, and unless things get out of hand again, I should have time."

Havelock nods.

"Very well," he replies. "I do hope matters stay in hand for you."

Somehow he doesn't think that Tom will have too much trouble, either way.

"I think they shall."

There have been no successful assassination attempts against either Tom or Door for a few years, so they're doing something right!

(Or Hunter, at least, is being an incredibly effective bodyguard.)

If the matter were one of life or death, he'd stay, but since it does not appear to be, he feels justified in returning home. He mustn't be gone too very long, just in case.

"I'll keep you in close communication. I've been in your place, and I know- well. I know how it is."

Edited 2010-03-27 20:22 (UTC)

Indicating, perhaps, that he made his way out of this situation, as well.

That's something.

"Good," he says. "In that case, I will speak with you again soon."