milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Last time Tavi was in the Bar, he'd intended to write to his family. Instead he ended up Bartending.

This time, he's bound and determined to actually get those letters written, because it actually is relaxing and keeps it from taking up time at work.

And yet, for some reason, he seems to be chewing his lip and working on catapult and trebuchet designs.

Still, he has his usual basket of bread, olive oil, and carafe of water that seem remarkably unguarded from passers by. Not only that, but for all his concentration, he does look relaxed and rather pleased.

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"I think I'm developing a reputation."

His smile is wry.

After a moment, he decides to explain very slightly.

"I won a battle a few months back, and brought on some new recruits. All... unconventionally."

"That is not very descriptive," X offers, after a long few moments of silence.

And hard on the heels of that --

"Many people from your world come here?"

"It's the best summary. The story would take... quite a long time."

And involves more information than he'd like to give.

Another fluid shrug.

"Not more than a handful--I think one of my officers and I are the two most frequent patrons."

"Max," X says.

It is not quite a question.

"I remember."

Tavi nods amicably enough.

"My Tribune Auxiliarus," he agreed.

Beat.

"Alerans are all almost painfully alike, apparently," he adds wryly. There may be an understated question there, however.

She recognizes him, doesn't she?

"I do not think so," X says.

Carefully.

"You and Max are very distinct."

So is everybody else X has ever met. It's funny how useful an enhanced sense of smell is for that kind of thing.

Go figure.

(Which is to say, unless he has gone to great lengths to mask his scent differently every time they have met -- yes. She recognizes him.)

Edited 2011-11-03 00:29 (UTC)

Tavi knows enough about people to read between the lines there.

His scent has changed a little--a lot more smoke and blood and steel and leather have just sunk into his uniforms, even when clean (certainly at levels that humans can't smell), but at the basic level, he's still just Tavi.

So he flashes a quick grin at her.

"That much I'll grant you."

Beat.

"My nose isn't half as crooked."

"You do not flirt as persistently, either."

X is very good at being matter-of-fact.

But, perhaps more importantly --

"And I have not seen you in combat."

"True. But I can hold a steady relationship."

For a moment affection flashes through his eyes. Never, ever get him started on Kitai.

Still, he laughs shortly, amusement in his expression.

"No, I suppose not. You've seen Max fight?"

"I do not think it is necessary," X offers, after a moment. "A steady relationship."

She pronounces that one exactly like Tavi did. Sometimes that is easier with new terminology.

Then --

"Yes. In Alanna's world."

Beat.

"He threw me to the beach. It was very effective."

And, you know. Something any other non-furycrafter might not have survived.

Still.

"Not necessary. But not everything's about necessity. Usually, maybe."

Another look flashes through his eyes, briefly, and somewhat indefinable.

"It can, however, make life more enjoyable."

This is where Max would tease him about the sex until Tavi irritatedly insisted it wasn't all about the sex.

Tavi merely blinks, running quickly back through his memory. He'd stored that conversation carefully, because it was about Max fighting in another world. Max, Jack, X. Resiliance, strength, flexibility; something about a kraken.

And now he has a name.

"I heard about the battle--that it happened, though not with many details."

X shrugs, one-shouldered and quick.

"I have a boyfriend."

Beat.

"But it would be okay if I did not, too."

Just like it is okay that Tavi does not have a boyfriend.

She pauses then, head tilting as she studies him.

Carefully.

"He likes to talk."

Beat.

"There was a reason he was not detailed?"

She cannot quite believe that Tavi did not ask.

"I suppose it would be different, but not a tragedy if we weren't seeing each other," Tavi allows.

But then that gentle look crosses his face again, just for a moment.

"But it's much nicer this way."

Soulmate in the non-romantic sense and gorgeous young woman in his bed?

In no world are there downsides to that.

Tavi merely smiles lightly.

"He had no reason to be."

Because he didn't tell Tavi.

"Tragedy is stupid," X says, very decisively.

Angst is just a waste of energy.

(And some things she's still not really capable of. One of these is intense, sustained emotion, positive or negative. It changes her worldview a lot.)

She's still studying Tavi, nostrils flaring ever so slightly.

"That does not make sense."

"That much," he replies dryly, "I will agree with."

After a moment, though, he sighs. "Though sometimes unavoidable."

Tavi shrugs fluidly.

"He was off-duty, and was neither got himself killed, severely injured, or compromised the safety of the Realm. What he does with his own time is his business. It was, however, something I was bound to hear about."

Or Max wasn't the one to tell Tavi about it. One of those.

"But you offered your help," X says, after a long moment of silence.

"To me."

Beat.

"Last time."

She's looking dubious again.

"It is stupid to do that without more information."

This pause is not quite as long.

"And I do not think you are stupid."

"Friend of a friend," of a best friend, "and with a good reputation."

He has a thing about loyalty.

Besides, he likes helping.

After another moment, his eyes narrow with irritation.

"And I know someone else from where you come from. There are... problems."

He also has a thing about injustice.

"Besides, I'm only not stupid depending on who you ask."

X remembers this, too.

"Noriko."

She nods, just once.

"You will help her, too?"

Beat.

"If she asks."

Sometimes it is good to check.

Tavi only nods once, shortly.

He owes her.

And she's a friend.

"Good."

X's response is firm.

And fierce.

"It will be difficult."

Beat.

"What is coming."

And that is all the detail she will offer. It is safer that way.

"It usually is."

Smoke of Aleran towns, ruined; her fertile plains covered in Vord wax--

He blinks the thoughts away.

"If she asks, I'll be there."

Even if he has duties he really shouldn't potentially endanger by doing it. He's stubborn that way.

Here X looks a little uncertain.

"I do not know if she will ask."

"I don't know if I'll know when to offer."

He runs his hand over the scar on his cheek. "Or if I'll be here to make the offer; I've missed an important one or two."

Beat.

"She doesn't know."

X hesitates, frowning slightly.

"That you have missed things?"

Beat.

"Or that she has met you before."

Considering his caginess with X, she is not going to put it past him to have been cagey with Nori, too.

But that is his choice.

Tavi doesn't quite shake his head, but his eyes faintly dismiss the first one.

To the second, once again he nods shortly.

And suddenly another wry grin crosses his face.

"I grew."