milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Follows-Chalk had not been expecting this.

He's seen some things these past few days, since leaving the familiarity of Zion. Yesterday evening he'd happened across a caravan. Three people and a pack Brahmin weren't much but their stories of bustling towns and bright lights managed to stoke the flames of his curiousity even higher than before. They'd done some trading, leaving Follows-Chalk lighter by three small gecko hides, heavier by ten more .45 caliber rounds, and considerably bemused at the handful of bottlecaps the owslandr had thrust at him. It had on the whole been a somewhat strange if educational experience and he had left the men's camp feeling reassured that he could in fact take on whatever the wastes threw at him.

But Follows-Chalk had not been expecting this.

There is a heavily tattooed young man in a loincloth currently standing very, very still in the doorway of the bar. A little assistance probably would not go amiss.

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Ellen's been traveling with Voodoo for days now in her world. One thing she's come to miss while on the road: flush toilets. She took the opportunity the last time she had to use a latrine to find a broken-down door frame and slip through it, so she's in the Bar and emerging from the women's restroom when she spots the newcomer standing in the doorway.

"Are you all right?" says the scarred, grey-haired, Korean-looking girl with the Pip-Boy on her arm. "You look a little startled."

Yeah. He's just gonna staaaare for a minute or two if that's alright? This is not, in his experience, what the inside of a cave looks like.

"I am, yes." he says at length. It's English. Carefully enounciated English sure but clear and with only the faintest hint of an accent. "Sorry. Didn't realize anyone'd... made camp here."

He realizes that's not the correct phrase for what's in front of him but... what would be the correct phrase for what's in front of him? He's never heard of anything like it.

"This probably isn't where you were trying to go," Ellen says, in an attempt to be helpful. "This is a place called Milliways, and sometimes it catches people by surprise."

Given that she's wearing her stealth suit, the headpiece pulled down so her face can be seen, she's probably not as reassuring as she's trying to sound. But hey, she's trying.

Follows-Chalk may not be familar with anything more complex than the hardware carried by your average caravan gaurd but he recognizes someone potentially dangerous when he sees them.

"Little bit," agrees the young man. Eyes never leaving Ellen's as he speaks, his fingers brush very lightly against the grip of the club at his side. It almost looks accidental.

"I didn't expect it to be so bright." Or for there to be anyone inside. There had been no sign of anywhere near this many outside.

Edited 2012-02-01 03:36 (UTC)

It's an impressive club. Ellen notices; it's not the kind of thing you miss.

Still, she smiles. "They have really good lighting here," she says. "I don't know where they get all the power from. And there's only the one fire that I know of, so that's not it. But this place isn't exactly... it's not exactly a normal kind of place to begin with. I can explain, but it might take a while."

Belatedly she adds, "My name's Ellen Park. Some people call me 101. Whatever is easier for you is fine with me."

"I am Follow's-Chalk," after a momentary pause he steps forward to offer his hand. Joshua and Daniel have been around more than long enough for Chalk to have picked up on something resembling Owslandr manners. Besides, given Ellen isn't screaming for his blood yet, it probably won't kill him to be polite.

"It is good to meet you, Ellen Park. Folks around here must be plenty civilized if they do get-" Oh, hello technicolor flames and what looks suspiciously like fish, how are you today?

"...Oh."

Ellen nods and reaches for the offered hand. "Most people here are," she says, and turns to see what's caught his attention. "Oh. Um. That's... I wish I could say I knew how they make that work, but I haven't got a clue. I didn't know anything could live in fire before I came here."

They can't.

Normal fish can not do that. But...

"...Am I dead?"

Between the elders' stories and Joshua Graham, Chalk's view of the here after is a little muddy but it didn't involve caves full of strangers and flaming fish.

"Not that I know of," says Ellen. "Although some people who come here are. Turn around and look behind you. Is there a door in the wall? Because if there is, you're still alive, and only here temporarily."

This may possibly give something of the wrong impression, but he looks like he could use some reassurance about not being stuck in the Very Strange Place right now.

A brief investigation confirms the presence of an old, weathered door sitting on the remains of equally ancient hinges. Beyond it lays the scrubby landscape of what had once upon a time been southern Utah. Follow's-Chalk's shoulders sag with released tension. He is merely a visitor here. The waking world waits just outside.

"Shih zhah neh hoyta. I am lucky today." He offers Ellen a self depreciating smile. In hindsight it seems foolish; it is not the way of the wastes for death to take someone unawares.

"But I do not understand. Why am I here, Ellen Park?"

She'd correct him, have him just use 'Ellen', but frankly after being called 101 so often by the Brotherhood, she kind of likes hearing her whole name. She'll let it pass, and just offer a smile in return.

"I don't know. Maybe there's somebody here you need to meet," she says. "Or maybe you'll need to come to this place someday, to find something or escape some danger, and you're here today so you'll be used to it when the time comes. The first time I came here, I was running away from ants as big as me, and I found it by mistake. I had to learn how to come here on purpose, when I needed it."

Maybe some pants too. Especially if he wants to go out back.

"I, um, hi?"

~~Gondor has no pants. Gondor needs no pants. The same would probably be claimed by any of the Dead Horses.~~

Follows-Chalk turns to face her with wide blue eyes. His tribe utelize caves as shelter when they can. Some of them are well supplied too but he's never seen anything quite like this place. It's a little much to take in. Which is why he'll be staring at her for a moment or two before what she's said actually registers.

"Yah ah Tahg. Sorry, didn't realize folks had... made camp in here."

It's a woefully inadequate phrase for what's in front of him, he's well aware. Are those- Are those actual electric lights?

Edited 2012-01-23 04:27 (UTC)

~~But think of the pockets Follow-Chalk. Think how much more convenient than pouches they can be! Also, thorn bushes.~~

"It's not quite like that," says Ako, "This is your first time here?"

Electric lights in all their fragile fluorescent glory.

William's reading when Follows-Chalk enters and stares, "You lost?"

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