milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Kate went out for a run with deputy Bradley this morning, and so Bill is on his own for breakfast.

She offered to be back in time to get it, but he declined and left early before she was home.

Still out of uniform until he arrives at the station, Bill steps into Milliways expecting the local diner. Deciding to go ahead and stay, he takes a seat at a table and orders from a passing waitrat.

A few minutes later he has a cup of coffee, plate of bacon and eggs and a copy of the Wheelsy Register.

The front page article headline reads "Meth hotline going live". Bill barely gives it a glance before opening the paper and shuffling back to the sports page, checking up on how the Earl Bassett High football team is doing.

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"Oh yeah?" He glances towards the window, then remember that doesn't actually give a view outside.

"It's fall for me, gettin' chilly an' all."

"That can be a nice time of year. How are you and Kate?" Its not one she enjoys but she knows other people who do.

"It ain't bad. With all the heat we've had the cool down is welcome."

Poking at his eggs, he answers, "We're good."

"Good, well if you ever want some hot and sand, come visit me."

"Thanks, I appreciate it. Been a bit busy lately."

It's more than a bit if you go by the shadows underneath his eyes and the general tiredness about him.

"Oh, anything you can talk about?" He and Kate both work far too hard in Demeter's opinion.

His headshake turns into a half shrug.

"Just workin'. Some things have come up in my town, an' I'm tryin' t'handle them."

"Yes, there's always something happening. Do you have what you need to protect your people?"

Bill grabs his coffee mug and adds more sugar to it, focus on his hands.

"I don't need any help, if that's what you're askin'."

She frowns at his focus, it wasn't meant to be a slight, "That's good."

He's bristling and he knows it. Trying to back down off it, he takes a sip of coffee and lifts his eyes back to her.

"So what've you been up to? You get through what happened here alright?"

"I wasn't here for the worst of it but I did what I could to heal the land afterwards."

"I wasn't, either. Wasn't sure what was goin' on for awhile there."

Giving the room a once over, he's so glad this place made it through.

"S'just a good thing it's all still here."

"Yes, it is. The heart of Milliways is strong as ever."

"Good. Would hate t'see this place go anywhere."

"As would I, its a special place."

"At the very least they make a good breakfast."

He gestures at his empty plate with his mug.

"Oh yes, a lot of things are good here."

Bill nods and sips at his coffee.

He checks his watch, then remembers he doesn't have to worry about the time so much.

"Should I leave you to your breakfast?"

"No, well, not unless you got somewhere to be. Sorry I ain't so chatty, just... tired. Headed on duty now, so just grabbin' a bit before goin' to the station."

"That's fine, Bill. I'll just sit beside you," They don't need to talk.

Frowning, he set down his cup of coffee.

"I don't mean t'be bad company. I just-- there's a lot goin' on, an' it's kinda startin' to wear on me, I guess."

"Then you should take care of yourself in whichever way is best for you."

"It ain't about me. I got a town to look after an' set right."

In his opinion he'd already taken too much time for himself, with his leave of absence and everything, which is how this trouble got started.

"Folks are dependin' on me to do my job."