milliways_bar | (no subject)

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lohengrin (the knight)

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Lawrence wakes just before they enter the forest, which disturbs him as much as he considers it a good thing. He doesn't usually fall asleep on the road, but it feels like it has been a longer journey than usual. Luckily his horse is a good one, his wagon is full of goods (making the road seem smoother, somehow) and the trip through the forest is short and without trouble.

It's still light when they emerge and Lawrence sees ahead... an inn... of sorts? Maybe? Perhaps they could suggest a place for him to eat and sleep, if not; he's spent enough nights in the wagon that he is looking forward to a bed, despite the damage to his purse.

His hopes that the odd building is at least used to travelers are raised when he spies the stables. Lawrence dismounts just outside the well-kept stables and moves to unhitch his wagon, patting his horse's head when done. "Strange, isn't it?"

The horse snorts lightly as if in answer, but Lawrence is looking out over the landscape, curious. He's traveled this route many times and never seen this place before... Surely he'd remember an inn near a lake of this size?

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The speaking catches the attention of someone inside the stable. (And truth be told, he's glad for further distraction.) A moment or two later and the Knight steps out to see who's there, his own horse behind him.

"Hello," he greets. "I thought I heard someone else out here."

The mare nickers pleasantly towards their new company.

Lawrence's startlement is simply due to the interruption of his thoughts, not the presence of another person; stables frequently have people about them.

"Hello." Lawrence nods his head and smiles at the other man. "Yes, I've only just arrived. It's been a long trip and I was hoping for a chance to rest. This is an inn, yes?"

"Yes. Likely the strangest one you'll ever encounter. But it's nice all the same."

It's certainly been growing on Lohengrin.

"Welcome to Milliways."

"Milliways," Lawrence repeats, stroking his chin slightly as he thinks. "I don't seem to recall that name. Although it has been some time since I've traveled this far west. Is it new?"

The slight gleam in Lawrence's eye was all for the possible new business, don't worry good knight.

"It's the very definition of latest," the Knight says with wry humor. "It sounds like you came here the same way I did but, just as I learned, you're likely not quite where you think you are."

Okay, that startles Lawrence; being off-route means losing time, and time is money to a merchant.

"I was heading for Pasloe. I should be a day and a half away?"

"And you still will be when you return. Time...time is strange here. The time in your home probably won't move while you're here. It's difficult to explain."

Lohengrin is still quite new himself.

"I don't know Pasloe. It isn't an area ruled by King Heinrich, is it?"

Lawrence is not sure what to make of the talk of time, but he files it away. There's not much he can do about his being lost except to get directions and deal it.

And never again fall asleep while driving the wagon.

"It lies in Earl Erhendott's domain, south of Ruvenheigen. In Trenni. King Heinrich..." Lawrence gives a shy smile and slight bow of apology. "I am a bad merchant, for that is a route I have not yet traveled."

Or even heard of, and he's been on the road for many years now. "Is the trade good?"

~~The trade is as good as the story allows.~~

"His land and the ones nearby are prosperous. But I don't think you a bad merchant for not knowing it. Milliways is a meeting place of many worlds. It's very likely we come from entirely different ones."

"Not so different, I hope, that I can't get a place to rest and a bite to eat? To be such a place, the landlord must be friendly..." Lawrence glances at the knight's horse again. "Are you leaving then? A fine horse."

[ooc: Oh *facepalm* I found this in my inbox. I am so sorry! If you want to end, that's okay, but I promise not to lose the thread again if not. :D]

"You'll find no finer establishment than Milliways for that," Lohengrin says. "And I was just taking Pfeifferkuchen out for her ride."

The mare noses at Lohengrin, pulling a smile from the Knight's face.

[OOC: It happens to all of us. I'm good for going on if you are! :D]

"Ride? Do you mean back through the forests? Or is all this land owned by the inn, then?"

A wealthy inn meant a wealthy landlord, and perhaps Lawrence would add this place to his route after all.

[yaaaaaay! *Kermit flail*]

"I don't exactly know where the border is. It's a rather flexible thing here. But there are woods, the lake, the gardens, and even some mountains in this area. I don't know how much is actually owned by the inn, though I'm fairly certain they own the gardens.

"In any case, a ride a few times around the lake has been our routine lately."

Lawrence nods. He's heard of towns and villages where the boundaries are not strict, though in his experience, those situations do not last long.

He finds it odd that a knight would be so complacent about such a thing, though. Boundary disputes meant work for the military.

"If you've been here long, perhaps you can make introductions for me. Perhaps join me for dinner after your ride?" Surely the innkeeper takes one of the currencies he has on hand. "A merchant and a knight, I am sure we could trade stories enough to pass the evening?"

Lohengrin has quickly been learning that Milliways has its own rules, including matters regarding boundaries.

In addition to that, his situation makes it difficult to report his findings regarding Milliways to his liege. As far as the Knight knows, Prince Siegfried and King Heinrich don't know anything about Milliways.

"I'm still relatively new but hearing some things from a new person might make it..."

He pauses before shaking his head.

"Well, some things are going to be shocking no matter what. I still can't quite get over some of the peculiarities of this place. And as for stories-"

The Knight could almost swear he feels a brief, odd twinge when he says the word "stories".

"-when I leave this place, I'm held by strict rules of secrecy. I'm not even allowed to disclose my name there. The same rules don't apply here but I hope that explains any hesitance I might show."

"A knight who works in secrecy..." Lawrence's eyebrow rises. "And now you most definitely let me buy your meal and ply your story."

He chuckles lightly. "As long as you do not expect to learn of my trade secrets, I shall let you keep your secrets, good knight."

Lohengrin lightly laughs back.

"I usually prefer being forthright but the circumstances simply don't allow it there. As far as I can tell, however, the taboo on my name doesn't exist here."

He offers a hand to shake and, for the first time since arriving to Milliways, introduces himself without being asked.

"I am Lohengrin."

"Pleased to meet you, sir Lohengrin." Lawrence reaches for that hand, smiling broadly now. "Lawrence. Kraft Lawrence, but while I have no taboo on my name, I have simply grown used to being known by Lawrence. It's an easier name to trade with."

"A pleasure, Lawrence. And I think I will take you up on your generous offer to join you for dinner."

Always nice to have some company, after all.

Very nice! Especially when you have already begun talking to your horse.

"Great! I will take my time tending to my horse and wagon while you ride?"

He nods before moving to mount Pfeiffer.

"The stables here are well tended, too," he says once he's atop the mare. "Should you meet Miss Kate, she'll be glad to arrange a stall for your horse."

And with that, the pair trot off to the lake. A few circuits later and they return, well exercised and ready for dinner.

Lawrence had spent his time settling his horse and securing the wagon, then stood outside enjoying the air. And not being on a wagon seat.

As Lohengrin approaches, Lawrence is still outside the stables, and he waves a greeting. "I didn't meet your Miss Kate, so I took a stall that seemed unused."

The Knight waves back.

"I'm sure she won't mind. That's what I did with Pfeiffer."

It's not long before his own horse is settled in the now-familiar stall.

"Prepare yourself," he warns. "The insides show a truth that's not apparent outside."

Lawrence follows easily. "Usually that means trouble. Is that why you're here? Maintaining the peace?"

"My duty is not here, though there is a security force. But most people aren't troubled by the nature of this location."

Once he opens the door, Lohengrin leads Lawrence over to the Observation Window. Better to get it over with now.

"This place is at the end of the universe."

Lawrence stands there, watching. Not at all really comprehending what he's seeing.

It takes a few moments before he is able to speak... "But that's not what is outside."

Can a window be broken?

It's broken before!

But Lohengrin wasn't here for that.

"I don't fully understand it all. The outside where we came from is under whatever shield or magic that keeps this place from ending along with that outside."

This is a bit beyond Lawrence's understanding. He stands for a moment, then turns back to his new friend. "The end of the universe. Are we then dead?"

Neither his travels nor his faith in the Church had prepared him for this. Heaven was an inn?

"I don't think so. I've gone back and forth between this place and home a few times and I seem to be just as alive in both places."

Luckily, the advantage to a society like Lawrence's is that there is still a strong vein of folklore. And that is precisely what Lawrence's mind is drawing upon. In his travels, he's heard of people who are taken to far off places at the whimsy of pagan gods, some never to be seen again... perhaps they are true.

Lawrence looks out the window once more, a hand to his head. At least he can go home again?

He tries a bit of humour: "Does this mean we're too late for dinner, then?" Surely a decent meal and some wine in good company will set things right again.

Lohengrin softly snerks.

"Perish the thought. And just wait until you get roped into working a shift."

The Knight has unfinished business with the blender.

"Oho! Is that how the innkeeper keeps his costs down? Has the customers work for their meals?" Which Lawrence finds a tricky idea, considering some of the customers he's shared tables with.

Lawrence laughs and pats his purse lightly. "Hopefully my coin will suffice and we can have a leisurely meal."

"She asks nicely enough."

And considering the location, Lohengrin probably won't try refusing again.

Oh yeah, and they just brought up gender, didn't they? This is going to be interesting.

"The 'she' is the bar herself," he clarifies, gesturing. "She is sentient."

"Bar?" Lawrence follows the gesture. "I'm not sure I understand, my friend."

"I'm not much better off," the Knight admits. "But I have seen it. The Bar is able to provide orders without a tender. Though apparently even she needs a rest."

Lawrence strokes his chin as he considers this. "And do we also speak our orders to the tables? And ask a door for a room?" Lawrence jokes.

"You know, I've never tried but I wouldn't be surprised if it worked at this point," Lohengrin says.

At least then the madness would be consistent.

Lawrence chuckles. "I will follow your lead, good Knight, and hopefully we won't be asked to leave. Where shall we sit, for our supper?"

"Preferably not quite so close to the window."

And probably not a table or a booth, either. They can deal with waitrats another time. So Lohengrin chooses a spot at the bar proper.

This turns into a strange matter of etiquette. Should he order first to show Lawrence how it's done or should he let Lawrence try first since he is, in a sense, the Knight's guest?

But dwelling on this isn't practical, so Lohengrin just asks, "Would you like to order first?"

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