(no subject)

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

There is a boy, some fourteen years old, entering the bar, stopping, frowning, and looking around, taking in his surroundings.

(The boy in question is attired in the rather ragged fashion of a young, working-class Victorian male, although the clothes are all a little ill-fitting, either too large or too small, on his generally gangly and awkward frame. He has a split lip, bleeding knuckles, and the beginnings of a black eye, because some things will never change.)

After a few moments of soft swearing, he tries the door. Locked. With a scowl, he heads towards the Bar.

Botherable.

Comments

[scurlock]

The man sitting at the bar notices the new arrival as he approaches, and he gives the young boy a once-over.

The facial injuries don't go unnoticed.

Doc taps the countertop gently. An ice pack and damp rag appear on the surface; he'll give the kid a minute before he tries any further attempts at first-aid.

"Git yourself into a bit of'a scrap, huh," he says. Knowingly. His clothes are similar in style, though more frontier working-class than straight Victorian. "Those'll help y'git cleaned up."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James eyes Doc warily, taking in the details. Every factor is important when running calculations, after all.

Then, very carefully, he plucks up the damp rag to mop away the blood on his lip and knuckles.

"A bit of one," he says, like it's the most normal thing in the world. Which it is, really. "Nothin' serious."

[scurlock]

"Well of course they ain't serious," he replies. "You did come in here walkin' under your own power, after all."

Bar refills the glass of whiskey at Doc's elbow with only mild hesitation on her part.

"I'm gonna take it you've been here before?"

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James is mildly relieved at that reply. He is well aware that when he goes home, there will be fussing, and hyperbole, and possibly anger at getting into another fight. It's not a routine he enjoys.

The cloth is set very gently on the Bar.

"No," James says, in response to the question. He does not seem overly perturbed by the bar, though, nor at the automatic refilling of the glass. "I've never been here before."

[scurlock]

"Oh," he says, eyebrows lifting slightly in curious surprise. "Well, in that case, y'have my admiration for not havin' a complete meltdown upon walkin' in. You could've fooled me," he adds. "In the years I been here, I've seen a lot of folk - young and old, mind - get a bit turned 'bout when they wander through the door."

He shrugs with one shoulder, and lifts his glass to his mouth.

"S'called Milliways," he says. "Bar at the end of the universe."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"A pocket dimension situated at a theoretical nexus point where multiple universes coincide," James says, a little impatiently. "I figured."

Beat.

With some degree of sympathy: "Might be the rats that catch people off guard." They did give him a second or two of pause.

[scurlock]

"Likely a combination of the rats and the Observation Window," he agrees.

Then - more amused than annoyed:

"Am I to assume y'can give yourself the entire welcome soliloquy as well, then?"

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James considers this. Eventually: "Aye."

It's not strictly true - James is not quite so arrogant to think that he can walk into a place as strange as Milliways and instantly know everything about it.

But he is more than arrogant enough to pretend he can.

"Thank you for the ice pack and cloth, sir," he says, when he remembers. Then, with slightly distant vexation in his tone, directed not at Doc but at someone who is, undoubtedly, nowhere close to being present: "And for not fussing."

[souffle_girlek]

(OOC: tempted, so very tempted. Y - do it/N - find another pup?)

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

[OOC: My vote is for Y, but it's up to you!]

[souffle_girlek]

"Well, you have gotten yourself into a right state, haven't you?" Oswin likes kids, even though she hasn't had any of her own, or even really any close cousins or siblings.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"No," James says petulantly. Pause. Then: "The other boys are worse off."

In defiance of all conventional wisdom regarding 'you should see the other guy' statements, this may actually be true. James can be plenty vicious when the situation calls for it.

[souffle_girlek]

"I suppose that will be of some consolation while your face goes lopsided." Oswin retorts, "Come along then, you should get some ice on that before the swelling gets worse."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"They called my brother crazy," James says defensively. There's a distinct undercurrent of 'what was I meant to do?'

Because while James completely agrees that Thomas Moriarty is as mad as a march hare, he's not going to stand for other people saying that.

[souffle_girlek]

"And I'm sure their opinion changed matters drastically for the rest of the world." Oswin replies dryly. "Come, ice, or I shan't be responsible when you frighten the rats."

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James pouts at her, but slopes along towards the Bar.

"That's not the point," he says. "It wouldn't be right to just let it lie."

[souffle_girlek]

"And you've definitely convinced them they're wrong, now. Clever boy." The Bar provides ice for James, and a hot cocoa (proper hot cocoa, with cream and real chocolate - no sense surviving what she has and then not celebrating that now and then) with a plate of gingerbread cookies for Oswin.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

"Not about convincing them they're wrong. It's about making sure they don't say it again," James mutters.

He presses the ice to his face, though, keeping one bright green eye on Oswin.

He's not sure if the cocoa is for him. Or, for that matter, what it is.

[not_his_pa]

William is reading when the other boy enters and he frowns, that look of various hurts is familiar.

He doesn't get up just asks, "How's the other guy?"

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James considers his answer carefully.

"Worse for wear," he decides on eventually, with a tone of total innocence.

[not_his_pa]

"He'd best be, no point in goin' into a fight without comin' out of it as ahead as you can. Want to clean up a bit? Usually helps with the worryin',"

It's not quite a grin but close that he gives James. He does his best to look as not as beat as possible before heading home if he's been in a fight.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

William is James' new favourite person in the world. It's like he says what James is thinking.

"Cleaning up would be good," he admits, "my mam will fuss otherwise."

[not_his_pa]

"Well, yeah, she's a Ma, that's what they do. Sometimes they've got reason, but fights ain't one of 'em,"

He searches for a rat to order something to clean James up.

[awesome_binomial_theorems]

James gives William a massive grin, and offers a hand.

"James Moriarty. Nice to meet'cha."

[not_his_pa]

"William Evans. Where's your where and when?"

He shakes James hand with another grin as the rat arrives with a bowl with some warm water, cloth and some bandages. There's also more coffee and some food; biscuits with ham and cheese.