Breakfast at Milliways

[cook_the_rude]

Breakfast is to be had at the bar today. Among the people that you may observe having their morning meal there, you find:

• a lady whose breakfast consists only of a mug of cocoa and a newspaper from Ankh-Morkpork
• a Goth warrior who has tea, Roman bread, moretum and cured meat, of which he passes small pieces to the cats that linger around his feet
• a gentleman in a suit eating a refined version of the Full British breakfast, with fried black pudding, eggs, and vegetable arranged on his plate.

They sit at neighbouring tables, but are not as yet speaking to each other; perhaps they have not met?



[[meta: for reasons of having been pestered last night, i wanted these three to have breakfast on a single EP -- say in your tag whom you want!]]

Comments

[mogget_cat]

At one point, the front door opens upon a dark, city alleyway, allowing what looks like a young albino man dressed in white to enter the bar. His shoulders and his stark white hair are damp with the evening mist. The few tell-tale signs of other, darker fluids dotting his cuffs and collar are already fading into nothingness, to eventually leave the seeming fabric as pristine as ever.

Seeing a number of his friends - only two of which are human - having their breakfast at neighboring tables, Yrael smiles and raises a hand in greeting, and comes over in that direction.

[ostro_goth]

From among his friends, the one who jumps up to come over and greet him is Count, the little grey cat, who glides to his side and rubs his face on the white trouser-legs, leaving some grey fluff.

"Greetings, Yrael!" Teja declares while the man one table over returns the wave, smiles, and makes a sign to invite Yrael over.

They look at each other. Teja finds the man's eyes an almost disconcerting maroon colour.

"It seems we both have claims upon him, and must share," he says to the near-stranger.

[mogget_cat]

Yrael grins at the two men as he kneels to properly greet Count as well, with additional ear rubs.

"My friends," says he with a smile, stroking along Count's back. "Already you very nearly dine together - and yet you remain strangers?"

We can't have that, his tone says, as he moves to stand in the space between the two tables.

"Teja, I would like you to meet Dr. Hannibal Lecter of Baltimore, Maryland," he introduces. "Hannibal, this is King Teja, son of Tagila."

[cook_the_rude]

"Greetings, Dr. Lecter," Teja says, politely, looking the man fully into the eyes. "You are Guppy's new helper at the infirmary, are you not?"

Dr. Lecter nods. "It is a pleasure to meet you, King Teja," he says. "You are the Ostrogoth who works the forge and puts much effort into helping with Security? I have heard of you, so I am grateful to Yrael to be finally introduced."

He smiles at Yrael.

"We might share one table, so we can amicably share the company of the Bright Shiner?"

[mogget_cat]

"Allow me to fetch a drink from the bar for myself, and I will join you both," he smiles at them. "It may be yet morning here, but it has been a full night, for me."

Also it leaves to them the decision of whose table will be used.

Yrael returns shortly with a plate of tuna for the cats, as is their due, and a tall, cold glass of milk for himself - he has heard it is considered a suitable drink for the mornings.

[ostro_goth]

Hannibal has picked up his iPad, plate and coffee by the time Yrael returns, and has come over to Teja's table.

"... trying not to be taken aback by anything," he is saying to Teja when the not!cat comes back into earshot.

Teja nods.

"I am under the impression that you have become quite helpful already," he answers.

[mogget_cat]

"Finding oneself in Milliways might be considered an immersion course in things to which it can be difficult to adjust," Yrael offers, taking the third seat at the table and leaning down to set the plate of tuna within the cats' easy reach. "The best approach would be to plunge right in."

[cook_the_rude]

"That is what I am trying to do," Hannibal says. "I don't spend time being astonished that things exist at all. Flat worlds, medical scanners, infinite libraries -- it is all in the nature of Milliways."

Teja nods. "It took me much longer, but then, I am but an Ostrogoth."

[mogget_cat]

"It takes a longer or shorter time depending on the person, but Milliway inevitably does change all who come here."

"I remember," Yrael grins at Teja, "how for a time I made it my mission to get you to laugh."

[ostro_goth]

"It was hard for you, my friend," Teja says.

The little black cat hops onto Yrael's lap.

[mogget_cat]

"It was a great test, but I persevered," Yrael replies, amused. Setting his glass aside, he offers scritches along Myrrh's jaw. "As did all who wished to see the grim Goth smile."

Milliways changes much.

[cook_the_rude]

"Apparently, you succeeded at it," Hannibal says, looking at Teja, who is actually smiling.

"Indeed," the Goth says, "and Yrael had much to do with it, aside from the cats, and my young friend and almost-daughter Carlotta."

[mogget_cat]

"You have gathered around himself friends and loved ones who do not easily give up, once they set their minds to do something," Yrael replies, pleased.

Certainly, it takes much for a cat to admit defeat.

"Speaking of which, I would invite both of you to a benefit concert in New Orleans I have been asked to hold."

For Hannibal

[fluffiest_archadian]

Sherral is ever so glad not to be coming in in dress uniform today. Instead, he has his off-duty wear on - a dark grey t-shirt, bare feet, grey woollen trousers.

Other things he has: Bruises on his knuckles and a blossoming, bloodshot black eye, but he seems cheerful irregardless.

He does stop at Hannibal's table, sniffing the air. "It has been some years since I've had the pleasure of smelling black pudding."

[cook_the_rude]

"Good morning," the man says, cheerfully. "Would you like some? Or perhaps a visit to the infirmary first?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

"I think I'll manage without the infirmary visit," Sherral says wryly. "But I shan't say no to some pudding."

[cook_the_rude]

"If you are sure?" the gentleman at the table says. "Do have a seat!"

He signals a waitrat.

"What happened?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

Sherral laughs a little, ducking his head. "Call it inter-army politics. We have a Rozarrian guard division stationed at our barracks while their ambassador is visiting, and they're - always eager to establish a pecking order and have contests. He took an opportunity and challenged me to pancratium."

Beat.

"It would've been dishonourable to refuse."

[cook_the_rude]

"So now you get an honourable breakfast for your pains," the man at the table says, smirking. "Coffee?"

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Tea, if it suits," Sherral says. "I've heard of coffee here, but was advised to show restraint and caution when trying it. I gather it has a strong taste."

[cook_the_rude]

"You never tried it?" the man says, sounding shocked.

[fluffiest_archadian]

"They do not brew such a drink in my country."

[cook_the_rude]

"You make it sound as if it was a potion, brewed in a cauldron!" the man laughs. "Let me at least try and prove it otherwise."

[fluffiest_archadian]

Wryly: "It may well be, for all I know. But come, if it is of import to you, then I will not begrudge you the attempt."

[cook_the_rude]

The man has a rather elaborate coffee pot on the table; he pours a cup of coffee from it, and doses it with a little cream.