OOM - and an EP

[onceaviking]

{OOM: He shushes her, putting his arms around her. "Have I ever, in all the long years we've been together, cared about a human being?" he asks her. Gently. . Following this.}

A few nights later, Eric enters Milliways. He looks much the same as last time. Jeans, black t-shirt, a leather jacket. Boots.

He goes to the Bar, gets a glass of blood and a package, and finds a seat.
After unwrapping the package, smiling a little at the small Viking ship, he leans back and sips his drink.

Cool. Calm. Considering.

Comments

[sunbaked_baker]

That is a cool-looking ship. A little girl carrying a book towards the backdoor smiles as she glances at it. Very cool.

[onceaviking]

Eric notices he is being watched and looks up.

It's a child.

He holds the ship up and gives her a smile. "Do you want to see it?"

[sunbaked_baker]

The girl is maybe ten years old, red hair back in a loose ponytail at the base of her neck. The book is a battered paperback. She gives an faint, echoing smile, seeing she's been spotted, and nods. "It's really pretty."

[onceaviking]

"It's a gift," he says. "From a friend. He knows I used to have a ship just like this."

She smells so sweet.

[sunbaked_baker]

"You had a ship like that?" she says, her eyebrows lifting in mild amazement. Her smile broadens. "A big one? Like, one people could actually sail in?"

[onceaviking]

"It was huge," he replies. "You could easily fit 35 people on it."

There is something unbelievably alluring about children. The freshness, the innocence. The fast heartbeat.

[sunbaked_baker]

This one has been outside in the springtime - a later spring than graces the grounds of Milliways - warmth and sun and things returning to life. Her touch upon the horn and amber of the tiny ship is careful and light.

"Did you go a-viking in it?"

[onceaviking]

"I did. Often," he says. "Sailing far across the sea."

He is pale, with bright blue eyes. And the hand holding it is huge.

[sunbaked_baker]

"We've been reading about vikings at school," the girl says, unafraid and amiable, blue-grey eyes taking in the tiny details of the ship. "Is it true some crossed the whole ocean and found the New World?"

[inspector_blueeyes]

"How very fitting." David says quietly as he looks up from his paperwork to see Eric nearby.

[onceaviking]

"It was a gift," Eric replies.
"Good evening, David."

[inspector_blueeyes]

"Good evening, Eric." He nods to the little ship. "A gift from someone who knows you well, I take it. Or someone courting your favour."

[onceaviking]

"A little bit of both," I should think, " Eric muses, turning the little ship over in his hands." At least, someone who believes he knows me. "

He looks back at David." How have you been, David? "

[inspector_blueeyes]

"A belief you seem content to perpetuate. I take it this 'he' is of use to you." David has a policemen's knack for framing none of this as a question and letting the other person fill in the gaps.

He slides his paperwork away. "Well enough and thankfully not so busy that I've had to avail myself of this place too often."

[onceaviking]

"Would I waste time on people not of use to me, David?" Eric asks. Smiling.

"Do you normally - avail - yourself often of this place? " Eric asks, his voice laden with innuendo.

[inspector_blueeyes]

"No, I don't suppose you would." It's said coldly and meant as a rebuke. "Perhaps someone should warn him."

Innuendo that David ignores, that side of himself firmly locked down at the moment. "Only as much as I need to. It is useful for catching up on paperwork and sleep but each day here is a day shorter to live in the real world. Not a concern for you I suppose." But something David is all too aware of.

[onceaviking]

"Oh, he knows," Eric practically purrs. "I rather think that is what he likes about me."

As for the rest -
"You're right. I do not worry about time. Every night spent here is a night of experiences and dare I say dining, that I would not have enjoyed at home. "

[fluffiest_archadian]

Oh, hey, it's the - no, no, Sherral still can't think 'vampire' without internally cracking up.

He looks sufficiently stoic, though. "You look well. Better than when last we met."

[onceaviking]

Eric takes a slow sip of his drink. "Likewise," he replies. "Not being trapped by idiotic and mythic creatures must agree with us."

[fluffiest_archadian]

"I find my lot vastly improved by the absence of yarn rooms, aye," Sherral says easily.

[onceaviking]

Eric smiles. "Yes. That was rather pointless. I did enjoy the fighting though."
He sounds a little wistful.

[fluffiest_archadian]

"Unfortunately, I find myself with no shortage of fighting," Sherral says ruefully.

[onceaviking]

"My life has gotten political," Eric says. "I really miss good, honest fights."

[fluffiest_archadian]

"I laugh at your suffering," Sherral says companionably. "Though too often I have to involve myself in the politicking of others. It's wearying, I regret that you must deal with that."

[onceaviking]

Eric shrugs. "I can always entertain myself with ideas about just how I'd kill them if I ever got the chance," he says.