(no subject)

[collects_strays]

The moment Graham had stepped into the bar, he's full of nervous agitation. It pounds like a bad headache, wells up in his stomach – it's nearly the worst he's felt since he since –

Well, since he was sick.

He doesn't want to drink, and the thought of taking something only seems to sit worse in his stomach. After only a few seconds of hesitating at the foot of the stairs, Graham fixes his eyes on the floor, and walks through the room, trying as much as he can to ignore the voices around him.

The grounds are a relief. He feels it as soon as he steps through the back door – the nervous agitation is still there, but it's at least closer to a manageable tide, rather than a tidal wave. His breathing slows, and he raises his eyes from the lawn, looking up toward the forest, and then the lake.

The Bar had been kind enough to provide him with something other than his uniform – jeans and a shirt, a jacket. Even a pair of glasses. Graham takes a breath, and begins to walk in the direction of the lake.

Comments

[not_his_pa]

The day's have been longer so William's been staying out more as the outside of Milliways is greener than home.

He's sitting on a hay bale that's up against the paddock reading an adventure book. When Will comes out, he says, "Hello, sir, its a nice day."

[collects_strays]

Graham breathes in sharply, looking back to the ground.

"I - guess it is," he answers.

[not_his_pa]

His smile fades as he hears the other man breathe, it sounds like he's in pain, "Yeah, it ain't too hot."

[collects_strays]

He closes his eyes, but nods.

"Is it summer here?"

[not_his_pa]

"Just startin' to be. It was Decoration Day not too long ago,"

The horses start to come over to see what's going on and William stands up to pet one of their noses.

[collects_strays]

Graham takes another deep breath, and raises his head, finally glancing over to William. His eyes stay on the boy for a moment, and then flicker to the horses.

"I haven't - seen what summer looks like, here."

[not_his_pa]

"Its pretty, greener than where I'm from, sometimes there are lake parties,"

A brown horse stretches its neck out at Will, maybe the new person has treats.

[collects_strays]

He watches the horse, but doesn't move closer.

"Where're you from?"

[not_his_pa]

"Bisbee in Arizona Territory. You, sir?"

William reaches up and pats the horse, which tries to eat his hat.

[electro_kinetic]

Outside there are a lot of things, a lot of weird colors. Most of them are gathered around and in the same person, alas; there is a young woman sitting on the flat rock that juts out over the water, with bright blue hair, and bright metal gauntlets, and a loud yellow shirt.

She's throwing stones across the water, making them skip over the surface. Every so often, she doesn't bother skipping them and just throws one, seeing how far it will go.

Doubt is not a thing Noriko is accustomed to in Milliways. It's somewhat uncomfortable.

[collects_strays]

He feels her presence, like quiet static in a radio signal, but continues approaching the lake despite it.

Graham doesn't greet her when he's close to the edge of the water; he doesn't even look to her. His eyes stay on the lake, watching the ripples the stones make across the surface.

[electro_kinetic]

"Pretty ripples, huh?" she asks, glancing sideways at the new guy.

The stone in her hand clicks against her fingers as she turns it over and over, watching the water.

[collects_strays]

Graham blinks a few times, lowering his head.

"Sure."

[electro_kinetic]

"You don't sound so sure."

Which isn't really worrisome, but still. Nori looks up at him, blinking as she lets the pebble in her hand fall just past the end of her rock. "Are you okay?"

Well, it seems like the appropriate question to ask everyone lately. People are being...strange around here. It's enough to put her metaphorical hackles up, because she hates that anticipatory feeling it gives her. It's like the Legacy Virus all over again.

[collects_strays]

He rubs at his forehead, before glancing up to her.

"Are you?"

[electro_kinetic]

"Me? Yeah," she says, with a tiny little wry chuckle, like this is the best she's been in a long time. (Considering her life and her world, this might qualify.)

"Little bit worried about a friend, but that's normal for me. At least I don't have to worry someone will kill him. Here," she clarifies. This is a very valid concern in her world, and she's pretty sure there's a lack of immediate desire for personal annihilation among the patrons here.

Sadly she's unaware of the glaring irony in that idea.

[collects_strays]

"No violence," Graham answers, quietly.

He looks back to the lake.

[cutting_edgex23]

X is making her way back inside from a rigorous training session in the woods.

She pauses a few steps away from Will, gaze flicking across him and then back out over the lake.

It seems polite.

"You are okay?"

[collects_strays]

He looks to her. His gaze can linger a little longer, because she's not looking back at him.

"I'm um -"

Graham blinks a few times, and his hand to his forehead.

"It - was a little loud, in there."

[cutting_edgex23]

"Yes," X agrees, nodding once.

She is still watching the water.

And the reflections in the water, distorted as they are by tiny wavelets near the shore.

"It is tiring to filter. All the time."

For her, anyway.

[collects_strays]

He follows her gaze, looking to the lake.

"I'm not usually around this many people."

[cutting_edgex23]

"That is also effective."

X does not shrug.

"You like it? Being alone."

[collects_strays]

It's a moment before he answers -

"It's usually easier. For me."

[cutting_edgex23]

X bites her lip, just for a second.

Quietly --

"I do not think that is the same thing."

Beat.

"It is okay."

She does not mean to judge.

[collects_strays]

"It's not."

He doesn't equivocate. It's not the same thing. Graham lowers his head, looking down to their shadows across the lawn, before raising his eyes again.

"And I don't always mind company."