(no subject)

[student_of_impossibility]

It is summer around the Bar, albeit a Scottish summer (and so there are likely those who would still freeze if they went outside).

However, when Tavi walks in, he is distinctly not clad for summer; in fact, he's wrapped up tight and lightly dusted with snow. As a result, he looks somewhat surprised if, after a moment, rather pleased to see the Bar at all.

He does take a detour early on--he has a visit to pay a friend--but soon enough (and looking rather warmer and somewhat melted) he is seated in his usual corner, cheerfully digging into a meal.

And if he's rubbing one of his hands like it aches, and his hands do seem to be somewhat more ink-stained than usual... well. It is a highly unusual winter.

Comments

[athelstanthescribe]

Athelstan notices both the ink and the aching, having experienced both before, and pays a visit to the Bar before appearing a little diffidently at Tavi's table.

"Would you like a cold compress?"

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi looks up in some surprise at the new voice, and smiles. "I think I'll be all right," he says cheerfully. "Harder to cut steak with one hand, or I'd take you up on that. I appreciate it, though."

Because, really, his hand has hurt worse before, but even having done paperwork for the Legion all these years... he hasn't felt like this since exams at the Academy.

[athelstanthescribe]

"Oh well. I brought it anyway." He sets it down on the table. "I'm Athelstan."

This man has a touch of the familiar that's making him reluctant to leave.

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi can't help it; he smiles. Athelstan reminds him a little of Ehren in manner, if infinitely more innocent, that much is already apparent. It's just a feeling.

"Tavi." He offers his hand to shake--yes, the one that's aching, but so be it. "And thank you, I may make use of it when I've gotten more of a meal in me."

[athelstanthescribe]

He's already picked up the gesture from other people, and shakes Tavi's hand.

"You've been working hard?" An automatic my lord is suppressed, because why did he even want to say that? He doesn't know this man.

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi catches the feeling of that unspoken 'my lord,' because it's a common reaction to him nowadays. Part of him almost didn't notice, with it becoming almost second nature (the transition from 'Captain' to 'your Highness' being surprisingly painless); part of him noticed how natural it felt, and is more than a little alarmed.

Most of him, though, is busy wondering just what world and time Athelstan comes from that had him pick up on whatever unconscious mannerism clued him into Tavi's apparent rank, or say it so nicely.

"Hazard of the job," he says cheerfully. "There's always more paperwork to be done. You're used to seeing hand strain like this, though."

[athelstanthescribe]

"I'm a scribe", he says with a nod, and remains standing. "I've seen it in myself and others many, many times."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Snow is not a thing Ellen sees at home. Ever. She still doesn't trust it.

Tavi's another story, which is why she waves and heads in his direction when she catches sight of him.

[student_of_impossibility]

Tavi smiles when he sees her and waves down a waitrat, so she can order something if she wants. His treat.

"Hello, Ellen."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Hi, Tavi," says Ellen, and settles down at the nearest available seat. "How're you doing?"

[student_of_impossibility]

"Keeping busy. What about you? Do you need anything to eat?" He nods at the approaching waitrat.

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"I could probably use something," Ellen says. "Noodles or bread or something, nothing fancy. I'm going to be traveling soon, it looks like."

[student_of_impossibility]

"Then by all means, get something to eat. Do you have another mission, or something lighter?" he asks with curiosity.

[cutting_edgex23]

X pauses on her way past, head tilting as if catching an old, familiar scent.

Well, partially familiar, anyway.

It has been a while, for both of them.

Milliways is helpful with that.

"Hello."

[student_of_impossibility]

It has indeed been quite a long time, and Tavi's actually almost surprised to see X. Well, they always got along well.

So he smiles at her.

"Hello. It's been quite some time, hasn't it?"

[cutting_edgex23]

X does not smile back, but a hint of tension in her shoulders relaxes. A little.

"It has been years. For me."

She pauses, as if to make sure.

"I think."

Accurately sensing time passing is not her greatest skill. At all.

"You are okay?"

[student_of_impossibility]

"Several for me as well," he confirms, thinking back on the years at the Elinarch with the First Aleran.

After a moment, he shrugs a little. "Well enough--I keep busy. There's always more to do. And you? How are things for you here, and at home?"

After a pause, he adds, "I noticed Noriko ran into some trouble here."

He's wondering if maybe X has more of the story than he does.

[cutting_edgex23]

"There is," X agrees. "A lot to do. But I like being busy."

She tries very hard not to stiffen.

It mostly works. (Mostly.)

"She gets angry."

X's response is short.

"And does not think. Defending people who do not need it is -- "

She breaks off, searching out the right words.

"You should not hurt people who cannot fight back. For that."

[student_of_impossibility]

Mostly is not completely, and Tavi notes it.

For several moments he considers what to say in response. Any number of possibilities occur to him--

But really, one is more important than the others.

"I'm still somewhat unclear on the details. What actually happened, and who was she--however ill-advisedly--defending?"

[guppy_sandhu]

"Cold out there?" Guppy asks, seeing the man covered in snow.

[student_of_impossibility]

"It's a rather disconcerting change, one side of the Bar door to the other, when the seasons fail to match like this," Tavi confirms.

[guppy_sandhu]

"Come warm yourself by the fire?"

[student_of_impossibility]

"Maybe after I eat," Tavi admits, and waves at the food in front of him. "But I'll fall asleep if I do, and I'd rather do that with a meal already in me."

[guppy_sandhu]

"Fair enough." Beat. "Have we met? I've seen you around but I can't remember your name."

[student_of_impossibility]

"We have, once--I only remember because you had your two children with you. It was some years ago, the girl had just been born." Tavi smiles a little at the memory; it had been so soon after the Elinarch.