(no subject)

[holdingacat]

(OOM (canon): In which Cecil indulges his love of gel pens.)

Cecil wanders into the bar openly carrying his notebook, and a pen, and a small box.

The small box is put on the Bar, with a little fond tap.

"Could you get that back to Sinric? Oh, thank you, that's sweet, I would like some coffee, thank you." He pauses to savor the exquisite taste of properly brewed coffee.

The mug, for anyone who cares to read, is a promotional mug for PetCo, with a tagline under the logo: "Where Did The Pets Go?".

Comments

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric comes bouncing down from the library, hugging a couple of books to his chest and a crown of evergreen leaves in his hair. He smiles to see Cecil. "Hello, my friend! How are you?"

[holdingacat]

"Sinric! I am well, thank you! You're looking very festive today." Cecil beams in greeting.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric laughs and touches the crown. "I was out walking earlier. I'd forgotten I was wearing it."

[holdingacat]

"Well, I'd keep it on, it's very fetching." He hasn't seen greenery like that since... oooooh, ages ago, not since he went to Europe. Certainly not in Night Vale. They can convince a few deciduous trees to eke out an existence with a lot of patience and a lot more watering, and there's a few bristly native species.

In a few weeks Cecil will be re-thinking his wistful fondness of pine trees. But we'll leave that trouble in the future.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric grins and ducks a graceful curtsy. "I could make one for you if you wish?"

[holdingacat]

"I... certainly. Thank you. I've never worn a crown like that before." Soft meat crowns, sure, that's traditional.

[thewidewideworld]

"Then stay here a moment." Sinric grabs his cloak and wraps it around himself to dash outside. He comes back with an armful of evergreens. He weaves them with quick, dexterous finger, creating a crown for Cecil.

[holdingacat]

Cecil watches avidly, because it turns out this is not at all like his usual crown-making technique.

Turns out you need fewer kebab skewers.

"So is there any cultural significance to these?" He asks, not wanting to create a horrible faux pas.

[thewidewideworld]

Sinric shrugs, curling the last thread of mistletoe around to bind the leaves together. "Not where I'm from. My brothers and I use to make them to decorate the halls for the midwinter festivals. Along with scented garlands to add to the yule fire." There's yearning and wistfulness in his voice. "They brought colour to a dark and drab time of year."

"Crowns of laurel have special meaning but these are just for pleasure."

[holdingacat]

"Midwinter? Goodness, I didn't realize how different time was here, from Night Vale. I mean, time doesn't work anyway, but..." he shrugs, picking up a stray spring of greenery to twirl between his fingers. "Do you make the decorations here as well? Not that I have ever really seen this place be drab yet."

[thewidewideworld]

"I could." Sinric nods thoughtfully, as he sets the crown on Cecil's head. "I believe Jay is planning a bonfire after Christmas. Perhaps I'll make some garlands to decorate the tables.

[holdingacat]

"Oh, I'll have to mention that the next time I get a broadcast together." Cecil muses, as he makes sure the crown isn't about to shift and go tumbling off. "Well? How do I look?"

[thewidewideworld]

"What a very good idea. I'm sure if you ask him, he'll give you more details."

Sinric cocks his head and sets it at a slightly more balanced angle on Cecil's head. "Very handsome."

[chambermusicandtenpins]

Dumbledore is sitting at the bar, enjoying a cup of tea and reading over a newspaper, seeming to be content sitting by himself. When a stranger wanders in and speaks to the bar, he glances over to spot the man, then notices the curious mug on the counter when he's done speaking.

"Ah, what a delightful coffee mug," he says, smiling.

[holdingacat]

"Hmm?" Cecil, who hadn't honestly paid much attention to the holder of the life-giving coffee, now examines it curiously.

"Oh, yes, they do tend to leave mugs like this in the station break room when they buy ad space. I guess Bar was trying to make it more homey. She is such a dear."

[chambermusicandtenpins]

"She is a very considerate bar," he agrees, smiling at the bar top as if to acknowledge her helpfulness. And then, because he mentions a station: "You work on the radio then?" Since TV has not quite become a thing in his world yet.

[holdingacat]

"I do!" Cecil, who is honestly in love with his job and radio work in general, visibly perks up. "Night Vale Community Radio, and... well, sometimes I try to do a little something here, too. For some reason they've never had a community radio station."

And they wonder why he worries.

[chambermusicandtenpins]

"Ah, you host a radio station here?" he asks, curious. "What sort of radio programs do you host at the bar, then?"

[holdingacat]

"Well, I wouldn't call it a whole station, but I try to bring a little community radio, yes." Cecil demurs, because just in general avoiding being directly compared to Station Management tends to be a good idea.

[chambermusicandtenpins]

"That sounds like it must be delightful work," he says, noticing Cecil's demurring, even as he seems to take care not to step on any of his attempts at humility. "What sort of news has the bar had recently, then?

[holdingacat]

"Oh, the usual types of things. People looking for roommates, people looking for jobs, wardrobe malfunctions... honestly, I've heard far more perception that this place doesn't behave like a normal community than actual fact."

Even if a lot of people seem to have weird ideas about books.

And librarians.

And coffee.

Poor things, trying to get along without radio.

[chambermusicandtenpins]

"Well, I suppose to some it is quite out of the ordinary," he muses, though he is really truly on Cecil's side with this -- this is all fascinating but totally explicable through magic! But unfortunately his current cover as Totally Not a Wizard Guys has not yet been blown, so he must play his part. "I imagine many people have not encountered living buildings before. But then again, it does seem so easy to adjust to, since Lady Bar is so amenable."

[holdingacat]

"That is actually a common misconception, especially with newcomers to my hometown. Community has very little to do with the place you're in, but everything to do with the people. It really doesn't matter much that Bar can hold a conversation... though she makes a wonderful cup of coffee." Cecil explains, having heard variations on that particular strain before.

Usually something more along the lines of 'you can't live here, the canyon is radioactive!' or 'you can't live here, there's nothing but endless sand-wastes for as far as you can see!'. Newcomers are so excitable.

[chambermusicandtenpins]

"Oh, I think I can agree to some extent," he muses. "But I think having a place like Lady Bar does alter the circumstances, slightly, since she is a participant as much as any of the rest of us. Perhaps a little moreso, since she makes the drinks," he adds with a small laugh.

"But still, I would agree with you in most ways. The most important component of any group is its members."

[holdingacat]

Cecil gets it, he does. It's like the mayor - some people are just really attached to their surroundings.

Sometimes with, like, chains.

And barricades.

"So yes, that's Milliways." Cecil meanders his way back on track, abandoning any hope of consensus on buildings.