(no subject)

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

A man steps into the bar, dressed in an elegant tuxedo with his hair slicked back. He peers around carefully, obviously unsure of where he might be.

He also looks ridiculously familiar, even if the eyes are a little colder and he obviously has no idea what he's doing there.

Comments

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

"Nick!" She grinned and hurried over to him, placing her hand atop his forearm. "Thank you for the letter. It is very much appreciated."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He startles and twitches out from under her hand.

"Who are you? And what on earth are you talking bout? I've written no letter in days, miss. And I would certainly remember writing one for someone as...interesting as yourself."

He peers at her curiously, sensing something different in her a moment before realizing what it is as he steps back. He glares at her.

"If you were sent by LaCroix, please assure him that I will not be speaking to him for some time."

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

She stiffens as he twitches away, but composes herself almost immediately, listening.

"Ah." She shakes her head. "No, I am not sent by the one who turned you into a vampire. I am not fond of him, myself." A small smile of demi-comraderie.

"What year is it, for you?"

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He relaxes somewhat at her smile and her words before looking around.

"1890. Why...why do you ask?"

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

She smiles slightly. "Because you will meet me once you've lived to the year 2000, or thereabouts. I am Mina Murray, and you are in Milliways, the Restaurant at the End of the Universe."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He stares at her.

He opens his mouth to say something.

Stops.

Finally...

"What?"

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

She indicates the Observation Window. "The universe is ending, Nick. But through some magic or science, this place is untouched. You have been here before, from the future as you know it."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He blinks.

"I know. At least, I believe I know."

He peers at her.

"Do you perhaps know what I might be doing here? I thought this was my hotel room."

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

She shakes her head. "No one knows why people are brought here." She gives a wry twist of her lips. "The Landlord moves in mysterious ways."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

"I believe the saying says such about 'God', not some bar-owner. Blasphame is rather ridiculous, even from our kind."

[ms-w-harker.livejournal.com]

Her eyes cool. "I believe the Landlord is God. Or a portion of His attention.

"The bar has rules. No violence, and no business. And no public sex. Violation of any of these can get you jailed.

"You will probably meet people from your future. Tell them you are from your past, and hopefully they will understand."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

"People from my future? Public sex? No...business?"

He blinks at her.

"What on earth is..."

He shakes his head.

"No. No, this is all madness. Madness brought upon by my guilt and shame."

[empath-wiggin.livejournal.com]

Val blinks, walking over to him, projecting curiosity and a bit of timid confusion. "Good evening. Can I get you anything tonight?" It's Nick...but it's not.

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

[sorry! didn't see!]

He shudders at the odd emotions striking him, and then his eyes widen. He startles...and walks rather briskly away.

[sorry. vampire lore say avoid psychics...she just did that so he had to flee]

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

He might notice that he's being watched from a booth by an Alex with a book that's been pretty much forgotten.

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He continues to peer around, obviously confused, until he notices eyes on him. He walks over briskly and stares down imperiously at Alex.

"Yes? Do you find my predicament amusing, sir, or do you regularly gawk at those you don't know?"

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

Alex blinks up at him. It's definitely Nick, but...

"Um. You, uh, remind me of someone I know, that's all."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He startles a bit, looking around, and then his manner relaxes somewhat as he gives a short bow.

"My apologies then, sir. I just find myself at something of a loss. I did not intend to end up here, yet here I stand."

And then he rolls his eyes.

"And apologies again, for my rudeness. Nicholas Chevalier at your service. And you?"

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

A slight smile, and he slips back into Court formality, because it's easier than trying to work out what's going on.

"Alexander of Tirragen. And this place has a habit of bringing people who did not intend to end up here, I'm afraid."

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He nods.

"So I have heard."

He looks around.

"Might I enquire then, good sir, as to person to whom I resemble that you mistook me for? If such a person frequents this place, I should like to know who else might make the same mistake."

Then something strikes him.

"Do you, perhaps, go by simply 'Alex', Lord Tirragen?"

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

"Alex is fine, yes, if that's what you're more comfortable with. I have no real preference either way, to be entirely honest."

He hesitates. "Has anyone explained the peculiarities of this place to you? That it can be reached from virtually any time period, often by the same person?"

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He peers at Alex.

"Yes, others have explained things to me. And one mentioned you by name, said that I should attempt to be kind to you for some reason or another. Might you know what that reason is, Lord Tirragen, or are you as clueless as myself?"

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

He hesitates again. This Nick might not take it so well if he simply says the truth. Truth can be modified...

"I know you, some time in your future, I assume. And I'll guess that the person who mentioned me by name was either Alanna, Meg or Delia; they're a little protective of me. There have been incidents lately."

Not exactly a lie.

[eternal-boy.livejournal.com]

He nods.

"I remember hearing as such. And it was indeed told to me by the Giry brat, though her protective streak seems to end at a certain...point."

He snarls quietly to himself before looking to Alex.

"How are you at current, m'Lord Tirragen? Have things arrighted themselves?"

[theprettiestone.livejournal.com]

"I'm well enough, thank you."

Except for that creepy puppet thing, but I can't exactly tell this Nick about that, can I? Besides, it's a puppet. Not exactly dangerous.

"Things seem to have been sorted out to my satisfaction, for the most part."