milliways_bar | (no subject)

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Charlie ambles downstairs. He's wearing Bartleby's sweatshirt again. Yes, it's big enough to fit a small island nation inside. It's also warm.

He sits at the bar and looks around.

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He hesitates a moment, sipping his hot chocolate, and says quietly, "I killed someone."

I did too.

*he sips his milkshake*

It doesn't feel good.

"No, it doesn't.

"He was threatening my son--he's tried to kill me before--but that doesn't--" He shakes his head.

He killed my friend, he was threatening my Aunt Pol, and I had to do it to fix the universe.

*he sips again*

I still felt horrible. Still don't like it.

*he looks to Charlie*

I'm sorry you had to do that.

Charlie nods with an uncomfortable smile and drinks his hot chocolate. "Me too."

I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

"Nah, mate, you didn't, it's just--it's just weird. I was brought up to respect all life and--I don't know. It doesn't feel like me, but I know it was, and sympathy makes it even stranger."

Aunt Pol taught me right. I didn't want to do it, didn't want to hurt anyone. I've...I had to kill two people: killed my parents and...Torak, the Scarred God. The whole trip, the whole time...it didn't feel like me. I got a bunch of names and titles and important things to do...but none of it feels like me.

*he looks to Charlie*

I used to say 'why me?' a lot. But apparently, sometimes...it's just what has to be done.

*he sips*

It still sucks.

Charlie nods slowly. "Yeah. I know it had to be done. It still aches."

I know.

*he sips*

Sorry.

"I don't quite know what to do next. My son is terrified of me. My friends tell me it'll be fine, just give it time, and I know they know what they're talking about. None of us are really pure here, yeah?

"I just--it still feels like--it's a lot to think about."

It is.

Garion, touch the pendant.
*What?*
Touch it. I have to turn it on. This is what he needs it for.
*What's it going to do?*
I'll tell you after it does it.
*Oh, you're a lot of help.*
Yes, actually, I am. Trust me.
*All right. Will this help him?*
Immeasurably.

*he reaches out with his hand, the pearlescent mark on his palm touching the pendant with a faint glow*

Charlie's eyebrows furrow a little with confusion but he just watches Garion.

*he looks at Charlie*

Touch it. With your right hand. The right hand turns it on, the left will turn it off. Trust me.

Charlie looks at him skeptically but touches the pendant with his right hand.

He hears . . . Bach. Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring as if performed on an acoustic guitar. He closes his eyes with pleasure.

"This is beautiful. How'd you do that?"

*he blushes and sips on his chocolate shake*

"Garion?" He opens his eyes. "You're not 'just a boy' at all."

*he can't meet Charlie's eyes*

Did it help?

"Yeah," he says in wonder. "It does.

"How'd you do that?"

*he shrugs*

It's what I do.

*and sips his shake*

I'm glad you feel better.

"How can I thank you?"

*he shrugs*

You just did. I didn't do it for anything. I'm just glad you're feeling better.

*and he sips his shake until*

Though...if you happen to know if there are any jobs here I might be able to do? I'm almost out of money.

"Um . . . security was hiring, and I think they're short on bartenders. You could ask Gil--he's a smallish brown-haired bloke who's usually here in the mornings, or Bernard, he's the head bartender. He'll know what they need."

[ooc: ok, that makes more sense.]

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