(no subject)

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's still in the bar. You just didn't see him.

He strolls over to the usual table, tequila and lone cigarette in hand.

No, he still hasn't smoked it.*

Comments

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Tom!

*Bernard gestures for him to sit*

Pretty much. We've still got to pick out a few things, but it's coming along.

How's Sunny been? Not biting too hard, I hope?

[young_tmriddle]

She's having a very good visit -we're all delighted to have her. Mary was looking forward to spending a little time with her tonight before bedtime.

She's asked for you both though.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard's eyes go big as a pang of warmth flashes through him.

His smile is almost sheepish.*

Really?

[young_tmriddle]

*Tom smiles back.*

Of course she does. But don't worry, she hasn't been crying or distressed. She just looks about for you and asks where you are.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He looks down at the table, smiling and a little flushed.*

Well, she'll be home soon enough.

[young_tmriddle]

That she will.

How've you been, aside from the moving and building chaos?

*He notices the unlit cigarette*

Need a light for that?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*A laugh*

Nah. I've got matches.

*A wry grin*

Bar's decided that it's time for me to quit. But she felt bad for taking them away with no warning, so she gave me one as an olive branch.

I'm saving it.

[young_tmriddle]

Good for you. I never understood the allure of smoking, but I had other kinds of addictions to keep me occupied.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*A shrug*

Cigarette can be your best friend in jail.

[young_tmriddle]

How is that now? I was never caught in the bad old days, and never had to experience being jailed.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

It's...

*He searches for the right words, and considers lighting up after all.*

It's boring. And dangerous. Nervewracking and deadening at once.

*Bernard falls silent, not sure how to say it all.

After a minute, he pulls his matches out and lights the cigarette.*

[young_tmriddle]

Er, didn't mean to bring up bad memories.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*He takes a long drag and exhales*

S'fine.

[young_tmriddle]

If you say so.

Oh, I spoke to a new arrival today who was quite concerned about puppets that seemingly attacked him. He seemed a rather excitable chap, but I told him I'd pass on the information.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard pales*

Puppets, you say?

[young_tmriddle]

Yes. I thought perhaps he was exaggerating. I mean to say, deadly puppets?

Have you seen them?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard is shifty.*

Maybe.

[young_tmriddle]

If there are evil puppets running about the bar, then they must be dealt with. What if Ingress ran across one? Or Sunny?

They're probably animated by the Dark arts.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

*Bernard nearly flails helplessly*

I know! I only ran into them once, and they sort of... scuttled off. I couldn't seem to catch them.

And then I didn't see them again. I was almost hoping they'd been a figment of my imagination.

[young_tmriddle]

Really, evil puppets...

Obviously someone's controlling them. And... they're bloody puppets. How frightening can they be?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Um.

You'll have to see them.

[young_tmriddle]

Bernard. I was a Dark wizard. I used to do and see things that were nightmares brought to life.

Evil puppets don't rank up there with basilisks and human sacrifice.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Well, then.

*A bright, manic grin*

Thanks for volunteering!

[young_tmriddle]

Volunteering for what? Evil puppet duty?

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Yup.

You're the only one not inordinately terrified of them.