milliways_bar | (no subject)

*Anthy enter shortly after, and collects her tea next to Will. She glances at him curiously, recalls who he is, and perches on one of the stools.*

*Will glances at her. His face tightens just a touch, but he nods to her courteously enough.*

Will, isn't it? *stirs the tea*

Yes.

I haven't seen you here in a while, I think. Nor Moiraine.

No. We have been in the Dreaming, with Liz and Peter.

For several days, I think. I'm not quite sure how long exactly.

In the Dreaming?

Yes. In Morpheus's realm.

He was lost in himself, you see.

Ah. I see. And he's back?

*smiles with real happiness*

He is. Back, and truly himself again.

*Anthy looks considering, as she isn't sure whether or not she finds this a good thing.* Congratulations?

*looks at her. Clearly decides to take this at face value.*

*drily* Thank you.

*Anthy is not particularly unnerved by the lack of warmth from Will, which she was expecting anyway, but she's not very talkative, either. Instead she smiles and takes a sip of tea.*

*He knows that Anthy had nothing to do with anything in the dream-world, but her blank cheerful face still reminds him of nightmare (http://www.livejournal.com/users/lord_of_dreams/6682.html?thread=49434#t49434). And she still, ever and always, reeks of the Dark to his senses.*

*So he drinks his Coke and talks to Peter, and does not initiate conversation with Anthy.*

*Anthy lightly bangs her heels against the stool and stares into space. After a while Chuchu waddles across the counter toward her, chuing. He settles next to the tea cup, tilts his head, and chirps at Will.*

*Will blinks at the tiny monkey.*

Hullo.

*The tiny monkey blinks back at Will, and says Chuuu?*

*laughs in spite of himself*

*reaches out a hand slowly to pet the monkey, ready to pull it back if Chuchu takes offense*

"Hello, Will," says Peter, dismounting from his barstool and walking over to where Will is standing. "Pity you weren't in earlier--Morpheus and Desire patched things up. They finally admitted they loved each other. And Morpheus forgave Desire--I'm not sure why--and then they both said they would try to work through their problems. They really want to be friends again." He beams. "And how are you doing tonight?"

He ignores Anthy. The horror of the Anthy-like, Nyarlathotep-possessed-Liz is still fresh in his mind.

Truly? Oh, that's marvellous news!

*Will absentmindedly sits on a stool and grins up at Peter.*

I'm fine, thanks. How are you?

"All right. Not much appetite yet. So far I've managed to consume one cup of Earl Grey tea, one banana, one apple and half of a vanilla shake." Peter looks rueful. "I know that I have to eat more than that, but I feel like I've consumed a twelve-course banquet.

"And--just wanted to say--I'm glad you came along. Though that's due to something that your--I don't know what he is to you. Boss? Mentor? Teacher? Merriman, anyway. Anyway, he said that if I ever needed him I should call on his name, and when I was trying to explain to Moiraine that Morpheus wasn't dead, I thought of Merriman, and I wished he were here and could help...

"And I got this thought/feeling: Call Will. So I did. I didn't know what help you'd be, even with that odd job of yours, but--he said to call on him and do what he said. So I did."

*smiles* Just Merriman is easiest. He is... my equal and my superior, you might say, the oldest of the Old Ones as I am youngest. Which means, I suppose, that we are just exactly the same age. But he is far greater and older in his power than I.

I am glad you called me. I'm glad to have helped, in any way I could, and I would have felt... irresponsible, if you and Moiraine and Liz had gone alone. But, you know, much of our success was your doing. I think we were all needed, every one of us, and we could not have done it without the group we had.

*Peter's last few words register with him, and he frowns at Peter in puzzlement.*

Odd job? I don't have a job. I'm a student still.

And Peter looks equally confused. "Yes, I know. You said you're only fifteen, and you wouldn't be taking your O-levels till next year, at least, so of course you'd still be in school.

"I mean your other job. The Old One thing. As near as I can understand, it's another term for wizards in your world, right? Because that's what Merriman was in my world--or his avatar, anyway. A wizard. And human, of course.

"I suppose the only reason I'm even thinking of that is because of Ulfin. He was telling me that the Merlin of his world was often thought to be part demon, or something." Peter smiles wryly, recalling the memories from his own childhood. "Amazing how those ideas hang on, isn't it?"

*Will's eyes widen, and then he closes them briefly and blows out a soft breath that is half laugh and half sigh.*

*gently* To be an Old One is not a job, Peter. It is not a title. It is what I am. A servant of the Light, and human in one sense only.

Peter studies Will for a few moments.

"I don't understand," he says at last, or starts to say. But then an image appears in his mind--two armies, both gathered on a distant mountain that somehow overlooks all of Earth.

On one side stands the Dark, enraged, vicious, aroil with hate, pettiness and loathing, yet driven by purpose. On the other, the Light--and if possible they're more terrible than the Dark is. For meanness, pettiness and viciousness are very much part of human nature. The Light's warriors have no weakness or softness to them. They are stern, determined and austere. Their pitiless inexorability reminds Peter, oddly, of Albus Dumbledore.

Not kind. Not merciful. Warriors--humanoid, but outside of space and time--fighting a war they dare not lose.

And then the vision fades, and he is gazing at Will once more.

"Well, yes, that does explain it a bit better," he says, figuring that Will will know exactly what he's talking about. After all, the Old One probably created the vision. "I never realised how tough the Light had to be, though. When even mercy can be a handicap..." He shakes his head. "That can't be easy."

*softly, as Peter blinks away the vision* Yes. You see clearly, Peter.

*Then Peter speaks of mercy and the difficulty of the Light, and Will's smile goes a bit crooked and his gaze turns inward. He wonders if Peter saw more than Will meant him to, or if it is simply the man's quick perception speaking. He shrugs one shoulder.*

It is the way things are, in that sort of a war. For us, there is only the destiny and the long task. Things like mercy and charity and kindness, they are all wonderful things, but they are luxuries for us, and luxuries may cost dear. They are for you men, you see, the greatest gift and responsibility and the only way men may live together in peace.

*There is no bitterness in his voice, only quiet acceptance and faint, calm regret.*

And now Peter's smile goes a bit crooked. "I've heard that speech before, you know. Or one so like it as to make no never mind. Order meetings, usually.

"But no, you're right. I mean, I wish you weren't, for your sake. But a war's a war, and you can't fight it by doing whatever you want. There's battle plans and strategy and tactics and...well, it's not always simple, and it's mostly inconvenient, and a lot of times innocents get hurt--and sometimes you have to let it happen. Whether you want to or not.

"Which does not mean that I wasn't ready to pound you over what you said when Liz was taken. I know why you did it, and you certainly got me focused--nothing else would have worked as well--but God, that hurt."

I know. I am sorry, for what that's worth.

*He would do it again in an instant if it were necessary, and they both know it, but the apology is genuine.*

"It's all right, Will." And Peter smiles. "Granted, you can be a bloody bastard when you need to be, but I can't think of anyone I'd rather have on my side than you and the others.

"Anyway, friends do tell friends hard truths when they need to. What you said wasn't what I wanted to hear, but I needed to hear it."

*laughs, then sobers*

Not many people would take it so well, you know. Thanks.

*He drinks the last of his Coke*

I should be getting back. I'm not sure how long we were in the Dreaming, exactly, but long enough. I'll see you later, I hope.

"According to what I've been told by other patrons, Moiraine and I were there nine days, you seven and Liz five. As you say, quite long enough.

"And yes, you'll definitely see me later, Will." Peter smiles. "Take care."

Seven days? Good lord. I hadn't thought it was that long.

*He stands, smiles, and heads for the door.*

Hey, Will.

*smiles at her*

Hullo, Snow.

How are the twins? And you?

The twins are doing just fine, growing like crazy . . . I'm feeling much better than I was last night - got a bit banged up during the swordfight.

How have you been?

Swordfight? There was a swordfight last night?

Oh, I'm fine. I have been in the Dreaming... I'm not sure how long, exactly. But all is well now. *smiles*

Yeah, Crowley wanted to get some practice in.

Oh? I heard there was something odd going on with Morpheus. Glad you came out of it all right.

Ah, I see. Sparring only, then. Sometimes the line blurs, here.

Something odd, yes. But he is back and whole, and so are we all.

It still hurts, though. Fortunately, there was an arcangel around to heal me.

That's great to hear.[OOC:and I'm gonna read it sometime soon, I swear . . .]

So what happened, anyway?

Morpheus attempted to step beyond Milliways, into the past. It failed. He was... trapped in himself, and warring inside himself with a darker aspect of Dream.

We four went into the Dreaming after him, Peter and Moiraine and Liz and I. And in the end we found him and he found himself. More completely than he has in a long while, I think.

[OOC: No worries! It is, I know, dauntingly gigantic.]

Fighting himself? That's . . . odd. Scary.

That was very brave of you, you deserve something . . . hey, drinks are on me.

I... Thanks. You don't need to do that. But thanks.

*He smiles, a bit touched, a bit awkward*

It was only what was needed.

And that is what makes you a wonderful person. You went to help him because it was hardly even a choice for you; you acted without thought of reward or praise, simply because it was needed. So what'll you have?

*goes a bit pink*

I'm not a wonderful person, really. But... thanks. Another Coke, please.

*smiles* If you say so . . .

*gets Coke from the bar and passes it over*

*raises it to her and drinks*

I should be getting back home, I'm afraid. I have duties there. But I'll see you later, I hope?

Entirely understandable, and very responsable of you. You can count on it.

[OOC:okay, nice chatting with you!]