milliways_bar | (no subject)

"Frappeccino?" Logan asks, giving the pretty barmaid his best pathetic, feed-me now expression. "I've been trying to get one for ages, but Bar seems to be in a cranky mood. And I'm not even asking for alcohol."

"Well, something must be amiss with Bar since she has been so slow today, I shall have to ask why it is." Elaine goes over to the bar and gets the drink for the young man. "I have not met you before...My name is Elaine and I'll be waitressing this evening, so anything you have need of, please don't hesitate to ask."

"No, you haven't," Logan says cheerfully as he slurps the frozen concoction. "Logan Echolls, of Neptune, California, 2005, and still breathing in all dimensions."

"Ah. I think I have met someone from your town...by the name of Lilly. She is dead, like me, so of course we had things to talk about." Elaine grins.

"I bet you did," Logan says, laughing. "Lilly could talk to a stone and get a reply, I think. And now you've got one more - me. She's my dead ex-girlfriend, and we're kinda sorta together these days."

Elaine smiles. "That's sweet. It is nice to have someone here that you know from other days." Elaine has really never had that luxury.

"It helps a lot," Logan admits. "I feel pretty lost, most days, but she keeps explaining things when I get baffled. How about you? Anybody around from home?"

"No...Lancelot came in briefly, but he is gone now. Guinevere is here, but from an earlier time frame. It is very confusing. But I have plenty of friends here. I have been here for nine months or thereabouts."

"I expect it would be," Logan says, scratching his head. "Are you Bound, too? I am, and it's a little frustrating, but not so bad, really."

"Oh, yes. I've been Bound almost the whole time I've been here. You find things to occupy your time, if you are smart. It helps keep you from going...mad." She grins.

"What's your favorite madness prevention tactic, then?" Logan asks. "I mean, if I'm stuck here indefinitely, I think the old hands at this should give me a few pointers, right?"

He may be flirting. He may not admit it.

"I practice my swordplay, mostly. Or Jeet Kun Do. I'm learning both of those things here...you just have to find the right people to teach you. And I have other hobbies, as well. There are a lot of people who know things here...and many of them are more than happy to teach an eager student."

Elaine is oblivious to flirting, being happily matched.

"Swordplay," Logan grumbles, thinking of Peter teaching Lilly. "Seems to be a popular hobby, that. Jeet Kun Do's a new one on me, though. How's that work?"

A taken lady has never stopped Logan from attempting to flirt.

"Well...Spike told me that it was invented by a man named Bruce Lee. It's a sort of...fluid self-defense. Quite challenging but interesting."

"Care to show me some? Or is that not allowed when you're working? Like, would it count as business, somehow?" Logan's genuinely interested, at this point.

He's not very good at team sports, especially, but he enjoys physical activity. And not just the sexual kind.

"Well...it's rather cramped in this space and I am working. Maybe another time?" She grins. It's also because she's a bit embarrassed, she doesn't really know that much yet.

"Fair enough," Logan says amiably. "But if I spot you outside, be prepared to show off. Or at least introduce me to this Spike character. Sounds a bit dangerous, that one."

"He can be, I am sure, if he is hunting for you. He is quite tall and has green hair. He's from Mars." She grins. "He is like my brother."

"I'll be careful around him," Logan vows. "I think having a tall, green haired Martian hunting me is the absolute last thing I need."

"How'd a nice pre-industrial girl like you end up with a brother like that?"

"Well, we gather strange family around us in Milliways." Elaine smiles.

"I've noticed," he says, thinking of Lilly's family she's acquired. "They seem overall to be quite superior to the one I was given to start with, so I'm thinking it's not a bad way of acquiring a family."

Elaine grins. "It is quite nice, yes." She looks around. "I think I should probably be getting to my other customers and back to work...It's been a pleasure to meet you."

"Thanks for the drink," Logan says. "I'm sure I'll see you around."

"I am sure," Elaine says, and smiles.

And then she goes off in search of thirsty and/or hungry people.

*Chair tilted at an alarming angle, Alanna sits near the fireplace, deep in thought. Something startles her out of her reverie, and she offers Elaine a small smile and a wave.*

Elaine heads over to Alanna's table with her tray in hand. She's been serving for a while and she hasn't seen her swordplay teacher in quite some time. "Good even, Sir Alanna...might I get you something?"

Do you have a moment, Elaine? *Wasting no time, Alanna glances around the room.* I don't think anyone is trying to get your attention. I have news I think you should hear, and I rather you hear it from me than idle gossips.

Elaine nods. "I can take a break." She sits down and leans forward to hear what Alanna has to say.

*Suddenly Alanna doesn't know what to say. It had been a long night, and the sense of dread hanging about the bar makes her feel like someone is choking her, slowly but surely.*

The horns of Asgard sounded yesterday. Svava left for Ragnarock. She's gone.

Elaine's eyes widen. "Gone?" she repeats faintly. "Oh, Jesu..." She covers her mouth with her hand. "When?"

Late last evening. *She turns her head slowly and stares at Lecter for a moment.* Goddess, Elaine. I felt so bloody helpless. But there are some here who think they can bring her back.

Tears are slipping down Elaine's cheeks, and for a woman who has rarely cried since she came here, it's a lot. "However will they do that?"

I don't know. *The sight of Elaine's tears -the first she has really seen over Svava as everyone was so damn stoic last night- makes her tear up as well. She leaves her seat and slides in next to Elaine, awkwardly hugging her friend.* I do not know that it can, or should work. Sometimes it's foolish to try and change fate. However, I will not abandon hope that we will see Svava again. Somehow.

Elaine nods, wiping tears away with her hand. "I should finish the picture of Asguard for her...she and I were working on it..."

Really? *This earns a small smile.* I think she would like that, Elaine. I know I'd like to see it.

I wish I could see her in the fire.

"I'm sure she will be..." Elaine casts about for a word, "...magnificent." She tries to stop crying, but it's hard, she's just heard about Tonks and Bill, and Jack is also leaving, and will die when he leaves the bar, and now Svava.

*Alanna blinks back her own tears and sighs.*

It's too bad she didn't take her drink tray with her. She was so good at inflicting bodily harm with it. *a pause* She will be wonderful.

Elaine nods. "I wish it were not so uncertain, her fate. It might be easier if there were no hope at all of her return."

I wish I could stand and fight beside her. *Alanna nods.* But I can not believe fate would be so cruel as to have Svava and Archie find each other, and then rip them apart forever. It just... *She shrugs helplessly.*

"Unfair," Elaine finishes. She dries her eyes. "I wish for happy endings for everyone...but I know so well that they do not end that way all the time."

No. No, they don't. *Alanna winces, patting Elaine's arm. She remains quiet for a minute.* I owe you lesson upon lesson, don't I, Elaine?

Elaine smiles a bit at this. "Aye, a few. Whenever you like, Alanna. I've kept up my practice."

*She smiles.* This week then. Tomorrow or Wednesday - whenever I see you first? I think it will do us both good.

"Maybe during the day, yes...I work the other two days, as well. I like it, though. It's a good job."

Perfect. *She smiles, studying Elaine.* Are you going to be alright?

"I think so." She rubs at her face. "I should get back to work, anyway."

*Alanna nods, hugging her around the shoulders again.* I will look for you. Take care, Elaine.

"And you as well, Alanna." And she returns the hug, gets up and looks around for other patrons to serve.