milliways_bar | (no subject)

The front door of Milliways shimmers and not so much opens as unfolds. Beyond, a ragged crowd boiling in the Arrakeen sunlight. A cloaked figure groans and staggers backward, clutching his chest, as another buries a crysknife in it. As the hooded one reaches the doorway, he seems to divide in half, with one part slumping to the dusty ground and another taking a teetering step across the threshhold. The door shimmers again and is closed. Another dead messiah has walked into the bar.

Rather than falling like his vanished twin, the cloaked man turns, revealing that the crysknife has also disappeared. Realizing that he isn't injured after all, he finds with a shock that he's no longer blind, either. Searching the room with his blue-in-blue eyes, he mutters, "I don't know this place." Its smell is too clean, too wet, and completely devoid of the Spice. He instinctively searches within for the future pathways that he knows shouldn't be there, and sees no future. Pathways abound, but all of them end beyond these walls or curve upon themselves into the past. For a minute that stretches into several, he marvels at this.

Utterly lost, Paul Atreides goes to the nearest empty table and sits, staring at the menagerie around him with a measured awe. Somebody buy this man a spiced beer.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No illusions. Gretchen's a mostly open book.

"The honour is mine, Paul."

He's a true gentleman. She likes that.

"Well, you could ask Bernard if he needs another bartender. Or talk to Tim about working in Security. What do you do?"

"I was the son of a Duke, and much more besides; but that is all behind me, I hope. If I may help to keep the peace, that would be a welcome change. Tim and Bernard, you say. Are either of them the owner of this tavern?"

"Bernard's head barman and Tim is head of Security. The Landlord owns the place. Nobody sees the Landlord."

"A prudent fellow, I'm sure."

He can investigate that another time.

"I thank you again for showing me such ready acceptance, but I think after I bother one of the rat-servants for another fill of my wine, I will see about the rooms. Will you be here again soon? I can't think of a more pleasant person with which to share a breakfast or a walk outside."

She nods.

"I'm visiting more often lately, and I'll join you whenever I can."

Jeremy scuttles by again and Gretchen hails him over.

"But I think I should be getting back now. My father will be looking for me."

"If you have a problem with anyone here, Gretchen, come to me. My blade is in your hands if you need it."

She smiles and blushes faintly again.

"Thank you, my dear duke."