milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Today is Wednesday.

Edmund starts work on Friday.

Bernard said he was to pick specials on his own.

He's fairly certain, having watched the other bartenders, that the specials ought to be somewhat original.

Which would be why Edmund has gone up to Bar and asked her a question quietly, and was not entirely surprised to get a very large book as an answer.

Also a pot of tea, because one can never go wrong with tea.

He takes his new acquisitions over to one of the couches, and makes himself comfortable.

It's a big book.

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"Well, I'm... not exactly in school to be a bartender, but find that I need to teach myself regardless. So perhaps I am, at that."

"We can consider it so, if you will. I see a diploma in your future."

He laughs.

Edmund chuckles.

"Ahh good, I can hang it up behind the bar on Friday to reassure everyone."

Raven tilts his head.

"I am not sure how reassuring I would find a diploma in mixing drinks. If you think it will help, though . . ."

"Well... you'd want your bartender to know what he's about, wouldn't you?"

"One expects a bartender to look like he knows his drinks, I suspect. A diploma may be a little overeager."

Raven grins.

"Still, it might be entertaining?"

"That... may be a valid point, yes."

Edmund considers, briefly.

"I suppose it depends on what the diploma would look like?"

Raven tilts his head.

"I do not know of a staid and stately one would be preferable, or one that is more obviously a joke."

"I'm tempted to say we should do a poll of some sort, but if we do we'll run out of time for me to actually earn this diploma, I fear."

Raven blinks.

"Very well. I shall create one for you later today, and leave it with Bar. I have business elsewhere, I fear, and will be gone for a short time."

A shrug.

"You may use it or not, as you will."

He chuckles.

"I admit I would be interested to see what you create, if nothing else."

Edmund reaches over and sets the book of mixed drink recipes on the table, picking up his tea instead and taking a sip.

"Business that you fear? Oh dear."

"It is not the business itself which disturbs me, but the surrounding circumstances. They are very unfortunate."

Edmund is clueless, as he has been spending most of his time lately in the stables, and it is highly probable that this is evident.

"I see," he says.

He doesn't.

"There are people falling ill in the bar. Strange symptoms and lethargy. My little sister's husband has been affected, and I have offered my aid."

He shrugs.

"There is a cure--the ingredients are located in various other places. I am going with a group to get some. I am not sure when we leave, where we go, or when we return."

Par for the course, really, for the bird.

Edmund has a reaction about to be expected.

Surprise, shock, dismay, all of those.

"I haven't seen-- well. I suppose I've been in the stables, mostly, I just-- that's terrible, then. I wish I could go along, but--"

He starts work Friday. Also his player is running one of the games. Guess which.

"It is very bad, yes. But there are many who offered to help, so not as bad as it could be. Next time there is a crisis of this magnitude, which may well be next month, you can help with that."

Raven smiles.

His mun smiles, too. She doesn't need to guess.

No, no she doesn't, does she.

Edmund eyes him.

"That is... somehow not quite so reassuring as it could be, you know."

Raven shrugs.

"This is Milliways. One of the first things I was told about this place is that doom is always applicable. I have yet to see it proved wrong."

"That's still not particularly reassuring."

"It was not meant to be reassuring, it was meant to be true."

Raven smiles.

"I am not very good at reassurance, I do not think."

Spectacularly bad might be a more apt expression.

Edmund considers, briefly.

"Well... as long as you're aware of that, I suppose you can work around it?"

"I do my best. It hampers my efforts to help, sometimes."

"I suppose it would... perhaps it's a sign that you should ask for help, with your helping?"

"Mostly, when reassurance is necessary, I stop talking."

He shrugs.

"Comforting I can do, however. To some extent."

"It's a good place to start," Edmund points out.