milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Charlie enters through the front door, backpack on his back. He sits at the bar, drops the backpack at his feet, and says quietly, "Guinness please."

For someone who's just had a week's vacation from normal life, he does not look particularly relaxed.

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"My time is distinctly non-linear. Though my answers are often gibberish. You may ask me, if you like. I will help as I can."

Charlie fidgets with his glass. "Time . . . is fraying. For me." He still looks frightened.

Raven's eyes are solemn.

"Time does that, on occasion. Do you know when it began?"

"It started when I cam here. I came here alone but other people started coming here from the same place but different times.

"But . . . it was before other people came here, I think. When I was almost killed. I was killed. I was hung. My boyfriend brought me back here, dead, and then got me out of Purgatory and I went back to the island again and died again but was saved this time.

"And since then . . ." He shakes his head. "I can't make it make sense."

Raven tilts his head, considering.

He is quiet for some time.

"I think it is the first death and return that is the problem. Is your world one with magic?"

"I used to not think so, but then we crashed. Magic things happen on the island. Or things we just can't explain--which seems like the same thing, yeah?"

"That, I think, is odd. Because otherwise I would say that retrieving you from Purgatory upset your universe. But if there is magic, this cannot be so."

"They wouldn't have sent me back if it was going to throw everyting off-kilter.

"Would they?"

"They might. I suspect they do not care overmuch for mortals, or the mortal plane in general. I may be mistaken, of course, but it is often the way of things."

Charlie fidgets. "But they don't send people back very often. Just a couple times, 's far as I know."

Raven tilts his head.

"How well did each of the previous times end, then?"

"I don't know. The Bible's rather sketchy on the details. Lazarus and the like--doesn't say what happens to them after."

Raven blinks.

"It was a Biblical thing, then? Even stranger. Those usually work right."

"Angels were involved. And my brother."

"Perhaps it was the dying again? I . . . it may be a thing I will need to think on, or study. It is complex."

"Maybe. But things started separating and now--I remember things. I remember than different than other people who were there. But I also remember them the same, different than how it happened for me.

"Don't you see? That's not how it's supposed to go. I don't know how to make it right. It's . . . it's hard to sleep," he finishes lamely.

Raven frowns.

"No. Time for humans is not meant to be like that. There is something that was not supposed to happen that did. Somewhere you were not supposed to be that you were. I . . . I can give you a charm, for the moment, to help you sleep. It is not a good solution, as it will not work for long. But it is an immediate help."

He mumbles, "Usually I just find company," and blushes at his ears with a quick glance to Raven.

Raven tilts his head, and blinks.

"That also works, I think. Though it is more physically exhausting. Which is the point, I suppose."

He continues fidgeting. "Yeah. The point. Spot on, mate.

"A charm would be lovely, if you'd be willing."

"I would not have offered if I were not. So."

Raven takes a length of leather twine from his pocket, and weaves a complicated knot shape, chanting as he does.

"Here. It will force your mind quiet in order to let you sleep. It takes a great deal of energy, and you will be fuzzy in the mornings, but it should work."

He hands it to Charlie.

"Thanks," he says quietly as he takes it. "I just wear it?

"I've been fuzzy in the mornings before. I czan handle it."

"You can wear it, or hold it in your hand. Touching skin is best."

He hangs it around his neck, under his shirt. "Thanks," he says again. "It's nice. I like leather."

Raven laughs.

"I had guessed."