milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Behind the bar, a red unicorn mare is conducting a survey of the local plant life. Not for eating, by the look of things; she's sniffing, eyeing, and occasionally even nipping very lightly, but she doesn't seem to be eating anything in earnest.

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Jah-lila cocks her head curiously. "Became one?" she asks. "Sooth, that must have been powerful magic."

She winces. Finished bathing, and now fully clean, she walks out of the lake and to her backpack unconcerned that a unicorn might see her naked (though she does briefly glance toward the bar to make sure no one more humanoid is around). Pulling out a black suit from her backpack, she begins dressing.

"Yeah. A friend of mine sought out becoming a ghoul, for power and immortality. He decided that he knew what was best for me and forced it on me. Magic on my world tends to make people go crazy, but with him, I wonder if it wasn't a chicken-or-the-egg situation."

No matter how Jah-lila turns that sentence about in her mind, it makes little sense. "I understand what it is, to want to change and become that which you were not born," she says slowly. "But to force it on another- there is no sense in that, not at all- and what is this of immortality? All things die."

"Like I said, pretty sure he was crazy before he ever used magic. And he wanted to not die. He didn't actually accomplish that. Ghouls are not immortal. They just live much longer than humans do... unless they get shot a lot, like he did."

A snort and a stamp of one hoof is Jah-lila's only response to that. "Not even the red dragons live forever," she murmurs. "I think you are right; he sounds as if he were quite mad. I am sorry that he forced this upon you unwilling."

"Thanks. I'm getting used to it, though. I would have never found Milliways if I wasn't a ghoul. Met a lot of really interesting people here."

Jah-lila turns to consider the building. "What is it like inside?" she asks. "I had seen people coming from the place, or entering in, but..."

Now dressed, she wanders up to stand next to Jah-lila, trying to think of a way to describe the bar to a unicorn.

"I'd imagine it might seem cramped to you. You can't really run anywhere, because of the walls. And there's many people in there. But I think it's nice. There's tables and booths to sit at. A bar to get drinks and food. Rooms upstairs if you want a place to store your stuff or sleep."

This is given due thought.

"Very like to the cities of humans, then, but smaller? In my youth I was captive of some of their kind. Their city was small, with narrow ways and high walls, but it seemed to please them."

"Yeah. Humans, I think, are more at odds with the environment, and want to control it. So they build walls and conveniences that make them comfortable."

"Indeed," Jah-lila murmurs. "It is unfortunate. There are those who might almost welcome them, were they but able to stand at peace with other peoples."

She shrugs.

"They fear what they don't understand... At least on my world, that's probably a good thing. But then, the walls don't really keep them any safer, either."

"No?" The mare's ears slant at this. "Then why do they bother?"

"Because what they should really be fearful of, they aren't aware of. And what they do fear and probably shouldn't, is kept out by the walls."

"Ah," says Jah-lila, nodding. "As it was with the wyverns, half a hundred generations gone, when the herd's sentries kept watch for danger from without, while none knew of the one who had slipped all unknowing into the mind of the king. I think I see."

Jah-lila's words seemed a bit out of context, but that was okay. It sortof made sense.

"Yeah. But in my case, the humans don't even know that the wyverns exist."

She nods. "I see, then. It must be a hard thing, to live in such a place."

"Not really. At least, it's not if you don't know about stuff. Then the walls protect you and everything is fine. People have their little dramas, but that's it. If you do know about the... wyverns... then it's harder, because you have to try to do something about it without everyone else finding out."

Again, Jah-lila's ears flicker. "Why should they not know? Should all your people not have the chance to defend themselves?"

"Well, people who know usually end up dead or insane pretty fast. Or like me; permanently changed. And frankly, if I tried telling most people back home about it, they'd think I was nuts and lock me up for a very long time."

"Strange," she murmurs. "Rather different from my own world, I think."

"Yeah..." She yawns.

"Tired. It's been a long trip. I need to get some sleep. Did you want me to get you anything from the bar? Some kind of food that doesn't grow out here, maybe? The bar can make almost anything."

Jah-lila shakes her head. "I fare well enough," she says, "but I thank you for the offer."

"Okay. Later."

With a wave, Jean heads inside.

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