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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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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