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[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

It'd be easy, these days, to let himself start getting detached from what's happening in the bar. Too easy.

But while he's still here, he still has a job to do.

So there's a gunslinger in the bar, nursing a cup of coffee and keeping an eye out for anything unusual--although, really, keeping an eye out for unusual things in Milliways when you don't have much of an idea what to look for is likely to be an excercise in futility.

At least it's heloing him stay focused on what's around him, for now.

[ooc: mun will be around until about 3:30 EST, then gone for a few hours]

Comments

[kitchen_maid]

As far as security risks go, the young woman with the tea and the hesitant smile probably doesn't count as too unusual.

"Mr. Allgood?"

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert glances up, and then nods, touching a hand to the brim of his hat.

"At your service, lady-sai."

[kitchen_maid]

She gives him a small curtsey in response to the touch of his hat.

"I'm Amy. I'm a friend of Susan's and I wanted to meet you bef--well, I've wanted to meet you for a while."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert smiles slightly at the mention of Susan.

"Aye, she's mentioned you, I think." His head tilts to the side a bit as he tries to remember what he's heard. "You met through Caspian? Or he's a mutual friend, at least."

[kitchen_maid]

Amy smiles at the mention of Caspian, but there's a hint of concern in it. She's worried about him.

She nods. "He's my brother. Well, we adopted each other, but that makes him no less my brother. And Susan is very dear. To both of us. She's truly a remarkable person."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert's smile is a bit wistful as he nods.

"I understand. None of the brothers I've ever had have actually been blood relatives."

He gestures to an empty chair, inviting her to sit, if she wants.

"And she is. Very much so." Both dear, and remarkable.

[kitchen_maid]

She settles into the chair, and set her tea on the closest table. "Sometimes the relatives you choose for yourself are the most important ones."

Her smile gets a little brighter. "I consider myself very fortunate to call her a friend."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"I've always considered myself blessed to know her."

If there's a certain solemnity to Cuthbert, it comes from meeting another who Susan will have to say goodbye to, when the time comes.

[kitchen_maid]

Amy probably understands that. It doesn't necessarily make it any easier.

"I would imagine so," she says. "You knew her from before you came here, I believe?" It's not quite a question. But it's a way to keep the conversation moving.

[the_seafarer]

There's plenty of work to be done in the stables these days, or for them, anyway, and so Caspian comes in with a ledger that may look familiar, mayhap, and gains a cup of tea before looking over at Cuthbert thoughtfully.

A moment later he walks over, with a slight, but friendly smile.

"Sai Allgood."

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

The ledger is indeed familiar. Cuthbert nods at Caspian's approach, returning the smile.

"Sai Caspian. Long days and pleasant nights."

[the_seafarer]

Caspian nods back, and glances at an open chair.

"A fair day to you, as well, sir. I find I've some work to do, going over Susan's notes here--might I join you, for a spell?"

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert gestures to the chair.

"Aye, an'ye would."

He dips in and out of Mejis-speak without even really noticing it anymore. Comes from living with someone who speaks it constantly.

[the_seafarer]

He might not notice it, but Caspian hears Susan's word in Cuthbert's mouth and it makes him both smile and ache. At any rate, he takes the seat and lays the ledger on the table, puzzling slightly at some of the words. Susan had done well with translating her letters to those he'd understand, and her handwriting was clear, but it is slow going as he makes notes of his own.

And he can't help but laugh as he comes to the end of the ledger, and so, laughing, he shakes his head and grins up at Cuthbert.

"Your Susan's a mischief, sir. Trig, as she'd say. But then I'd guess you knew all that well beforehand."

It's easier to talk about her this way, than to mention why it is he's looking at the ledger in the first place.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert laughs as well.

"Oh, aye. If I'd ever had doubts on that score, they'd have been settled long ago, to the detriment of my poor hat."

He knows what's not being said. It's easier for him to fall back on laughter, as well, than try to find something to say.

[the_seafarer]

"Your hat?"

Caspian shakes his head, his expression one of mock-admonishment.

"I can't believe it. A fine specimen such as that? But then, she has no mercy. Why, she's teased the life out of my poor horse."

Or would have, had the horse in question in fact, been alive.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert shakes his head mournfully.

"Kidnapped it, so she did. Right off my head, through fiendish use of feminine wiles."

If he's failing to sound entirely mournful, it's probably got something to do with the aforementioned feminine wiles.

"I'd not have thought she'd tease a horse, though. And her a horsewoman. Shocking."

[the_lioness]

*Alanna walks in the front door, dusty and coughing. She unstraps her sword and veers toward Cuthbert when she spies him nearby. Smiling, she flops down in an armchair.*

'Lo, Cuthbert. Pardon the dust. How are you?

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

Cuthbert blinks slightly at the dust.

"Alanna. Not bad." A beat. "How are you?"

Aside from dusty, that is.

[the_lioness]

*Wiping at a dirty patch on her cheek, she grins.*

Well enough, I suppose. I'm investigating something at home and spent the morning crawling about the royal stables and haylofts in the hopes of mistakenly overhearing something of relevance.

*She winks.*

How is Susan? Did... the weekend? *She finishes lamely, eyes darkening.*

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"Ah. Good luck with that, then."

His slight smile fades as she mentions the weekend.

"Well enough. We went camping in the woods."

[the_lioness]

*Alanna sits back and nods.*

Yes, I spoke with Sheemie not too long ago. He indicated that you had plans to be elsewhere.

*She turns and stares at the back door.*

I'm glad she had you with her.

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"So am I."

Cuthbert's voice is low. He might almost be talking to himself.

"It's what we always used to do, at that time of year. This year was just...a bit different."

[the_lioness]

*Swallowing hard, Alanna leans forward so that her elbows rest on her knees.*

It was only a year for her, right? How long was it for you?

[key-youth-bert.livejournal.com]

"Ten."

Cuthbert's gaze is focused on the ground, but he looks more thoughtful than really unhappy.

"We got about as used to it--having Reap come and pass--as you can get to something like that."