(no subject)

[gramarye1971]

Merriman has settled into a chair near the fire, book in hand and the day's newspaper tucked under one arm. But the fire seems to be more interesting than the book, most of the time.

Those who come close enough might notice a little paper poppy carefully pinned to the lapel of his suit-jacket.

Comments

[kindred_spirit]

Gil hasn't looked closely enough to notice the flower, and wouldn't know what it meant if he did.

But he recognizes Professor Lyon, and comes over to say, "Good evening, sir."

[gramarye1971]

Merriman blinks a bit, and glances up. His gaze is a trifle unfocused at first, but quickly clears, and he nods cordially to Gil.

'Good evening, Mr Blythe. How goes it?'

[kindred_spirit]

"Well enough I suppose," he says. "Is everything all right with you, Professor?"

[gramarye1971]

'Not entirely, no,' Merriman says, truthfully and a little wistfully. 'But nothing to be concerned about, in all honesty.'

He closes his book, and places both it and the newspaper in his lap. 'Are you still prevented from leaving here?'

[kindred_spirit]

Gil's concern is clear, but polite well brought up boys from Avonlea to not press their elders about issues they don't wish to discuss.

"I am," he says. "I'm still checking the door each day, but I've not been able to open it yet."

[gramarye1971]

A slight nod. 'So long as you can see it, I would take that as a promising sign. When the door disappears entirely...it is not anything to worry about, but it does tend to indicate that one will be staying for a longer duration.'

Which makes a thought cross his mind. 'Is Miss Shirley still here with you, by any chance? I have not seen her of late, but then again I have not been around much of late, either.'

[kindred_spirit]

Gil's face darkens a little.

"Thank you. I'll take what encouragement I can, and I appreciate it."

A moment.

"Anne is still here, yes," he says. It's the "with you" part he's pretty sure isn't true anymore.

[thisfatefulhour]

"Excuse me, sir."

Respectful and polite. "Could you tell me what this place is?"

[gramarye1971]

Merriman looks up at the young man.

'This place?' A faint smile, not unkind, crosses his expression. 'Would you prefer the longer explanation, or the shorter one?'

[thisfatefulhour]

"Which one would be more useful?" He returns the smile.

[gramarye1971]

Merriman closes his book and sets it aside. 'In all honesty? Neither makes much sense. But to start, this place is commonly known as Milliways -- or to give it its full name, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. And the word "end" should be taken in both its literal and figurative sense.'

Yes, he sounds like he's giving a lecture. It's what he does.

[thisfatefulhour]

Charles hooks his thumbs into his pockets and nods towards the Observation Windows.

"The End." It's not really a question.

[gramarye1971]

'Quite,' Merriman says. 'And it is many things to many people -- a bar, a restaurant, a meeting-place, a way-station, a place of rest and relaxation. Even an afterlife, for some. And it somehow manages to exist in all places and times.'

A pause, and one eyebrow goes up slightly. 'How did you happen to find your way here, if I may ask?'

[theravenboy]

"Noswaith dda, Merlion."

Bran is also wearing the poppy, today, pinned to his white sweater; he carries the golden harp in the crook of his arm.

[gramarye1971]

'Noswaith dda.' Merriman inclines his head -- he may also sit up a little straighter in his chair.

His gaze flicks to the little red paper flower, then up to Bran again. 'Was there a service today?'

[theravenboy]

"Of course. They tried something special this year -- people from all the churches and chapels met together at St Cadfan's."

"We helped John Rowlands with a wreath for his uncle."

[gramarye1971]

'That sounds like a very good idea,' Merriman says thoughtfully. 'Inter-faith, as it were.'

His expression grows slightly abstracted at the mention of John Rowlands. 'Do you happen to know where his uncle fell?'

[theravenboy]

Bran visualizes the plaque. "Mudros Bay, I think it was... John Rowlands did not say much about him, he hardly knew him."

[gramarye1971]

Merriman nods again, still looking thoughtful.

'How has it been otherwise?'

[sign-seeker.livejournal.com]

*Will, too, has a small poppy pinned to his jacket. Though the jacket is draped loosely over one arm now; he was out doing chores, and Milliways is significantly warmer than a Buckinghamshire November.*

*He smiles at Merriman in greeting, small and warm and mostly in the eyes.*

[gramarye1971]

Merriman returns the small, private smile, and closes his book.

'Greetings, Old One,' he says quietly. 'How goes it?'

[sign-seeker.livejournal.com]

Pretty well, thanks.

*It's the truth, and a layered one, like most of theirs.*

*Will drops into a chair with a teenager's slouching abruptness, but his glance at Merriman is all Old One.*

Well enough on Remembrance Day. How is it with you?

[gramarye1971]

'Well enough. I thought it appropriate to wear the poppy, though I did not attend the usual services.'

Only a touch of wistfulness about his expression.

'Difficult enough to choose when and where to attend, really.'

[barsoflight.livejournal.com]

*The house is full of noise and clamor; indignant shrieks from Mary, laughter from James, a fair flood of phone calls from relatives and siblings who're not yet home for the holidays.*

*Ordinarily Paul would hole himself up in his room.*

*But today is a strange day -- the air has a bite to it, wild and sharp, and, absently watching the poppy Will handed him this morning, he draws the first few notes of Greensleeves from his flute.*

[sign-seeker.livejournal.com]

*Will smiles, faintly.*

It would be, I suppose.

*Not so for him. Will is loose in Time as any Old One, but mostly he lives his life in mortal time, unless there is need.*

Though of course it is not the ceremony that is most important, really. Except in the coming together. But the vicar did a lovely one.