milliways_bar | (no subject)

(no subject)

Somewhere, somehow, Tim got his hands on a harmonica. And as we speak, he is working his way through some basic notes, trying to figure it out. Something happier is what he's going for. Might not be making it.

Come and bug the kid magician, he's amiable.

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"You're a man of many hidden talents," 95 remarks as she approaches.

Tim shrugs, gesturing with the instrument.

"I like to try new things. Sometimes I actually like them."

"Ah, you're learning, then? Is it difficult?"

Tim lifts the harmonica to his lips, and blows a sour note, making a face.

"Music generally is difficult. And I've heard bad things about mixing music and magic."

95 comes from Japan, where music traditionally sounds rather off, and where harmonicas are not in abundance, so she's not sure whether he's doing well. She settles on a politely neutral smile, which seems to work well in all occasions.

"Bad things? What sort? Does it mean that you will be unable to properly make music? Or... is it more dangerous?"

Tim contemplates this for a moment.

"Both magic and music are said to be jealous masters. Both of them have a tendency to take over ones life, to try and direct the user the way they want him to go. A good musician will often speak of the music as if it a living thing, a driving force that beats within him trying to be let out. And, as we saw with me, it is entirely possible for magic to be alive. Having two such driving forces within one body can be quite dangerous. And unstable. But every now and then, I like to try a tune or two. Just cause."

She spends a few moments trying to grasp this. "They are users, then, music and magic? Users for humans?"

He opens his mouth to correct her, but stops, mouth hanging open. Slowly, he closes his mouth, pondering this new thought.

"Well, yes, I suppose you could say that. But as a rule, more subtle users then I am with you."

"Subtle?" She smiles. "You haven't been an overbearing user at all, Hunter-san."

"Not overbearing, but I'm very direct. You have open access to me."

His eyes drift upwards as he listens to his words again.

"I mean, if you need to chat with me, I'm here to help you. It's a mutual relationship, going both ways. With magic and music, it's a lot more being used, and you can never quite be sure if you're doing something because you want to, or because it wants you to."

This is given more thought. "It is more like..." Shudder. "Being hacked, then."

Tim gives this one some thought too.

"Maybe? I've never been hacked before, so I don't know how that feels. But I'd thinking hacking would leave a trace of...violation. Of corce. But with magic and music, there is no force, only seduction."

She blushes and looks at her hands, fidgeting. "...a little of... a little of both, then..."

She resists the urge to cover her face.

Tim takes her hand comfortingly.

"Perhaps we should change the topic, if it's uncomfortable for you."

And in case anyone thought she couldn't blush any harder... It might be possible to warm up leftovers on her face right now.

"I-it... such things... in polite company..." she stammers to the table.

"Of course."

He pats her hand.

"Have you put in your ad yet?"

She nods.

"a-ano..."

Pause. Breath. Swallow.

"if... Hunter-san... were still... that is.... the ad is open to anybody."

Having covered her face, the blush starts working on expanding further. The air around her takes on a faint reddish tinge.

Tim eyes her, thena grin spreads across his face.

"I'm still allowed to apply for the position of user?"

"I-if you- if you wish to." My, that table is fascinating.

"...your wife. Have you...?"

"Of course I wish to. I jave no desire to discard you."

He turns away.

"We're still having issues. Apparently she thinks I'm callous and uncaring, and a mopey, whiny guy...."

She looks up, brow wrinkling.

"...are you certain she isn't thinking of the bad version of you?"

he holds up his hands.

"Believe me, I asked. Tried to get her to help me along, to see what see saw. Apparently I shoulda done it long before now, cause now she just thinks I should remember what she said before."

"That does not compute... Do you remember what she said in specific?" Maybe it was lost in translation between "woman" and "non-woman." At least, 95 hopes so, since otherwise it's just "crazybitch," as far as she can tell.

Tim passes her a note. (http://www.livejournal.com/community/milliways_bar/9386897.html)

Her face turns grave as she reads it.

"You didn't ask her if she was all right?"

"I remember asking her how she was. I remember getting back a general "Ok" response, then she got pissy when I pressed deeper."

Thats the way he remembers it anyways.

She frowns deeply. "Have you... done what she asked you to? Made a way to stop him from returning?"

"I destroyed him more then utterly. I left no shred of him to come back from."

Tim rubs his temple.

"But, on the off chance something occurs, Baby is now equipped to let everyone know if another me shows up. As is, as has always been, as long as one Tim is in bar, no other can be."

"And it is impossible for you to leave now."

She glances at the note again. "You were unhappy with being Bound?"

A strong shake of the head.

"Nope. Couldn't care less, either way, really."

"You seemed quite relieved, when I first spoke with you after your return," she agrees, nodding. "I do not understand how it could be interpreted in any other fashion."

"Maybe it's the fact that I mentioned it at all."

"Do you really think so? But then... it is important to tell a wife that sort of thing."

Her midsection chugs for several minutes. "I cannot understand this at all."

"You're not the only one."

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