* [semi-closed post]

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan is still struggling, but she's established a little routine, specific to Dark: every morning, she goes to her favorite room - the one with all the rugs - and retrieves several bottles of alcohol. These, she ferries down to the cafe and arranges them on a corner table, where she sits for the next hour or so, passing bottles to anyone who needs a full one, and measures from the bottles to anyone who would prefer just a drink or two. By now, she's got a sense of the regulars, their preferences (though she cannot always accommodate these - it really is the queerest assortment of libations), and how much they require, but she always brings an extra bottle or two just in case.

Today, she's tireder than normal, and moving slowly. Her tea was running low, and so she's rationing it. She's even on the verge of capitulating and getting a cup of coffee to tide herself over.


[Primarily intended for Dionysus and Lan Wangji, but if anyone wants to play out the awkwardness of the daily alcohol retrieval I'm all in!]

Comments

[timebethine]

"That eases my heart," says Laertes. His heart is still racing, but the keen horror in his eyes fades, and a measure of tension goes out of him. "No doubt mortal wounds cannot trouble an einherji, the son of Frey."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan doesn't know about that. "It's possible," she says, and tilts her head. "If you should like to see for yourself, I believe he might be set up in the greenhouse again today. He told me he was... a, ah, 'harvest dude' now?"

[timebethine]

"No doubt making himself ready for spring, and thence for Frey's summer." He rocks a little on both feet, heel to toe. "Forgive me--I do not mean to cut short our conversation. But with thy leave, I would go to him, and see what cheer I can offer."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Of course," says Susan; she can hardly begrudge him that. But she looks up and catches his eye. "Laertes?"

[timebethine]

He meets her gaze and holds it. "Ay, Susan?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I meant it, you know. If ever you need to talk... you might find me."

[timebethine]

"Let me offer thee the same hand in friendship," says Laertes. "I may not know what to say, but I can promise to listen."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"That's all anyone can ask," says Susan, in that busy way she gets when she's having an emotion. She's got a tiny heartfelt smile. "I do hope your day improves."

[timebethine]

"And I, that the end of the month will likewise lift the burden of stewardship from thy shoulders." A small, sincere smile as he gathers up the bottles. "Farewell."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Good day," she echoes, taking out her note-book again to jot down which bottles Sagramore is getting.