* [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

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes," says Susan. "This is partly why I've entreated him to contribute to my schemes. --I've got schemes, you see, to ensure that there's more entertainment about in the future, but entertainment that covers a wider swath of interests than the parties and, ah, discussion-meetings that we've had so far."

[onthewillowsthere]

"He'll like that. He likes doing things with people. And being invited." There's a bare pause of a moment and then he adds, "I'll help. With whatever you need."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"You might," Susan says, immediately. "What sort of gatherings do you prefer?"

[onthewillowsthere]

"Not loud. Something he can talk at, like a banquet or a dance. Or learn things about people. He wants a magic salon. He would like to be able to watch if it's a sport. Or-- in spring, a party in the garden."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan hides the instinctual smile tugging at her lips - it's very sweet that Galahad is answering about Claudius instead of himself. She likes to see that sort of devotion: that what he wants is what will make Claudius happy. This, she suspects, is another thing he has in common with Lancelot, despite the fact that they aren't particularly close. Genetics truly are astonishing. Perhaps she ought to read that book about behavioral genetics on her shelf next?

"I've already spoken with your Claudius about my intention to organize both a magic demonstration and a martial demonstration," she says. "And I should like to organize a play for SecUnit. It says it misses media, and we haven't got films here."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad's loyalty to SecUnit is as firm as his loyalty to Magnus or Claudius. He nods. "Is that why you asked about plays?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Good."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"It's an imperfect solution," Susan sighs. "I don't believe SecUnit is convinced of theater. But I suppose at least now that Bacchus is here, there shall be more who benefit."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Bacchus?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"The little god."

[onthewillowsthere]

"Oh. I met him too."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"He seems to like theater," Susan says, "and we've a few with a flair for the dramatic in our midst."

[onthewillowsthere]

"What kind of play?" He doesn't expect it to be anything like the religious pageants he's familiar with, or a passion play.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"SecUnit requested something where the characters aren't all cruel to each other, and something where the plot does not only work because they're stupid. Nina and I are still reviewing options beyond that."

[onthewillowsthere]

Galahad has no real idea what a proper play would be like, but that description sounds like something it would be pleasant to watch. "I can help with that, too." He would like SecUnit to have something it wants.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh, that would be a help! Thank you."

[onthewillowsthere]

He doesn't say that the combination of making Claudius and SecUnit happy are a clear impetus for him to help: that's probably obvious. Instead, he stops on the landing and opens the door to the room where he'd found the icons.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"How queer," Susan says, going to the door. "I didn't spot this when I came through last time."

[onthewillowsthere]

All of the icons of saints have been replaced with icons of strange gods, and in the middle of the room are several crates splattered with yellow paint. Galahad approaches them, with an expression that's possibly a frown.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan shivers, looking around at the icons. One looks rather like Tash, which of course brings to mind Calormen and Rabadash. She shivers again, and then hastens to catch up and walk in stride with Galahad.

[onthewillowsthere]

There's no obvious way to open the crates -- one might need a crowbar to do it properly -- and Galahad casts Susan a slightly self-conscious look before he takes one of the wooden boards that form the crates and just bends it away, the nails pulling out with a squeak.

[desperatemods]

Within the crates, as they open them, Galahad and Susan will primarily find upwards of a dozen hefty rolls of nature's most useful substance: duct tape. They will also, however, find ten sixteen-ounce packages of kao fu. Hooray!

[quote_gentle_unquote]

Susan lifts what seems to be a sort of adhesive gingerly from the crate. "I admit," she says, turning it over in her hands. "I'm at a loss."

[onthewillowsthere]

He had been about to ask her what it was, and he presses his lips thin in the way that means he's displeased (not at her, but it's as unclear to him how this is useful as the soap was initially).