(Untitled)

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary Lennox is clutching a book, today, as she enters the bar; she makes her way over to the counter, climbs up onto a seat, and sits down to flip through it, a faint scowl of a frown on her face

Comments

[prone_to_panic]

Mary may be scowling, but Archie isn't. In fact, he's smiling. Wonder why?

"Good evening, miss Mary. May I inquire as to what you are reading?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"A book on trees," Mary says, looking up - and, as she sees Archie, her eyes widen, and her scowl is surprised into an answering smile.

"- I have not seen you in a very long time."

[prone_to_panic]

"It has been far too long since we've spoken, miss Mary."

His own grin widens to see such an expression on her face.

"I did recieve your Christmas gift though, they were very nice."

[mmquitecontrary]

"I was not sure what to get you," Mary says, honestly, "since I did not have a chance to ask you what you wanted. Martha helped me to pick something."

[prone_to_panic]

"She did quite well."

He leans forward conspiratorially.

"I keept loosing my old ones, you see. I shan't loose these."

[mmquitecontrary]

Matter-of-factly: "Well, you may lose them, but only if it is very shortly before next Christmas, or your birthday - because then that is the time when I would be getting you more."

[prone_to_panic]

"I shall endeavor to do my very best, miss Mary. May I inquire as to your holiday?"

He waves down a passing wait rat in case she wants tea, or chocolate.

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary hesitates.

"I was very happy during the holiday," she says, cautiously, after a moment; and it is, in fact, the truth.

[prone_to_panic]

Archie is all too familliar with evasion. He frowns slightly at her.

"What's wrong, miss Mary?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"Nothing is wrong now," Mary says, her hands resting on the open book in her lap.

"There was a spell on me then. But I did not know it, over the holidays; so I was very happy, then. It was only after that I found out."

[prone_to_panic]

"Ah..."

His eyes darken a little.

"I did hear about the troubles going on then, though I did not know that you were one of those affected. I am sorry, my dear."

[mmquitecontrary]

"Everyone says they are sorry," Mary says, a little darkly. "I do not know why. It was not your fault."

[prone_to_panic]

"Perhaps they are sorry because they couldn't do anything about it. I know that is why I am sorry."

He passes her a cup of hot chocolate.

"But it is over now, and things are better, yes?"

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary's hands wrap around the cup of chocolate, though she doesn't drink it yet.

"I did not even see you then," she says, reasonably. "So it is not as if you had very much to do with it at all.

But yes - it is over."

She looks down at her book, and adds, with a strange sort of determination, "I am trying to make sure it will not happen again."

[prone_to_panic]

"Oh, but miss Mary, I am on Security. It is my job to protect the people here."

He leans over to look at the book with renewed interest.

"May I ask as to what you are doing to prevent it?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"I do not think," Mary says, matter-of-factly, "that Security had very much to do with it.

Though they did help with the boxing kangaroo - but Dickon helped more."

She shifts her hands, to allow him to look at the book better, and points to the picture of the apple tree.

"I was told," she explains, "that there are trees which protect people against the Dark. I wish to plant one in front of the greenhouse."

She stops, struck by a sudden thought.

"- there is not anyone I would have to ask, is there? I have a garden in the greenhouse, but," she adds, a little reluctantly, "the front of the greenhouse I do not think belongs to me."