(Untitled)

[creator_raven]

The front door opens, letting in the dark and the cold and the light, and the faintest hint of song

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[wizard_howell]

Look. Up in the air. It's a bird. It's a man. It's...

Really, the name Raven shouldn't be quite this difficult to remember.

He'll get round to it, eventually. For the moment, he simply raises his hand in as innocent a gesture of hello as he can muster, given his condition.

Raptor. No. Rascal. No. Ringo. Definitely not. Ray? Close...

[creator_raven]

Raven doesn't startle, but he pauses a moment, head tilted. He might be frowning.

Then his expression clears--though it takes a few moments.

"Howl, yes?"

[wizard_howell]

He nods. "We flew together. I'm the one afraid of heights and you're the one who's..."

That's it; he lets out a relieved sigh. "...called Raven. You look as if you could use some of what I drank far too much of earlier tonight."

[creator_raven]

His smile is faint, the corners of his mouth barely turning upward.

But some of the lines have faded from his face.

"The effect is not the same, perhaps, but I am fond of the taste."

[wizard_howell]

"Glass or pint? Pick your poison; I was on Guinness but I've matriculated to coffi. When the walls start swimming, I know it's time." He gestures halfheartedly to a wait-rat, letting the creature crawl onto his hand. Tilting his head to one side, he appears to be listening to the rat's squeaks and squawks; every now and again, he nods. "Our friend here says you might enjoy the Murphy's Stout. How does that sound?"

Fumbling in his leather coin bag, he takes out a gold coin and hands it to the rat. "Two of those."

He never lets a fellow drink alone if he can help it.

[creator_raven]

Raven's smile broadens a fraction.

"It will do, perhaps."

For now.

Whiskey comes later.

"I am not often one for minding company."

[wizard_howell]

"Cheers, then." He moves the nearby chair back. "Have a seat, my friend. You look as if you could use one."

It's been... well, he's no idea how long it's been; every time he leaves this place, very little time has passed out there for him. But it's been a while, he knows that. "Are you just getting back, then?" He finishes his first cup of coffee and immediately starts on the second; if they're going to drink stout, he needs to be at least a little more aware.

Howl also knows himself: the second cup should rattle him just enough so he might show the pretence of sobriety. It works sometimes.

[creator_raven]

Raven nods, still quiet, and takes a seat.

"I was away for some time, I think. It is difficult to tell, in some places."

His smile is a little wry, now.

"It is a thing I used to forget."

[wizard_howell]

What's the phrase from Alice in Wonderland? Curiouser and curiouser, that's it. And it's not just the excess of Guinness either; something is definitely strange here.

On the other hand, he already agrees with the sentiment. There are places where time has little or no meaning. Still, most of the time, the sun rises and sets with annoying irregular regularity: some days are longer and some are shorter, but the sun does rise and the sun does set.

He thinks.

Even in Wales. Just not in the inch of darkness between Wales and Ingary.

And he studies Raven curiously, like Alice would have studied the Cheshire Cat, trying to unravel the sanity in the insanity. Sometimes, there simply is none.

"Where were you?"

[creator_raven]

The smile is broader still, but his eyes are dark--dark and old.

He waves one hand toward the Observation Window.

"Outside. It seemed easiest, at the time."

And it was easy.

Frighteningly so, some would say.

[wizard_howell]

"Out there: it's a curious choice." His eyes stray to the window. "Rumour has it that's the universe ending over and over. Did you find it to be so?"

Coffee done, eyes a little brighter, Howl blinks Raven into focus. That's better.

[creator_raven]

"It is different, perhaps, if you go by the front door."

Raven shrugs slightly.

"Time is not as it was, I do not think."

It moves more slowly, unravelling at the seams.

[wizard_howell]

"I think there's no such thing as time as a linear concept. Then again, don't mind me: I've had a bit too much to drink."

Thoughts often go from point A to point D without making stops along the way for points B and C, but doubly so when he's been drinking. Still, there's that point of recognition when the rat returns with two pints of stout. Now, he can start all over again.

At least he doesn't have to drive home.

[creator_raven]

"You are not wrong, I do not think. Often it is easier, so."

Raven grins for a moment, before reaching over and snatching up a pint of stout.

It is very good.

[wizard_howell]

Howl toasts quietly beneath his breath: here's to you, here's to me, hope we never disagree. But if we do, fuck you! Here's to me.

"I wish it didn't have the rude part sometimes, but it's as good a toast as any. Iechyd da; cheers." This is a far calmer place to be drinking than the one he was in a half hour ago. The stout is good and not too warm and not too cold; it coats the throat and warms the belly and he's already got the familiar feeling of fuzz between his ears working for him.

"I'd hate to have to turn into a bird again in this state. Who knows what I'd end up as. Probably a pterodactyl."

[creator_raven]

Raven laughs.

"The size, I think, might be problematic. And I have never minded rude."

He quite likes it, in truth.