(Untitled)

[evryinchbut1]

Valerie hasn't really been down since she entered. Getting used to being healthy and in a new place took precedence -- and besides, she feels a little like the new kid at school.

Still, you can't stay in your room all the time. And it looks like there's something going on outside. So Valerie's come downstairs and is ordering tea from the Bar

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[subtle_will]

She isn't the only one ordering tea from the Bar tonight. A young man whose dark hair falls untidily across his forehead (it's obvious he's just had a haircut, and just as obvious that the person who gave it knew nothing at all about cutting hair), is already there, sipping at a cup and looking at nothing in particular.

The arrival of a woman nearby catches his attention, and he glances over at her, dark eyes quick and bright. He hadn't quite meant to catch her eye--still, he offers a nod and a small smile over his own teacup.

[evryinchbut1]

She smiles back, warmly enough, as her tea arrives.

The slightly uncertain look she gives the tea, and the Bar, just yells newbie.

[subtle_will]

Will is not someone who draws attention to himself--Lyra does, Lyra is full of grace and daring and has never held back from speaking to anyone--but something about the way she holds herself softens his face.

"It's odd, I know," he says, in a friendly tone. "But it grows on you. Promise. I'm Will."

[evryinchbut1]

"Which? Oh, the--?" She gestures at the Bar, and smiles a little wider. "I should hope so."

Taking a sip, she adds, "It helps that the tea's so good. I'm Valerie."

[subtle_will]

"It's some of the best I've had," he says with a small smile back. His accent is very definitely Oxford, but it may be something familiar in a place utterly unknown.

"It's nice to meet you." At his feet, a shadow moves, and halts once again. Ignoring it, Will fixes the woman with a close look, before turning to the Bar again and ordering something quietly.

When the omelette appears, he pushes it over to her.

She looks hungry.

[evryinchbut1]

She looks sheepish.

"I don't look that underfed, do I?"

[subtle_will]

It sparks a genuine grin from Will, and he shakes his head firmly.

"No. You just--looked like you could use something good to eat. That's all. You don't have to eat it if you don't want to."

[evryinchbut1]

"Oh. I . . . thanks."

She considers the food for a moment, over her tea -- wondering about the omelette, or wondering about the charity -- and finally gives him an amused smile.

"Thank you."

Bar provides a fork.

[subtle_will]

He can't really say that she reminds him of the first time he saw Lyra--not that Valerie looks so wild and wary, but there's something of the same uncertainty in her face, in the way she holds her shoulders.

He'd given Lyra an omelette, too. Food is something that he knows will help.

So he just smiles again, slightly, and sips at his own tea.

[evryinchbut1]

She gives him a curious look as she starts on the omelette (although, for a moment, she just closes her eyes and savors the taste of the first bite).

"Well, at least one of us seems at home here. Have you been here long?"