(Untitled)

[the_woodpecker]

Time is funny at Milliways.

Some people might see Bernard Wrangle puttering around Bar, before tacking an announcement to the bulletin board:

NEW HIRES
Bartenders
Mal Reynolds
Atton Rand
Harry Dresden
Wes Jansen
Buffy Summers

Bartender in Training
Anakin Solo

Below this, he tacks a new scheduleSatisfied, he recommences puttering --

Comments

[simon_doctor]

Simon's been looking for Bernard over the past few days, and is just on the point of deciding to leave him a note.

Until he spots him, and heads over to the bar.

[the_woodpecker]

He could just knock on the flat door.

Bernard turns and smiles. "Hey, Simon. How've you been?"

[simon_doctor]

"Wei, Bernard. I, ah."

Recently insane, thanks, and yourself? just doesn't quite seem the thing to say.

"There's ... something I need to tell you, if you're not already aware of it."

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard stands up straighter, his smile fading. "What's wrong?"

[simon_doctor]

It doesn't get easier to say.

"Nyarlathotep has been seen in the woods out back."

[the_woodpecker]

"Oh." Bernard blinks a couple times. "I know. We talked. You know the woods back up to the Dreaming. Maybe I should publicise that more." He eyes Simon as he writes himself a note to talk it over with Mike and Archie. "All right?"

[simon_doctor]

Simon's a little thrown by the casual we talked, but ...

"I was considering a general warning, but I talked to Agent Cooper about it -- have you met Cooper?"

[the_woodpecker]

"Once, briefly, yeah. Look, I really did think that most people knew to stay clear, but if they don't, then we'll post a warning, sure. What's Cooper's perspective?"

[simon_doctor]

"He's concerned," and Simon's tone is carefully neutral, "that if enough people in here are consciously thinking about Nyarlathotep -- as they might if, for instance, a general warning about him were to be posted -- it could create a receptive environment for him to manifest inside the bar."

Beat.

"I have no idea if that's the case."

[the_woodpecker]

"Well," Bernard muses slowly, "that's one hell of a leap. Nyarlathotep'll pop in anytime he wants to if he's ascendant, is my understanding, receptive environment or no."

[simon_doctor]

"Is he ascendant right now?"

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard opens his mouth to answer, and then hesitates.

"...I'm not sure what I'd call him. He and I had never been able to even speak to each other before. That's how fiercely he affected me. I'm, um." Bernard reddens and laughs shortly. "I'm susceptible to insanity, let's just say. But we talked for some time. And Anthony was in his carrier on my chest, and he slept through it undisturbed." A pointed look. "No nightmares.

"So, ascendant? I don't know, exactly. But he's certainly around, and he's in incredible pain, which makes for an interesting feeling for me: someone who caused me unbearable pain, being in such pain that he asks for my input. I surprised myself by feeling a great deal of empathy. And I'm still thinking about it. I may go back out there to talk again." Another laugh. He's almost embarrassed. "I'm not sure why."

[simon_doctor]

If Simon tenses somewhat on the words susceptible to insanity, well, that's probably understandable.

But he's silent after that, digesting what Bernard's said.

"He's still dangerous, though," he says finally; it's half a question.

[the_woodpecker]

"Yes. He's Endless."

You really don't need to say more than that.

[simon_doctor]

No. You really don't.

Simon sighs, and rubs his forehead.

"I'm out of my depth," he admits, quietly.

[the_woodpecker]

Bernard blows out a long breath.

"Well. I guess I have to ask why you're in it to begin with, more than all of us are in it just by existing. What's going on, Simon?"