(Untitled)

[stubborn_annie]

Annie has been fiddling with a few of the recipes she tested out last month, and today she intends to get her particular tweaks and changes validated. The sour cherry tarts have been upgraded to a full-on couple of pies, and she has taken the time to work up a small sign giving her name, the name and location of her bakery, and the recipe for the

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[vonschwannsee]

This is Milliways- but Odile has (thankfully) missed any and all food incidents. She raises an eyebrow, reading over the sign, before looking at Annie.

"Are people in the habit of enchanting the food here?"

[stubborn_annie]

"I don't know that I'd call it a habit, but it occurs distressingly often," says Annie. "Not three weeks ago, someone bespelled a bunch of apples to take away their eaters' memories. I heard that whoever did it meant well somehow, but I hardly see how that's supposed to do anyone any good."

[vonschwannsee]

"I don't either, really." She shakes her head, frowning slightly. "Has it been countered, or are people still without their memories from it?"

Odile glances at the wait rats, then at the bar. "Does it happen often enough that it is safer to not eat any of the food here?"

[stubborn_annie]

"It's been countered. The amnesia apples weren't the Bar's food, though. It seems someone had a bowl of them out for people to take. He'd brought them from home." She shakes her head. "As far as the Bar's food goes, it's nearly always safe, I've found- unless it tries to offer you something you didn't order. In that case, there's probably a problem with the magic again."

[vonschwannsee]

"I will remember that, thank you." She smiles a bit wryly, giving Annie a nod.

"I've found I still have a great deal to learn about this place- though I have found that caution does not go amiss."

[stubborn_annie]

"Oh, indeed," says Annie. "Been coming here a while, have you? My name's Annie, by the by."

[vonschwannsee]

"Very nice to meet you, Annie." The wryness fades, replaced by a slightly formal friendliness. "I am Countess Odile von Schwannsee."

"I've only been here, when I find the door to my work room comes here. Though I've enjoyed it so far."

[stubborn_annie]

Annie's brows draw together for just a moment; then she nods. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Countess von Schwannsee. My husband and I come here fairly regularly- Harry more than myself- so we're somewhat used to it."

[vonschwannsee]

"Your husband- Sargent Wells?" Odile motions to the sign, then glances back at Annie curiously.

"Well enough accustomed to be able to deal with such oddities as they occur- do you just have to deal with such incidents here, or do you have practice in your own world, as well? I've heard that some of the places connected to here have different ways of dealing with magic."

[stubborn_annie]

Annie nods. "That would be him," she says. "He's about six foot tall, blue eyes, sort of greyish-brown hair, and swears when he talks as naturally as other men breathe. My apologies in advance for that. I've tried to get him to change several times, and I've long since given up."

"Oh, there's some degree of magical practice in my world, but I'm not one of the practitioners," she then says. "Harry's cousin Andrew does, though. And there are a number of competent witches at the school where Harry teaches, from what I understand, although that's not really public knowledge- magic tends to be awfully secretive back home."

[vonschwannsee]

Her lips twitch in a faint smile. "Most soldiers tend to speak... roughly, at the least- or so that seems the same as my world as well. That's quite alright, if I should meet him."

Odile tilts her head, then nods slowly. "It's easier to hide it, than to be official and petition Rome to get special dispensation to practice. Most don't bother with it, that I've seen."

[stubborn_annie]

"Rome?" says Annie curiously. "It's governed officially in your world, then? I don't believe we've got any sort of central organisation in mine. The Watchers' Council hardly qualifies."

[vonschwannsee]

"No, there isn't any sort of official governing for magic, at least that I've heard about, at least in Europe. Perhaps in Arabia, or the Orient, but I've not had a chance to travel there, as of yet." She smiles faintly, with a graceful shrug in apology for that lack of information.

"The standing of magic and its practice is still a matter of some debate in the Church. The priest where I live sent to Rome for dispensation, so my practice of it wouldn't be a possible point of weakness the king."

[stubborn_annie]

"Oh!" says Annie. "Oh, all right- yes, I suppose that would make a difference. My apologies. Where I come from... hm. Might I ask what year it is on your side of the door, to start with?"

[vonschwannsee]

"Anno Domini Eight hundred five- it has only been six years since the Pope crowned the Emperor in Rome, at least in the time and world I reside in."

[stubborn_annie]

"Good heavens," says Annie, blinking. "That was- well, that was a good twelve hundred years ago, nearly exactly. I seem to recall that the coronation you speak of took place on Christmas Day, if it's the same Emperor I'm thinking of. Things have changed a bit since then, at least in my own world."