(Untitled)

[snugglesoft]

The door opens, there's a blast of hot (though not unpleasantly so) air that smells of lavender and sandalwood. A two-foot tall teddy bear comes tumbling into Milliways, accompanied by a washrag, a "Grandma Loves Me" t-shirt, and six socks

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[paladinsuitsyou]

Booth sniffs. What's that smell? It reminds him of a girl he once dated, maybe, sweet, a little cloying.

He looks down, sees the socks. One looks sort of familiar, like a long-lost friend. "Hey, what...?"

[snugglesoft]

Cloying? That scent is energizing. It's uplifting.

The bear looks up . . . and up . . . and up at the man (who really does have very nice socks, it must be said).

"Hello?"

[paladinsuitsyou]

"Uh, hi," Booth says, looking at the bear, puzzled. (He might be holding the familiar-looking sock behind his back. It really does look like one of his...And he doesn't want to give it back until he's sure.)

"Um. Where did you come from? Why are there so many socks?"

[snugglesoft]

"From the laundry room," says the bear.

He shrugs.

"I guess because the socks needed to be washed?"

[paladinsuitsyou]

"Oh," Booth says. "Um. I guess that makes sense. What's it like, in the laundry room?"

Because, well, it sounds odd. No more odd than anything else here, but odd enough.

[snugglesoft]

Snuggle considers this.

"Homey," he says, finally.

"Where am I now, please?"

[paladinsuitsyou]

"You're uh. In the Bar at the End of the Universe. Milliways. It's um. Connected to a lot of other worlds."

This bear is really the scariest thing Booth has encountered since coming here. Scarier than the wraith - thing, even.

[snugglesoft]

"Hmmmmmm," says the bear, looking around the bar.

Interesting place, this.

"Thank you. I'm Snuggle."

[paladinsuitsyou]

Snuggle. Like the fabric softener?

That's probably about as far down that line of thought Booth should go before he gets hugged and uplifted. Otherwise, he'll start to back away.

"I'm Booth."

[snugglesoft]

Exactly. Well done, Agent Booth.

"It's just so nice to meet you. And thank you for your help."

[paladinsuitsyou]

"No problem. Uh, Snuggle. I'm glad to be of help. First drink's uh, free."

Somehow, he can't imagine this creature drinking alcohol. Or anything else. Nectar, maybe. Or, uh, fruit juice.

[snugglesoft]

"I'll remember that," Snuggle promises.

"Thank you," he says, again, and throws his arms around Booth's knees.

[paladinsuitsyou]

"You're, um, welcome - " Booth says, then stops abruptly.

What a curious sensation. He feels so warm, and so cheerful, and so very, very...uplifted.

Huh. He'd worry about it, but he just can't seem to divert the attention. Mostly, he just wants to hug everyone.

"Gosh, thanks!"

[snugglesoft]

"You're welcome," says Snuggle.

"Oh, and you can keep that sock."

You know, the one you're hiding behind your back.

[paladinsuitsyou]

Booth beams. "Thanks! I think I have one just like it. I love it. It's a great sock!" he enthuses.

[snugglesoft]

And it's clean too.

"Enjoy your sock, Booth," Snuggle says, cheerfully, and wanders off to see who else is around to meet, and greet, and hug.