(Untitled)

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Things have been keeping a certain small town sheriff busy at home, and the bar hasn't seen much of him lately

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[not_his_pa]

William looks up from his book when Bill comes in and laughs,

"What are you supposed to be?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill turns towards the unfamiliar voice, then lifts the helmet so he can grasp it in both hands. Looking down at himself, he tries to stand a little straighter.

"I'm th' quarterback."

He takes a small step forward, head tilted.

"Who're you?"

[not_his_pa]

"William Evans. What's a quarterback?"

Since it looks like it must be something dangerous with all he's wearing.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"It's uh-- y'don't know what a quarterback is?"

Bill figured everybody knew about football.

Of course, that's not really what's important here, and after a moment or two Bill realizes this.

"Hey, wait a sec, who're you? An' where'd my momma's kitchen go?"

[not_his_pa]

"Its still there just you ain't. Come and sit down and I'll explain. The biscuits here are really good,"

William's got a plate of them with his cocoa and book of stories.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"But I was just-- "

Bill can't explain it, but it seems like the big kid can, so Bill walks over.

Setting his helmet on an empty chair (because his mom doesn't like it when he puts it on the table), Bill climbs up into another seat and looks at William.

"I um, I'm Bill."

[not_his_pa]

"I know, it ain't natural. This place is called Milliways and time stops when you're here. So you Ma won't worry,"

The biscuits are pushed over and his book put away, its some Poe short stories.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"It does?"

Bill eyes the biscuits, his attention drifting from them to William, and it's clear Bill wants one. He hesitates, caught between shyness, good manners, and his tummy.

William is offering, though, and there's plenty on the plate, so Bill finally takes one.

"Thank you."

Taking a bite, he chews a bit, then shifts it around so that he's not talking with his mouth all the way full.

"How does it stop?"

[not_his_pa]

"Ain't sure, it just does. I've been told its magic. There's honey too and butter if you want it,"

Sometimes you just end up talking and eating, William and Mark try not to do it too much when their Ma's around but on the trail, it happens.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

Bill smiles at the offer, and takes what's left of his biscuit to add some butter and a lot of honey to it.

"Well I guess it's good however it works, I wouldn't want my mom t'fret. She worries too much already."

[not_his_pa]

"I think all Mas do that. Do you have any brothers or sisters? Sometimes the worry can get spread around,"

He knows his Ma worries more about Mark than him since Mark's sick.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"No, s'just me."

He finishes off the biscuit, then uses his hand to rub honey off of his chin.

"D'you?"

[not_his_pa]

"I've got a brother who's a year or so younger than me. Where're you from?"

[wheelsy_sheriff]

It hits again that he isn't home, and he gulps a little at the thought.

"I'm from Wheelsy, South Carlina. Wh-- where are we at now?"

[not_his_pa]

"Someplace really far away called Milliways. Ain't nothin' to worry about. I'm from outside Bisbee in Arizona Territory,"

He wouldn't tell his brother where Milliways is since it would worry him so he won't for Bill.

[wheelsy_sheriff]

"Really far away?"

Bill shifts on his chair, getting anxious.

"But I c'n go back, right? I c'n go home?"