(Untitled)

[likesthecoat]

Tonight's Specials
Martinis
for example, dirty, chocolate, sweet, black...
Summer Martini
Long Kiss Goodnight Martini

COFFEE
any way you like it

It's entirely possible that Ianto likes making martinis because he knows he looks good with the shaker.

(Three-quarter time, of course.)

Comments

[faithful_lt]

It's a bit of self-indulgence, he knows it is, and yet the lure of a cup of coffee amid the impossible wonder that is Milliways draws him all the same.

After all, he's not on shift for another two hours, but just couldn't sleep -- which means he'll need the coffee all the more, right?

He approaches the bar, eyes bright with anticipation -- and then pauses, looking curiously at the younger man's book.

[dragonsemrys]

Merlin is used to the book drawing attention. It's very big and old, after all.

He looks up with a smile. "Studying," he says cheerfully.

[faithful_lt]

Hoshi grins back.

"Looks like. Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you."

[dragonsemrys]

"Oh, it's all right," says Merlin, still cheerful. It's kind of his default setting, after all. "Plenty of time--that's why I come to Milliways."

He sticks out his hand. "I'm Merlin."

[faithful_lt]

"It is a pretty amazing feature of the place, isn't it?" he agrees, clearly delighted.

He shakes hands without even a glimmer of recognition at the name.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Merlin. I'm Louis Hoshi."

[dragonsemrys]

Good! Merlin's gotten a bit tired of the odd reactions people keep giving to his name, without ever explaining why.

"Just Merlin. Only nobles have last names where I come from and I'm far from noble."

[faithful_lt]

"Merlin," he repeats. "Okay." His smile is quick and bright.

"I was just going to get a cup of coffee - want some? It helps with studying."

[dragonsemrys]

"Is coffee that brown, bitter-smelling stuff? Is it actually drinkable?"

[faithful_lt]

"It really is, I promise," Hoshi assures him. "Some people put cream and sugar in it - you might like it better that way?"

[dragonsemrys]

"I'll trust you on that," Merlin says, cautious nonetheless. "Show me how?"

[faithful_lt]

"Let me just catch the bartender's attention first," he says. "From what I understand, people fill in to let the bar rest from time to time."

For whatever reason, he seems both pleased and slightly proud for some reason.

[dragonsemrys]

Merlin leans his chin on his hand. "I know--I've done it myself."

Luckily, tonight's bartender is excellent at making coffee.

[faithful_lt]

Hoshi's eyes light up.

"You have?"

[dragonsemrys]

"Oh, yes. A napkin pops up on the bar asking you to fill in so She can rest, and I just chose a few drinks I know and let the evening take care of itself."

[faithful_lt]

"I think it's pretty impressive, though," he says, with a quick grin and nod of thanks for the bartender.

Hoshi offers Merlin one of the mugs.

"Here you go. What are you studying, anyway?"

[dragonsemrys]

"Thank you," says Merlin and inhales the scent of the coffee before he takes his first cautious sip.

Oh. Oh my.

It takes a few minutes for Merlin to recover enough from the first taste and rush of caffeine, and he says finally, "Magic."

He sees no reason to lie to anybody about magic in Milliways. It's Milliways.