(Untitled)

[amazonofthe21st]

The last few months in Milliways have been a bit of a mixed bag for Rachel. She's not sure what to think as she walks into the bar late in the day, much less when a napkin appears instead of the Coke she ordered

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[whoiwasmeant2be]

Rachel is later coming back up than usual. And while their schedules are flexible, they are relatively predictable...

So there's a lanky, awkward-looking brown-haired boy working his way across the bar. Whenever anyone accidentally brushes against him he jumps away suddenly, edging away from anyone he can manage.

But he's getting close to the bar.

[amazonofthe21st]

If anything could turn her day around toward the better, Tobias walking into a crowd of people in human morph is really at the top of Rachel's list.

She even manages a slow, pleased grin as she spots him, abandoning the drink she was pouring to wave him over.

[whoiwasmeant2be]

His pace quickens slightly, but he still works to avoid any casual contact with anyone.

Still, he smiles slightly in answer to her own and makes his way up to the bar itself. "Hey, you," he murmurs. Really too softly to be heard over the sound of the patrons in the bar, but...

[amazonofthe21st]

He's close enough for lips to be read, though. Rachel's smile brightens even further and she leans against the bar to talk to him. "Hey, you."

Oddly, her voice isn't much louder than his.

"I got recruited for bartending. You want something?"

[whoiwasmeant2be]

Now... that's an interesting question.

"Um... a coke?"

[amazonofthe21st]

You know how nice Rachel is?

She's the sort of nice that does not comment on his response being more of a question than an answer, and instead pulls over a glass to fill with soda and a straw before sliding it over to him.

Red straw. Of course.

[whoiwasmeant2be]

Tobias grins, even as he eyes the glass a bit curiously.

It's... been a long time. He reaches out and sips thoughtfully at it.

[amazonofthe21st]

Rachel is doing her level best not to smile. Trying not to remember the last time she'd brought him a Coke, the way he'd reacted to cold and sweet and fizzing.

(but kind of hopes he's surprised again)

[whoiwasmeant2be]

He does blink rapidly as he eyes the glass. "It's very sweet."

He's smiling slightly. And taking another sip.

[amazonofthe21st]

Rachel fails at not grinning right about here.

"It usually is," she points out, almost gently, and reaches for the glass she'd poured herself earlier. "You want something else? They can do food.

"Bet I could find a Big Mac back here if I looked hard enough."

[whoiwasmeant2be]

"A Big Mac, huh?" Tobias seems to consider that. "I..."

"That brings back memories, huh?"

[amazonofthe21st]

It does.

Of bringing him food during drought season. Of meeting the others at the cruddy plastic picnic tables. Teaching Ax to eat the fries but not the box they came in.

"Yeah," Rachel says quietly, conflicted. Parts of her want to smile at the memories and others - don't.

[whoiwasmeant2be]

Tobias' own smile slips slightly.

"Yeah," he repeats.

[amazonofthe21st]

Someone else might make a joke.

Someone else might change the subject to business.

Someone else might put an arm around them for comfort.

And someone else might ask the significance of the straw.

But Rachel does what Rachel does.

"Do you see them?"

[whoiwasmeant2be]

"Hmm?"

Not that Tobias really doesn't know, but... he needs some time to collect himself.

[amazonofthe21st]

Rachel shrugs and picks up a rag, mechanically wiping down the bar, just for the movement. Maybe now isn't the best time for this but - yeah. Memories brought back.

"Everyone else. Do you see them still?"