(Untitled)

[puckishly]

Puck's in the bar. More specifically, he is on a table in a booth. He looks very, very asleep.

Upon closer inspection, the observant observer might see burn marks on one side of his face.

Go ahead, wake him up. He'll probably be in a good mood.

Comments

[avonlea_girl]

There is a pair of great gray-green eyes peeping at him from over the leather cover of Great Expectations, but Anne is being polite and doesn't want to wake him.

[puckishly]

Without opening his eyes, he says, "Another reader ..."

[avonlea_girl]

She flushes and puts down the book.

"It was a long day, and I thought I'd treat myself with some Dickens," she says, a little defiantly. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"

[puckishly]

He looks at her curiously, still lying on the table.

"Have we? I'm certain I'd remember ... what's your name, duck?"

[avonlea_girl]

"Anne Shirley," she says, smiling. Her great eyes grow wide with concern, though, when she looks at him more closely.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" she gasps. "You're hurt! Here, let me help."

[puckishly]

He holds up a hand just a little bit quicker than one might expect of a mortal.

"I would not touch it, Anne Shirley, were I you," he warns. "Not a safe wound."

[avonlea_girl]

She had been about to reach out, but now draws her hand back as if stung.

"I--I'm sorry..."

[puckishly]

Puck shakes his head.

"Not that it isn't appreciated," he says, perhaps a touch more gently than he might normally. "A little kindness is rarely out of place."

[avonlea_girl]

She tilts her head and gives him a rather severe look, tempered with concern.

"I am sorry I startled you, " she apologizes, after a moment. "But that looks painful. Can I help in any way?"

[puckishly]

"Company works wonders," he says with a smile, doing his best not to wither under the force of her expression. "Where did you come from, Anne Shirley?"

[avonlea_girl]

The force of the Look extends for only a moment longer, and then Anne breaks into all smiles and sunlight.

"Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island," she tells him, with more than a hint of pride in her voice. "And you, oh penitent stranger?"

[puckishly]

"Avonlea ..." he repeats thoughtfully.

He grins.

"Well, I wander. Right now, I make my home here."

[avonlea_girl]

"And are you nameless, also?" she asks archly, amusement in her voice.

[puckishly]

Puck smiles.

"I've a great many. Pick one to suit yourself." Helpfully, he adds, "Most prefer Puck."

[avonlea_girl]

Recognition dawns, and she simply glows with delight.

"Well, Puck," she says, eyes dancing with pleasure and amusement, "it is indeed a pleasure." She curtsies to him gracefully, beaming.

[puckishly]

He grins at the glow.

"The pleasure, Anne Shirley, is entirely mine." He hops off the table, gives an elegant bow, and leans back against the side of his booth. "Unless, of course, you'd rather I share?"