Enter a Wizard

[wizard_p_i]

A tall and lanky young man who's dressed as if he either just walked out of a Western or off the deck of Serenity strides confidently into the Inn. Everything about him is dark: dark hair, dark eyes, olive complexion, black shirt, dark blue jeans, black leather duster. He's even wearing a Stetson--and without the slightest trace of self-

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[beenleftbehind]

Svetlana glances up from her ever present cup of tea. "This place does that," she says quietly.

She hopes he won't ask how to explain how it works, because she still doesn't quite understand how or why.

[wizard_p_i]

"Great," sighs Harry. "Just great." He takes a deep breath. "All right. What is this place called?"

He's got a few ideas about where it might be, but first things first.

[beenleftbehind]

"The Outside Inn," she answers, giving him a small smile. "At least, that is what I've been told."

[wizard_p_i]

"Okay..." Harry said cautiously. "Now for a couple of big questions. Where is it? And what do you want me to call you?"

If this was the Nevernever, she wouldn't appreciate his asking what her Name was...not even by accident.

[beenleftbehind]

"It's out of space and time, so I am given to understand. I confess that none of it makes sense to me." She shakes her head, wryly. "So I try not to think about it, and it works itself out, somehow."

She stands to greet him properly. "I am Svetlana Sergievsky."

[wizard_p_i]

Outside of space and time? The Nevernever, all right. Oh, this is just fantastic.

Well, he was going to have to find his way out, that was all. Being trapped here could be dangerous.

Nice company, though.

When Svetlana greeted him, Harry bowed slightly. "Nice to meet you, Miss?...Mrs...Sergievsky. I'm Harry Dresden."

[beenleftbehind]

She winces, very slightly. "Mrs. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Dresden. Could I offer you tea?"

When all else fails, there's tea.

[wizard_p_i]

"Yes, thank you."

Tea is always good.

[beenleftbehind]

The tea's already made. She just thinks up another cup and pours the tea into it then holds it out to Harry. "The sugar and cream's just on the table if you like."

He seems nice enough, Svetlana thinks.

[wizard_p_i]

Blink.

He accepts the cup with a sort of surprised calm. "So, are you a wizard?"

The alternative is that she is a fae. And if so, he isn't going to drink the tea, because you don't eat or drink anything in Faerie. Even the youngest wizard apprentice knows that.

[beenleftbehind]

She shakes her head. "This will sound strange, but you can think of anything and the Inn will make it appear. Well. Anything but the way out."

[wizard_p_i]

"That's ...the Inn does that? So who runs the Inn?

"And...er...how long have you been here? Are you stuck here too?"

[beenleftbehind]

She shakes her head ruefully. She wanted to help him, she did, but she knew so little. "I don't know, I'm sorry."

"I've been here," she pauses to work out how long it's been. "A few months, I believe. It's difficult to keep track, sometimes. I haven't been able to leave - the Door won't show for me."

[wizard_p_i]

"Does the door show for anyone? Or is it hidden to everyone's eyes, unless you do something to make it visible?"

[beenleftbehind]

"As far as I know, it shows itself when it wants to." Svetlana takes a sip of her tea. "I wish I could be of more help, I'm sorry.

[wizard_p_i]

"Quite all right," Harry says. "You have helped, believe me.

"What's your world like?" he asks curiously. "If I may ask, that is."

She could be from his world, but he doubts it. That would be far too much of a coincidence.