[ happy hour ]

[almosthonorable]

Ben’s behind the bar tonight; he’s been more coaxed than coerced - as evidenced by the impressive herd of My Little Ponies littering the counter.

Opportunist that he is, he may as well entertain himself while he’s here.

He turns to the specials board, smirking to himself as he scribbles:Name a pony

Comments

[alotofgood]

James gives a good look at the colourful plastic ponies, wondering why they aren't moving around, or doing much of anything.

Must be a Muggle thing.

"You know," he says to the barkeep, "I've always liked the name 'Elvendork'. You can use it for both a boy or a girl."

[alotofgood]

"Just James," he says, laughing sheepishly. "Most of the people who call me 'Mr. Potter' are professors, and it's usually when I'm about to get detention."

Which happens to him a lot more than the average student.

"But - yeah, I'm from England. London, to be exact."

[almosthonorable]

Ben pulls a face at the mention of detention.

(Someone possibly got his knuckles rapped with a ruler more than once in the few years of schooling he got as a child.)

At the mention of London, however, his expression grows miles closer to fond.

"I used to know the daughter of a sea captain - she was from London, livin' in San Francisco at the time. That woman had the most beautiful green eyes."

[alotofgood]

James doesn't mean to, but he sort of straightens up at the mention of 'beautiful green eyes'.

He happens to know (and like) a girl who's got beautiful green eyes.

In fact, it's one of her most stunning features.

... weird.

"Really? Are they common, d'you think - 'beautiful green eyes'?"

[almosthonorable]

Ben shakes his head.

"That's what makes them all the more special."

[alotofgood]

He nods.

Slowly.

"It's just - the way you're describing this woman you know ... er. I sort of know a girl who's got the same sort of eyes. It's bloody weird that you mention it.

"Though I'm not sure where she goes during the holidays. But I don't think it's London."

[almosthonorable]

"No shame in havin' a predilection toward those," Ben says, half a smile tugging at one corner of his mouth.

"There's a Russian astronaut around here, name's Fira, if you've met her? Incredible green eyes, and I'm amazed every time she turns 'em on me."

The fondness in his voice is impossible to miss.

[alotofgood]

He shakes his head 'no' in response to the mention of this astronaut woman, Fira.

But James definitely notes the fondness.

He hopes he isn't so obvious when he talks about Lily Evans - not that it's really much of a secret anymore.

"I've actually only been coming here since a little before the Christmas holidays," he says. "I haven't had the chance to meet loads of people yet."

[almosthonorable]

Ben leans an elbow on the counter; James has caught him between bouts of customers, and it's clear the cowboy doesn't mind the lull.

"You know, I've been comin' and goin' for a good while, now, and it's so damn busy, I'd bet I haven't met even half the folks who come in this place."

[alotofgood]

"Brilliant."

James grins.

"What'd you think when you first came here?"

[almosthonorable]

"That I'd lost my mind."

[alotofgood]

"I suppose that's a fair assessment," says James thoughtfully. "Especially if you're a Muggle. Have you got magic on your world?"

[almosthonorable]

Ben's head tilts a fraction at Muggle.

"No - certainly nothin' like this place has shown me. Yourself?"

[alotofgood]

"I'm a wizard."

James beams cheerfully.

"So - I'd say magic's a big part of my world.

"Oh. And a 'Muggle' is someone who hasn't got any magic."

He's been getting pretty good at remembering that not everyone's used to the words they have back home.