(Untitled)

[merlinianblood]

It's mid-morning when Dave comes barreling into Milliways through his door, the sound of growling and barking not far behind. He slams the heavy slab of wood shut and leans against it as he tries to catch his breath, then eventually sinks down to a sitting position.

As he rests his forehead on he knees, he starts to laugh in that hysterical way that

Comments

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Boy howdy, does that ever sound familiar. Granted, the last time Ellen felt that way she hid under the nearest table because ordering beer was a bit much of a challenge, but-

"You look like there's a problem waiting back home," says the grey-haired Korean girl in the dark green uniform jumpsuit. She's perched on the next stool over, where she's been working her way through lunch (and feeding her dog) before going back home.

(Dave may or may not notice that she's got a couple of scars on her face- shrapnel is never fun and neither are burns- and a nick or two in one of her ears. Old marks. People don't always see.)

[merlinianblood]

"Yeah," Dave says, glancing over at Ellen. He's a little relieved to see it's not a familiar face-he is not looking forward to all the apologizing in his future-and offers her a wholly unconvincing smile.

"A furry, drooly, sharp-toothed problem. Or," he corrects himself, "Problems."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Oh dear," says Ellen, wincing. "Um. It's not yao guai, is it? Big, ugly, mutated bears?"

Hey, that's the primary furry/drooly/sharp-toothed problem at home. The wild dogs don't much bother drooling.

[merlinianblood]

"...no?"

This is mostly a question, because Dave's not sure he's ever heard of those before.

"Just wolves."

He does feel a little better now, knowing his day could be worse. At least he's not being chased by mutated bears!

Yet!

[04_after]

The man a couple stools down from him is around the same age, but his three piece suit is rather less rumpled. In front of him is an after-dinner espresso; it's not mid-morning everywhere that Milliways touches (but Quatre still has work to get done tonight).

He watches Dave for a moment, before asking "Long day?", lifting his voice just enough to catch Dave's attention.

[merlinianblood]

"That," Dave says, peering over at Quatre with a very, very tired look, "is an understatement of epic proportions."

Unfortunately, it's nowhere near over.

Poor Dave.

[04_after]

"If time stops for you," Quatre says, "you could always rent a room for a couple hours to take a nap."

He's had pretty epic long days before.

[merlinianblood]

Dave considers this for a moment, then frowns.

"I dunno. It sounds good in theory, but I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep."

He'd say ever again, but that seems a little melodramatic.

"Maybe later. I'm not planning on going back out my door for a while."