For a moment, Albus' brain is far too busy doing flips of glee and confusion (but mostly glee) at his actually speaking to one of Shakespeare's creations.
Then he focuses on her question.
"Um. The Bar sort of brings people from any point in time and space, from any world at all. No one really knows why, and it's impossible trying to figure it out."
"This is no dream, Lady Viola," Albus says, realizing that a line like that could easily belong to a play.
(He has to quell his heart from glee-ing.)
"Erm. I mean, it's definitely real. I know it doesn't sound like it could be, and - um. Things are probably going to get even more bizarre, but it's real.
"I think you start to realize it's not a dream when you come to the conclusion that your brain can't possibly imagine some of this stuff."
"Well, this place is ... um. Quite magical. It's called Milliways, like I said, and um. It's sort of located where all of time and space meets and ends. You'll meet all sorts of people, I suppose, and you'll learn a lot.
"You've already seen the lake. There's also a - um. Training area, and the woods, and a library inside."
Albus turns to glance over his shoulder.
"Um - are you all right, miss?"
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Then he focuses on her question.
"Um. The Bar sort of brings people from any point in time and space, from any world at all. No one really knows why, and it's impossible trying to figure it out."
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Like, plural?
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(Still flipping out.)
"Um. Yes?"
He rubs his nose.
"For example, I'm from a place called England in the year 2023 AD."
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When she speaks, it's half to him and half, well, aside.
"Have I, in fever or a dream, this place
Created, given form and aspect to?"
She looks more directly at Albus.
"Is rude to ask, I know, but are you real?
Live you? Speak you? Breathe you? Or do I dream?"
Because Albus knows how wacky all this sounds, right?
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(He has to quell his heart from glee-ing.)
"Erm. I mean, it's definitely real. I know it doesn't sound like it could be, and - um. Things are probably going to get even more bizarre, but it's real.
"I think you start to realize it's not a dream when you come to the conclusion that your brain can't possibly imagine some of this stuff."
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It'd be a bit of a stretch.
"What do I need to know about this place?"
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Albus laughs, apologetic.
"Well, this place is ... um. Quite magical. It's called Milliways, like I said, and um. It's sort of located where all of time and space meets and ends. You'll meet all sorts of people, I suppose, and you'll learn a lot.
"You've already seen the lake. There's also a - um. Training area, and the woods, and a library inside."
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She looks around, and laughs a little.
"Oh, were this played upon a stage I would
The author's tale condemn as folly rare."
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It would be undignified and completely lame, and also quite rude to do so.
He nods, instead. And smiles a little.
"Yeah, it's all here. And the Bar - um. Well, you'll see, but she's sort of ... magical, too. She's sentient."
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"I think you'd better show me what you mean."
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Albus nods, getting the door and allowing her to go through first.
"Yeah. It's probably better if you see for yourself," he agrees.
Because even then, it's something of a shock. Even to someone who lives and breathes magic.
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Well, she does not faint.
But she does grow rather pale.
It's a lot to take in.
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He doesn't reach out to touch her, but he does step forward so he stands next to her instead of behind.
"Erm. Lady Viola?" he says softly. "Are you all right?"
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"Oh.
"Um.
"That's the universe ... ending on a loop." He frowns. "I'm not quite sure I understand it, still. But - um. It's not going to hurt you."
After a moment, he gestures towards the mahogany counter-top nearby.
"The Bar's this way."
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