paradisa | [7] - forward dated to afternoon

[M's maintained radio silence, so to speak, ever since her return from the Lewis & Clark. she's kept her eye on things, and mostly limited her social appearances to those requested by Queen Anne, out of duty to crown. everyone else needed time to heal, after all, herself included. it was one thing to be strong in the face of danger and chaos for others, and it was another to deal with what she'd had to lock away to do so.

in that respect, finding the Death Match with Pixy the night of their return had been a Godsend. the next morning, she'd seen the place with fresh eyes. she had joked with Bond, once, that she might actually need a hobby, and it seemed as good a prospect as any. so without much fanfare, she'd begun spending her free time there, cleaning the place up, making it presentable. it felt almost a little like preparing Skyfall, only with less cobwebs and far less sabotage, and she was able to let the sun in the windows and play some music as she worked, here... even if the jukebox needed some better variety.

finally, she feels as though the place is up to speed, and slides onto a barstool. pulling open the journal, she takes a sip of the pint glass of water at her side, and writes]

Good afternoon, everyone.

I would like to formally announce that the Death Match bar on the second floor of the castle is under new ownership, and as of today, open for business. Currently it has no proper chef, but should anyone wish to fill the position, I will consider applications. I hope this is a welcome addition to the castle atmosphere, and that I will see some of you soon.

Cordially,
Emma

[with that, she'll just go on back to the kitchen and make sure there are supplies for the few things she does know how to make. if people want food, she won't turn them down, but their options will be a little limited. she's much better when it comes to making drinks]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There's a bar in the Castle?

[A pause, and a quiet mutter.]

Of course there's a bar in the Castle. There needs to be a bar in the Castle.

Two, actually. There's another on the first floor, but I've not a clue who runs the bloody thing. I found this one as it's right near the Clinic.

There needs to be two bars in the Castle.

[She pauses again.] Anything on the books there, for a Haymitch Abernathy?

You mean, like a tab? ... Let me look.

If there is ... I don't think I have any pressing need to collect, if that's what you're concerned about.

Doesn't matter -- tell me what it is - and if he comes back - it's on me, okay?

[she doesn't need to bother with the usual 'friend of yours from home' small talk. not with Katniss. from what she knows of the girl from the Lewis and Clark, she doesn't seem the sort for it]

Understood.

How've you been?

[She has to think about that one - it's been such a goddamned whirlwind of emotions lately.]

Complicated. I've been starting to wonder about life outside of just surviving. And ... Percy and I realized something interesting.

That is when it gets tricky. Careful, that's when you end up doing things like opening bars.

But what did you realize? I don't suppose you'd care to share?

I would never open a bar. But ... I might think about having a future. A real future - with children.

[She gnawed on her lip, before she found the page number and wrote it into the journal itself.]

See this map? You know how sometimes, this place takes us away from the Castle? These are the places that they've taken us. We've never left. Except for space - and even there - we were right above Paradisa.

[M's silent for a moment as she looks it all over. at first, it's a thoughtful silence. then she sees some of the names: Paris, Los Angeles, New York - and it's a stunned silence.]

God.

How is that even possible?! Have you told anyone else?

[She frowned at that quiet 'God', knowing that Emma must have recognized some of the places on the map.]

We don't know. And only people we can trust.

That's a wise decision, even with the fact that most of those hostiles were destroyed. Information is a precious resource, here, I think.

[a pause, and then]

I'm grateful that you trust me.

We can't take any risks. Not with a few of them still out there. Not with the bugs, too.

[Another pause, and a silent shrug.]

You've proven yourself worthy of it. You kept us together when we needed it most. Even after losing your friend.

I couldn't agree more, not after what I've been told of what happened out there. [Bond gave her a full, thorough report, of course, and she knows all about the ship, the creatures, the first generation encampment ... and the bloody giraffes]

It's what I do at home, you know. I couldn't very well just stop.

We can't afford to be complacent. This place draws us into it - trying to have us fill in boredom, then has us caught by surprise. I'm tired of being caught with my pants around my ankles.

[She nods her head slowly.] You're good at it.

Your head is in the right place, Katniss. [she can't help but think, for a moment, that the girl would have done well at MI6. but this is not a place for such things, at least not the way they were]

I trust you'll let me know if you hear anything else interesting?

Heh. I don't hear that often. Thanks, Emma. [Usually she hears what a sourpuss she was.]

[She nodded quietly.] As you wish.

You don't, because not many people here do have their heads anywhere but up their arse, that's why. .... But thank you. And you're welcome here whenever you like. I'll make you something to eat. [it seems a fair exchange... food for information]

[She actually laughed at that, thank you, Emma. As for the offer for food ...] Thanks. I appreciate it. It's always good to have a meal you don't have to hunt for.

[it's funny because it's true - she knows this]

You're quite welcome. And I should think I don't have to tell you to take care of yourself.

[She nods her head, before speaking.]

No, you don't. Because you know I will. And I don't have to tell you to be careful.

[7] - forward dated to afternoon

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Filtred away from the First Gens, and those who would aid them

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