[7] - forward dated to afternoon

[savethedarkness]

[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]

Comments

[savethedarkness]

Not hardly. I don't think I could do with anything that busy. This is mostly to help stave off boredom.... for others, too.

[she pours him an orange juice and slides it over]. It's also a good place for people to meet, if they'd rather not use the books.

[toobravehearted]

[Hand out on the bar, he catches the glass as it reaches him with a smile.] Thank you. Come now, I'm sure you'd make an excellent landlady. In fact, I think you'd be quite at home. You are from London, am I correct?

[Looking around the bar before retuning his gaze back to her.] I don't think we'll be bored for too long, but I agree. A distraction might be just the thing needed.

[savethedarkness]

I am, yes. Hardly a landlady, though. I'm used to managing quite a bit more than that, and in greater detail.

[toobravehearted]

[His smile and expression are open but there's that intelligence in his eyes again; remembering conversations, gathering details and fitting them together.]

And now that you've been here a while and seen what the castle has to offer, how do you presume to use those skills now? I could say they are wasted in a pub, Emma. But if there's one thing certain no matter where you go, it's that the landlady sees and gets to know a great manner of things.

[savethedarkness]

[he's not the only one with intelligent eyes, here. she smirks]

I should think, Doctor, that this is the point where you and I either turn the talk to fair trade, or I tell you to wait and see.

[toobravehearted]

[In seeing that smirk he returns with a smile of his own. Taking a drink of his juice - yes, that is good - he fully settles in and crosses his arms over his chest with that smile still in place.]

How could you ask for my patience after that? A fair trade of what, exactly?

[savethedarkness]

[her smile is unassuming, polite, and entirely nonthreatening] Information, of course. It's the only thing that truly seems of value around here.

[toobravehearted]

[Just like his smile, then. He didn't expect her to want to trade anything less and knows where it might be heading, just not the route, yet... Hence his trying to get her to lead him.]

Well, I do have a lot of that, but whether or not it is relevant to your offer of trade is another question entirely, so you might have to be a tad specific. On another note Emma, you and I should have tea more often.