Quest 5: Reflecting on recent turns of events -Written-

[fuckelves]

[Thorin's not sure what to think over M leaving...true, they were not particularly close, but he did appreciate the strong woman's opinion and had a great respect for her after the business with the Gentlemen.]

...the bar won't be the same without her running the show...

Comments

[mal_addict]

Truer words were never spoken.

[fuckelves]

'Tis a terrible thing when anyone leaves this place...err, for us anyway.

[Anyone who escapes this place is a damn lucky bastard, in Thorin's opinion.]

Only means that we must band together stronger to lean on each other as more leave...

[mal_addict]

It's terrible for them, sometimes. Some of them go home to die, or to live torturous existences.

...And some of us actually have things to go back to and are trapped here year after year.

[A small noise of assent] And deal with the new people who arrive to take their place.

[fuckelves]

Yes...the latter I can sympathize with...there is much I still need to do in my world. Battles that still need to be fought...

The coming of new folk is bittersweet for me...Each time I hope to see my nephews, and yet I do not - for I would not have the castle take them from their home as it did me.

No matter how many leave, no newcomers may take their place.

[mal_addict]

I can understand that. I've been here for three years now, and only once has someone from my world ever shown up, for perhaps a month. We only knew each other in passing and he wasn't especially a fan of vampires.

I often wish I had someone else from home here, but at the same time...I know they'd likely hate it as much as I do.

[iaimtomisbehave]

I was thinkin' the same thing myself, friend.

[fuckelves]

Any word on who will run the bar now?

....Don't tell me they plan on closing it down!!

[iaimtomisbehave]

I figure it can run on its own, right? Like other places around here? Or maybe it gets passed on to someone automatically. Surely they won't close it down.

[fuckelves]

[Thorin heaves a sigh of relief.]

Thank Mahal...

[Losing M is bad enough - you don't wanna' see a Dwarf without his ale...]

[iaimtomisbehave]

There's another bar here. Just ain't nowhere near as comfortable as Death Match.

[unexpected_adventures]

Thorin? Are you alright? [The hobbit always seemed to want to comfort the dwarf when he was down or broody.]

[fuckelves]

Aye, lad.

I was just rather fond of the lady. [Even if he hadn't had many conversations with her.]

And rather fond of her bar too! It will be difficult to go in there without thinking of her.

[unexpected_adventures]

Which lady? Sorry, Thorin, I'm not quite sure who you are speaking about. [He may have missed the point or doesn't realise who M is.]

A bar? She had a bar too?

[fuckelves]

Ah, forgive me Bilbo, I was unclear.

The lady M, who ran the bar you, Frodo and I drank at, remember?

[unexpected_adventures]

Oh yes. I think I remember now. [So much has gone on, it's hard for poor Bilbo to keep up with it all.]

Do you know why she left?

[wishmadeinfire]

_{[ There is a pause here. Ashura had liked M too, and she had been a comfort in his time's of need, more than he had really ever expected. Her absence was indeed felt. ]}

But it will endure - as will we. Perhaps one day she will come back and take up its charge again.

[fuckelves]

I hope so, and yet I don't - I would not wish this castle and its torment upon anyone, let alone a fine lass like M.

I would not wish her back simply to ease my own suffering and sadness...

[wishmadeinfire]

No one does, but it is why we hold her memory for in case she does. So she comes here amongst friends and allies, and not strangers.

[fuckelves]

[Thorin gives a small nod in understanding.]

True, you're right. Coming back to this place would be bad enough, but to forget everyone and all that's happened? No, that'd be too much...

[wishmadeinfire]

It has happened before, and while we remember they do not. It... alarms them, but I think it helps them too. It is all we can do here, after all.

[putuporshutup]

Tell me about it. She left me the deed and the keys... I hope I can do it justice.

[fuckelves]

If anyone can, it's you.

And if you should need any help from me, you need only ask. It would be my honor to help keep such a place up and running.

[putuporshutup]

[Meg was actually a little touched, but that's not the kind of thing she usually let on. Still, it was nice of him to say.]

Thanks.

[She had talked to the guy enough to know he was trustworthy, and probably knew his way around a bar for the most part. Apparently his kind was pretty big on that sort of thing.]

Come to think of it, I could definitely use another bartender. It's been a little rough with just Me and Castle, especially since everyone's been so fucking depressed lately. [She chuckles.] You've seen how busy it's been. It's a damn good thing I don't need to sleep.

[fuckelves]

[Thorin blinks for a moment.]

A-ahhh it'd be my pleasure to help! Though I confess my experience is on the consumer side of the bar, not the distributor - still, if you ask it of me, I will do my best!

[If nothing else he can throw out drunks and deadbeats with relative ease.]

[putuporshutup]

[Meg wasn't too worried about it. Bartending wasn't exactly rocket science, and she could easily teach him on their down time. Having someone else around in general wouldn't be a bad thing, the trick was getting someone she could actually stand let alone trust. He'd probably make a good bouncer, at least.]

If you want, I can teach you the basics. People don't usually order the frilly stuff here, anyway. Besides, you're a decent guy. You know Castle? He's the other bartender that's left.