Sometimes, distractions can be fun

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

I've been meditating by starlight again, and I think I may have been doing it for days. Not that such a small time really registers, since there doesn't seem to be a proper "day" and "night" here, but by Arda's standards, I think I've missed some time. I stand and stretch, feeling a vague sense of hunger. Days, yes, probably. I should go find something to eat.

Perhaps I can find Arthur and we can have that drink, or I might meet one of the other guests. I bathe and dress, leaving my room for the lobby. I believe I saw brochures with maps and lists of places to eat there. I need to pick one of those up.

Comments

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

"No, Duncan, I do NOT need your help with my wardrobe, I'm perfectly comfortable in my usual attire, thank you very much!" Shaking my head and backing away from what has to be the nineteenth come-on by the bellhop, I decide that it's certainly not too early in the day for drinks. As I turn towards the front door, I notice Uruviel lingering in the lobby.

"Good afternoon, Uruviel! I'd begun to think you might have returned home without saying goodbye to your poor old friend Arthur. I was about to go out for a drink or two, care to join me?"

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

"Hello Arthur." My first impulse is to hug him, so I do, noticing his stiffness as I draw back. I don't think he's been touched very much. "Drinks sound lovely, though I was hoping to get something to eat as well."

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

I'd be happy to buy you some dinner at the Comet's Tail, that's where I was about to go off to. *hesitates, wondering if I should think of another place to take her for a meal, that one soup place I found isn't fit for a lady, or anyone with a working digestive track, for that matter*

I'm sure we could find a nice booth back from the crowds, would you like that? *hopes this is something she would like, as I have been hoping to try out that strange elvish drink she mentioned before, and the Comet's Tail just might carry it*

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

"That would be lovely." And it does sound nice. "We could have miruvor like we'd planned." I take his arm and let him lead the way, trying to sort out some of the places we pass. I can't rely on everyone else to help me find my way all the time, that would be rude.

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

"Yes! Miruvor, that's the drink. See? I need you to help me or else I'd order who knows what, possibly some exotic floor wax, and knowing the waiters there, they would bring it, no questions asked."

"So, have you been having a nice vacation? Meet any interesting people?" Thinking to myself that the category of 'interesting' could cover a lot of ground around here. And then there's me, but wait, I think this might count as a second date? Amazing. Smiling, I lay my hand on your arm linked in mine, and relax, just a little.

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

"I have, yes. And don't worry, Arthur, I won't leave without saying goodbye first." I have to laugh at the idea of floor wax served as a drink. Although in this place, who knows?

"I did see someone I wasn't expecting to. Tilion, he's the Vala of the Moon, he's staying here too. We swam together a couple of days ago." I duck my head because I just know this next part will sound strange to any non-Elf. "Then I got rather sidetracked by the stars, again. They're just so close here."

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

"There's a Vala staying here? Wow, didn't realize Weini was that high-class. Maybe I should re-think this whole bathrobe attire, but well really, I don't think I even remember how to wear anything that isn't plaid and ties in the front."

I locate a good booth and guide you to your seat, and in an act of ultimate bravery, I slip in next to you rather than take the other side. Breathe, Arthur, breathe.

"The stars are beautiful, yes. And here they are very peaceful, too. I've been in some galaxies where the stars had a bad habit of exploding as we approached, or wobbled, and in one case, turned blue just before winking out. It's a strange universe, you know. Ah, there's our waiter. Um, would you mind ordering just to make absolutely sure we aren't sipping cleaning products later?"

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

I nod and order a meal I think I recognize, though the language is a bit peculiar. I also order miruvor, and the waiter doesn't even blink before writing it down. That's promising.

"Do stars often explode as people approach them? We don't have that kind of thing, but one of our stars was an Elf before her became a star. Well, he is still an Elf, he just acts as the morning star." Arthur looks like he isn't breathing properly. I place my hand on his and study him. "Are you all right?"

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

"It's an infinite universe, anything you can think of is out there, somewhere, Uruviel. I've seen a lot of it, unfortunately. In fact one day I was simultaneously existing in every point of the universe at once, but then Zaphod did something to the ship and we stopped doing that. Er, I suppose I should apologize, most likely I was existing in YOUR point of the universe right then, too. Sorry for the intrusion."

I stop and stare at her hand laying atop mine, and debate between screaming and crawling under the table or simply smiling and enjoying her soft touch. I decide to do the latter. "I'm fine, actually. Better by the minute."

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

"Don't worry. There's all sorts of weird things in my world, I'm sure having you exist in it for a moment didn't do any damage." The food's coming, I can smell the miruvor already, and I turn just as the waiter approaches. "Mmm. That smells great."

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

Blinking, having completely forgotten about our order, having been focused on handholding and Uruviel's easy acceptance of some of the odder aspects of my life. But then, she is an elf and thinks nothing of going swimming with actual deities, so I suppose it could be that my life is very commonplace to her. I'd like to think that's possible, bit tired of the strange and unusual. And then our food arrives.

"Well, now, this is... what IS this?" I question the waiter who assures me it's nothing more than swedish meatballs, done in the traditional homestyle recipe common on Albaratious Seventeen. I nod, and poke at my dish, which does not poke back, thank goodness.

"In spite of what the waiter calls this, I believe on my world this would be known as octopus au gratin." I wince and take a nibble, and my eyes widen in surprise. It's good. VERY good. Amazingly good. Fine then, I don't care if it's called Workboots Florentine, I like it, and it looks like my date does too. My date? Get a grip Arthur, that's what this is. Stop being an idiot and just enjoy it.

Setting my fork down a moment, I taste my drink, and smile. "Is the Miruvor the way you remember it? It's very nice, I think."

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

The food is excellent, better than almost anything I've ever had. But then, they do seem to strive for that here. The miruvor is delicious, and I remind myself to see about getting some to take back when I go. I'm not entirely convinced miruvor still exists back home.

"Mmm." For a moment, all I can form is a content noise. "Oh, yes, it's wonderful. I still don't understand why people turned to cough syrup over this."

[dent-panic.livejournal.com]

Shaking my head, smiling in agreement with her, "I think I may be spoiled for going back to a plain old pint of beer after tasting this. It's wonderful. A little exotic, lovely to look at, delicious to taste. Rather like yourself."

I didn't say that out loud, I'm sure of it. I wouldn't, couldn't. I've only had a half glass of this stuff, is it loosening my tongue? I don't want to offend her but by the heavens, she just gets prettier by the minute.

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure who's blushing more, me or him. "I should probably warn you about the strength of miruvor on Humans, shouldn't I?" I pry the glass gently out of his hands and press a goblet of water on him instead. "Easy does it."

"And thank you, it's not often I get such a flattering compliment." And I'm still blushing. I really need to learn how not to blush.

[ritz-bellhop.livejournal.com]

*Sticking my very sexy nose into your sweet lunch date to let you know that the mods have learned now that Arthur's muns computer is giving them fits, and he was not able to get back to this. He will be a few more days. He sends his apologies to the pretty elf lady* *sneaks a kiss and dashes back to hotel duties*

[uruviel.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'd wondered.