Alain's in his room, sitting in the armchair. Reading.

Maybe he'll go out to the main bar later. For right now, he likes the quiet.

It's a pretty day. Cold, but clear. Coming on fall; Alain's acquired a heavier shirt and a coat. Brown -- it's hardwearing and hides dirt, and also Bar has a sense of humor. Lilly's got her own brown coat, the gift from Mal. "We totally match, sai," she told him earlier, with something of her usual teasing. "You'll, like, have to call me ( Read more... )

It's just past dawn.

A soft knock, on the door of the room that holds Meg's body.

It's well past midnight.

Alain's asleep.

In his dream, he's talking to Cuthbert at Milliways -- except Milliways looks like the Traveler's Rest in Hambry.

Lilly and Alain enter, hand in hand. The door to his room closes softly behind them.

With the quiet click, Alain exhales, shoulders sagging just a little.

It's late. The party's winding down, outside -- laughter still drifts in through the window, with chattering conversation, but more muted now. Susan and Cuthbert slipped away a while ago, for a more private wedding celebration ( Read more... )

Alain is outside, for a change. He's sitting crosslegged on the large rock by the waterfront, brooding whittling. It's something to do.

There's a small pile of shavings in the grass, now.

It's the quiet time, not late night yet but dark enough that the stars are out. Somewhere, there are crickets chirping. Sounds of the bar drift up. It's chilly with the first hints of fall.

Alain is sitting in the chair on Lilly's balcony, looking out into the night. She's perched on the railing nearby.

It's the wee hours of the morning. There are people still awake in the bar -- there are always people awake in the bar -- but in Alain's room everything is dark and silent, but for slow steady breathing. Two sleepers' breathing, tonight ( Read more... )

Alain's left Cuthbert to have some time alone with Susan, now that he's fully awake and clearly out of true danger ( Read more... )