coquaigne | mountains beyond mountains,

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mountains beyond mountains,

So, yeah, like, this place has all sorts of things, more'n I thought there'd be of what I was looking for, but there ain't any people I seen yet. Anybody around out there? Me, I'll be in the cafe, I guess. I'm brilliant with burgers.

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Yeah. Lots of boutiques. [Sebastian's holiday wardrobe has grown in leaps and bounds, suits and sundresses both.] And there's a stage with a piano down a few floors, it's just like a cabaret.

A piano? I've never seen one up close. [Tom smile, and then, thinking further, frowns, considering.] Where've you been staying? I mean, if there's no quick way to get home...

[Sebastian frowns--seriously, who hasn't seen a piano?--before smiling again.] Maybe I can play for you later, hmm? Show you how it works.

[Another forkful of fish and a chip or two, and he shrugs.] There're rooms upstairs.

[And Tom positively beams.] Really? That's the one with keys, yeah?

[He looks around again in muted wonder. This is such a big building-- even bigger than the mall.] Huh. I haven't looked around much.

Yes, the one with the keys. [Maybe they didn't teach music at this bloke's school. His smile is affecting, in any case.]

Nothing but rooms upstairs. I don't know how high up they go, but there're plenty.

[Tom is just happy to have someone to talk to. He doesn't like being alone, either.] You- you play?

[And then, without blinking or changing his expression:] Are they fortified?

Yeah. I mean--I'm not amazing or anything, but I do all right.

[Blank stare.] Fortified?

Rubbish, I'm sure you're great. [He certainly wouldn't know.]

Y'know, against an attack.

We'll see--I'll play you a song or two, you can decide for yourself.

[And so he smiles at Tom. And then frowns a bit, because fortification? Really?]

What kind of an attack?

Oh- I don't know what kind of songs you can play on the piano.

[Vampires.] Oh, you know, burglars and that. Best to keep safe and all.

All kinds of songs. [Sebastian shrugs.] What kind of music d'you like?

Well, uh. I mean, the doors have locks. What kind of fortifications do you want?

[This stops Tom short.] ....Don't much listen to music, me.

Oh, that's good. [That, and the crucifixes he has in a bag under the counter... should be good enough to star with.] You just never know, with places you never been.

Oh. Then it'll be a surprise, what you can play on a piano.

I guess not. [Pause. What do you say after that odd little interlude?] So where're you from, Tom?

You'll have to tell me. I only know how to whistle.

[He thinks a bit.] Oh, all places. But I settled in Barry Island a few months back. Got a job and everything.

That's something! I can't whistle at all.

Oh--your job at the chip shop?

Really? Thought everyone could. Helps me concentrate when I'm working.

[He beams again.] Yeah! And I help out at a bed and breakfast. What, uh, what d'you do?

I'm rubbish at it, can't do it at all.

Oh, I'm studying acting. [And he's just a little bit of a ponce about it sometimes. It's so exciting and magical.] And I work in a boutique. When little old ladies need dresses, they come in to see Se--Viola.

Sure you could. It's easy, you just-- [And he whistles a note or two. Pointedly not a wolf whistle.]

[Tom reacts as if Sebastian had admitted to being an astronaut.] That's brilliant. Bet you're good at it-- the acting and the boutique thing. Where, um, where are you from, then?

[Sebastian claps enthusiastically at this, grinning at Tom.] I'd try, but I'd just get bits of chip all over the counter.

Oh--I'm from Dartmouth. I live in London right now, though, for uni and all.

[Tom smiles and laughs, pleased and easy to please.] Don't want that, no.

Oh, really? London's right nice, I didn't stay round much when I was there, but the parks was brilliant.

Yeah, the parks're nice. And the shops--and the plays, and the clubs. London's brilliant.

[Pause.] Suppose it's a bit quieter, where you live.

[Tom scratches the back of his head, a bit awkward.] Yeah. A little. Used to live in a van, which was right quiet, and now... well, it's not a proper city... [He hastens to add:] I bet it'd be nice, though!

Oh--I'm sorry. [Sebastian fiddles with a chip.] A proper house has got to be nice after that, wherever it is.

[Tom smiles, and then frowns, trying to understand why he's being apologized to.] Naw, don't apologize, you didn't do nothing. I, um... [He scratches the back of his head again, expression somewhere between a smile and a cringe.] Did I say something?

[Sebastian shrugs.] I don't know about you, but I wouldn't fancy living in a van. I don't know how I'd fit my wardrobe in, for starters.

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hungrylike - 2012-05-24 03:03 (UTC) - Expand

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