PFSB: Milliways

[riddleofthebelow]

Tom needed his camera to take yet more pictures of his adorable children, and when he fetched it the evening before, he found something odd he can't explain. It's not a bad odd thing. It's just a puzzling odd thing.

Ingress has some explaining to do.  Or Wei Wuxian. Either one.

So Tom's at a table at Milliways, with an eyebrow raised, and wouldn't mind some company.

Comments

[riddleofthebelow]

The decimation of an entire planet would certainly fall under the category of unhappy memory.

"I've wondered, because I know that in the future of my world, the Earth must be abandoned. Some of the people of the Underside colonize the planets along with those of the Above. But I often wonder who gets left, and what it will be like for them. I mean to say, would there even be a noticeable difference if you never went up again?"

[hinotfuckingdead]

"Precisely. Precisely what I'd wondered. I'll never know, of course. But I can hope so."

He swirls his drink in the glass. "This abandoning... fast, or slow?"

[riddleofthebelow]

"I'm not recalling the details. It was a while ago that I learned it, and when one finds out about the doom of one's planet, well. It can be hard to take in the specifics."

[hinotfuckingdead]

John snorts, but says nothing, choosing to nod and take another drink instead.

[riddleofthebelow]

"I have to say that it's a relief it's far off. I've grown rather fond of the world now that I watch my children growing up in it. Do you have a family, John?"

[hinotfuckingdead]

He puts down his glass. "...in a way," he says, with the caginess of someone who is mildly drunk and thinks he's being more clever than he really is.

"We are," ahem ahem, "expecting our family to grow any day now."

[riddleofthebelow]

"Oh? Congratulations."

Tom's not going to ask for details. He learned that lesson the hard way long ago.

[hinotfuckingdead]

"I hope they are in order," he says. "I truly do."

He sighs and rubs his forehead. "I really don't have time for that, I'm afraid," he mutters to himself, and when he lifts his head the subtle muddledness has passed. He dabs beads of sweat from his forehead.

"Apologies, Tom. Lord Ostium."

[riddleofthebelow]

"Are you quite alright?"

[hinotfuckingdead]

"Yes, yes," he says. "But I'm afraid I don't have time to be drunk and maudlin tonight. I can have little a tipple... as a treat... but that will have to do."

"I've cleared the alcohol from my system and I'd better get back."

[riddleofthebelow]

"Ah, I understand," Tom says. "That's how I approach my visits here, as well. It was a pleasure meeting you."