The Gig, Wednesday

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund was not very fond of trekking through snow. Snow falling was fine. Riding through snow was okay, but not ideal. But having to walk through snow had bad memories attached and he tried to avoid it as much as possible. It wasn't possible today, not without leaving the horses and he couldn't do that.

If he seemed more frowny than usual today, it was because he was as he groomed, fed, watered and covered the horses so they were comfortable.

Comments

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He'd passed the Gig a few times, but he'd never actually gone in. Today, however, he hoped his entrance was welcome.

"Hello?"

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Having not really dealt with anyone stopping in during his shift, Edmund was surprised when someone called. He stepped out of the stables and looked around for the source of the hello. "Yes?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He gave a quick grin and hoped he wasn't being a bother.

"Not here about a horse," he said quickly, "just stopping by to see if you'd like soup or some hot chocolate. Compliments of the Cafe Fina since we're all freezing in our boots."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund put down the brush in his hands on a chair and dusted his hands off on his jacket. "I'm not known for turning down soup," he admitted. "Cafe Fina is the restaurant, isn't it?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nodded.

"I work there on Wednesdays," he said, which was a little obvious but he only thought of that after.

"I've got a few different moddable types."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Vegetable?" he asked hopefully.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He nodded.

"I've got a minestrone, a plain vegetable, and a butternut squash," he offered as he looked through the bag.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Butternut," he said quickly, having not had proper butternut soup for a very, very long time. "Please. Aren't you cold walking around giving out soup?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head and patted the cloak around him with one hand as the other held out the soup container. Black and huge, it was also thick despite the drape.

"Munchkinland wool," he said with a smile, "very warm, very thick, rather waterproof."

Totally not Rivan.

"And I'm used to the cold even if I don't like it much."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund reached to accept the soup container with a nod of thanks. "I'm not fond of it either, so thank you for the soup." It was better than the sandwich he'd made himself. He looked up at the snow. "Do you think it will keep snowing this weekend?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I couldn't say," he admitted, "as I'm not familiar with how snow is around here much. At home, I'd say yes. Here, I can't say."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Let's hope not then. My brother used to go to school here. I've heard plenty about how ominous lead-ups to a weekend are cause for concern."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Ominous leadups?"

He grew up where there was snow for quite a good portion of the year. Snow is, to his mind, even with his fandom history class, not ominous.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Where I come from, snow is generally ominous." And lead to White Witches and endless winters and generally stuff not at all good. "I'm not sure about in Maryland, but it puts me on guard anyway."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Let's hope, then," he said, "though I don't recall anything terrible happening when it snowed last year."

Beat.

"The giraffes weren't really ominous. Just confusing."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Giraffes?" Edmund asked with a raised eyebrow. He wasn't entirely sure he wanted to know, but he asked anyway.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"They did melt. Eventually."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"Wait, snow giraffes?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I don't think they were actually made of snow. But they did melt."

No, seriously, he's not trying to be difficult.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

Edmund looked up, trying to see if there were giraffes falling. Of course, he was imagining full-sized giraffes, not weetiny ones, so he'd be watching the clouds carefully from now on. "This place is strange." Said the King of Talking Animals Land.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I'm glad someone else seems to agree," said the boy from a Land Also Containing Talking Animals.

"But it could be worse."

Which was how he felt about most things.

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"It could," Edmund agreed. "There could be no soup, for one. I'd best eat this before it gets cold."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He couldn't help the chuckle.

"Certainly," he said with a nod.

"I'm sure I'll see you around, hmm? Take care and keep warm and enjoy the soup, certainly."

[once-a-traitor.livejournal.com]

"No doubt we'll run into each other. Thank you again. The soup is greatly appreciated."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He doffed an imaginary cap out of habit before picking up his things and making his way out.

He only realized once he was gone that he hadn't even asked the boy his name.

Well, as long as he ate.