The Ink Spot, Friday, July 5, 2024

[fears_no_one]

After seeing how decorated the tavern had been on Tuesday, Flint wondered if the tiny Canadian and American flags on his counter were a little too understated for his continuing celebration of independence from the British Empire.

He thought that over, then shrugged. He wasn't really that worried about it.

The door to the shop was closed now that he'd learned the Rules About Cold Air and he was in his chair by the window. Today's reading was the US Declaration of Indepedence. He was really enjoying people--using very nice calligraphy--telling the king to go fuck himself.

The Ink Spot was open! Whether Flint would sell you a book was still up for debate.

Comments

[deathsmajesty]

Liliana would (probably) be heading to the reunion in a bit - depending on how social she was feeling, of course - but currently she had a much more important stop to make: the book store. She needed some music books to help her learn more songs on her new lyre, and she was always looking for new poetry and books to keep her entertained as well. And probably something to help her to read French and Latin, since literacy didn't benefit from the same bullshit, cheaty magic that the spoken language did.

The unfamiliar man in the chair got a nod and a smile as she swept in, but no more of a greeting than that - he was in the middle of reading and while she was in many ways a monster, interrupting someone reading was a level of monstrous that even she didn't aspire to.

[fears_no_one]

Ah, but if a lady entered the store, Flint had to stand up to greet her. He was a murderous bastard, but he was a polite one! Sometimes. Under very specific circumstances.

"Good afternoon," he said, nodding.

[deathsmajesty]

Why should one preclude the other? Liliana had lovely manners - when she was inclined to use them - and regarded murder as a handy tool and the occasional enjoyable event.

"Good afternoon," she said, turning to give him another, fuller smile. It was nice to see lovely manners on display, regardless of circumstance. "Please, don't let me disturb your reading. You do have quite the comfortable spot set up." She was now clearly trying to see what it was he had been reading because, well, what booklover wouldn't?

[fears_no_one]

Well, why steal a bookshop if not to get the good light and read all of your pilfered wages?

He held the booklet up for her to get a better look. "This is the Declaration of Independence," he said with a little smirk. "This nation sent it to a king a few hundred years ago. It's quite pointed."

[deathsmajesty]

That got him an appreciative smile as she stopped craning her neck to try and see what it was. "Ah, yes, the holiday yesterday was celebrating that, I believe. I might have to obtain a copy myself if it's as entertaining as you make it out to be. Hard to go wrong when you're inviting a king to go to hell."

[fears_no_one]

"In calligraphy on parchment," Flint said with another tiny smile. "'The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States,'" he read. "They were very clear in their language."

[deathsmajesty]

"Well, when you're sending an absolute jewel of insulting imprecations, you want to make sure that the exterior is polished to match," Liliana said with a small laugh. "Just to make sure the recipient knows that you've spent considerable time and effort making sure he knows exactly what you think of him."

[fears_no_one]

"'He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people,'" Flint read. "That pirate," he concluded with a tiny grin. "His Majesty must've been apoplectic to hear that."

[deathsmajesty]

"Do you know him personally?" Liliana asked. "Or simply live under his thumb?"

[fears_no_one]

"Oh, I don't rub shoulders with royalty," Flint said. "He's from after my time. It was George, no numbers, in 1715."

[deathsmajesty]

"I don't recommend it," Liliana said dryly. "If I wanted a man with an inflated sense of his self-importance talking down to me, I could find one anywhere. I don't need one who thinks he can command me simply because he has a shiny hat."

Another sigh, and then she extended a hand. "Liliana Vess, darling, a pleasure. I assume you've already been welcomed to Fandom and all that?"

[fears_no_one]

Flint took her hand with a tiny smile. "Call me Flint," he said. "I'm still getting my bearings."

[deathsmajesty]

"I assure you, just when you think you've gotten them, this island will find a new way to pull the rug out from you and send you ass over teakettle - mostly metaphorically, though occasionally physically - all over again."

She paused to consider. "I do believe there is a class on living in this era available through over the next few weeks, if that will be of assistance to you."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

If there was a bookstore, eventually there was going to be a Jon. He stepped in, took a moment to just enjoy the air conditioning, then looked around, trying to decide where to start.

[fears_no_one]

Flint looked up from his reading again. "Good afternoon."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Good afternoon," Jon answered, nodding to him. "I had heard this place was open again, and I'm guessing you would be Captain Flint, then."

[fears_no_one]

"I am," Flint said a little slowly. "Did the squirrels tell you that?"

Hopefully he didn't sound completely insane for asking such a question.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Sort of," Jon answered. "Radio reports everything, though the squirrels don't actually do the reporting. I wonder if anyone's explained the radio to you yet."

[fears_no_one]

"Miss Bennet has given me a primer," Flint said, "so I have the basics."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

"Ah, good." Jon nodded. "I imagine there's quite a difference coming from the past. I only missed two or three years myself. I hope you're enjoying it."

[fears_no_one]

There was a very long pause while Flint tried to decide if Jon was fucking with him or not. "Three entire years," he said dryly. "How disconcerting."

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon shrugged awkwardly. "My world before was...um. W-well, it was worse than the time difference. I just meant, I, um. I didn't have much change, so I...I can only imagine how different it must be for you."

[fears_no_one]

"This world has plumbing and electricity. No one has attempted to murder me in three weeks," Flint said. "I think this may be what heaven is like."

And since he definitely wouldn't be heading there permanently, Fandom was a nice, temporary stop.

[intheeyeofthebeholding]

Jon huffed a laugh. "Nobody here has tried to kill or traumatize me in years. Some, um. Some visitors have, but...but the people here are good. And plumbing and electricity are good. And, um. Phones, if you've heard about those."

[fears_no_one]

"I have," Flint said, nodding. "It's upstairs draining of its life."