Gathering Post - London Calling

[londoncallingmods]

The world at large seemed heavier this week, bad news from across the pond drifting over like a bad storm and raining down on the city. Still, stiff upper lip and all that. If London had stopped every time things had seemed bleak, it would have fallen long ago.

And so life went on, as it must. 

The skies were a bit grey and the streets slightly damp, but the Christmas lights were coming on early this year, and Harrods already had the streets lit up with wonder and sparkle. Cafes and bars followed suit, and twinkling lights were everywhere you looked, casting a much needed bit of whimsy and wonder over the stark looking faces that passed by. It was hard to stay grim when children and adults alike seemed so entranced by it all.

There were plenty of events going on as well. From the Lord Mayor's Show or the Dulwich Christmas Bazaar, to the usual concerts, festivities, and even bowling. 

London may have looked a bit foggy and miserable, but there was pleanty of joy to be found for those who went looking.

(Gathering post! Just a nice mellow post to combat those post election blues, and balance out the drama from Halloween. As always, this post will be open for at least a week, so tag in and check back often to tag others. <3)

Comments

[jannikarr_mahliah]

"I do like coffee," she said. She'd tried it for the first time just a few days ago. "You're being very helpful. I am grateful."

[leloupnoir]

"Don't mention it," he told her with a polite smile, gesturing for her to fall in stride with him. No need to walk fast; he wanted to finish his cigarette before they reached the café. "My name's Akeem, by the way."

[jannikarr_mahliah]

"I am Mahliah." She remembered to offer her hand to shake, though it was a bit awkward as they walked. "It is a great pleasure to meet you."

[leloupnoir]

"And you, Mahliah," Akeem answered, mimicking her pronunciation of the name as he shook her hand briefly. He was curious to know what she was, but asking the question bluntly was about as impolite as it got. "Where do you come from, then?" he asked instead.

[jannikarr_mahliah]

The question, hurled at her out of nowhere, was so dismaying that despite her natural grace she nearly tripped on an uneven bit of sidewalk. "Far away?" she ventured. She was loathe to lie outright, especially to someone who had been so kind to her. "I feel quite certain you would not have heard of it. What about you?" She thought it would be rude to say that he didn't smell like a local--as far as she could tell, the citizens of London didn't largely have canid ancestry--and she was trying to veer conversationally as hard as she could to the polite and mundane lest she give herself away.

[leloupnoir]

"I was born in London, and this is home," Akeem answered, letting her get away with her non sequitur. "But I've travelled so much when I was young, I don't think I could tell you where I'm from, really."

[jannikarr_mahliah]

"I cannot relate," she answered, mournfully. "I know where my home is, and I have never had any other. I do not think I will ever see it again, though."

[leloupnoir]

"Why not?" Akeem asked gently, wondering if it might not be too personal a question.

[jannikarr_mahliah]

Mahliah screwed up her face as she tried to think of an appropriate answer. "It is too far away. It's impossible to travel there from here."

[leloupnoir]

Right. Akeem stopped walking a few meters from the entrance to the café, ostensibly to finish his cigarette. "I, ah, should probably get this out of the way," he stated, keeping his voice to a normal level, since he'd stepped out of earshot of anyone brave enough to have their coffee outside. "I'm not human either. Well, not entirely," he amended, and gave her a small, encouraging smile. "Whatever you are, you needn't fear me finding out."

[jannikarr_mahliah]

Her eyes widened even as she nervously pulled her hat down again, making sure her ears were covered. "But Prince Armon said that humans had not yet contacted alien life in this century. What quadrant are your people from? Did you just say you're a hybrid?" She moved closer to her new friend excitedly. "Do you have a functional ship?"

[leloupnoir]

Oh. Akeem blinked a few times, then let out, very eloquently, "Oh." He licked his lips, frowning, was silent a beat longer, then told her, "I'm... not an... alien. Another hybrid life form. From this planet. You're an alien?"