Welcome Wagon

[toooldforlosing]

Who: Raylan and Hasi
What: Raylan, as promise, providing a bottle of alcohol
Where: Valhalla Inn or thereabouts
When: Backdated to just after Hasi's arrival
Notes: This can only end in tears.
Warnings: ...tears? (Nothing so far.)

Raylan, true to his word, arrives a little after his CiD conversation with Hasi. The bourbon he's acquired is far from the best he's ever had, but a deputy salary isn't lavish and he's also in the process of finding the value of various local brands.

Still, he's hoping that it won't be wretched. He doesn't want to seem insulting. In whatever capacity she knew this man who looked like him, he does feel the need to make it up to her somehow. He hadn't meant to give her a shock, but it seems that's exactly what he'd done, even if she is gracious about it.

Comments

[norea]

Hasibe greets him in a fashion most people would consider forward, for strangers: she beams, kisses him on the cheek while murmuring her "thank you", and claims the bourbon all in a series of effortless gestures.

God in heaven, he looks just like Henry. Hyde. Both of them. She gives him a considering look, noticing the differences, the changes in aura. There are enough of them that she's not completely knocked off-guard (not easy to accomplish), but it's still a little bit surprising.

"It's nice to meet you in person."

[toooldforlosing]

"You too." He smiles a little, still not quite sure of his footing, but making an effort. "Guess a face that's familiar but not is probably the last thing you need today, but hopefully the booze makes up for it some."

[norea]

"Oh, stop, really--I don't mind. This kind of thing happens sometimes, in the great wide multiverse." Seldom...to her, but she feels like she can handle it. She may be more investigative where Raylan is concerned than is even normal for her, though, but she assumes he can handle her.

Which is a compliment, Raylan, even if it doesn't seem like one.

"The drink is much appreciated, though. Come sit down, I'll get us some glasses."

[toooldforlosing]

"So this ain't the first time this has happened?" He follows dutifully, though. He can't imagine getting out only to end up in another place like Baedal. He wouldn't be taking it as calmly as Hasi seems to be.

[norea]

"Well, it's the first time for me, but not for others." She acquires two glasses from the cupboard, then sinks into her chair with the absently honed lady-like ease she imbues her movements with the vast majority of the time,

"I guess I'm a little more accustomed to weird things than the average girl. Oh, but not that you're weird, of course. Just the coincidence."

[toooldforlosing]

He opens the bottle to pour for them both. "I'll take your word for that. Seems like I'm the person here least used to weird things, some days. Or I was, at least. Say when."

[norea]

She waits a little longer than strictly necessary to say her 'when', and then smiles at Raylan. "And now you're getting nicely acclimated?"

[toooldforlosing]

"Don't know if I'd go that far." He's generous but not ostentatious when pouring for himself. "I just accepted that getting out ain't gonna be quick or easy, I guess." But he doesn't sound like he's given up on it.

[norea]

"What's waiting for you, at home?" It's a bit of a personal question, but hey, they're sharing alcohol and a bit of chatter. It's a harmless question, the way Hasibe puts it, gentle but interested.

[toooldforlosing]

Raylan nearly hesitates, but he's not sure why. "Well, assuming I haven't screwed up too bad, I'm gonna be a father." Presumably he'd be a father anyway, but he might be a father who never got to see his kid. "Found out right before I ended up here."

[norea]

That's heavy. There's a quiet intake of breath on his behalf, and she settles down to think about that for a second. It must be frustrating, being here, unable to talk to the mother of his child.

"Congratulations," she says, to begin with. "And I'm sure you'll see your child--these gods must understand the importance of family. Are you married, or...?"

[toooldforlosing]

He laughs, quietly and at himself. "Was. My ex is the mother, but we haven't been together. Officially." It's a mess, and he knows it, and even if he hadn't come to Baedal, Winona might have made good on her threat to leave him. But he still wants to know his child.

[norea]

That sounds complicated, and she makes a little sympathetic sound that indicates as much.

"Are you planning to make her your not-ex again?"

[toooldforlosing]

"Well, ma'am, that sort of depends." His smile fades. "I was thinking about it, but then she gave me an ultimatum that I had to ignore, and before I could find out what that meant for her and me, I was here. And that was months ago."