Shirking Duty

[Robert West]

Rob was laying the quarters that had been set aside, his hat over his eyes as he snoozed lightly.

[Cailleach]

Her entry came as something of a... well, there was no sign of her entry. Vivien was just suddenly there, with only a slightly chill wind to announce her appearance into a nearby seat as she sat, contemplating Rob curiously.

[Robert West]

Rob opens one eye, glancing at Vivien.

"May I help you?"

[Cailleach]

Vivien just kept on considering Rob. "Not at the moment. I was just... curious."

[Robert West]

"A fine and noble state of mind," Rob says closing his eyes.

[Cailleach]

"From everything I've been told... you're really the only person in your little group worth making a fuss over. I've heard very good things about you from my mother."

[Robert West]

"There's no reason to speak highly of the dead, Ms. Valentine," Rob says, "Though I can't say I mind the compliment."

[Cailleach]

"Yet you're alive," Vivien pointed out. "Though you sadly picked a grim time to reappear. Or... well, appear, depending on your point of view, I suppose."

"I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Vivien, but I'm sure you've already guessed who I am."

[Robert West]

"I'm quick like that," Rob says, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Vivien."

[Cailleach]

"The pleasure is mine," Vivien said. "I'm surprised... someone as brilliant as you're reputed to be, I would have expected you to be hard at work getting you and your fellows home."

[Robert West]

"Oh, I already have a plan for that," Rob says, "They just aren't going to like it. Or my terms."

[Cailleach]

Vivien smiled slightly. "Are you truly that eager to return? You might think that when one finds himself cast into a world that isn't his own, finding himself in a second world is not a terrible loss."

[Robert West]

"No offense, but your world kind of sucks," Rob says, "For one thing, I have yet to come across a decent gelato stand."

[Cailleach]

Far from being offended, Vivien seemed amused. "A fair point. Although just as fair, you haven't exactly been being shown the most ideal places."

[Robert West]

"Let me guess, there's a great club down the road?" Rob says with a grin.

[Cailleach]

"Mmmm... a rather exclusive one, really, but I believe I can get you an invitation," Vivien said, sounding amused.

[Robert West]

"And just what do you want in return?" Rob asks with an amused smirk.

[Cailleach]

"Oh, to get in? Nothing. Just behave yourself, the usual. To stay, though?" She smiled. "I know that you don't have much use for magic, but all the materials you could ever want, everything you could ever need for your little experiments, it could all be arranged..."

[Robert West]

"Not interested," Rob says flatly.

[Cailleach]

"Very well," Vivien said easily, standing up. "Disappointing, but very well all the same. Still... when you happen to find yourself in our lands, the offer stands. Or other arrangements might be able to be found, if you like." And then, in a glitter of snowflakes, she was gone.

[Robert West]

Rob chuckles, "Interesting..."