✘ calix meus inebrians

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[At the Astral Bar, Sebastian has lined up a number of alcoholic drinks in glasses. He is currently straightening them out so they are in a proper line.]

[It is an absurd act of orderliness in the face of future drunkenness. His teddy bear sits on the bar beside the last glass.]

And I don't even know what you are... Oh, Aloysius, if only Charles were here, I would not get into such trouble as taking advantage of this bar shall lead me to do.

[nudging a glass into place]

Or at least he would share half the drinks with me so I would only get half as inebriated. I think that counts for something. But there are drinks to test and and tastes to discover! Science, poetry, and cartography must go on, even in the absence of dear friends.

[and so Sebastian drinks from his first glass]

Comments

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[stares at all the glasses lined up so neatly, stopping at the one Sebastian just addressed]

...what do you think it might be?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I haven't a clue. It looks a bit like a claret, but it doesn't taste like one in the slightest.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

Oh?

[looks at it curiously, then picks up the glass. He looks into it, and then finally takes a tentative sip]

Do you think this might be an alien - ah, I mean extraterrestrial - concoction?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Or it might be from the future. Perhaps it's extraterrestrial and from the future. And from a completely different world! I've no way at all of knowing.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[his eyes widen in amazement at all the possibilities and then his mind goes wandering]

Or it might be from the past! Perhaps it's the relic of an ancient alien civilization that visited Earth in prehistoric times. Or it's from a winery somewhere in the hills of Atlantis itself! Or, it could be from parallel worlds of our own! Maybe there is a world with another Sebastian who is quite familiar with this beverage but has never tasted or heard of a claret!

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Never tasted a claret? I hope the rest of the drinks are worth it. My poor heart would shatter without.

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

[LE GASP!] Shatter? Oh no, we must think of a way to protect the heart of this other Sebastian!

[think, think, think] We can't have him walking around with a shattered heart. What can we do to mend the pieces if necessary?

[LIGHTBULB!] You know yourself better than almost anyone, I'm sure! We'll have to enact the "Shattered Heart Protection and Insurance Super Contingency Plan for Possible Alternate Versions of Sebastian Stratagem!"

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[Sebastian doesn't even think of questioning this; he drinks the drink on the far left before speaking in earnest]

And what is this plan?

[hostclubdaddy.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you asked!

We'll need to create a cross-dimensional time machine. I met someone called the Doctor who seemed to have access to this kind of technology. We can ask him for assistance. We'll take a bottle of claret and cross the space-time-reality dimensional barriers and introduce this drink into other-Sebastian's time-line. That way he'll always know claret and we can easily prevent other-Sebastian's heart from being shattered into a million pieces.

[yetiwillspeak.livejournal.com]

[Emilia shall be standing there demurely; with her hands folded and a small smile on her lips] ...Thou art fond of these potions?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I am often told that I am too fond of them, but so many people just don't know how to enjoy themselves. And I have to sample every new drink I encounter here.

[yetiwillspeak.livejournal.com]

To be fond of such revelries is suppos'd to be a curst path [She says it with a smirk though; and she still strolls forward to examine the glasses in closer detail] ...Though every act of merriment is a sin to some.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt our Lord Jesus Christ would turn wine into His Most Precious Blood if He didn't approve of at least a little bit of drinking. It would be completely counter-productive. Besides, I don't feel particularly inclined to be good just presently. Eventually, yes, but not yet.

[Sebastian would throw down some wine just then, but he has manners] Would you care for a drink?

[yetiwillspeak.livejournal.com]

It be reason of a sort; sensible reason- 'twould take a holy man to deny it [A pause as she covers her smile with a hand for a few moments; for teh appearance of being serious if nothing else] Man strives for goodness all his life; the holy book commends it.

[She pauses for a moment at the offer; her eyes narrowing slightly as she watches him] ...Wouldst thou mind?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

Does he? In my experience, man goes out of his way to avoid that. I do. It's such a bore! And so unhappy. I love drinking and I see no reason you oughtn't join. Drinking is always better when it isn't done alone.

[yetiwillspeak.livejournal.com]

[...It is a good thing that she has the control to hold back giggles] The holy book's words are not my own; yet they must be divulged to all men.

...Thou wouldst not divulge it to any passing traveller?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I don't see why not. It isn't as if I've any reason to be miserly about it.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[eyes that line of glasses wearily, tucking his hands into his trouser pockets. what is it with humans doing strange things?]

Do you intend to study such things while consuming all these drinks?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[a laugh] The drinks are the study, you should kn---[and then, a pause.]

[Sebastian looks up. Frowns. Tilts his head, as if that would assist his perspective of the matter]

Ant---Oh. ...Mister Blanche?

[And he thought his family was strong with resemblance]

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[he arches an eyebrow at Sebastian] I beg your pardon?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

You look... very much like you are related to someone I know. Anthony Blanche. But you don't act like him. At all. Care for a drink?

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[in as smug and superior of a tone as he can muster:] My dear boy, I would not be related to anybody from your planet. Not ever.

[but he considers a drink. that idea doesn't sound half bad. (honestly, the Time Lords will all be alcoholics at this rate)] Oh, I may as well.

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

[into his wine glass] Now you sound a bit like him.

What would you like? I don't know half the names and I'm afraid I don't know how to make a Brandy Alexander.

[damn-time-ring.livejournal.com]

[mutters] Oh, what a bunch of nonsense.

Sadly, neither do I. [never mind he's never heard of one] What have you got here?

[fruitbrandy.livejournal.com]

I don't know! That's why it's studying. I could look at the bottles over there if I wanted something more guaranteed, but this is far more entertaining.

[the resemblance still bothers him a bit]