[Milliways]: On the Road

[smallgayjew]

David had come into Milliways from just outside the library, so that's where he and Moist come out.

"The train station isn't far from here. We should be fine walking."

And he's fairly certain his bike will be okay outside the library until they get back.

Comments

[morethanprops]

Moist looks around, the streets and sidewalks are made of material he doesn't know but he recognizes the look of a working town,

"I never mind a good walk."

He slips into a look he thinks of as studious but with a sense of humor.

[smallgayjew]

David can't help sort of staring as they walk. Moist seems so very different.

Sheffield, however, does not. "It's not a terribly impressive walk."

Though the library is a rather nice, stone building, and there's a lovely church that they pass along the way.

[morethanprops]

Moist is doing what he does best and figuring out what makes him fit and smiles at David,

"Its a new place. I always enjoy those, you never know what's around the corner."

[smallgayjew]

David's attitude actually shifts slightly as well. He draws into himself a bit more, seeming just a little less relaxed. Being home just brings back the urgency of this whole thing in a way he can let go of in Milliways a bit.

"There's never much around the corner here."

[morethanprops]

"Good then you can tell me what we're walking on. I don't think I know this kind of road,"

As they walk, Moist finds just the right distance to be close so his arm bumps David's simply by accident but not enough to cause notice.

[smallgayjew]

"The pavement?"

Even that simple touch relaxes David just a bit.

"It's tarmac. Or...asphalt, technically, I think."

[morethanprops]

"I see, not mined stone. Who's the temple for?"

The look on his face is of someone who is comfortable here so that only if someone was able to listen to what he asked would they realize he's a stranger.

[smallgayjew]

It takes David a moment to realize he means the church and not some previously unnoticed temple.

"Oh, er...God? Just God. One god. The Christian god, I suppose. If you want to get technical."

[morethanprops]

"Oh, like in Om. The priests must be quite busy if there's one god who must be kept happy. Are they a bloody god?"

Most gods on the Disc are stupid and like proper acknowledgement, it seems like it could be simpler with only one god.

[smallgayjew]

"Um..."

It's a complicated question, and it takes David a moment to frame an answer. Eventually he goes with, "I suppose he used to be a bit. Not so much anymore."

[morethanprops]

"What changed? Om's been much more peaceful since their god appeared and told them to stop forcibly converting people. Now they hand out pamphlets."

[smallgayjew]

David frowns in thought again.

"It's...complicated. And it isn't as if anyone has actually spoken to him in a very long time. He's..." He sighs. "Well, theoretically, the same god is worshiped by three different religions, but they all say different things about him."

[morethanprops]

"How terribly confusing. Are there lots of wars?"

[smallgayjew]

"Sometimes, yes. Not in Britain really. Not right now."

[morethanprops]

"That's good. Is that the train station?"

It looks vaguely like a posting inn that got ideas above its station.

[smallgayjew]

David nods as he glances up at the station. "It is. We'll need to get tickets," he says as he heads for the ticket counter.

[morethanprops]

Moist nods and follows him, watching the crowd and idly picking a few pockets just to keep in practice.

[smallgayjew]

David completely fails to notice this, and when he gets to the ticket counter, he asks for two tickets to Oxford, making pleasant conversation with the man behind the counter.

[morethanprops]

In a moment, Moist is standing at David's side with a smile as the stolen money is tucked away,

"I'm looking forward to showing you more of Oxford, David."

[smallgayjew]

David smiles up at him, easily falling in with the game.

"I'm quite excited to see it."

He is, also, a remarkably good actor.

[morethanprops]

"I hope we don't have to wait too long for a train. How are they running today?"

He beams at the ticket agent and adjusts his glasses.

[smallgayjew]

The man assures them that the train should be on time, or at least that he knows of no delays.

David thanks him as he takes the tickets and asks which platform they're leaving from.

[morethanprops]

As soon as they know, Moist turns around and notices a food cart,

"Let's get some tea while we wait. We need to make the most of our time."

[smallgayjew]

David glances up to see the cart and nods. "Yes, all right."

[morethanprops]

Moist takes out his wallet and looks over the various bills, they're not terribly obvious,

"I think I can treat on this and some other things today."