ten_fwd | 1st Story - Ten Forward

One minute, Henry had been sitting on a bus to Boston, the next, he was standing in a room with lots of other people having experienced a large flash of light. Looking around, he realised he had no idea where this place was. It wasn't in the book, it hadn't been described by his father and he certainly wasn't back in Storybrooke.

Glad that he still had his bag, he clutched it tightly and moved to stand in a corner out of the way. Closing his eyes for a moment, to stop himself from panicking, he took some deep breaths before opening them again and taking a proper look at his surroundings.

First thing he noticed was the bar. It spanned the length between the two sets of doors and behind it was a smiling woman. On the other side of the room were...well they looked like windows but all he could see out of them were white dots on a black background. And between them, only chairs and tables, people and drinks. And no one he immediately recognised either.

Moving towards the strange windows, he touched one, unsure if he wanted to believe what he thought he saw. They looked like...stars.

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The smiling woman is still behind the bar when Henry eventually makes his way to her, asking if they take credit cards.

"Credit cards?"

That's an awfully grown-up question, even if it is a few centuries outdated.

"No," she chuckles. "But you don't need them. I'll be happy to get you whatever you want."

He'd been in the room for a while and had watched the smiling woman behind the bar along with everyone else. His notes included her and and since he saw no currency, he'd asked about credit cards. The idea of getting something for nothing was alien to Henry (no pun intended).

"Wait, for free?" He looked incredulous at the woman.

"O-Okay then. Can I get some hot cocoa with cinnamon on top?"

This place couldn't any good if they didn't make a good cocoa.

Guinan grins, and in a teasing voice says:

"Unless you have something you'd like to trade. For instance, can you teach me how to dance?"

Her eyes sparkle with laughter, like catching starlight in two deep wells.

"One hot cocoa with cinnamon, coming right up. Would you like whipped cream?"

Henry looked a little worried for a moment but smiled again after he realised she was joking.

"Yes please." He replied. That was how he had it back home anyway.

Guinan nods, tucking a smile into her left cheek as she turns away. She had a feeling, but it always pays to ask.

When she returns, she's carrying a clear mug filled with rich hot chocolate and a good dollop of whipped cream, with just the right amount of cinnamon dusted on top.

"There you go."

She sticks close, but not so close he'll feel like she's hovering.

"How long have you been on the Enterprise?"

Henry didn't answer the question right away. He was getting stuck into his drink and trying to decide if it was better or worse than Granny's. It wasn't bad but nothing really beat home made.

Eventually however, he did answer. But by this time he'd gotten cream all over his face. "Um...a few hours I think."

Putting her current project aside (she was only wiping down the counter anyway), she gathers up a napkin and hands it to Henry with a gentle smile.

"You have something on your face."

Guinan is of the opinion that the best foods are only enjoyed in ways like that. When you dig in, get your hands messy and come away with cream mustaches. However, she turns thoughtful a second later, giving the cup of cocoa a careful look.

"Something's missing, isn't it?"

He gives her a nod and takes the napkin, wiping his face.

"Oh, no. Well, it's just different. I'm used to Granny's."

"Ah-ha."

She nods, as if they have unraveled a great mystery together.

"It's missing that special something only Granny's know about. You know, I've traveled from one end of the universe to the other, and I still haven't figured out their secret."

She smiles.

"That won't stop me from trying, though. What else do you like?"

1st Story - Ten Forward

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