If there had been any doubt in Arcturus' mind about his ability to recognise will simply on the basis of their prior conversation, it vanished as soon as he saw the other boy standing there, gazing wide-eyed around the tavern. He looked exactly like a modern muggle, thought Arcturus, with a small stab of irritation. He didn't belong here. Every so often people from other parts of Preya showed up in Everdale just to gawk. Tourists, he'd heard them called. And they were fair game for all the magical pranks he could dream up – usually if not with the encouragement then at least with the tacit approval of the adults around him.
That thought came to him, unbidden. Then he dismissed it just as swiftly as it had arisen. If Will Byers was out-of-place in the Kingsby Tavern, it was because Arcturus had invited him there. He might have refused. He might have suggested they meet at that horrid muggle school in Ravenmoore, and Arcturus wouldn't have gone anywhere near it no matter what assurances he was given. Instead, Will had done just as he had asked, so Arcturus could hardly fault him for looking like what he was.
Furthermore, he was Arcturus' guest, and that made it Arcturus' responsibility to make sure none of the others in the pub, magical or otherwise, were able to pull any 'tourist tricks' on him. Perhaps Will was sensible and not in need of any help on that account, but then perhaps he might be just as easily swindled as a first-year in one of the shadier establishments in Hogsmeade. He'd find out, soon enough, but until that time came he couldn't help but feel a little protective of the other boy.
Arcturus stood, pushed back his chair, and walked briskly over towards Will, his long robe swishing past the tables between them. He wore an open, friendly expression, and as soon as he was close enough, he called over: 'Will Byers, isn't it? I'm awfully glad you could make it. Come along, over here. I'm afraid I've gotten myself settled already – this table will do, won't it?'
He gestured back towards his table, where the mug of beer and the broomstick against the wall were clearly visible, but he didn't wait for an answer. Instead, he crossed the rest of the distance between them, then slung one arm over Will's shoulder, meaning to steer him away from the entrance and towards the space he had claimed. Arcturus was a little taller than Will, despite their separation in time, and there was an easy confidence about him. Very much had changed since he first arrived in Preya, convinced that so much as touching a muggle might lead to his contracting some horrible disease. He was in his element here in the pub, and was eager to share one of his favourite places in Preya with someone his own age.