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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 0:02:16 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Yeah, it's the local parish for the mutant district. Our priest -- Father Rick -- is one of us, and so's about seventy percent of the parish."
She spared a quick glance over her shoulder, then added quietly. "It's also where our . . . well, say our civic improvement group . . . meets, most of the time."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 11, 2006 0:16:45 GMT -5
"Ah, I see." Proteus accepted that information with a nod, then turned back to Joey. "What sports do you play?"
Joey shrugged. "Oh, whatever's in season. Basketball's my main game, but I've played some baseball, and maybe I'll try a little hockey in winter." He ducked his head with a self-deprecating grin. "I'm not exactly built for football."
Proteus chuckled. "I hope I won't be called upon to prove your athletic prowess. It's been a long time since I did anything more strenuous than dancing with that young lady last night."
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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 0:21:22 GMT -5
Daws smiled. "The kid's too modest to admit it, but he's also no slouch in a fight, if needs be. Hopefully that's another thing you won't be called on to mimic."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 11, 2006 0:31:46 GMT -5
Proteus frowned. "The game will be up if anybody tries to pick a fight I can't talk my way out of. I'll warn you that right now. I won't raise my hand against anyone."
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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 21:41:30 GMT -5
Daws smiled placidly and shook her head. "So you've said. I can't say it's a point we agree on, but . . ." she shrugged. "I don't think it's anything to really worry over. Unless Joey's been getting up to more than he's told me about." She added.
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 11, 2006 21:49:00 GMT -5
Joey stuck his tongue out at Daws. "Why d'ya think the guys at the Bunker ignore me so much? Because I don't get into fights."
"It might be a good idea to have you sketch me the layout of the Bunker," Proteus mused. "Wouldn't do me any good to get lost."
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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 21:58:20 GMT -5
"Not a bad idea." Daws said. "I've only been down there the once -- and granted, it was under odd circumstances -- but the place sure seemed like a rabbit warren to me."
The diffident day-shift waitress finally arrived, bearing silverware, water, and an expression of terminal boredom. "Anythin' to drink?" She mumbled, snapping her chewing gum.
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 11, 2006 22:08:00 GMT -5
"Got lemonade?" Proteus asked, and the waitress shrugged.
Joey grinned politely at the woman. "Orange soda, please."
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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 22:18:08 GMT -5
"Iced tea, thanks." Daws grinned at Joey with a fond shake of her head as the waitress departed.
"I dunno how you drink that stuff, kid. Too sweet for my tastes."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 11, 2006 22:34:27 GMT -5
"Sure it is. I've seen how much sugar you put in that iced tea," Joey retorted with a grin.
"Nothing wrong with having a sweet tooth," Proteus remarked placidly. "You know, there was a little store not far from here, a hundred years ago or so. The little woman who ran it baked the best apple pie you'd ever want to taste. Better than any of that machine-made, plastic-wrapped artificial candy they sell these days." He looked wistful. "I still miss it sometimes."
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Post by skybright on Oct 11, 2006 23:01:05 GMT -5
Daws shook her head in amazement. "It's so strange to think of that. I mean, I was born and raised here. I like to think I've got a pretty good knowledge of the City. But compared to you . . ."
She shrugged and smiled faintly. "Guess it's just been a long time since I met anyone who's made me feel like I haven't seen anything yet."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 12, 2006 19:50:15 GMT -5
Proteus chuckled thoughtfully. "You young New Yorkers think you can see everything in the world pass through this city eventually. But it's really just a small backyard."
"Have you traveled much?" Joey asked.
"As a sailor--yes." Proteus shrugged. "But that was a long time ago, before native cultures got watered down by dependence on machines. The scenery may still be a little different, but when it comes to the people, just about the whole world is chasing the same heart attack now."
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Post by skybright on Oct 12, 2006 21:29:35 GMT -5
Daws smiled faintly. "About the furthest away I've ever been is Massachusetts. Even if it's not what it was once upon a time, I'd kind of like to go out and see the rest of the world. Maybe someday I will."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 12, 2006 21:56:27 GMT -5
Proteus chuckled. "Some of the places I went to all those years ago, they would've mistaken you for a goddess--or a demon."
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Post by skybright on Oct 12, 2006 22:00:53 GMT -5
Daws laughed brightly. "I like the sound of that first one." She replied. "Although I'd have to question the sanity of any culture that elevated me to the divinity."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 12, 2006 23:09:53 GMT -5
"That makes two of us," Joey grinned.
Proteus half-smiled and shook his head. "You wouldn't like the second one, though. The only time I was ever found out--except by you, that is--it was by a nutty little tribe in South America that thought I was a demon. I guess I can't blame them, but I didn't much care for being shot at with poison arrows."
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Post by skybright on Oct 12, 2006 23:13:57 GMT -5
Daws raised her eyebrows. "I can't imagine you would. How'd you manage to get away?"
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 12, 2006 23:31:24 GMT -5
Proteus winced. "Well... it isn't just people I can imitate. Within certain size limits, of course... Anyway, the natives being in the tizzy they were, they didn't exactly notice the extra goat in one of their pens." He cleared his throat, looking slightly embarrassed.
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Post by skybright on Oct 13, 2006 14:57:11 GMT -5
Daws bit back on a laugh, disguising it as a cough. "Well, that's . . . definitely one way to make a discreet escape." She grinned lopsidedly. "I've had to take refuge in some less-than-desireable corners before, but a goat pen is definitely one up on me."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 13, 2006 22:34:22 GMT -5
"Yeah. Well." Proteus smiled wryly and shook his head. "I'd rather drop in on a goat pen than spend my time chatting cozily with Nicholas Tiernan."
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