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Post by skybright on Oct 24, 2006 0:32:16 GMT -5
Daws grinned teasingly. "Well, so I'm not the world's quickest study. Any of my old elementary math teachers could've told you that one."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2006 21:57:16 GMT -5
Proteus chuckled. "I think you learn fast enough when you want to. After all--seems like you took to me right off." He grinned with halfway insolent humor.
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2006 22:08:29 GMT -5
Daws laughed. "That's a mark of brilliance, right?" She shrugged affably and stirred her iced tea. "I like to think I know a right guy when I meet one." She nodded at Proteus. "And you fit the bill, my friend."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2006 22:37:48 GMT -5
Proteus smiled. "Glad to hear that."
Then he turned his head toward Joey. "But we're supposed to be talking about you today. Tell me more about yourself."
Over the next half-hour, with various promptings from Proteus, Joey somewhat shyly talked about his life--sometimes coherent bits of history, sometimes mere ramblings about his interests and opinions. It all underscored the fact that, in spite of his mutation and his work for Tiernan, he had somehow managed to grow up as a surprisingly average teenager.
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2006 23:05:47 GMT -5
Daws listened with mostly-quiet interest to Joey's answers; she welcomed the chance to learn more about her apprentice's life outside of the sometimes-hectic world of resistance and detective work.
At the same time, she couldn't help feeling a faint twinge of regret that Joey had been drawn into that world. The kid seemed happiest when he was talking about sports, comic books, his former school -- things that had little to do with the complex, dangerous fight against Nicholas Tiernan.
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 25, 2006 23:49:16 GMT -5
Their lunch had been finished for nearly half an hour before Proteus finally stretched languidly and brought the outing to a close. "Well, I think I've got about enough now. I'll be getting home. Believe it or not, it takes a little practice to get what I do just right."
Rising, he took a few bills of cash from his pocket and placed them on the table. "Don't worry, they're real," he remarked with a faint smile. "And they're not even stolen."
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Post by skybright on Oct 25, 2006 23:54:05 GMT -5
Daws smiled. "Never even crossed my mind." She stood as well and reached for her fedora.
"Thanks for lunch." She said, shaking Proteus' hand. "I assume you'll be in touch, so I guess we'll be seeing each other."
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Post by Jordanna on Oct 26, 2006 21:02:08 GMT -5
"Yeah. I expect to venture into Nocturne's den in just another day or two, so I'll let you know when to keep the boy out of sight." Proteus turned to clap Joey on the shoulder. "You keep the lady out of fights, okay?"
Joey grinned and rolled his eyes. "I think you're asking the impossible, but I'll try."
"Good man." The shapeshifter nodded once more to Daws, then sauntered out of the diner.
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