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Post by Jordanna on Sept 13, 2006 20:58:43 GMT -5
Proteus tapped his chin, then dropped his hand and smiled slightly. "Here's an idea for you, Miss Dawson. Let me watch the boy for a few days--learn the way he moves and talks. Then, if I'm still in the mood, maybe I'll visit the Bat's cave myself and do some watching there. Pretending to be the boy might not be very useful, but it would allow me to study a few bigger fish, and sometime I might have the chance to impersonate one of them."
Before Daws could respond, Vance spoke, eyeing Proteus dubiously. "I thought you said you wouldn't help us yourself."
"I told you I wouldn't take a life for anything. That still goes. But I do have curiosity--and I can't say I like Tiernan or agree with him, even if I do pay him no heed. I'm not opposed to giving you information that won't get anyone hurt. Besides..." Proteus smiled wryly. "One of the great disadvantages of a long life is boredom, Major. At least this would be something interesting to do."
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Post by skybright on Sept 13, 2006 21:49:03 GMT -5
Hubert looked up with a comically longsuffering sigh. "Once again, that peculiar use of interesting is brought to bear."
Daws chuckled and nodded at Proteus. "It sounds like a good idea to me -- so long as it's okay with Joey." She smiled at the shapeshifter. "And thanks. This bunch can use all the help we can get."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 13, 2006 22:15:38 GMT -5
Proteus made a dismissive gesture. "Just because I won't shed blood in kind doesn't mean I approve of Tiernan doing it. Only don't expect too much. From what I've heard, you people have sort of a... adventurous way of doing things--and if I think for a moment that anyone could lose their life from your acting on my knowledge, you won't get it."
"We're not looking to get anybody killed," Vance replied. "We've only been doing our best to put a squeeze on Tiernan's profits and pet projects. Most of it's worked out well, but I don't deny we've had complications sometimes."
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Post by skybright on Sept 13, 2006 22:25:54 GMT -5
"Well, and who hasn't?" Daws shrugged faintly. "I wouldn't mind the chance to do some strictly no-risk, straightforward jobs. And as soon as they invent them," she added with a cheeky grin, "Maybe I will."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 13, 2006 22:40:29 GMT -5
Proteus shrugged. "You've got yourself a pretty powerful bunch. You oughta be able to figure out a way to do things without a mess."
"Try it," Vance remarked.
The shapeshifter smiled and shook his head.
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Post by skybright on Sept 13, 2006 22:52:01 GMT -5
Daws smiled and held up her hand. "All kidding aside -- I am grateful to you for the offer. If you can turn up anything useful to us, I'll do all I can to make sure nobody gets hurt -- on either side."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 13, 2006 23:02:15 GMT -5
"That's enough for me." Proteus turned to look at Joey, who was escorting Tara back to the table. "Seems we have a game to play, boy."
As he pulled out Tara's chair, Joey tilted his head quizzically at the shapeshifter. "Huh?"
"I'll let your boss explain it to you," Proteus replied.
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Post by skybright on Sept 13, 2006 23:13:19 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Well, you've noticed that Proteus has a knack for changing his appearance. He can be pretty much anyone he wants -- and he's taken a mind to do some snooping around at Tiernan's place for us."
she cleared her throat. "He'd like to follow you around for a couple days -- pick up enough to imitate you -- and then use that as his way in. From there, he could turn into pretty much any one of Tiernan's people that he wanted to.
"If," Daws added quickly, "It's all right with you, Joey."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 13, 2006 23:31:32 GMT -5
Joey glanced at Proteus, looking decidedly impressed. "Wow, that's..." He grinned nervously. "That'll be pretty weird."
"You won't have to see me impersonating you, if you don't want to," Proteus replied. "Besides, I don't much like putting the trick on display myself."
"Uh--no, I'm fine with it, I guess." Joey shrugged. "It's okay with me, Daws."
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Post by skybright on Sept 13, 2006 23:59:08 GMT -5
Daws grinned. "Well, okay then."
She nodded at Proteus. "You two can hammer out the exact details. Just let us know when you're gonna be using Joey's face at Tiernan's, so he can stay outta sight." She grimaced faintly. "Two Joey Falcos showing up in the same place accidentally is more trouble than any of us needs to try and explain."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 14, 2006 20:57:14 GMT -5
"I certainly wasn't planning to let that happen," Proteus agreed.
Vance nodded thoughtfully. "Well. Here's to another profitable association." He raised his glass.
"And speaking of profitable associations--Daws, has our friend the Politician done anything useful lately?"
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Post by skybright on Sept 14, 2006 22:17:39 GMT -5
Daws shrugged. "Campaigning, mostly. The last opinion polls had him leading in three of the boroughs, so I guess people're buying his line.
"As for his role with us -- well, he hasn't contacted me lately, so I guess our little chat about each individual's proper role in the fight was taken to heart. I assume he'll let me know if he turns up anything interesting or useful."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 14, 2006 22:29:07 GMT -5
"Well, if nothing else, it'll be interesting to have one of our kind in the Mayor's office." Vance smiled grimly. "Personally, I wouldn't be above a little friendly blackmail where he's concerned."
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Post by skybright on Sept 14, 2006 22:36:05 GMT -5
Daws made a faintly amused chiding noise and shook her head. "Friendly blackmail, huh?" She grinned wickedly at Vance. "That's an oxymoron right up there with military intelligence, isn't it?"
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 14, 2006 22:47:59 GMT -5
Vance shrugged languidly. "I just mean the idea of exposure as a mutant might be a little... motivational for the guy."
Proteus chuckled. "I see your reputation is deserved, Major."
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Post by skybright on Sept 14, 2006 22:56:18 GMT -5
"Oh, he earns it all right." Daws shook her head. "Honestly, Vance, I think we might do more harm than good tryin' to put any pressure on Cole that way. Even if I thought it was a good idea -- which I don't," She added quickly, "Cole doesn't seem to me like the type who responds well to threats -- even 'friendly' ones. And I'm sure he's gonna have more than enough of that kinda manipulation coming from Tiernan's side, anyhow."
Caddy shrugged. "Heck, for all we know he's gonna wait until he's elected and then expose himself as a mutant. Politicians are always pulling that sort of stunt."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 14, 2006 23:07:51 GMT -5
"Yeah, he could do that--if he has a death wish," Vance remarked acerbically.
Miriam smiled. "Give him a chance. After he's elected, he may actually be a lot more helpful as a politician than a spy." Then she chuckled. "And as someone who worked for the City, I officially can't believe I just said that."
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Post by skybright on Sept 14, 2006 23:14:17 GMT -5
Daws laughed. "Hey, you all already know my view of politics." She shrugged. "If he does get elected, it'll be the first time in a long time that the mayor's office won't be pushing for a registration act. That'd be a relief, even if he doesn't manage to do any other helpful thing his whole term."
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Post by Jordanna on Sept 14, 2006 23:26:31 GMT -5
"Sorry, Daws, but I'll only trust him as far as the end of the rope we have to hang him with," Vance murmured. "If he stays in line, that's fine, but he'll have a pretty rude awakening from me if he ever starts to get swayed by money and power. And I don't think he or anyone else is above that... well, except maybe you," he added to Proteus.
The shapeshifter smiled. "Living outside the law, without living against it--that's my way. You'd be surprised how many of the Spooks believe in that, too. Some are thieves, and maybe some are even violent, but there's quite a few that just do what honest work they can."
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Post by skybright on Sept 14, 2006 23:43:22 GMT -5
"Just like the rest of the world." Daws said.
"Well, sure." Caddy said, nodding. "People are the same all over. Livin' apart from the mainstream humans doesn't make any of us any different -- and livin' apart from mutant communities doesn't make the Spooks any different."
Hubert looked up again with a faint smile. "Careful, Caddy, you're making sense. You'll spoil your reputation that way."
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