|
Post by skybright on Jun 2, 2007 23:19:08 GMT -5
"Now that is a weird thought." Daws shook her head in amusement. "Maybe not quite as weird as you in green tights . . . no, definitely not as weird as you in green tights. But pretty weird, all the same."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 2, 2007 23:25:59 GMT -5
Vance chuckled and waved a hand in humorous dismissal.
At that moment Roger bounced back over and plopped into his chair, beaming. "Now I could really use a date, Daws. I'll need somebody to take to the concert next Friday."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 2, 2007 23:34:09 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "Well, I'll keep an eye out. Y'know, work it into the usual questions I ask a client -- what's the job, how much can you pay, are you free next Friday, etcetera."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 3, 2007 21:47:02 GMT -5
"Maybe you oughta try hanging around Our Lady some more," Vance suggested, almost impishly. "Seems like plenty of nice folks around there."
Roger scowled. "Not while there's Spooks around there too. I'm seein' enough of 'em right here as it is."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 3, 2007 22:20:16 GMT -5
"Oh, c'mon, Rog." Daws snickered teasingly. "You mean you're not thinking of settling down with a nice Spook girl?"
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 3, 2007 22:56:08 GMT -5
Roger gave her a horrified look.
Vance shrugged. "At first I thought at least a few of the Spooks were in the position they were in just because of circumstances. Now... well, I'm pretty sure there's not one of 'em who isn't too lazy, doesn't love self-pity too much, to want to work for something better. Even the ones with kids--and that's the real shame of it."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 3, 2007 23:01:05 GMT -5
Daws sighed. "I worry about these kids. Growing up mutant is a tough enough prospect -- and their parents aren't doin' them many favors by keeping them out of school and away from the rest of the world."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 4, 2007 22:25:53 GMT -5
"And the cycle just goes on," Vance agreed grimly.
Roger shrugged. "Well, hopefully this Lusus Naturae deal will help. Maybe they'll care more for the kind of jobs we can give 'em there."
Vance frowned. "Just as long as they don't start talking to the wrong people. Remember, the Spooks know some dangerous things about us, and their respect for Proteus is still the only thing keeping their traps shut." He glanced at Daws. "That's where I worry the most about you."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 0:32:10 GMT -5
Daws smiled faintly at him. "I know. But it's a risk I knew I was taking when I decided to play double agent -- worrying about it won't change it any."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 19:56:09 GMT -5
Vance smiled thinly, and gave Daws' arm a light squeeze. "Yeah. Well."
He leaned back in his chair and glanced at Roger. "As I was telling the lady, we should do another one of our special fundraising jobs this week."
Roger grinned. "Sounds like fun."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 21:22:01 GMT -5
Daws snickered. "I think it says something about the kind of lives we lead that rolling over a drug dealer falls under the definition of 'fun.'"
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 21:36:17 GMT -5
"Well, it serves a good cause at the same time it benefits us," Vance replied cheerfully. "You'd be surprised how many of those slimeballs change their ways after we get through with 'em."
"We've never rolled the same one twice," Roger affirmed.
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 21:43:44 GMT -5
Daws grinned. "Well, I can't say that I blame 'em. You boys can cut a pretty intimidating figure when you put your minds to it. It's enough to show just about anyone the error of their ways."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 21:49:55 GMT -5
"Or at least make 'em high-tail it to another city," Vance retorted cynically. "Our problem's just pacing ourselves so we don't run out of donors."
"Yeah, can't have people thinking mutants are doing any good around here," Roger griped with a roll of his eyes.
Vance shrugged. "We do too good a job cleaning up the town all by ourselves, we'll dry up our own racket. Not that I'd mind that if we didn't have ourselves a little civil war to fund." He gave Daws a rueful look. "These are the kinds of moral dilemmas they don't teach you about at the Academy."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 21:57:36 GMT -5
Daws nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I somehow didn't think they had a textbook covering mutant underground movements." She chuckled dryly. "Maybe once this is all over you should write one and get it published under a pseudonym. 'Guerilla War for Dummies.'"
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 22:19:21 GMT -5
"What I've learned can't be put into a book," Vance murmured cryptically. "You can joke all you want about wearing the uniform on the inside, but it's something different to realize you were born with it on... and that it'll always be between you and anything else you might have planned for your life."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 22:29:00 GMT -5
Daws' smile turned into a thoughtful expression, and she nodded slightly. "None of us ever ends up where we think we will," she remarked. "In some cases -- in my case -- it's a good thing. In others, well . . ." she made a faint gesture with one hand and fell silent.
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 22:38:37 GMT -5
"I haven't decided in my case yet," Vance admitted. "I guess I won't be able to do that until I can look back on my life... if I live that long."
|
|
|
Post by skybright on Jun 5, 2007 22:46:34 GMT -5
"You'll live that long." Daws nudged his shoulder affectionately. "You're too darn stubborn not to."
|
|
|
Post by Jordanna on Jun 5, 2007 23:02:11 GMT -5
Vance made no reply except for a thoughtful shrug, staring down at the pattern of the tablecloth.
"Anyway," he said at last, "At least I don't have to worry about having nothing to do."
He pushed back his plate and glanced at Daws. "If you want a ride over to your place, I'll take you in Rog's car and come back." He grinned slightly. "Considering he's making time with Gracie, it'll be a while before Handy turns up."
|
|