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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 0:23:31 GMT -5
Padre frowned slightly. "I imagine they just might think it's time to start a war." He murmured. Then he straightened and nodded.
"As I said, we'll put it before the others. It may be you'll have help from us -- if only to try and keep you in line." There was a humorous glitter in his eye at the words.
Padre glanced at Daws, who was still glowering darkly (if, thank goodness, silently) at Vance. "In the meantime, we've a discussion to have with the boy." He gestured at Joey. "We'll send word to you through McCarty, once we've decided what to do."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 0:29:09 GMT -5
"That's fine--but I'm not leaving 'til I see what you're gonna do with the kid." Vance jerked his head toward Joey. "If I'm not satisfied with how you deal with him, I'll have to do it myself. And that's not a threat, Miss Dawson; that's a fact."
Joey, who had been standing in confused and frightened silence, finally raised his eyes. "I didn't do anything."
"And you won't, either," Vance muttered.
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 0:39:18 GMT -5
Daws narrowed her eyes and drew herself up to her full height. "A softie I might be, Vance," She said, her voice dangerously soft, "But I'm the kind with sharp points." To illustrate the statement, she held up a hand, claws extended. "You put a hand on the boy again, or on any of my people, ever, an' you'll find that out the old-fashioned way."
She turned her back pointedly on Vance and removed her fedora. Clearing her throat, she stepped up to Joey and said, without meeting his eyes. "I toldja the night we met that I didn't mean to get mixed up with your boss, Joey. That much of what I've told you was true.
"But I guess I owe you an apology -- 'cause a lot of the rest of it wasn't."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 0:44:23 GMT -5
Joey shivered slightly, once, and continued to stare at the ground.
"You're working against the Boss," he murmured. "All the stuff that's happened--that's gone wrong for him--it was you. You've been hearing all his plans, and stopping him."
He finally raised his eyes, although they did not quite meet hers. "You couldn't be in a better spot for it, could ya?"
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 0:50:47 GMT -5
Daws winced and shook her head. "No, I don't guess I could be. Tiernan trusts me, and . . ." She broke off and sighed.
"I've got reasons. If you want to hear 'em." She swallowed painfully and added "I wasn't lyin' about likin' you, kid. I hope you believe that much."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 0:59:55 GMT -5
"I like you, too," Joey murmured faintly.
He shook his head and turned away. "I know the Boss does terrible things--but he's got reasons, too. He's trying to protect people like us."
Even as he spoke, he felt foolish and guilty for trying to defend Nicholas Tiernan. He had always sensed the blackness that surrounded the man, even though it was not directed at him. He hated it and feared it--but at least he was surviving in a world where so many mutants did not.
Jerod Vance, still observing the confrontation, rolled his eyes slightly. "You believe Nocturne is protecting anybody but himself, I got a bridge to sell ya--before I blow it up."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 1:11:34 GMT -5
Daws shook her head and chuckled almost in spite of herself. "Joey, I've been like this," she gestured vaguely at her appearance, "For darn near longer than you've been alive. And so far as I've seen in all that time, all people like Tiernan ever end up doin' in the long run is helping themselves and makin' things worse for all of the rest us."
Daws sighed and studied the ground. "I started nosing around in Tiernan's business because a woman got killed. To the cops she was just another prostitute -- but she was someone's kid, or someone's sister. And Nicholas Tiernan killed her."
She looked hard at Joey. "Since I started nosing around, another woman got killed. Caroline was her name. Tiernan killed her, too -- and you know why he did it? To see what I'd do." She laughed, a quick, harsh sound without any humor. "She had three kids, Joey -- and one of 'em is like us. Could've been my sister, or your mother, or anyone's mother."
She shrugged and glanced away. "Maybe I've got the world figured all wrong -- but the way I see it, no amount of handouts can make someone like that one of the good guys."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 1:21:08 GMT -5
Joey scrubbed a hand across his face, feeling a sting in his eyes that threatened to give way to tears.
"I don't know what to do," he half-whispered. "I don't know how I can go back, and pretend I don't know about what you're doing. I'm scared I'd get you hurt... but... I'm scared of what'll happen if I don't go back."
Finally, he raised his eyes and met Daws' gaze. He shrugged uselessly, looking as helpless as he felt.
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 1:28:54 GMT -5
There was a long, thoughtful pause before Daws said slowly "Maybe you don't have to go back."
She scratched thoughtfully behind her ear and continued "I've gotta stay workin' for Tiernan -- right now, I'm the best in we've got, and practically the only way we know what he's thinkin'. Computer schedules are no match for a livin' body." She raised an eyebrow. "But suppose . . . suppose I were to ask Tiernan for some assistance. Someone who could help me do the legwork on the cases he keeps givin' me."
She met Joey's eyes. "You ever thought of goin' into the detective business, kid?"
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 1:38:41 GMT -5
Joey's eyes widened. "Me?" he asked incredulously. He scratched his fingers through his hair, looking confused, and worried--and perhaps just a little bit flattered.
"I don't understand. You mean you... you want the Boss to pay me to work just for you?"
Still standing off to the side, Vance suppressed a twitch in his lips with a hand over his mouth. His estimation of Daws had just shot up several more points, that was for sure. And he'd long since pegged the kid as the kind who didn't work happily for Nocturne. Of course, there was still the problem of what Joey knew about him... but Vance suspected they already had a very clear understanding about that.
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 1:44:39 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Sure, why not? It'd get you out of Tiernan's basement -- I'm sure you're not the only errand boy he's got at his disposal. You wouldn't be exactly leaving his organization, so you should avoid any unpleasantness on that count. But you wouldn't be workin' directly for him any more, which can only be a good thing so far as I can see."
She grinned. "Y'know, whenever I'd get on his nerves, Jack always used to tell me that someday I'd end up with a teenaged kid on my doorstep, and then I'd be sorry. Might as well bite the bullet and make it someone I like -- someone I know has a good head on 'is shoulders."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 1:52:12 GMT -5
Joey fidgeted, torn between smiling and frowning.
"But what about--the things you're doing? Do I help you with that? I mean, I... just can't let you get hurt." He shrugged anxiously. "I dunno what I'm talking about."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 2:02:00 GMT -5
Daws chuckled gently. "If you want to join our little resistance movement, you're welcome to -- there'd be a place for ya. But if you don't, that's understandable." She raised an eyebrow. "Either way. If you do decided to come work for me, you're gonna be linked to me -- so if Tiernan ever blows my cover, well . . ." She let that unpleasant thought go unfinished.
"There'd certainly be enough for you to do, even if you didn't join the resistance proper." Daws continued. "Between workin' for Tiernan, workin' against Tiernan, and still keeping Grimalkin open as an independent business, I've got plenty of stuff that needs doing.
"But I don't want you to feel strongarmed into anythin', Joey." She concluded. "All I ask is that whatever you choose, you don't let on to Tiernan about me -- and I know you won't do that, anyway."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 2:14:00 GMT -5
Joey grinned wanly. "It sounds like it'd be awesome, Daws. Really. And I... think I'd like to help. All the way, I mean."
In his position somewhat over Joey's shoulder, Vance shifted his weight, and the teen glanced back at him nervously. If the old soldier was afraid Joey would expose his past to Daws and the Padre...
"Who's this guy?" he queried plaintively, on a sudden inspiration.
Vance's eyebrows bobbed, and Joey knew the man was pleased--or at least satisfied--by the opening for subterfuge. "Major Vance, the Grenadier. Sort of a... guardian angel to Miss Dawson here and her pals." He smirked at Daws.
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 2:30:33 GMT -5
Daws snorted. "Sure, the old-fashioned type of angel that rains down brimstone when he gets cranky." She cocked an eyebrow and grinned. " 'The Grenadier', is it? I like that. I swear, I really am gonna write a book about the names we end up with." She shook her head and looked back at Joey, grinning. "I'll talk to Tiernan about it right away, kid." She stuck out her hand. "Welcome to the family."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 2:37:07 GMT -5
Smiling rather hesitantly, Joey shook Daws' hand. "Thanks... I hope."
Vance, having been satisfied that his bases were covered, gave a lazy stretch and shrugged. "It might work at that. Just remember, kid: if anything goes wrong, I know how to find ya."
He glanced at Daws and the Padre. "Handy McCarty'll be around. Give him a word when you get yourselves sorted out."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 2:43:31 GMT -5
"We'll do that." The Padre nodded. "Don't be surprised if you hear from us."
The priest glanced towards Joey as Vance ambled away; Daws, however, seemed determined to have the last word.
"Vance!" She strode after the older man, glanced over her shoulder at Padre and Joey, and then lowered her voice.
"I meant what I said. I don't care what side you're on -- if I find out you've hurt any of my people, for any reason -- I'll make sure you're sorry for it."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 2:48:29 GMT -5
"I believe that," Vance replied coolly. Then the corners of his mouth turned up, just a little. "But if you handle everybody as smartly as that kid... then just maybe neither of us has got that to worry about."
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Post by skybright on May 17, 2006 2:59:40 GMT -5
Daws nodded, satisfied. "Let's hope so."
She turned and made her way back to where the priest and Joey were standing and raised a questioning eyebrow at the boy. "You're supposed to be back to Tiernan's place about now anyway, aren't you? I could come along and talk to him now -- no sense puttin' it off. If Vance has his way, Tiernan's not gonna be in a better mood any time soon, anyhow."
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Post by Jordanna on May 17, 2006 3:03:38 GMT -5
Joey nodded a bit nervously. "Yeah. I just gotta clean up and get ready for my usual work. I'm not supposed to see the Boss tonight, unless he sends for me."
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