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Post by skybright on Nov 2, 2007 22:57:03 GMT -5
"Ah, yes." Father Rick sized up the new arrival. "You'll be the fella Proteus recommended for 'security', then."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 2, 2007 23:01:40 GMT -5
Tusker sized the priest up through narrowed eyes. "Sure." His voice was a rumble from deep in his chest.
Then he glanced at Daws, and a vicious smile twisted around his broken tusk. "Where's the scarecrow boy?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 2, 2007 23:06:58 GMT -5
Daws flashed him a deceptively cheerful grin designed to show off her fangs. "Gave him the day off. Didn't figure a job like this was anything I couldn't handle by myself."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 2, 2007 23:30:32 GMT -5
Tusker looked as if he was about to make a reply to that, but Sham made a subtle gesture, and the bigger Spook grudgingly held his peace.
Vance gave his companions a glance, then turned to the two Spooks.
"You both know Lusus Naturae, of course. Mister Rosenstein here owns it now. That means there's going to be no more illegal business, and no more of Nick Tiernan's influence than we can possibly avoid--but it also means there'll be steady, well-paying work there for mutants who are willing to earn it. Frankly, I only wanted to see some of the... less belligerent Spooks take those jobs. But Proteus has faith in you two. I trust you'll want to live up to that, if not to our expections."
Sham made a face. "Cut the speech, Major. Proteus laid out the whole deal to me. I'll do what I have to on the job--but as far as I'm concerned, my only reason to be there is looking out for the others."
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Post by skybright on Nov 2, 2007 23:36:55 GMT -5
"Then you oughtta be just right for the job -- that's what a manager's supposed to do, after all." Daws remarked, crossing her arms."Just keep in mind that not tipping Tiernan off about any goings-on falls under 'looking out for the others'."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 19:38:41 GMT -5
Sham smirked, somewhat bitterly. "You're Proteus' pets, aren't you? When he says hands off, there's nothing to talk about."
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 21:50:29 GMT -5
"Well, I'm glad we've got an understanding on that count." Daws replied, crossing her arms.
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 21:56:03 GMT -5
Sham folded his arms and slouched against the wall. "So what kind of work have you got planned for me?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 22:06:28 GMT -5
Daws shrugged one shoulder and nodded at Sid. "That's a question for Sid -- he's the one doing the actual hiring here. I'm just a," she grinned wickedly, "Friendly observer."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 22:13:41 GMT -5
Sid shrugged. "You know the folks we're wantin' ta hire, so I'll leave it ta you ta decide most of their schedules an' duties. If they have any problems, they'll go ta you, and you'll come ta me. An'..." He frowned doubtfully. "Well, I guess part a' your job'll be keepin' a lid on any troublemakers, too. Things like makin' rowdy folks either settle down or get out."
"Pink's usually on top of that job," Vance murmured. "But if you want to trust Sham to make the decisions on it..."
Sham glowered. "Proteus trusted me to help keep the peace at Spooktown. I know how to keep people from getting hurt."
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 22:18:30 GMT -5
"That shouldn't take too much effort." Daws noted. "Lusus has always been a little rough around the edges, but it's not exactly known for its barfights."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 22:31:51 GMT -5
Vance's lips twisted in wry amusement. "No, the patrons just take their brawls someplace else--because they don't want to draw any attention to the local mutie bar."
Tusker grunted. "What about me?"
"Mostly ya just stand around an' look tough," Sid replied. "And go around the floor now an' then. Make sure nobody's bringin' in any kinda drugs or--uh--makin' other kinds a' transactions."
"Or else--what?"
Sid grimaced slightly. "Then, ya ask 'em nicely ta leave. An' if they don't... Well, just don't make 'em bleed on the way out the door, okay?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 22:48:50 GMT -5
Daws snorted. "Yeah, that'd draw a little bit more attention than we want to the place."
At that moment a trio of figures -- a dark-haired young woman, a slender man with pale-orange skin, and a middle-aged woman whose white hair stuck straight out from her head -- turned up the walk and approached the group.
The middle-aged woman -- who seemed to be the most assertive of the trio -- nodded in acknowledgment to Sham and Tusker, then turned to Father Rick. "Well, Padre -- here we are." Her voice had a strange, crackling quality.
"And better late than never, Shatter." Father Rick replied with a lopsided smile. He nodded to the other two. "Blaze. Blur. Glad you made it."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 22:58:06 GMT -5
Sham unenthusiastically made the necessary introductions. Then he turned a skeptical eye to Sid. "So what're the jobs you're expecting from them?"
"Just the basic stuff." Sid glanced at the group. "Waitin' tables. Keepin' the place clean. Maybe fixin' a simple menu a' food, 'cause I never believed in servin' just booze. An' I guess there'll still be a coupla bartending shifts ta cover. This lady Pink can't be around all the time..." He glanced uncertainly at Daws. "Can she?"
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 23:00:47 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "Nah, even she's gotta sleep sometimes. Tiernan's had a couple of different day bartenders for the place, but none of 'em have ever stuck around long."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 23:15:20 GMT -5
"Okay, well, that's a couple more jobs ta fill, then." Sid looked at his prospective hirees. "I'm not gonna be all formal about this. You folks heard the kinda jobs that need doin'. If you'll just tell me what parts a the work ya think ya'd like ta do, we'll work it out."
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 23:25:23 GMT -5
Blaze grinned crookedly. "Well, uh, I had a job as a short-order cook for a little while. I could handle food." He held out one hand and let a small orange flame dance across his palm. "You'd never haveta worry about keeping the grill hot, anyway."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 23:37:31 GMT -5
Sid looked admiringly at the trick, and chuckled. "That's a nice talent. Woulda come in handy back before I quit smokin'."
"I never knew you smoked, Sid," the cigar-loving Vance remarked, raising an eyebrow.
The club owner shrugged mildly. "There's a lotta things I quit doin' after I had kids."
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Post by skybright on Nov 3, 2007 23:46:22 GMT -5
Daws chuckled. "Padre keeps hasslin' me to quit. I keep telling him I need at least one vice in my life."
Father Rick rolled all four of his eyes. "As if anyone'd buy that, let alone your confessor."
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Post by Jordanna on Nov 3, 2007 23:53:32 GMT -5
Vance grinned affectionately at Daws. "Not that I mind many vices--but you've got me for a vice. I'd say that's plenty."
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