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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 2:12:06 GMT -5
It was early Monday evening, and the newly-rechristened Jacob Hubert was fidgeting slightly as he glanced out the window of Latimore Apartments #509. He checked the cheap watch he'd purchased at Miranda's and then sighed.
"I thought Dawson said she'd be here by now." He muttered, drumming his fingers absently on the tabletop.
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 2:18:14 GMT -5
From his half-sprawl on the couch, Jerod Vance grinned lazily--if somewhat insolently--at the mutant scientist. "Not anxious to be rid of our company, are you, Hubert?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 2:22:21 GMT -5
Hubert raised an eyebrow. "Really, Major, what on earth could have given you that idea? Simply because I object to being consistently poisoned by the wretched sludge you two pass off as 'coffee' . . ."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 2:26:23 GMT -5
Vance uttered a short, raucous laugh. "At least I don't talk much. I haven't met Doc Ollivard, but from what I hear, he's a verbal Niagara Falls." He blinked. "Of course, you might not mind it, 'cause you'll actually understand what he's saying."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 2:33:15 GMT -5
Hubert shook his head, looking vaguely apprehensive. "Before this week I'd heard of him only as a pro-mutant researcher. I would never have entertained the thought of passing two civil words with the man -- let alone of working with him." He smiled wryly. "Still, one changes with the times . . ."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 2:38:42 GMT -5
"Only if I have to," Vance remarked dryly, and twisted to look over his shoulder at his usual confederate, who was busy helping himself from a box of doughnuts on the table. "Hey, Handy, see if Rog has dropped the paper outside the door yet."
"Sure," Handy replied obediently, wiping powdered sugar from his fingers with a napkin as he moved toward the door.
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 2:42:44 GMT -5
Regina Dawson chose that moment to enter, simultaneously swinging the door open and holding out the aforementioned paper to a rather dumbstruck Handy.
Daws grinned cheekily. "Better-than-average hearing. Not just for parlor tricks -- but it's pretty useful for those, too." She winked and tossed the paper to Handy, then removed her fedora. "How's everyone doin' this evening?"
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 2:47:18 GMT -5
With a rather blank look, Handy passed the newspaper to Vance, who sat up with a shrug.
"Nothing new. Except Hubert's champing at the bit to get away from us and the coffee-flavored crude oil we drink--or so he says." The Major smirked at the scientist.
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 2:50:20 GMT -5
Daws shook her head and shot Hubert a sympathetic look. "I've got a secret stash of Blue Kona at the office. Once you get settled in at Caddy's, I'll send some over as a housewarming present."
Hubert perked up at that. "This move is becoming more congenial all the time."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:05:47 GMT -5
There was a knock at the door then. At Vance's nod, Handy trotted over to open it, admitting Miriam, Alex, and Sid.
"Can't stay too long," Sid remarked after a perfunctory exchange of greetings. "Foxy's due for his first act an hour." He turned to Hubert, with a look that was slightly skeptical, but bore no hostility. "I hear you're gettin' on okay."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 3:10:43 GMT -5
Hubert cleared his throat, looking somewhat nervous. "Yes. As . . . well as one could expect." He paused awkwardly. "I . . . believe I owe you something of an apology."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:17:23 GMT -5
Sid raised an eyebrow. "Oh? An' here they've been droppin' me hints that I owed you one." He raised a slightly smug eyebrow at Miriam and Alex, then shrugged to Hubert. "Bygones, pal. My problems was only with the guy they say you're not anymore."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 3:22:31 GMT -5
Hubert nodded, and held out his hand. "In that case," he said, sounding relieved, "I'm pleased to make your acquaintance."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:26:07 GMT -5
Sid chuckled and shook the scientist's hand. "Same here--Hubert."
Miriam drew out a chair from the table and sat down, glancing at Daws. "What time is Caddy supposed to be here?"
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 3:28:05 GMT -5
Daws shrugged and perched on the arm of the sofa. "Should be along pretty quick here -- traffic to Manhattan island from Queens is still kind of slow. Apparently someone blew up one of the connecting bridges."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:34:29 GMT -5
Vance pulled an innocent face and shrugged broadly. Miriam rolled her eyes.
"Has Caddy got a place set up for Hubert to stay?" Alex asked.
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 3:37:46 GMT -5
Daws nodded. "Yeah -- you've seen that big house of his. His mother left it to him when she retired to Florida two years ago -- there's an apartment in the basement where she used to live. It'll be private, and as quiet as anyplace on the same block as Caddy could be."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:41:13 GMT -5
Miriam chuckled wryly and glanced at Hubert. "It looks like you're about to become a basement dweller like me."
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Post by skybright on Jul 14, 2006 3:46:34 GMT -5
Hubert shook his head. "As the saying goes, beggars can't be choosers. I'd rather a basement than more permanent belowground arrangements."
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Post by Jordanna on Jul 14, 2006 3:56:32 GMT -5
"I don't think there's much more danger of that for you," Vance put in. "--At least, not unless you get involved pretty actively with our work. Nocturne'd never guess in a million years that the anti-mutant scientist he was hunting is now a mutant working against him with Nephthys' gang." He pointed to Miriam to indicate the bearer of the code name, and their reluctant figurehead flushed slightly.
"Speaking of," Vance went on, glancing at Daws. "How's the old bat handling Huber's disappearance by now? They find the suicide note? I haven't seen anything in the papers."
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