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#Post#: 310--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 21
By: Cyberfox277 Date: February 17, 2012, 9:12 am
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[center]***Next Morning – 6:30 AM***[/center]
Gemini skips down the stairs heading for the pool. At 6:30am, it
was a beautiful day and a great day for a swim. Exiting onto the
ground floor of the hotel, Gemini heads in the direction of the
pool, only to stop, confronted with the sight of hotel staff and
police officers and paramedics, all crowding the front doors.
Gemini recognizes Sarah edging her way out of the crowd. Gemini
moves over to her cautiously.
[Gemini] What's going on?
Gemini asks softly.
Sarah stops surprised for a moment, then she recognizes Gemini
and takes a deep sigh of relief, she was hoping to keep this
quiet.
[Sarah] There was an... hmm incident during the night.
Sarah explains keeping her voice down and looking around to see
if someone is listening.
[Gemini] What kind of incident?
Gemini asks also keeping her voice low, though without looking
around, she had known when she had approached Sarah that nobody
was near.
[Sarah] One of the hotel guests, an old gentleman had a heart
attack and passed away.
Sarah says with an unhappy sigh.
[Sarah] His wife is in shock and they taking her to hospital
just to make sure she's alright.
[Gemini] Well... that explains the paramedics, and would explain
maybe a couple sets of police, but... Sarah, that's a lot a
cops.
Gemini says as she glanced passed Sarah and did a quick count.
There were six officers in uniform, and if she was any guess, at
least that many out of uniform who were also present...
detectives or the like.
Sarah looks at Gemini embarrassed for a moment unsure if she
should tell her the rest, if this reached the ears of a
journalist they'd get really bad publicity.
[Sarah] Hmm, his wife thought she saw someone in the room, but
there's no forced entry.
Sarah says hoping Gemini wouldn't ask anything else.
[Gemini] Sarah, what? I can tell, there's something major. What
is it? I'm not gonna tell anybody. After all, who do I have to
tell? Except David... and maybe Annie?
Gemini asks, pushing just a little more.
[Sarah] Hmm, yes... David.
Sarah says looking down, thinking she only got a call from him
since the last date, telling her he was too busy to show up.
[Sarah] Have you heard from him?
Sarah can't stop herself from asking Gemini, she knows they are
friends.
[Gemini] Not really... Saw him at a bar the other day... made a
complete fool of himself.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] I think he's embarrassed by it.
[Sarah] At a bar?
Sarah looks up at Gemini surprised.
[Sarah] I thought he was working.
[Gemini] Stopped in for a burger or something over his lunch
break.
Gemini says, honestly, but not going into detail. She was SOOO
going to ream David the next time she talked to him.
[Sarah] Oh, alright.
Sarah takes a deep sigh of relief, for a moment she thought he'd
lied to her.
[Gemini] So?
Gemini probes Sarah about whatever this incident was.
Sarah looks around again to make sure no one is listening, then
whispers to Gemini.
[Sarah] The old gentleman's wife thinks she saw someone inside
her room with a sword, doesn't that sound weird? And apparently
one of the hotel guests opened the door when he heard someone
scream and saw a man in black running down the corridor with a
sword in his hand.
Sarah shakes her head, not sure if she should believe it.
Gemini felt her eyes widen.
[Gemini] What floor?
Gemini asks.
[Sarah] Hmm, actually it's the floor you were on, isn't that a
funny coincidence?
Sarah asks with a smile.
[Sarah] You almost saw and heard the commotion yourself.
[Gemini] Hilarious.
Gemini says as she goes white.
[Sarah] One of our most distinguished guests...
Sarah shakes her head, without looking at Gemini, just feeling
sorry for the old man.
[Sarah] And probably they'll cancel the conference now.
[Gemini] Really?
Gemini asks.
[Sarah] Yes, it was about WWII, and this gentleman had been
there, he was granted the Presidential Medal of Honor.
Sarah sighs unhappily, while she thinks time saves no one.
[Gemini] Really?
Gemini eyes widen.
[Gemini] How'd he get that?
[Sarah] Oh he was a D-day hero, I think. He also had the Purple
heart, the Bronze star... you name it.
Sarah sighs again.
[Sarah] Hard to believe just looking at him, he was so old.
[Gemini] Wow...
Gemini says softly.
[Sarah] I saw him going to the restaurant yesterday night with
his wife.
Sarah shakes her head unhappily.
[Sarah] And to think it was his last meal.
[Gemini] Yeah... I saw them come into the restaurant.. I was
there with Annie.
Gemini says softly.
[Gemini] Sarah, I'm gonna go back to my room. I'll see you
later.... and swim later, when there's less commotion down here.
[Sarah] Alright, I should go back to work anyway.
Sarah nods as she resumes walking to the reception.
[Sarah] Talk to you later.
[Gemini] Bye.
Gemini murmurs as she turns and hurries back to her room.
[Gemini] Come on....
Gemini mutters as she slides the key into the lock. Once the
door opens and she enters her room, she runs to where she'd left
her cell phone charging the night before. Picking it up she
quickly dials David's number. Gemini didn't feel comfortable or
confident enough to wake Annie up, this early when the stalker
guy wasn't actually IN the hotel... at least not anymore.
David grumbles and turns on the bed to turn off the alarm, but
then realizes it's the phone and grabs it instead. He sleepily
puts it against his ear keeping his eyes closed.
[David] Hello?
[Gemini] David?
Gemini says softly and nervously.
[David] Yes, it's me.
David stops rubbing his eyes when he recognizes the voice.
[David] Gemini? Why are you calling me at...
David side glances at his alarm clock.
[David] 6:48 in the morning?
[Gemini] David, he was here last night.
Gemini says worriedly.
[David] Who? That guy who tried to kill you?
David sits up on the bed, suddenly he's not sleepy anymore.
[David] Are you alright?
[Gemini] He broke into a room on the floor I was on before. An
old pre-Immortal man had a heart attack and died. His wife said
the strange guy had a sword! And some other guy saw him running
down the hall with a sword in his hand!!
Gemini says quickly, her words running together.
[David] So we can assume he was looking for you, he didn't know
you changed room.
David says while he frowns thinking, wondering what he should
tell her to do.
[Gemini] He's gone now... and the hotel is on alert... I only
learned when I went down for a swim and the lobby was full of
cops and paramedics.
Gemini says getting up and pacing across her room.
[David] Have any idea how he got inside the room? Any sign of
forced entry? I'm assuming he didn't break down the door, that
would wake up everybody.
David asks Gemini, trying to find out how the guy got inside the
room. If he had a key that hotel wasn't safe for Gemini anymore.
[Gemini] Sarah just said that there was no sign of forced entry.
Gemini says shaking her head, even though she knew David
couldn't see.
[David] Probably got a key from one of the hotel employees,
that's what I'd do if I wanted a key. Gemini you need to leave
that hotel right away, I don't like it a bit.
David jumps to his feet and starts pacing.
[David] What did Annie say to that?
David asks wondering why Annie didn't take Gemini out of the
hotel right away.
[Gemini] Haven't told her yet. Only found out 10 minutes ago...
I... I don't want to wake her up... not when he's not here, at
least not right now. Not when the hotel is full of cops looking
for him.
Gemini says hesitantly.
[David] You what?
David stops surprised, she didn't want to wake her up at a
situation like this?
[David] Gemini, if he bribed an employee someone could be
watching you, or trying to find out were you are. You need to
leave right away.
[Gemini] I know I need to get out but... Annie freaks out when I
walk down the hallway to the ice machine.
Gemini protests.
[David] Gemini, this is an emergency. If you don't want to wake
her up I'm going there right now.
David says as he looks around for his clothes.
[Gemini] But.. he's not here anymore, and... if I hadn't come
down to swim when I did, we never would have known. The hotel
wants it hushed up. So... I mean... I know I need to tell her,
but can't it wait? At least until like... 8:30?
Gemini asks pleadingly.
[David] Gemini, you can't stay there for another night, you need
to move right away.
David sighs impatiently, why was it so hard for her to
understand?
[David] And moving takes time you know?
David murmurs under his breath, "Especially with all the books
you have."
[Gemini] Yeah, I know. I've done it.. way too many times of
late.
Gemini says exasperated.
[Gemini] But surely it can wait an hour or so...
[David] Annie isn't going to be upset once you tell her what
you've told me, trust me on this one.
David moves to the nightstand to turn off the alarm clock when
it starts ringing.
[David] Or I can go there once I get dressed.
David says with a sigh, he'd have to call Linda to cancel a few
appointments but this is an emergency.
[Gemini] No, I'll do it... but you should probably come by the
hotel sometime soon anyway.
Gemini says, a wicked grin growing on her face.
[David] Why? Need my help to talk to Annie?
David raises an eyebrow surprised at this, he thought they were
getting along.
[Gemini] Sarah misses you. And is VERY bummed she hasn't even
heard word ONE from her.
Gemini says flatly.
[Gemini] And unless I miss my guess, which I rarely do in this
aspect, if you want to continue to have a relationship with her,
you've got maybe a day to call her. Two days if you stop by,
before she's done with you.
David stops pacing in the middle of his room in disbelief.
[David] I can't believe she complained to you.
[Gemini] Asked if I'd seen you. Told her I had at a bar. She got
this real hurt look on her face. I DID tell her it was your
lunch break, but...
Gemini trails off, listening intently.
[David] Great.
David grumbles under his breath, then he asks upset.
[David] Did you also tell her Craig is out of town and I'm
swamped with work?
[Gemini] No. But I didn't know that! I did tell her it was your
LUNCH break, from work. She looked relieved when I said that.
Gemini says honestly.
[David] Fine. Whatever.
David shrugs as he turns to look at the alarm clock to check the
time.
[David] Look I need to get ready, I'll call you later, OK? Or
you call me if something comes up.
[Gemini] I will.
Gemini promises.
[David] You tell what happened to Annie right away, OK? This is
important.
David repeats making sure Gemini wouldn't wait till later.
[Gemini] I will. I promise. I won't wait.
Gemini says.
[Gemini] I'll call later, let you know where I'm at.
[David] Good. Talk you later then.
David says before he disconnects the call and moves to the
bathroom, if he didn't hurry he was going to show up late for
work.
Gemini sighs and takes a deep breath. She promised David, and
she wasn't going to break that promise. Going to the door, she
takes another deep breath and steps into the hallway and turns
going to Annie's room where she knocked firmly and loudly on the
door and stepped back to make sure she would be well visible in
the peephole.
Annie wakes up with a startle when she feels an Immortal buzz,
then she hears a loud knock on the door. She sighs as she sits
on the bed, judging by the outside light it's still very early.
She grabs her watch to check the time as sees it's only a little
after 7 am. She picks up her sword just in case on her way to
the door. As she's walking she hears another knock on the door.
[Annie] Coming.
Annie grumbles betting that it's Gemini.
Gemini hears Annie's call and gratefully steps back, to make
sure she can't be mistaken for someone else.
Annie checks who's outside by the peephole and sighs as she
opens the door.
[Annie] Don't tell me you want me to go swimming with you, or
I'm going to kill you.
Annie grumbles noticing the way Gemini is dressed.
[Gemini] No... umm... I never made it to the pool....
Gemini says nervously not sure if she could just spit it out,
like she did with David.
Annie stops looking at Gemini while she frowns, she can tell
something is up.
[Annie] What happened? Why are you so nervous?
[Gemini] HE was here.. in the hotel, last night.
Gemini says urgently.
[Annie] He was?
Annie asks surprised.
[Annie] I didn't feel him.
[Gemini] He was down on my old floor... it's the same floor that
the old pre-Immortal was on. Apparently he got into that room,
gave the man heart failure.
Gemini says in a rush.
[Gemini] Oh, and the old guy's wife, said she saw a man with a
sword and some other guest said they saw a man running down the
hallway with a sword in hand.
Annie looks at Gemini in silence, it looks like she's stuck with
the kid, she has no heart to just leave at a situation like
this. She sighs as she moves to the phone to order some coffee.
[Annie] You know what that means, right?
Gemini nods, standing in the doorway.
[Gemini] It means I need to find somewhere else to stay.
[Annie] Well, come in, we need to figure out what we're going to
do.
Annie says, remembering in time Gemini wouldn't come in unless
invited. She orders some coffee, then moves across the room to
hide the sword inside her coat again.
Gemini steps into the room, letting the door shut behind her and
moves to Annie's living room area.
[Gemini] What WE'RE going to do?
[Annie] Yes, we. Unless you want to do this by yourself?
Annie turns her head to look at Gemini, raising an eyebrow.
[Gemini] No... I don't think I CAN handle this by myself.
Gemini says softly.
[Annie] We need to move to another hotel today, next time he may
look all over the hotel until he feels a buzz.
Annie smacks herself mentally for her stupidity, she's lucky he
didn't try that before.
[Annie] Not changing hotel right away was a big mistake.
[Gemini] Well... at least I switched floors... that helped.
Gemini murmurs.
[Annie] Not enough, you were damn lucky he didn't find you.
Annie says as she walks to her room to get her robe.
[Gemini] Don't you think I realize that?
Gemini asks.
Annie dresses her robe and moves to her suitcase, to get an
envelope.
[Annie] If I'm going to stay I'm going to need a house, so I'll
need these.
Annie murmurs half to herself while she goes through the papers
in there.
[Gemini] What are they?
Gemini asks softly.
Annie chuckles softly and passes the envelope to Gemini so she
can take a look.
[Annie] Documents, I need to figure out what my name is going to
be here so I know which solicitor I should call.
[Gemini] Figure out what your name is going to be?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Yes, Anya Petrovna is taking a holiday.
Annie nods still smiling.
[Gemini] Oookaay....
Gemini says.
[Annie] If I buy an expensive house with a Russian name here,
they'd suspect I'm Russian mob.
Annie adds chuckling again.
[Annie] Don't want Home Security investigating me.
[Gemini] You ah... mean Homeland Security?
Gemini asks smiling a little.
[Annie] Yeah, that. I knew it was something like that.
Annie shrugs unconcerned.
[Annie] Didn't pay much attention back in Europe.
[Gemini] Really?
Gemini asks a little surprised.
[Gemini] I thought every country had their own equivalent of
Homeland security?
[Annie] Yes, I think so.
Annie nods again as she picks the envelope back and keeps going
through it.
[Annie] That's why I try to keep a low profile everywhere I go.
[Gemini] Oookaay....
Gemini says slowly.
[Annie] So what should I be this time?
Annie murmurs going through the passports.
[Annie] British, American, Austrian... Italian?
Annie says still hesitating which one to pick.
[Gemini] Umm.... I have no idea.
Gemini says skeptically.
[Annie] French... German?
Annie goes on still hesitating.
[Gemini] Greek?
Gemini throws out randomly.
[Annie] Don't have one of those, I don't speak Greek, remember?
Annie frowns side glancing at Gemini.
[Annie] What do you think?
[Gemini] I dunno... it's your life.
Gemini shrugs.
[Annie] Hmm, let's keep it safe, in America be American.
Annie getting the two American passports.
[Annie] Like I've said I like to keep a low profile.
[Gemini] Okay...
Gemini shrugs.
[Annie] And this one is out...
Annie opens the passport of Susanna Taylor with a sad sigh.
[Annie] Don't know why I still keep it.
[Gemini] Why? What's wrong with it?
Gemini asks curiously.
[Annie] She left prison in 2001 and disappeared to parts
unknown.
Annie says still looking down at her old passport.
[Annie] I should destroy it, don't see me using it again.
[Gemini] Prison?
Gemini asks.
[Gemini] Oh, when... when you accidentally killed the guy
attacking you?
Gemini adds after a moment of thought.
[Annie] Yes, that's the one.
Annie shakes her head unhappily.
[Annie] Can't believe I went to jail because of that ****.
A smile comes to her lips when she considers the irony.
[Annie] And you know the best part? If I wanted to kill that guy
and killed him right away, I'd never get to jail. I would have
managed to get away before the cops showed up.
[Gemini] You know, that really does suck. I mean you were trying
to do the right thing, but... jeez didn't you have a good
lawyer?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Yes, but too many women in the jury? I don't think they
liked me, don't know why.
Annie shrugs as she gets to her feet to put the passports in her
suitcase.
[Annie] Besides carrying a sword and a dagger and a gun didn't
help at all, no time to dispose of those before the cops came.
[Gemini] I suppose.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] So umm... who are you?
Gemini asks nodding to the passport.
[Annie] Lisa Anne Campbell, I was born in Hawaii in 1985.
Annie induces herself amused at the date, it looked ridiculously
close.
[Gemini] Only five years older than I am.
Gemini grins broadly, then frowns... "Do I need to call you Lisa
now?"
[Annie] No, I plan to use my second name. One of the reason I
picked this one.
Annie shrugs before she leaves the room. She'd heard a knock on
the door and assumed it was coffee.
[Gemini] That makes sense.
Gemini mutters softly.
[Annie] When I pick up a name I try to make it sound familiar
someway, or I may not answer when someone calls me. I don't
think I can advise you to do the same though, your name is
really unusual.
Annie says with a smile as she crosses the room to open the
door.
[Gemini] Yeah... but I suppose I can always pick other star
constellations.
Gemini grins.
[Gemini] Cassiopeia, Andromeda.
Gemini lists off a couple.
[Annie] I wouldn't call it trying to go unnoticed but...
Annie shrugs as she opens the door to let in room service. She
thanks the employee after he put the coffee on the table and is
about to leave.
Gemini just grins, not saying anything.
[Annie] Hmm, this solicitor is in Chicago, so I think I'm going
to call him, he should be in his office by now.
Annie says while she pours some coffee in a cup.
[Gemini] Do you want me to go?
Gemini offers.
[Annie] Hmm, I don't see the need, all I'm going to ask him is
to get me a couple of houses in Seacouver so I can take a look.
Annie shrugs before she takes a sip of coffee.
[Annie] You should help me pick one anyway, you're also living
in there, right?
[Gemini] Really?
Gemini asks brightening.
[Gemini] You'll teach me?
[Annie] I said we, didn't I?
Annie answers raising an eyebrow at Gemini, was it possible she
didn't get it when she said we by the door?
[Gemini] Thanks! Thank you SOO much.
Gemini cries.
[Annie] Let's see how it goes.
Annie shrugs before she takes a sip of coffee, if it didn't work
out she'd have to get Gemini another teacher.
Gemini just smiles slightly.
[Annie] Alright, let's get this going, we don't have a moment to
waste.
Annie stands up with a sigh to get her phone notebook.
[Gemini] You're telling me.
Gemini mutters under her breath, watching Annie.
Annie gets out of the bedroom after a while turning over the
pages. She walks to the phone and dials a number.
[Annie] Hello? I'd like to speak to doctor Robinson.
Annie says when his secretary answers the phone.
[Annie] It's Lisa Anne Campbell.
[Dylan] Lisa! How are you?
Dylan says answer the phone quickly.
[Annie] I'm fine, Dylan. Thanks. And don't call me Lisa.
Annie answers with a smile, reminding him what she told him when
she hired him.
[Dylan] My apologizes Ms. Campbell. What can I do for you today?
Dylan asks.
[Annie] Ms. Campbell?
Annie asks surprised.
[Annie] Do you want me to hang off the phone?
[Dylan] Ah, yes, that's right, you prefer Anne. My apologizes,
again. What can I do for you?
Dylan asks again.
Annie shakes her head even though he can't see it.
[Annie] I think you should have a coffee before I tell you what
I want.
[Dylan] No, I'm fine. It has just been so long since we last
talked. How is the Mediterranean today?
Dylan asks.
[Annie] Blue as always I think, but I'm not in Malta anymore.
Annie smiles glad she remembers where Lisa Anne was supposed to
be last time they talked.
[Dylan] Oh? Really?
Dylan asks surprised.
[Annie] Yes, I'm in Seacouver Washington at the moment.
Annie nods as she walks to the table to get her coffee cup back.
[Dylan] Aah, much closer to home then.
Dylan chuckles.
[Annie] Hmm, yes, you could say that.
Annie says before she takes a sip of coffee.
[Annie] That's the reason I'm calling, it's so nice in here I
want to buy a house.
[Dylan] Aah.... And you would like me to do the initial footwork
on houses for you?
Dylan asks.
[Annie] Yes, price isn't an issue, I want a house with a garden,
a big garden so I don't have to see the neighbors around me.
Annie explains while she pours more coffee in her cup.
[Annie] Big but not too big.
[Dylan] Are you looking for anything specific?
Dylan asks.
[Annie] Yes, furnished if you can find anything I like. I'm not
in the mood to buy everything all over again.
Annie says with a sigh, it would be boring enough to have to buy
house stuff and groceries.
[Gemini] A pool?
Gemini murmurs hopefully.
Annie side glances at Gemini with a smile, of course she'd worry
about that.
[Annie] Oh and a pool. Considering the weather most of the year
make that a covered pool.
[Dylan] Furnished, right, anything else?
Dylan asks, as he was jotting things down.
Annie frowns thinking for a moment and adds.
[Annie] A heated covered pool.
[Gemini] Big enough for lap swimming.
Gemini adds quickly.
[Annie] I don't want a washtub, a big pool, enough for lap
swimming.
Annie tells Dylan still smiling amused.
[Annie] Oh and get me a car, maybe a Bentley this time?
[Dylan] Alright. Big, lap swimming pool, furnished. A Bentley.
Anything else?
Dylan asks, still writing.
[Annie] Forgot to mention I want a convertible, and don't get me
a red car, doesn't go well with my hair.
Annie adds chuckling softly.
[Dylan] Non-red Bentley convertible, furnished house with a lap
pool. No price on house. Do you have a price range on the car?
Dylan comments absently.
[Annie] No, maybe something light blue or light gray or
metalized?
Annie says indifferent to what color it would be.
[Dylan] Alright...
Dylan says after a few moment of silence as he had written
things down.
[Dylan] Anything else for you?
[Annie] Try to get me a couple of houses I can see as soon as
possible I'm sick and tired of being in a hotel.
Annie says hoping he'd hurry up.
[Annie] The car can wait, I'm going to rent a car for now.
[Dylan] Certainly. I'll have a selection of both houses and cars
e-mailed to you by the end of the day.
Dylan assures her.
[Annie] Oh alright.
Annie nods with a smile, thinking the first thing she needs to
buy is another laptop, she shouldn't have left the other one
back in Austria.
[Dylan] IF there's nothing else?
Dylan asks.
[Annie] No, I think that's it, I can always call you back if I
remember something else.
[Dylan] Very well then. You'll have those selections no later
than 5 pm my time today. If they don't suite, please let me
know.
Dylan states.
[Annie] Alright, thanks Dylan.
Annie nods.
[Dylan] You're welcome. And have a good day.
Dylan says as he hangs up the phone.
Annie hangs up the phone and turns back to Gemini.
[Annie] Alright, the house and car are taken care of. Now you
should start packing, we're staying at another hotel for the
night.
Annie moves to put the phone back in place while she speaks.
[Gemini] Okay.
Gemini says standing up and heading for the door.
[Annie] Maybe put all those books in card boxes, so it's easier
to move them around?
Annie suggests watching Gemini walk to the door.
[Gemini] Ain't got boxes, besides my suitcase, but I'll find
something.
Gemini shrugs as she opens the door.
Annie rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
[Annie] Ask the hotel clerks, I'm sure they can get you
something.
[Gemini] Uh huh.
Gemini agrees as the door shuts behind her.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 318--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 22
By: Cyberfox277 Date: February 24, 2012, 8:23 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]*** Next morning – 7 Am***[/center]
Gemini sighs and gives up pacing in her room. Annie had moved
the two of them to a different hotel the night before and to a
two bedroom suite at the Hampton Inn, as opposed to the Fairmont
downtown that they had been staying at. The Hampton, much to
Gemini's disgust, had no pool. Annie had told her, that had been
done on purpose. Something about not wanting to work around a
swim schedule and that Gemini would be fine until they left the
hotel, which would be of as short a duration as possible. Gemini
sighs again and goes to the bedroom door. To hell with it. She
is going to watch some TV. Gemini walks out and plops herself
down on the couch grabbing the remote and turns the TV on. She
does try to keep the volume quiet for politeness sake, but she
was bored.
Annie wakes up with a startle when she hears the distant sound
of the TV, she opens her eyes and takes a look at her watch. She
sighs exasperated when she checks the time, the kid was watching
TV at 7 am? She takes a deep breath and covers her head trying
to go back to sleep. After a while of twisting and turning on
the bed, she finds out she can't go back to sleep. She gives up
completely and throws her blanket away angrily before she gets
out of bed.
[Annie] Damn, why didn't I just leave while there was still
time? Austria and the convent and solitude sound better and
better every time I think about it.
Annie murmurs while she gets her robe and puts it on. She walks
to the door of her bedroom to take a shower, opens the door and
stares at Gemini coldly.
[Annie] I bet you're just doing that to **** me off.
Annie grumbles while she walks to the bathroom.
[Gemini] What?
Gemini asks jumping in surprise.
[Gemini] I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.
Gemini says softly.
[Annie] Then you shouldn't put that rattle on at 7 am.
Annie side glances at her angrily before she closes the bathroom
door.
[Gemini] Sorry. But I didn't have anything else to do!
Gemini calls to Annie though the bathroom door.
[Annie] How about sleeping? People sleep at 7 am, you know?
Annie grumbles before she walks in the shower. She shakes her
head disbelievingly as she turns on the water, after being awake
until so late last night, the last thing she'd imagined was to
be up so early.
[Gemini] Not when they're used to being up at 5am.
Gemini mutters and turns back to the TV, with the intention of
getting in the shower when Annie was done. She hadn't done that,
because she'd known that that WOULD wake Annie up.
Annie begins to relax under the water, the shower is making her
feel better, she knows she has a long day ahead. After she's
done she just stays under the tap without moving a little longer
than necessary just enjoying the feeling of the water over her
skin. She sighs as she turns off the water and wraps herself on
a towel. She uses another towel to wrap her hair and picks up
her stuff before she's ready to leave.
[Annie] Maybe you could start getting ready instead of wasting
your time with that? I'm going to call the realtor and see if
she can come earlier than planned.
Annie tells Gemini while she passes her moving to the bedroom.
[Gemini] Was just waiting for you to finish.
Gemini says bounding up and heading for the shower.
[Annie] Yes, I asked for a suite with two bathrooms but it
wasn't available.
Annie says with a shrug before she goes inside her bedroom.
[Gemini] They even have one?
Gemini mutters as she steps into the bathroom and closes the
door behind her. She turns the shower on and gets ready to step
in. Apart from her morning warm up in a pool her shower was one
of her favorite parts to the day.
Annie hesitates about what to dress for a minute, until she
shrugs and goes for her usual black jeans and sweater, she
wasn't going to dress up to take a look at some houses, let the
realtor think what she wanted.
Gemini steps into the shower and smiles as the warm/hot water
washes over her. Gemini stands there for a few moments, then
begins the process of washing.
Annie walks out of her bedroom fully dressed and sits on the
couch to wait for Gemini so they can order breakfast. She thinks
what she'd like to eat while she waits.
Gemini turns the water off and steps out of the shower, grabbing
a towel and quickly drying herself. Once dry with hair not
dripping, Gemini grabs a second towel to wrap around her, then
exits the bathroom heading for her bedroom.
Annie looks up the moment she hears the bathroom door open.
[Annie] What do you want for breakfast? So I can order it while
you get dressed.
Annie asks absentmindedly still thinking what she wants.
[Gemini] Mmm....
Gemini says pausing a moment thinking.
[Gemini] How 'bout a mushroom and cheese omelette, hash-browns
and bacon?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Hmm, I think I like that.
Annie nods with a smile as she jumps to her feet.
[Annie] Let's go for it. Coffee?
[Gemini] No. No coffee, but I'd love orange juice.
Gemini says brightly.
[Annie] Okay.
Annie nods again while she walks to the phone.
Gemini grins, then goes into her bedroom, shutting the door
softly behind her, so she could change her clothes.
Annie orders their breakfast, then comes back to the couch. She
checks her watch still too early to call the realtor, she'd
probably only be there at nine though she's going to try earlier
just in case.
Gemini dresses in khaki shorts and a blousy emerald green shirt.
Gemini runs a comb through her hair then leaves the bedroom to
return to the bathroom to dry her hair.
[Gemini] Breakfast on its way?
Gemini asks as she passes through the living room.
[Annie] Yes, should be here soon.
Annie nods checking her watch again.
[Annie] Maybe I should start trying at 8:30.
Annie murmurs to herself.
[Gemini] 8:30 for what?
Gemini asks entering the bathroom, but leaving the door open.
After all, it's not as though privacy is needed for drying ones
hair.
[Annie] Call the realtor? I'd like to get this done in the
morning since I'm awake.
Annie explains while she thinks she wouldn't mind leaving the
hotel, she liked the other one a lot more.
[Gemini] Oh. Yeah. The sooner the better I guess.
Gemini says with a shrug as she grabs the hotel provided blow
dryer and turns it on.
Annie makes a face at the noise but doesn't say anything, the
kid wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. She takes a deep
breath wondering what it will be like to live with another
person, she'd lived alone for almost a hundred years now.
Gemini shuts the dryer off after just a couple of short minutes.
She loved the fact that her hair dried so quickly. Grabbing the
brush she'd brought into the bathroom with her, Gemini runs it
through her hair then uses it to pull her hair up into a pony
tail and secures it the band she had around her wrist.
Annie gets to her feet when there's a knock on the door and a
voice says room-service. She opens the door to let the hotel
employee enter and tells him to put in on the table.
[Gemini] Oh, Yum.
Gemini says coming out of the bathroom and seeing breakfast
being laid out onto the table.
[Annie] Yes, smells good, I'm glad you have some ideas once in a
while.
Annie chuckles softly while she pulls a chair to sit down.
[Annie] Even if it's just once in a while.
Annie adds teasingly.
[Gemini] Hey! That's not fair! I have lots of good ideas... You
just haven't known me long.
Gemini says as she comes over to the table then pulls out a
chair across from Annie and plops down, tucking her left leg up
under her.
Annie waits until the hotel employee leaves to tell Gemini.
[Annie] Yes, but running to that back alley wasn't one of them.
[Gemini] Hey! I tried to make it out to the street, but he cut
me off!
Gemini protest, not adding that she'd also tried to get back to
the lobby, and he'd cut her off from that too.
Annie rolls her eyes and sighs while she shakes her head.
[Annie] Of course he did, so would any Immortal after your head
with that convenient alley where he could kill you.
[Gemini] Yeah, well, just to defend my action, I did try to get
to the lobby before going into that alley. But he had me cut off
in the hotel proper, and then when I went down the stairwell, it
was jammed going to the lobby area and I didn't have time to try
and force it, 'cause he was almost on me.
Gemini defends her actions.
[Annie] Well next time make some noise, yell, knock on the
doors, make everybody come to the corridor to see what's going
on. Looking at you and him who do you think they'd believe?
Besides that would make him go away, most Immortals, not to say
all, don't do anything with an audience.
Annie says while she picks up her fork and knife to start
eating.
[Gemini] Yeah... I know that, NOW.
Gemini sighs, picking up the ketchup bottle and carefully
putting ketchup across her hash-browns.
[Annie] Besides making noise seems to be your specialty anyway.
Annie adds as an after thought.
[Gemini] Hey, I at least I waited until 7 before I turned the TV
on. I've been up since 6.
Gemini protests.
Annie shakes her head, taking a deep breath, living with this
kid was going to be "fun".
[Annie] I'm glad I know that before we pick rooms, yours is
going to be as far away as possible from mine.
Annie says hoping the realtor would get them a really big house.
[Gemini] Hey. Six is sleeping in! Normally I'm up by five so I
can be in the pool by 5:30.
Gemini says, with a grin.
[Annie] Fine, you can get up at 4 am for all I care, I just
don't want you to wake me up as well.
Annie shrugs indifferently.
Gemini laughs.
[Gemini] Not a morning person are you?
[Annie] Depends.
Annie shrugs again.
[Gemini] On what?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] On whether I can sleep at night or not.
Annie explains hoping the kid wouldn't ask for details.
[Gemini] Bad dreams?
Gemini guesses softly.
[Annie] Hmm yes, sometimes. Don't we all have nightmares
sometimes?
Annie shrugs trying to make it sound like it's nothing, her
nightmares were improving anyway.
[Gemini] Yeah.
Gemini murmurs, thinking of her own nightmares. Nightmares from
her accident, from her parents...
[Annie] So we don't need to sleep that close as long as we have
a decent alarm.
Annie gasps when she finally remembers what she forgot to ask
her solicitor.
[Annie] Damn, I knew I'd forgotten something.
[Gemini] What'd you forget?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] I forgot to ask Dylan to get me a good security firm, I
doubt the house will have a state-of-the-art alarm.
Annie sighs taking a look at her watch.
[Annie] I suppose I'll have to call him again.
[Gemini] Umm... That's what David does.
Gemini says hesitantly.
Annie side glances at Gemini surprised.
[Annie] Really? Besides being a jerk?
Gemini blushes slightly.
[Gemini] Yeah... he works for his teacher who started it... I
know they do all sorts of security.
Gemini shrugs.
Annie shakes her head with a smile.
[Annie] I certainly hope he's better in his work than trying to
be funny.
[Gemini] I've gathered so... He used to be a cop, before he died
the first time.
Gemini says softly.
[Annie] I suppose I can give them a call after we get a house.
Annie shrugs indifferently.
[Annie] I can always look for someone else if I don't like what
they propose.
[Gemini] Think about it. They're both immortal, who better to
know what security Immortals need than they do?
Gemini says, then suddenly giggles.
[Gemini] Hey, maybe they know a priest who can turn the grounds
of the house to Holy Ground.
[Annie] I'm not so sure I want to meet that guy on Holy Ground.
That one I wouldn't mind killing.
Annie murmurs to herself, thinking it would be one less scum bag
walking around on the streets.
[Gemini] But others?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Others?
Annie side glances at Gemini slightly surprised, then she
shrugs.
[Gemini] I dunno... other Immortals.
Gemini shrugs.
[Annie] Look kid, I don't go around looking for a fight, but if
I get challenged I kill them, that easy.
[Gemini] Yeah....
Gemini says slowly.
[Gemini] That doesn't do me much good.
[Annie] Hmm, I'd say nothing will until you learn how to fight.
Annie gives Gemini a small smile as she repeats.
[Annie] That easy.
[Gemini] What's easy? Running and hiding or fighting?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Running and hiding only works up to a certain point,
then you'll have to fight.
Annie says taking a deep breath.
[Annie] It's not like most Immortals give up their prey easily,
you know?
[Gemini] Yeah. Figured that one out the hard way.
Gemini says.
[Annie] Besides running away from a hunter is a really bad idea,
those guys only understand one thing, hmm two, lead and steel.
Annie says as she pushes her empty plate away from her.
[Annie] And only steel works for good, so...
[Gemini] Yeah... Still doesn't do me any good, right now.
Gemini points out, reminding Annie that she can neither fight,
nor has a gun.
[Annie] Yes, maybe we should start that way.
Annie thinks for a minute considering the options.
[Annie] You don't have anything against guns, right?
[Gemini] I'm from North Dakota...
Gemini points out slowly.
[Gemini] If there are any states more gun happy than North
Dakota, South Dakota, Montana or Wyoming... I've never heard of
them.
Gemini grins.
[Gemini] So, no. I don't have any issues with guns.
[Annie] Oh, good.
Annie takes a deep sigh of relief, before she smiles.
[Annie] For a moment I thought you were one of those pacifists.
Annie shakes her head amused while she thinks being stuck with
an Immortal pacifist would be a little bit too much, she'd be on
the first plane back to Europe.
[Gemini] No. I even know how to shoot... a little.. well...
rifles anyway. I've been pheasant hunting a couple of times.
Gemini says, with a slight smile.
[Annie] Fine, I'll get you a gun once we settle this house
thing. At least that will stall him a little.
Annie nods hoping the kid wouldn't need to use it.
[Gemini] Okay... Hopefully the need won't ever come up.
Gemini mutters.
[Annie] Yes, but if he gets you alone, shoot him and get away
from him as fast as you can, I don't know how long that will
keep him down.
Annie shrugs and gets to her feet.
[Annie] You can't guess it just by looking at another Immortal.
[Gemini] But it should at least give me a chance to get away for
the mean time, right?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Yes, if your aiming is good. We'll work on that.
Annie says as she checks her watch again.
[Annie] I wonder if she's already at her office.
[Gemini] Call and check. If not you can always call back.
Gemini says with a shrug.
Annie moves to the phone and dials the number Dylan has given
her on his email. She sighs when she gets an answering machine
and disconnects without bothering to leave a message.
[Annie] Still too early.
Annie shrugs as she walks to the couch.
[Gemini] That sucks.
Gemini sighs getting up, and moving from the table to one of the
chairs.
[Annie] Well it's not like she's expecting us this early, we
were supposed to see the houses during the afternoon.
Annie sighs as she stands up impatiently and moves to the window
to take a look outside.
[Gemini] Oh.
Gemini says softly.
[Annie] Let's hope she can move it to the morning.
Annie thinks for a moment and smiles.
[Annie] Probably, since she's expecting to make a big sale here.
[Gemini] I'm sure that'll depend on if the houses are vacant or
not. If they are I bet she can. If not... I bet not.
Gemini shrugs.
[Annie] They better be, I want to move as soon as possible.
Annie sighs thinking she didn't like this hotel at all.
[Gemini] That's obvious.
Gemini mutters to herself.
Annie turns her back to the window, the view isn't that great
anyway.
[Annie] Maybe I should have left a message, then she'd call when
she got there.
[Gemini] So call back in fifteen minutes. Maybe she'll get in
early.
Gemini suggests absently.
[Annie] Yeah, might as well wait now.
Annie sighs as she moves to the table to get more coffee.
[Gemini] Well... Once a place is gotten, I'll need to look into
getting a vehicle for myself.
Gemini sighs.
[Annie] Oh yeah, another thing I've forgotten.
Annie nods with a sigh.
[Annie] I can always call Dylan again.
[Gemini] It can wait... for a bit. I just don't fancy taking a
cab everywhere...
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] Forever.
Annie nods again in agreement.
[Annie] Yes, you should have one. Not that I expect you to use
it much anyway if you like the pool.
Annie adds with a smirk.
Gemini rolls her eyes.
[Gemini] I don't spend my whole life in the pool.
[Annie] No? Could have fooled me.
Annie says chuckling softly.
[Gemini] I don't spend my whole life in the pool! Just.. a fifth
of it.. Which is a lot but...
Gemini protests.
[Annie] To spend more time in the pool you'd have to eat and
sleep there.
Annie shakes her head smiling amused as she puts down the cup
after drinking the coffee, and walks to the phone again.
[Annie] Better try again.
[Gemini] No, not really.
Gemini says with a grin.
[Gemini] Oh, when did you want to try David? Or did you want me
to do that?
[Annie] David?
Annie turns her head to look back wondering what Gemini is
talking about.
[Gemini] For Security... at the house?
Gemini reminds Annie.
[Annie] Well I need to get a house first, no?
Annie raises an eyebrow at Gemini for a moment, then turns to
pick up the phone.
[Gemini] Yeah... suppose.
Gemini shrugs.
Annie calls the realtor again and this time she gets an answer.
She asks to talk with Mrs. Wanda Meyer and is lucky enough it's
the woman she's talking to and she can come right away. She
hangs up the phone with a smile.
[Annie] She'll be here in about 20 minutes.
[Gemini] Okay.
Gemini says with a smile.
[Gemini] What are the chances of finding something today?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Don't know, I have no idea if they have many houses for
sale here or not.
Annie shrugs as she moves to the bedroom to get her things.
[Annie] I walked around here a bit, but never noticed it before.
I wasn't planning to buy a house here anyway.
[Gemini] Doubt they have much downtown. Most bigger cities don't
have much besides apartments downtown.
Gemini points out.
[Annie] It can be a little far away, that's why I need the car.
If it's not that far I rather walk, helps to keep in shape.
Annie says while she moves the things she'd going to need from
her handbag to her coat.
[Gemini] Uh huh.
Gemini says, thinking she herself, didn't need to walk to keep
in shape.
[Annie] Not that I really need it, everywhere I go I get at
least one idiot kid challenging me.
Annie grumbles unhappily.
[Annie] Times change but some things never change at all.
[Gemini] Huh?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Men still see you as an easy prey, and it's not just
Immortals.
Annie sighs remembering that jerk that got her in jail. She
checks her sword in the lining of her coat and carries the coat
back to the living room, ready to leave when the woman who's
going to show them the houses arrives.
[Gemini] Huh?
Gemini repeats, still not getting what Annie was talking about.
Annie looks at Gemini and smiles seeing her face.
[Annie] I just remembered I don't need to keep in shape walking.
[Gemini] Oh... fighting?
Gemini asks softly.
[Annie] Yes, fighting.
Annie nods with a sad sigh.
[Annie] Like I've said some things never change.
[Gemini] Course not. That would make sense.
Gemini smiles.
[Annie] Yes, too much to ask, right?
Annie smiles back at Gemini.
[Gemini] Yeah. That would mean, all men would have to evolve
beyond the barbarism.
Gemini sighs.
Annie shakes her head thinking the times she'd lived through.
[Annie] If you live long enough you'll see mankind making the
same stupid mistakes over and over again.
[Gemini] Uh... don't have to live long to see that. Just have to
look at the history books. Anyone can see that history is
cyclical.
Gemini points out with a wry grin.
[Annie] Yes, but I meant things that aren't mentioned in history
books, or are only briefly mentioned.
Annie shrugs moving to the table and hesitating while she thinks
if she should drink more coffee or not.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] Well, that would make sense, wouldn't it? If the big
events are cyclical and repeated then the little ones would have
to be too, right?
[Annie] I suppose.
Annie nods while she pours some coffee in her cup.
[Gemini] Shall we aah... just go wait in the lobby or something?
In case she gets there early?
Gemini asks, standing up.
[Annie] Yeah, why not?
Annie drinks the coffee and walks to the door.
[Gemini] Okay, let me grab my stuff.
Gemini says quickly walking to her room.
[Annie] We're not doing anything here anyway.
Annie says with a shrug while she checks her pockets to see if
she's taking the key card.
[Gemini] Okay. I'm good.
Gemini says, as she comes back into the living room with a small
purse bag slung over her shoulder.
[Annie] Let's go then.
Annie opens the door and walks to the corridor.
[Annie] I hope we can get a nice house.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 320--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 23
By: Cyberfox277 Date: March 1, 2012, 6:24 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Three and a half hours later***[/center]
Wanda Meyer sighs unhappily while she drives to yet another
house, while she thinks why it's always her to get the difficult
clients. They've been north and south, east and west and so far
she couldn't find a house that would please both her clients.
When the older woman didn't have an objection, the younger one
would find something. Wanda is beginning to consider if they're
really interested in buying a house or only want to take a look
at them. If it wasn't that Chicago solicitor's call she'd have
already said something, but she'd worked with him before and
knows he's for real. She sighs again as she turns to the avenue
where the house is, hoping they'd like this one, she was running
out of houses to show them.
[Wanda] We're almost there.
Wanda tells the older woman on her side in the car.
[Wanda] I think you'll like this one.
Wanda says, praying she's going to leave the car at least and
bother to see it inside, it was really irritating when she did
that. She didn't even have a chance to try to convince them.
[Annie] We'll see.
Annie murmurs while she looks outside liking the place, she only
hopes she likes the house as well.
Wanda parks the company car by the front gates, expecting a
comment and is slightly disappointed when she doesn't get one.
Actually she doesn't get a reaction whatsoever. She thinks that
woman is too quiet, it's slightly disturbing.
Gemini sits in the back of Wanda's car and subtly watches
Wanda's expressions in Wanda's review mirror. Seeing the
expression on Wanda's face after she looks at Annie as they pull
into the driveway of yet another house, Gemini has to try hard
not to smile or start laughing at Wanda's expression.
Annie looks at the house in silence, she likes what she can see
through the trees and the garden is magnificent, just what she
had in mind. She opens the car door to go outside, this one she
really had to see.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseFrontGate.jpg
Wanda takes a deep sigh of relief, at least this time she was
leaving the car. Maybe she'd be lucky and they'd like this one,
she can't bring herself to keep doing this after lunch.
Annie takes a deep breath as the woman goes on and on about the
house. She only wanted the woman stopped talking for a while,
but knows it's impossible this one liked to hear the sound of
her own voice, the only way is to ignore it.
Gemini hurries and gets out of the car and steps up to Annie
before Annie can go any further.
[Gemini] You're kind of freaking her out.
Gemini murmurs softly.
[Annie] Obviously not enough, or she'd shut up for a while.
Annie murmurs back to Gemini.
[Annie] I can hardly hear myself thinking.
[Gemini] The more you freak her out, the more nervous she gets,
the more... and faster I might add, she talks.
Gemini explains with a wry grin.
Annie shrugs indifferently looking around, if she liked the
house she'd pass that woman to Dylan and wouldn't need to put up
with her anymore.
[Annie] I could always gag her.
Annie murmurs to Gemini like she meant it.
[Gemini] Yeah, that'd be smart.
Gemini mutters.
Wanda keeps talking until she looks back and realizes she's
talking to herself those two were talking by the car. She stops
surprised for a moment, then she sighs, they were doing it
again.
[Annie] Come on, let's get going the sooner we see the house the
sooner we get rid of her.
Annie grumbles watching the woman waiting for them.
Gemini snorts trying to hold in her laughter and nods.
[Gemini] Alright, let's go.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseFrontDoor.jpg
Annie studies the house while she walks to the front door.
[Annie] I kind of like it, even though it's too dark.
[Gemini] It can be repainted.
Gemini points out.
[Annie] I suppose, though it doesn't look that bad.
Annie shrugs as she begins to walk again. The woman is by the
door waiting for them and saying something Annie didn't pay
attention to.
Gemini shrugs indifferently.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseLobby.jpg
Annie almost gasps in surprise when she walks in the door and
takes a look around, she'd never imagined it would look so good.
[Annie] Not bad, not bad at all.
Annie murmurs moving her head from one side to the other.
[Gemini] Wow.
Gemini mutters in surprise as she walks in the room.
Wanda smiles pleased with herself, at least now she'd gotten a
reaction from both of them.
Annie takes a few steps to take a better look at the dinning
room.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseDiningRoom.jpg
[Annie] Could be bigger, but I'm not expecting to entertain much
so...
Annie shrugs moving to open the door.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseKitchen.jpg
[Annie] Also like the kitchen.
Annie nods while she goes through the door.
[Annie] Cozy.
[Gemini] It's big enough. That's for sure.
Gemini mutters.
Annie opens the kitchen door to take a look outside, she smiles
when she sees a small pound in the garden.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseGardenPond.jpg
[Annie] Don't tell me that's the pool.
[Gemini] That won't work.
Gemini mutters.
Wanda is surprised for a moment, for a moment she thought the
other woman was joking but it couldn't be it, could it? She
shakes her head as she replies.
[Wanda] Of course not, this way please.
Wanda goes through the garden while she explains there's also a
way inside the house.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseGarden.jpg
Annie looks around nodding approvingly, she really liked this
garden.
[Wanda] This is the pool.
Wanda says as she opens a door as if it wasn't obvious enough.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHousePool.jpg
Gemini nods.
[Gemini] That's workable.
[Annie] Oh, finally found something big enough for you?
Annie asks Gemini smiling amused.
[Annie] Good.
[Gemini] It's better than the other ones.
Gemini shrugs.
Wanda smiles again, apparently they're liking this house, she
almost sighs in relief, finally.
[Wanda] So let's take a look at the bedrooms?
[Annie] Sure. I'd also like to see the living room.
Annie says while they follow the woman down the corridor.
[Wanda] The living room is right there.
Wanda explains when they get to the lobby.
[Annie] Looks nice.
Annie nods moving to the entrance, maybe she'd have to change a
few things though, she thinks to herself.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseLivingRoom.jpg
Gemini shrugs. The house was grand enough in appearance. But
definitely not to her taste. A little... old fashioned.
Wanda suggests they move to the rooms after a while, starting
with the second floor and moves to the stairs.
[Wanda] The main room is upstairs.
Wanda explains while they move up.
Annie nods looking around as she climbs the stairs, the walls
looked too dark maybe she'd need to have it repainted after all.
Wanda turns right at the tops of the stairs and leads them to
the main room.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseAnniesRoom.jpg
Annie is surprised for a moment, then amused when she thinks she
doesn't need to leave her room to practice with her sword if she
doesn't feel like it.
[Annie] That's big.
Annie nods, not finding any other word for it.
Wanda nods in agreement.
[Wanda] That's the biggest bedroom, the other 7 are smaller.
Gemini shrugs indifferently.
[Wanda] Of course not all of them have a bathroom and the
previous family used the other rooms for something else. They
had a small library and a...
Wanda thinks for a moment, she'd not sure how they used the
other rooms.
[Wanda] Computer room I think.
[Annie] Is there still a library? Or they took the books?
Annie asks suddenly interested.
[Wanda] They took the books, sorry.
Wanda says as she proceeds in showing them the rooms.
[Annie] No problem. She's starting a library anyway.
Annie says as she nods at Gemini.
Gemini rolls her eyes.
[Gemini] I have a Library. Back in Fargo.
[Annie] So do I, back in Europe. So what?
Annie asks thinking, her books won't work in here, most of them
aren't in English.
[Gemini] So, what about the rest of the bedrooms? Which one is
the next biggest?
Gemini asks Wanda speaking up.
[Wanda] That's downstairs, with a view of the garden.
Wanda explains leaving the main room.
[Wanda] It belonged to the former owner's mother, who had
locomotion problems and couldn't go up and down the stairs all
the time.
Wanda goes on explaining as they move to the stairs.
Annie nods, it would please her Gemini picked that one so she
wouldn't pass her door all the time, it made her jumpy, but
she's not going to try to convince her.
Gemini follows Wanda as the walk down a hallway, that was
actually fairly near the pool Gemini could tell. Her nose was
well trained to pick up the slightest hint of chlorine.
[Wanda] Here we are, it's not so big as the main room, but still
big enough.
Wanda says as she stops at the entrance of the room.
HTML http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg16/Cyberfox277/Real%20Estate/Seacouver%20House/SeacouverHouseGeminisRoom.jpg
[Gemini] It's big enough... needs some furniture or something
but...
Gemini trials off with a shrug.
[Annie] And the pool is just down the corridor, what more can
you ask, right?
Annie teases Gemini with a small smile.
[Gemini] Exactly.
Gemini grins.
[Annie] Besides it's not only this room that needs some
furniture, there's a few things I'd change here.
Annie shrugs looking around the room and the view out the
window.
[Wanda] Yes, I think the owners took their favorite pieces,
which is only natural.
Wanda nods looking from one woman to the other.
[Gemini] I like it.
Gemini says with a shrug, looking over at Annie.
[Annie] Yes, so do I. We'll take it.
Annie tells Wanda turning around from window.
Wanda nods with a sigh of relief, finally she'd managed to get
them a house they liked.
[Annie] So send a copy of the contract to doctor Robinson so he
can take a look and then we can do business.
Annie tells Wanda as she walks to the door.
[Annie] Let's try to do it still today? Maybe? I want to get out
of that hotel as soon as possible.
Wanda nods doubtfully as she follows Annie out of the house.
[Wanda] We can try but I don't think you'll get a loan so fast.
Banks take longer than that.
Annie side glances at Wanda slightly surprised.
[Annie] Just send the contract to Dylan, if he approves it,
money will show up.
Annie says with an indifferent shrug.
Wanda blinks in surprise, she never imagined those two didn't
need a loan to buy this house. She nods in agreement after a
moment.
[Wanda] Well, I think the earliest the title company can be
ready is tomorrow, but I see no reason why we can't have
everything ready by then.
[Annie] Good.
Annie nods approvingly.
[Annie] Then we can move.
Gemini just rolls her eyes. Annie obviously wanted to sleep in
more.
[Wanda] So if there's nothing else you want to see, I can take
you back to the hotel.
Wanda suggests, relieved she'd done this sale faster than
expected.
[Annie] No, I think I saw everything I wanted to see for now.
Annie says as she walks to the door.
[Wanda] Alright.
Wanda waits they leave the house, locks the door and leads them
back to her car.
Gemini suppresses both a laugh and grin at both Wanda's and
Annie's reactions and trails behind both as they had back to the
car.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 323--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 24
By: Cyberfox277 Date: March 6, 2012, 10:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center][b]***Later that night***[b][/center]
Steven opens the trunk of his rental, after taking a look around
to see if anyone was in sight, and dumps the dead body, still
wearing a Fairmont Hotel uniform, on the ground. He kicks it
hard and grumbles angrily.
[Steven] How's that for payment, your stupid, greedy,
incompetent fool!
Steven growls between kicks.
Ashley having suspected what Steven was up too, stood carefully
within earshot of Steven, watching and listening to him. Ashley
also locks away any pity she might be tempted to feel for the
poor waiter Steven is kicking.
[Steven] Making me waste my time, stalling to get a better pay.
Making me go to the wrong floor!
Steven grumbles indignantly with a final kick.
[Steven] She got away because of you!
Ashley sighs inaudibly. 'And now you'll be long in learning
where that young one went,' she thinks to herself.
[Steven] It's not fair when I need it so much.
Just as he says that, the words reverberate on his brain over
and over again. He looks down and realizes his hands are
shaking. He puts his hands on his temples and shakes his head
hard.
[Steven] Get a grip, you don't get any physical symptoms for it.
It's all in the brain.
Steven says as he keeps shaking hard.
[Steven] It's all in the brain.
Ashley raises an eyebrow in surprise. Steven WAS addicted to
Quickenings and just admitted it. Ashley has suspected it for a
long time, but to have him flat out admit it... This was
definitely a new one for the Watcher Chronicles.
Steven takes some deep breaths trying to calm himself, while he
thinks he should get a strong Quickening, young Immortals just
left him wanting for more. He begins to pull the body to the
water so he can go look for some Immortal.
[Steven] I hope a shark eats you and you never wash up on shore,
you incompetent fool. Ever since it's forbidden to whip the
workers it's impossible to get a decent job done.
Steven grumbles while he drags the body.
Ashley just sighs once more inaudibly at that comment from
Steven. Trust the **** like him to think you need to whip people
to get a job done.
Steven throws the body in the water and straightens up just
looking at it until it disappears.
[Steven] Now to get that Immortal.
Steven frowns thinking for a moment, then he smiles.
[Steven] Oh I know, where did I put it?
Steven looks for the paper in his pockets.
[Steven] That guy with the young kid, I followed him after he
left her at the hotel, what was the name again?
Steven finally finds the paper and reads it with an evil smile
on his lips.
[Steven] That's right, the Bower Agency up on Burrard Street,
maybe I should pay him a visit.
Steven murmurs while he walks to his car.
[Steven] If I'm lucky he might even lead me to her and I'd kill
two birds with one stone.
Steven chuckles softly as he amends.
[Steven] Or with one sword.
Ashley thinks, 'Great. Well, at least I've got something to note
down. And the location of at least one more Immortal, for Joe to
get someone on. I'll assume he doesn't already,' Ashley thinks
to herself.
Steven is still laughing at his own joke while he starts the car
and drives off.
[center][b]To be continued[b][/center]
#Post#: 344--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 25
By: Cyberfox277 Date: March 25, 2012, 10:43 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Next day – 7 PM***[/center]
Annie sighs in relief as she picks up the last bag of groceries
and carries it into the kitchen.
[Annie] Almost forgot how boring it is to move to a new house,
we're out of everything.
Annie tells Gemini when she passes her.
[Annie] At least now we have some food if we get hungry.
[Gemini] Yeah, rather than having to eat out all the time.
Gemini agrees.
[Annie] I sure hope you know how to cook, I'm not planning to be
around all the time. I should get something to do here.
Annie tells Gemini as she begins to put the things they bought
inside the cupboards and the fridge.
[Annie] Get a job or study something, I haven't decided yet.
[Gemini] Yeah. I can cook.
Gemini shrugs indifferently.
[Annie] Actually what we should do was to hire someone to cook
and clean and all that stuff.
[Gemini] Yeah, right.
Gemini mutters, assuming that Annie is joking.
Annie wrinkles her nose at the thought of doing it herself.
[Annie] But to bring a stranger in the house at a time like
this, it's not a good idea.
[Gemini] You mean, with me, not being able to defend myself.
Gemini says flatly.
[Annie] No, I mean with that Lee guy around. He could get
someone to spy on us.
Annie shrugs after she puts the last thing they bought in the
fridge.
[Annie] Can never be too careful.
[Gemini] Oh... Yeah.
Gemini sighs, plopping down on a stool in the kitchen.
[Annie] That reminds me. Priorities.
Annie nods looking around the kitchen.
[Annie] The house can wait, tomorrow I should get you a gun and
teach you how to use it.
[Gemini] Okay.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] Well, I know how use a gun... not that I have one.
[Annie] I hope you never need to use it, but it's better to be
prepared.
Annie shrugs as she walks to the kitchen door.
[Annie] A gun is better than nothing.
[Gemini] I hope I never need to use it... or the sword.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] But if it's me or... whoever. I damn well want it to be
whoever.
[Annie] That's the spirit.
Annie nods with a smile before she walks out of the kitchen.
[Annie] Did you see a bar around here? I think we forgot to
bring some booze.
Annie asks Gemini as she goes to the dinning room.
Gemini chuckles sourly.
[Gemini] At least I'm doing something right.
Gemini mutters.
[Gemini] Can always get that next time.
Gemini says as she follows Annie.
[Annie] Yes, I guess no drinking tonight.
Annie looks around with a sigh.
[Annie] We should make a list or something.
[Gemini] Yeah, umm... just to remind you.. We're in the US. I'm
not legal to drink.
Gemini points out.
[Annie] Well I am, and I intend to have some booze around the
house.
Annie shrugs as she looks around just in case there's something
left.
[Annie] I always had, even during prohibition.
[Gemini] Yes, well, you were saying "We" should make a list.
Doesn't do much good for me to put in anything.. at least not
currently.
Gemini shrugs.
[Annie] I didn't expect you to put booze on the list anyway. Not
you.
Annie says chuckling softly.
Gemini grins.
[Annie] Besides you look big enough, you can vote so as far as
I'm concerned, you can drink whatever you want.
Annie shrugs again giving up the search.
[Annie] And no, no drinking tonight.
[Gemini] Not with nothing in the house.
Gemini chuckles.
[Annie] Hmm, we could go to Joe's, probably a good idea to tell
the others I'm staying so we don't get on each other's way.
Annie suggests checking if she still has the car keys in her
pocket.
[Annie] Always a good idea to be on good terms with other
Immortals if possible, saves us a lot of fighting.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] Sounds good to me.
[Annie] Did you take all the books out of the car?
Annie asks playing with the car keys.
[Gemini] Yes.
Gemini laughs.
Annie raises an eyebrow looking at Gemini.
[Annie] What's so amusing?
[Gemini] That was always the first question, my parents asked me
when we got either to the cabin, or home.
Gemini smiles.
Annie rolls her eyes as she turns around, then she walks to the
door.
[Annie] Let's go then.
[Gemini] OK.
Gemini agrees with a smile.
[center]***45 minutes later***[/center]
[Ally] Hey, wasn't moron over there cut off?
Ally asks Methos, nodding in the direction of the idiot whom she
had literally put on his back earlier.
Methos shakes his head as he notices one of the jerk's friends
bring him more alcohol.
[Methos] Yes, and his friends aren't smarter than him.
[Ally] Right, so we have, Dumb, Dumber, Stupid and Moron. What a
group.
Ally says with a roll of her eyes.
[Methos] More like a pathetic fool, people who can't take a
drink shouldn't try to drink at all.
Methos shakes his head again with an unhappy sigh.
[Methos] Too bad the other people are the ones who have to take
that. Or don't.
Methos adds side glancing at Aldria with a smirk.
[Ally] Oh, as if you didn't enjoy watching what I did to him!
Ally grins.
[Methos] Oh yeah, and the face he did when you knocked him on
his back.
Methos nods chuckling softly.
[Ally] The best angle was the one where you were standing right
over him.
Ally says chuckling herself, at the memory of complete and utter
shock on Moron's face.
[Methos] Can't say I feel sorry for him, apparently he can't
take a hint.
Methos smiles as he remembers the scene again, it was really
amusing.
[Ally] Or learn a lesson.
Ally sighs as Moron tries hitting on someone else.
[Methos] Nothing to worry about, most women are perfectly
capable of defending themselves these days, only a retarded like
him wouldn't know that.
Methos chuckles as the woman he was trying to harass pushes him
and walks to the bar.
[Methos] See?
[Ally] Just because women can defend themselves, doesn't mean
he's capable of learning a lesson.
Ally points out, smirking as Dumb, Dumber and Stupid laugh at
Moron.
[Methos] The man wants to get laid tonight, but at this rate the
only place he's going to lay is in the hospital.
Methos chuckles softly watching the man choosing his next
victim.
[Ally] If he's lucky. If he's not, he'll end up in the gutter.
Ally snorts as yet another woman shoves away from Moron with a
glare.
Methos tenses when he feels the buzz of another Immortal, then
he smiles when he sees who has just arrived.
[Methos] No, push her too much and he'd end up in the morgue.
Methos smirks indicating Annie, of course the jerk wouldn't miss
her.
Annie looks around trying to see the Immortals in the room, she
nods at Adam and Judge Everson when she sees them.
Ally returns the nod and gestures to the open chairs at their
table. Two of the few open chairs.
[Ally] That she would... and that's assuming she lets them find
the body.
Ally chuckles to Methos.
Annie is walking to their table when a man stands on her way and
tries to put an arm over her shoulders. She glares at him coldly
making him stop his motion and says in a even colder voice.
[Annie] I wouldn't do that if I were you.
Annie continues walking as the man takes a step back with the
surprise, then she hears him grumble something about how women
used to be so sweet and wondering what happened to them. She
ignores him and moves on.
[Methos] Nothing happened, I wouldn't mind a reprise.
Methos murmurs with a disappointed sigh.
Gemini had followed Annie into the bar.
[Gemini] Where should we sit?
Gemini asks Annie as she glances around and sees no open tables.
[Moron] Hey, Honey. How about I buy you a drink?
Gemini hears as a man wraps his arm around her shoulders.
[Gemini] I think not.
Annie keeps walking to their table without realizing the man is
harassing Gemini now. She looks back when she realizes Gemini
isn't following her anymore.
Gemini says, shrugging out from under his arm.
[Moron] Not so fast Honey! I want a kiss.
[Methos] There's still hope... now he picked the kid.
Methos murmurs hoping Annie would turn back and hit the guy.
[Ally] Hmm....
Ally murmurs watching.
[Gemini] No!
Gemini cries trying to pull away again.
[Moron] Not till I get that kiss.
Gemini hears as the man bends towards her.
Annie moves back angrily, she was trying to avoid confrontation
but this guy is going to get it.
[Gemini] No!
Gemini cries again, bringing her left knee up as hard and as
quickly as she can.
Moron grunts and bends over, clutching his assets.
[Gemini] Next time someone says no, listen!
Gemini says giving Moron a light shove and sending him toppling
over sideways.
[Ally] Oh! That was too good!
Ally laughs.
Methos gasps in surprise when he sees the kid knee the guy, now
that he wasn't expecting. He looks at the man twisting on the
floor grumbling in pain.
[Methos] Did you see what I just saw?
Methos asks Aldria still surprised.
[Ally] Oh, I did. And I love it!
Ally says still chortling.
[Methos] Damn, almost felt the pain of that one.
Methos makes a face still watching the guy.
Annie looks at the man down on the floor then at Gemini.
[Annie] Nice going kid, couldn't have done it better myself.
Gemini blinks in surprise.
[Gemini] You're not mad?
Gemini asks.
[Annie] Mad? Not mad, pleased. He was asking for it.
Annie shrugs before she turns around to go to their table.
[Annie] Maybe he'll learn something, I doubt it, but...
Annie says as she starts walking.
[Gemini] Well... I suppose we can always hope.
Gemini mutters and once again follows Annie.
[Methos] Oh and now here comes Mike, I bet he's going to throw
him out the door.
Methos chuckles as he sees Mike rush to the man with an angry
expression on his face.
[Ally] Good.
Ally mutters.
[Ally] Moron deserves it. So does Dumb, Dumber and Stupid.
Methos keeps watching as Mike gets the guy on the floor and
drags him to the door.
[Methos] You were right, he's going to end up in the gutter.
[Ally] Of course I was right.
Ally chuckles.
Annie nods at them again when she gets to their table.
[Annie] Good evening, Judge Everson, Adam. Mind if we sit?
[Ally] Not like there's anywhere else to.
Ally chuckles.
[Methos] As long as your friend doesn't do to me, what she did
to that guy, why not? You almost feel sorry for him.
Methos tells her with a smirk.
[Gemini] No, I won't.. as long as you don't force me to.
Gemini assures quickly.
[Annie] Yes, men usually do.
Annie shakes her head slightly amused as she pulls a chair to
sit down.
[Annie] I noticed you don't do that to each other even if you're
willing to kill the other guy.
[Methos] I think you're pretty safe with me.
Methos tells Gemini with a smirk, while he thinks if he had to
pick an Immortal from the three, she'd be his last choice.
Gemini grins, blushing, slightly.
[Ally] No, they just kill the guy.
Ally chuckles.
[Ally] Sometimes, more than once.
Ally says looking over at Methos.
Annie frowns thinking, looking confused.
[Annie] Well, I assume you're talking about Immortals, but why
bother to kill him if you don't mean to do permanently?
[Methos] For the fun of it?
Methos offers while he gestures Mike for another beer.
[Methos] Immortals keep coming back?
[Ally] Yeah, over and over and over and over again.
Ally says laughing.
[Ally] It's much more satisfying than just doing it once.
[Annie] Hmm, no, I think it would be more satisfying doing it
once and for all. Why bother to spare an enemy's live?
Annie asks still trying to make sense of it, it made no sense to
her.
[Methos] You know what, I happen to agree with you. Cut their
heads end of story.
Methos smiles at Annie, then he shrugs before he looks at Mike.
[Methos] And where is that beer?
Methos murmurs to himself.
[Ally] Though to point out... occasionally there are extenuating
circumstances as to WHY one can't permanently end one.
Ally says with a shrug.
[Ally] Which is when the over and over is fun and satisfying.
[Gemini] Can't say any of it sounds good to me.
Gemini says.
[Annie] Gods, you're beginning to sound like Kronos.
Ally glances over at Methos a little amused by Annie's comment.
Annie says as she looks at Aldria slightly shocked.
[Annie] Those he played with wished they were dead alright.
[Ally] Well I did know him.
Ally grins looking back over at Annie.
[Methos] And guess who ended up giving him torturing ideas?
Methos murmurs in ancient Greek.
[Methos] He didn't need more ideas, you know?
[Ally] Yeah, I did, didn't I? Especially after the guy that
attacked Marisol and I.
Ally replies regretfully, also in Greek.
[Methos] Yes, as far as I remember you showed him how to
cauterize the wound so people wouldn't bleed to death. That was
a great tip.
Methos says making a face at that.
[Ally] I didn't show him SHIT!
Ally protests in English.
[Ally] I did suggest it though.
Ally says sighing and switching back to Greek.
[Gemini] I'm not sure I want to know what they're talking about.
Gemini mutters under her breath.
[Annie] Yes, if it has anything to do with Kronos, I know I
don't.
Annie grumbles looking around for a waitress to order a drink.
[Annie] Maybe I should go to the bar.
[Gemini] Iced Tea for me, please.
Gemini grins at Annie.
Annie is about to get up when Mike arrives with a beer for
Methos, and the drink she usually had at that bar.
[Annie] Oh you remembered, that's sweet. Thank you.
Annie thanks Mike with a smile and is amused to see he's looking
slightly embarrassed.
[Annie] Oh and my friend would like an iced tea if you'd be so
kind?
Methos chuckles softly as Mike rushes up to the bar.
[Methos] Wow, that's impressive.
[Annie] Being a female has its advantages.
Annie smirks looking at Aldria.
[Annie] Don't you agree?
[Ally] Oh, absolutely. The stuff one can get away with.
Ally laughs.
[Methos] I know he never moved so fast to get me anything,
that's for sure.
Methos chuckles still watching Mike move around the bar.
[Ally] Oh, that's just cause you're not pretty enough.
Ally smirks.
[Ally] Here try this.
Ally adds reaching into her hand bag and pulling out a thing of
lipstick.
[Methos] Somehow I doubt it would work, even if I was
interested, which I'm not.
Methos shakes his head smiling amused.
[Methos] Probably would have the opposite effect, he wouldn't
come here for anything.
[Ally] Sure he still would!
Ally laughs.
[Ally] Annie, Gemini and I are still here, aren't we?
Methos shrugs unconcerned.
[Methos] If you say so.
[Ally] Though come to think of it...
Ally adds slowly.
[Ally] You'd probably get better service if you tipped better.
[Gemini] You don't tip?
Gemini asks.
Ally shakes her head.
[Ally] Nope! He puts everything on his tab, here.
Ally laughs.
Annie shakes her head with a smile.
[Annie] And they say Scottish are greedy.
[Methos] Hmm, not really.
Methos murmurs remembering MacLeod always had a beer for him,
whether he liked it or not.
[Ally] My experience says Scots are boneheaded.
Ally snorts amused.
[Annie] You must be talking about the MacDonalds, sounds like
them.
Annie chuckles softly.
[Ally] Umm... Yeah... Them and every other one.
Ally snorts amused.
[Methos] Yes, I bet the MacDonalds say the same thing about the
Frasers.
Methos teases with a smile before he takes a sip of beer.
[Annie] Yes, but at least the Frasers didn't start a junk food
emporium.
Annie says then shrugs.
[Annie] Besides who cares? I'm not really a Fraser am I?
Ally snorts again.
[Ally] Who do you think invented the potato chip?
Annie shakes her head.
[Annie] It wasn't a Fraser, it was a guy named George Crum.
[Methos] You know you invented the potato chip?
Methos asks amused someone bothered to know that.
[Ally] And who do you think taught him to cook, his father?
Ally shakes her head.
[Annie] His mother was a Fraser?
Annie asks disbelievingly.
Ally nods.
[Ally] Elizabeth Fraser as was. Married name was Elizabeth
Fraser Crum.
Ally grins.
[Methos] And just how you happen to know that?
Methos frowns puzzled at Aldria, then he adds in ancient Greek.
[Methos] Don't tell me you slept with the guy.
[Ally] No!
Ally protests in ancient Greek, then adds in the same language.
[Ally] I slept with his mother's brother.
Methos bursts out laughing and changes back to English without
realizing it.
[Methos] So you did sleep with a Fraser.
[Ally] Almost became one, too! Had to fake my own death to avoid
that one.
Ally shudders dramatically.
[Annie] Who would have thought we almost became relatives.
Annie shakes her head with a smirk.
[Ally] Hey!
Ally protests.
[Ally] I committed a very dramatic suicide into the Hudson river
to avoid it!
Ally sighs.
[Ally] Had to avoid New York for several decades after that.
[Methos] I'm curious. Did you actually married someone? Or ran
away after a guy dared to ask you to marry him?
Methos teases raising an eyebrow.
[Ally] Oh, come on! You already know the answer to that! We had
both been married a couple of times, BEFORE we met for the first
time. Remember?
Ally reminds Methos, careful not say WHEN that time was.
[Methos] But no more after that? That's what I meant.
Methos tries to explain without giving a hint of how long was
that.
[Ally] I would have married Galileo Galilee in a heartbeat if...
you know... he didn't think I was a young man.
Ally grins, not actually answering the question.
[Methos] Yes, you would have done it if they found out you were
a woman. Women weren't supposed to attend school back then, they
could have a tutor at home but that was about it.
Methos nods while he plays with his glass on the table.
[Methos] You should have picked Leonardo instead, I hear he
wouldn't have minded you were a young man.
Methos adds with a soft chuckle.
[Ally] They had a tutor at home if they were lucky. Why do you
think I was dressed as a young man? Oh, and Leonardo maybe
wouldn't have minded, but that wouldn't have made him my type.
Ally sighs.
[Annie] Well, Leonardo was a genius in his own style. Of course
he didn't bother to try his ideas most of the time but still...
Annie shrugs before she takes a sip.
Ally shrugs.
[Ally] Worked with him some too.
[Annie] Do you think they'd sell me a bottle here? Went shopping
today but I forgot to buy some booze.
Annie shakes her head with a sigh.
[Methos] Should have made a list, that way you wouldn't forget
anything.
Methos points out side glancing at Annie.
[Annie] Yes, figured it out myself by now, thanks.
Annie says rolling her eyes.
[Gemini] Well, we did get everything else we needed.
Gemini points out.
[Methos] And what's wrong with hotels? Ran out of booze?
Methos asks with a frown, thinking he was missing something
here.
[Annie] No, but I bought a house here.
Annie answers with a shrug.
[Methos] Oh, decided to take her as student, huh?
Methos asks looking from one woman to the other.
[Methos] With that guy around, this is the last place you should
stay, you know?
[Annie] No Immortal is going to make me leave a place I'm not
interested in leaving. You start running and you end up running
your whole life, had too much of that already with Kronos, thank
you very much.
Annie explains side glancing at Adam.
[Annie] And this guy is no Kronos.
[Ally] No... No, he's not.
Ally chuckles softly.
[Methos] So you're planning a confrontation here, right?
Methos asks with a slight frown.
[Methos] It can always go either way, you know?
[Annie] Only if he makes me and thanks for the vote of
confidence.
Annie shrugs indifferently.
[Methos] Even if you kill this guy, the kid is going to get more
challenges, look at her she's got easy mark written all over.
Methos murmurs to Annie in Italian.
[Methos] And I should warn you most young Immortals don't make
it.
[Annie] Oh, I know, I've lived long enough to figure it out for
myself. And I plan to teach her how to use her looks, we need to
use what we've got.
Annie says before she empties her glass and gestures Mike to
bring her another one. He was on his way to their table but
turns back to get her order.
[Ally] Hey, she's not the only one with "easy mark" written on
her.
Ally laughs to Methos in Greek, thinking of herself.
[Ally] All women do... to male Immortals.
Ally adds after another moment of thought.
[Gemini] Thank you.
Gemini murmurs to Mike who deposits an ice tea in front of her.
[Methos] Hmm, not to all male Immortals, I never underestimated
someone based on gender.
Methos says looking at Aldria, and switching to English.
[Methos] Question is, how do you know that?
Ally shrugs.
[Ally] Asked some fool who challenged me, why he did so. Said it
was 'cause I was a women. Said all women were easy marks.
Ally grins suddenly.
[Ally] Needless to say, he came out a head short.
[Annie] Good, always a pleasure to get one of those.
Annie murmurs playing with the glass Mike had just brought.
[Annie] And it's community service, we get the world rid of a
fool.
[Methos] You wonder how that fool lived for so long.
Methos murmurs shaking his head, then he adds in Greek.
[Methos] Even you know who didn't challenge you or maybe it was
to please your sister.
[Ally] Bit of both.
Ally admits to Methos also in Greek.
[Methos] Or maybe fighting Caspian naked and winning gave him a
hint of what not to do.
Methos adds with a smirk.
[Ally] Well, that certainly didn't hurt things.
Ally grins.
[Annie] Are you talking about the sea or about Kronos' brother?
Annie asks recognizing the name among the other Greek words.
Methos looks at Annie and tries to look surprised.
[Methos] Kronos' brother?
[Annie] Yes, the Horsemen, wasn't one of them named Caspian?
Annie asks Aldria, they had talked about it recently after all.
[Ally] Yup. The smelly one.
Ally says with a chuckle.
[Methos] Can't believe they named a sea after that fool.
Methos grumbles in Greek before he adds in English.
[Methos] And no, we were talking about the sea, we met there
once.
Methos lies, hoping Annie will believe it.
[Ally] Or twice.
Ally adds, her lips twitching at the thought of the sea being
named after the Horseman.
[Annie] And why are you pretending you didn't know one of the
Horsemen was Caspian. We already talked about it and you were
there.
Annie asks Methos with a frown.
[Methos] I was?
Methos gives her his Adam Pierson innocent look.
[Methos] I don't remember, I was probably distracted about
something.
Methos adds with a shrug.
[Ally] Yes, when aren't you distracted by something?
Ally asks.
[Ally] Beer.
Ally coughs out.
Methos looks at Aldria with a frown.
[Methos] Oh is that so? Maybe the fact you keep touching my leg
under the table also helps.
Methos says as seriously as he can under the circumstances since
it was a barefaced lie.
[Ally] No. You keep touching my leg.
Ally argues.
[Ally] However, if you're hinting you want sex, I'm up for it.
[Methos] Since when aren't you up for it?
Methos murmurs in Greek half to Aldria, half to himself.
[Methos] You and your sister certainly tried to kill us with it.
[Ally] When aren't you?
Ally asks flatly in response to the first question.
[Ally] And she only tried to kill Kronos with it.
Ally adds to the second.
Methos chuckles softly.
[Methos] Yes, you on the other hand tried to kill us both.
[Ally] Uh huh, and you didn't try to kill me with it?
Ally retorts with a smile.
[Ally] HE certainly did.
Methos pretends to think for a moment, then he shakes his head
with a puzzled frown.
[Methos] I can't remember that far back.
Ally just snorts in disbelief.
[Gemini] I bet this would be a very interesting conversation to
follow... If I could understand a word of it.
Gemini mutters softly to Annie.
[Annie] I bet.
Annie murmurs back to Gemini with a soft chuckle.
[Annie] Never imagined older Immortals behaved like this.
Gemini sighs.
[Gemini] Really? As far as I know this is perfectly normal.
[Annie] Well, I thought they'd be more serious than this. My
teacher certainly was.
Annie sighs while she thinks she can't exactly take Kronos as a
role model.
[Gemini] So are you.
Gemini points out.
[Annie] Hmm, yes. Maybe that's because of him, I'm not sure.
Annie shrugs while she thinks if it was him or her first husband
who did it.
Gemini shrugs.
[Gemini] Does it matter? It's the way you are. And you've
obviously been that way long enough that it's WHO you are.
Gemini ponders things for a moment and then adds.
[Gemini] And they're obviously nuts.
[Annie] Oh don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to change or
anything, I like the way I am, keeps me alive.
Annie chuckles softly thinking the woman Kronos found in
Scotland would almost be in Gemini's situation.
Methos pauses in mid sentence and side glances at Annie and
Gemini.
[Methos] Look at those two.
Methos whispers to Aldria.
[Ally] What about them?
Ally asks smiling.
[Methos] I never imagined they'd get along, being so different
and all.
Methos frowns thinking considering him and MacLeod.
[Methos] Then again, maybe that works. It's always refreshing to
know an innocent Immortal.
[Ally] It's refreshing to know an innocent, period.
Ally replies.
[Ally] Immortal, mortal, or... whatever.
[Methos] Hmm, yes. Of course most mortals are innocent even if
they don't think so, they never had to go through what we've
been through on a daily basis.
Methos sighs before he picks up his glass to take a sip.
[Ally] Yes but some more so than others.
Ally points out and then nods in Gemini's direction.
[Ally] She would be one.
[Methos] And the sad part is that if she doesn't change she'll
never make it. It's hard enough as it is for young Immortals.
Methos whispers to Aldria with a sad sigh.
[Methos] It used to be easier to hide, the world has become
smaller and smaller with the new transports. Remember when it
took months to go from one place to the other?
[Ally] Six months, if you had good weather and all the whole
way, to cross from the East Coast to the West Coast. Aye. I
remember.
Ally grins.
[Methos] Sometimes it took years to find another one of our own,
and now we stumble on each other all the time.
Methos shakes his head with a sigh.
[Ally] Yes well... we're not exactly the brightest bulbs on the
tree, by staying here... where people are constantly seeking out
one of the damn highlanders.
Ally points out.
Methos chuckles softly while he nods.
[Methos] Yes, what is it between the MacLeods and trouble I'll
never understand.
[Ally] As if Connor wasn't bad enough. Then along comes Duncan,
who is ten times worse!
Ally cries exasperated with the two Immortals.
[Methos] Anyone in his right mind should leave town when one of
them shows up.
Methos smirks looking at Aldria.
[Methos] And don't look at me, I haven't done that.
[Ally] What the hell am I still doing here?
Ally mutters to herself.
[Methos] You like the company. Namely me.
Methos answers smugly.
Ally laughs.
[Ally] That, and I'm being lazy. Judge Ally Everson really
should die... but I don't feel much like going through the
hassle of picking a new identity.
[Methos] How old is she at the moment?
Methos asks with a frown, he can't remember that of course. Ally
Everson is just a character.
[Ally] Mid 40's.
Ally sighs.
[Methos] Yes, you're beginning to look too young for your age.
Methos nods in agreement, then he sighs remembering his case.
[Methos] So am I, Adam Pierson just turned 43.
[Ally] Ooh... and Considering WHO Adam Pierson worked with, it
might be well to do so, sooner rather than later. And I know...
Ally sighs.
[Ally] Easier said then done.
[Methos] Yes, the Watchers will suspect something soon. Youthful
genes only explain it up to a certain point.
Methos nods again.
[Ally] And joking about the fountain of Youth only does so much
after that.
Ally grins.
[Methos] Luckily Joe knows the truth so I don't have to leave
Seacouver if I don't want to, but I've got to leave the Watchers
soon.
Methos frowns thinking about how he should kill Adam Pierson.
[Methos] What do you think? Car accident?
[Ally] We could go out together in a plane crash.
Ally suggests with an amused smile.
[Ally] Scout out a lovely tropical island to live on for a
decade or so, and ditch the plane in the ocean.
Ally suggests.
[Methos] Tropical island?
Methos asks Aldria like she'd lost her mind.
[Methos] Been there, done that. After I got tired of the beach I
was bored to death, nothing else to do there.
[Ally] I was thinking a deserted island.
Ally grins.
[Ally] Gotta have access to booze, no?
[Methos] Get me one with a brewery and I'll consider it.
Methos says with a shrug, doubting there was such a place.
Ally grins broadly.
[Ally] New Zealand is sounding better and better.
Methos side glances at Aldria slightly surprised.
[Methos] Hmm, just to point out New Zealand isn't a deserted
island... or tropical for that matter.
Methos adds after a while.
[Ally] Northern part is pretty close to tropical... though not
quite and the whole population of the island is only about 3.5
million, and most of them live in Auckland... I bet we could buy
an island just off the coast, have supplies shipped into us
regularly.
Ally chuckles.
[Ally] Besides that there is a distinct lack of umm... Immortals
down under.
Ally points out.
[Methos] Oh, you want to get into a diet of Tui and Export Gold
for a change, right?
Methos asks amused mentioning some beers from New Zealand.
[Ally] Don't you?
Ally smirks.
[Methos] Hmm, why not Europe for a change? I could get into a
diet of Löwenbräu or Carlsberg.
Methos says with a soft chuckle.
[Ally] Too many of aah... our kind over there.
Ally says with a shrug.
[Methos] Not as many as we get in the States with the MacLeods
around.
Methos points out with a smirk.
[Ally] Yeah... but there's only a handful, total, last I
checked, between Australia, New Zealand and Antarctica.
Ally points out.
[Ally] And they're all well known for avoiding fights... more so
than either of us.
[Methos] And of course, there's always Bora-Bora.
Methos suggests with a smirk, then he shrugs.
[Methos] Not that I would hide there anymore but it's still an
option.
[Ally] Well there are plenty of other islands just like
Bora-Bora.
Ally laughs.
[Methos] Yes, maybe I should do like Paul Gauguin and move to
Tahiti.
Methos nods with a smile.
[Ally] Yeah... Tahiti didn't work out so well for him though.
Ally points out.
[Methos] Tahiti is much different from what it used to be
anyway. Maybe a deserted island with today's comforts would be
tempting enough, but New Zealand isn't a deserted island.
Methos says while he shrugs, looking down to play with his glass
on the table.
Annie had been listening to the band for a while in silence,
just enjoying the music. Now she turns her head and looks back
at them.
[Annie] I like this band, I didn't know there was live music in
here.
Ally shrugs in response to Methos.
[Ally] Close enough.
Ally then turns to Annie, and raises her voice slightly to be
heard over the music.
[Ally] Bar's owner has a thing for Blues.
[Methos] Yeah, Joe, you should listen to him.
Methos nods still looking down at his glass.
[Methos] He'll be here in a while, he's in his office now.
[Ally] He is rather good. Usually goes at it with whatever band
is on for at least a set.
Ally shrugs.
[Annie] Is he one of the... What did you call them? Peeping
Toms?
Annie asks Aldria with a smile.
[Ally] Blue Tattooed Peeping Toms. Yes.
Ally nods grinning.
Methos sighs seeing no way to deny it, when all she had to do
was take a look at his wrist. And wishing, not for the first
time, the foolish Watchers would give up on the tattoo. It would
certainly hurt less if they did.
[Methos] Yes, and he's a good friend of mine.
Methos warns in what he hopes it's not a threatening tone.
Ally grins.
[Ally] Yeah, he's not bad as peeping Toms go.
Ally chuckles, agreeing with Methos.
Annie rolls her eyes.
[Annie] I'm not thinking in harming him so cool off.
Methos side glances at Annie with his Adam Pierson innocent
look.
[Methos] Oh, it was just a friendly advice.
[Ally] Yeah 'cause well, if you were you'd have to go through
that idiot... What's his name? The Highland Boyscout?
Ally asks turning to Methos.
[Methos] Yeah, didn't even think of him, but yeah...
Methos nods looking at Aldria.
[Methos] He'd really be happy about it if she planned to harm
Joe.
[Ally] No seriously, what's his name again? I forget.
Ally asks seriously.
Methos shakes his head without answering, while he picks up his
glass to take a sip.
Ally shrugs again, then turns back to Annie.
[Ally] I do remember it's not Connor MacLeod... though until
this idiot made a name for himself, I didn't think it was
possible for anyone to have a higher moral standard than
Connor... Turns out Connor really isn't all too bad.
Ally chuckles.
[Annie] Hmm... Connor MacLeod?
Annie frowns thinking for a moment, she's sure she'd heard it
before.
[Ally] You don't know Connor? Everyone knows Connor. Most know
he's pretty good in bed.
Ally says grinning at Annie.
[Ally] Well, most women.
Ally adds.
[Annie] The name sounds familiar somehow. New York?
Annie asks Aldria assuming she'd know.
[Ally] Yeah, I think he spends most of his time at the moment in
New York.
Methos shakes his head chuckling amused.
[Methos] Speaking from experience I take it.
[Annie] Yes, I think we've met and agreed to stay off each
other's way.
Annie shrugs indifferently.
[Annie] Something like that.
[Methos] Of course you did. Connor knows all the Immortal women.
Methos chuckles amused, thinking only Ramirez would be a match
for him.
#Post#: 345--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 26
By: Cyberfox277 Date: March 25, 2012, 10:49 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[Ally] That he does.
Ally chuckles.
[Ally] I swear he seeks us out on purpose or something...
[Gemini] Why does he do that?
Gemini asks looking between Ally and Pierson.
[Ally] Damned if I know a man's mind.
Ally says before turning pointedly towards Methos.
Methos raises his hands in the air in surrender, when he
realizes all the women are looking at him and expecting a reply.
[Methos] Hey, don't look at me. How should I know what's on a
Scot's mind? I don't do that.
Ally sets her beer down, suddenly developing a coughing fit.
[Methos] Well, I don't.
Methos says frowning at Aldria.
[Methos] One nasty breakup and you have to watch your back for
centuries. I prefer women who don't carry swords.
[Annie] You'd still have to watch your back whether you slept
with them or not. Remember the Game?
Annie points out raising an eyebrow at Methos.
[Methos] You obviously were never followed around by a woman
scorned.
Methos shrugs looking down at his glass with a sigh.
[Ally] Sorry, wrong pipe.
Ally murmurs breathlessly.
[Annie] No, I don't think so.
Annie tells Methos with a smile.
[Ally] Women don't tend to have that issue with other women. At
least not to the extend men occasionally do.
Ally grins.
Methos shrugs thinking about it.
[Methos] Depends on the woman or the man I guess. Some people
take rejection really bad.
[Annie] Really bad is an understatement.
Annie takes a deep breath remembering Kronos.
[Methos] I suppose.
Methos nods absentmindedly while he looks down to check the time
on his watch. He frowns when he realizes what time it is.
[Methos] He's late, I wonder if he found out about it.
[Ally] Who Joe? And what, the report?
Ally asks.
[Methos] Yeah.
Methos nods side glancing at the direction of Joe's office.
[Methos] I don't hear him yell but I wouldn't with the music
playing. So I don't know.
[Ally] It'd be interesting to be a fly on the wall when he finds
out.
Ally chuckles.
[Methos] Yeah, I was planning to be present, it should be
amusing.
Methos smirks imagining the scene.
[Annie] Care to tell what report? Or is that a secret?
Annie asks suspiciously wondering if it had anything to do with
her or Gemini.
[Methos] Why not? Since you already know about them...
Methos shrugs unconcerned.
[Methos] One of them complained the North American Peeps weren't
doing their job.
[Annie] Oh that is surprising, of course they aren't, or they
would have found out about you long ago.
Annie chuckles softly, shaking her head in disbelief.
[Methos] Yes, well, you don't see me complaining, now do you?
Methos asks amused.
[Ally] NO, that just means HE'S not doing his job.
Ally chuckles, knowing Methos' job was to find himself.
[Annie] Of course he isn't, I bet most Immortals don't like to
be turned in by one of their own.
Annie tells Aldria with a soft chuckle.
[Annie] That would get him in trouble.
[Ally] Not if he turned himself in and quit. Not that I expect
him to do so... Gods know I sure as hell didn't when I was one.
Ally laughs.
[Annie] Right, like any Immortal would volunteer to be watched.
Annie says shaking her head, thinking she wouldn't be one of
them.
[Annie] In fact, I'm not sure what I'm going to do if I catch
one after me.
[Methos] Turn myself in? That's not going to happen.
Methos grumbles under his breath while he drinks some beer
sprawling on his chair.
[Ally] No more than I was going to turn myself in when I worked
for them.
Ally chuckles.
[Gemini] That does seem like the umm... stupid thing to do.
Gemini mutters.
[Gemini] A secret society who, presumably knows how to kill us,
pissed at you...
Gemini says to herself.
[Gemini] Yeah, that sounds smart.
[Methos] Oh you know about them?
Methos asks slightly surprised, then he smirks amused.
[Methos] Somehow secret society barely fits anymore.
[Gemini] Yeah, well, with the way everyone is always talking
about them...
Gemini can't help a small smirk of her own.
Annie rolls her eyes, and shakes her head.
[Annie] If they wanted to be a secret society they shouldn't put
that thing on the wrist, what do they think we are? Blind?
[Ally] Yup.
Ally nods.
[Ally] That's it exactly. Before they had the tattoo, they wore
a medallion around their necks.
[Methos] Well, at least not very smart, which isn't very
flattering.
Methos nods with a sigh.
[Annie] A medallion? And how long was that?
Annie frowns thinking wondering if she'd missed that.
[Ally] Shit... when did they stop using that?
Ally asks looking at Methos, trying to remember.
[Ally] Mid 1800's?
[Methos] Yes, all of them that is, before that some wore the
medallion some already wore the tattoo. New school and old
school.
Methos clarifies with a shrug, thinking they still did it but
with Internet now.
[Annie] Yes, the guy I met in London back in 1830 already had a
tattoo.
Annie nods trying to remember the man and finding out she can't.
[Annie] I have no recollection of him though.
[Gemini] Let me guess, that's still prevailing today, just with
Internet versus... what? Books?
Gemini asks.
[Methos] Hmm, yes, there are a few guys who hate Internet.
Probably think the in-box is still on their desks.
Methos nods chuckling amused.
[Methos] Some even say they're too old to learn new things.
Methos shakes his head still smiling, the Watchers of all people
should know better.
[Annie] Too old?
Annie opens her eyes wide in surprise then shakes her head
amused.
[Annie] Foolish mortals.
[Gemini] What's the point of living without adapting to changes?
Even as a mortal, there are still lots of things to adapt too.
Gemini points out.
Methos is about to answer when he sees Joe coming out of his
office and move to the stage. He frowns a little studying him,
he looks in a good mood.
[Methos] No, my guess is that he doesn't know about the report
yet.
Methos murmurs while he returns Joe's wave at them.
[Methos] He can't pretend that well.
[Ally] You know him better than I do.
Ally says back with a smile and nod at Joe.
[Methos] Oh yes, you should see him trying to bluff when he's
playing poker. You can almost guess what game he gets just
watching his face.
Methos chuckles remembering when they played together.
[Ally] And how much off your bar tab did that win you?
Ally asks with a chuckle.
[Annie] Hard to believe he's in that line of work, following
people around? And trying to go unnoticed?
Annie asks in surprise watching the man walk to the stage.
[Ally] Well, look at who he was following around.
Ally laughs.
[Ally] It's not like it's hard to pull the wool over the
Highlander's eyes.
[Methos] Hmm, he doesn't even need to do that. His assignment
tells him what he does, so why bother to follow him?
Methos shrugs as he picks up his glass to take a sip.
[Gemini] He does? Why?
Gemini asks surprised.
[Methos] Oh, he's the Immortal boy scout, never cheats, never
lies...
Methos shrugs again.
[Ally] Or does anything of interest except who's head he takes
and who sleeps with him.
Ally chuckles.
[Methos] Well, it's not like he needs to find trouble, trouble
always finds him.
Methos smirks remembering how many times MacLeod has been in
trouble over the years.
[Ally] No shit.
Ally laughs.
[Gemini] Hey, the band's about to start.
Gemini points out.
[Ally] So it is.
Ally says sitting back.
[Ally] Joe's pretty good.
Annie turns on her seat to take a better look at the stage and
almost gasps in surprise when Joe begins to sing.
[Annie] He's good.
Annie nods looking back at them.
[Gemini] Uh huh...
Gemini agrees watching the stage avidly.
[Methos] Told you.
Methos nods while he sprawls on his chair to listen to the music
more comfortably.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 347--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 27
By: Cyberfox277 Date: April 3, 2012, 9:48 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Next Day – Noon***[/center]
Joe is on the phone in his office.
[Joe] Where did you get that information?
Joe says into the phone.
[Joe] Hey.....according to every legal precedent I have the
right to face my accuser.
Joe says obviously becoming more angry.
Methos enters Joe's office after he had lunch intending to tell
Joe he's leaving, when he sees Joe shouting on the phone.
[Methos] Joe? What's up?
Methos asks raising an eyebrow at him.
Joe looks up and when he see Methos he motions him to come in.
[Joe] Just tell me if it's one of my people....will ya?
Joe says into the phone.
[Joe] Yes.....that is true. But....
Joe says into the phone.
[Joe] Yes....I know. But....
Joe says into the phone.
Joe rolls his eyes at Methos and motions for the ROG to have a
seat.
Methos sits down and just stays there hearing Joe's side of the
conversation without comment, he knows Joe will end up telling
him sooner or later.
[Joe] Look.....if you're going to make all of these allegations
at least give me a chance to explain.
Joe says into the phone.
Methos frowns at the word allegations wondering if it had
something to do with Ashley's report.
[Joe] Alright. That's more like it. It's true. I do have several
Immortals with no Watcher but that's because I don't have the
people. I have been requesting Headquarters to assign more
graduates to the West Coast but no one ever shows up.
Joe says through a clenched jaw.
[Joe] No.
Joe says after listening for several minutes.
Methos tries to hide a smirk when he hears that, yes it was
about Ashley's report alright.
[Joe] I'm not coming to Paris. I can't. I'm so short handed out
here I can't get away right now.
Joe growls.
[Joe] If you want to talk to me face to face you're going to
have to leave your ivory tower in the city of lights and come
here.
[Methos] Yeah, right, like that's going to happen.
Methos murmurs under his breath still listening to the
conversation.
Joe says emphatically.
[Joe] Fine.....yes.....perfect.
Joe says and hangs up. He immediately picks the phone back up
and dials a number.
[Joe] Shelly.....it's Joe Dawson. I need a favor.
Joe says into the phone....his tone of voice now more friendly.
[Joe] I just got a call from your boss and I need to know the
name of the person who made the report against me. Can you get
it for me?
Joe asks.
[Joe] No. He wouldn't tell me. That's why I'm calling you.
Joe says rolling his eyes.
[Joe] Thank you. You're a sweetheart.
Joe says and hangs up the phone. He opens the bottom drawer of
his desk and takes out a bottle of whiskey and two glasses which
he fills. He hands one to Methos and picks up the other one and
downs it all at once.
[Methos] I would tell you if you stopped ignoring me.
Methos tells Joe shaking his head.
[Joe] Tell me what?
Joe asks quirking an eyebrow.
[Methos] I'm beginning to feel ignored in here, you know?
Methos comments as he accepts the whiskey and plays with the
glass on his hand.
[Joe] Tell me what?
Joe repeats.
[Methos] Who filled that report. Question is, how much is that
information worth?
Methos probes maybe he'd get a cut on his tab if he's lucky.
[Joe] YOU know about the report?
Joe asks incredulously.
[Joe] How the hell do you know? And how long have you known?
Joe asks as he refills his glass.
[Methos] Can't help it if I'm a nice guy and people keep telling
me things, now do I?
Methos says before he empties his glass and gives it to Joe for
a refill.
[Joe] Yeah. A nice guy. So why didn't you give me a heads up,
Mr. Nice Guy?
Joe asks sarcastically.
[Methos] I thought you knew about it.
Methos shrugs looking at Joe.
[Methos] Because come on, let's face it, everybody inside the
Watchers know about it by now.
Methos adds with a smirk, amused the boss was the last to know.
[Joe] God damn it. I'm suppose to be in charge out here and I'm
the last person to know anything that's going on. What the hell?
Joe says gulping down his drink and slamming the empty glass
back down on the desk.
[Joe] So? Are you going to tell me what you know?
Joe asks, turning to stare directly at Methos.
[Methos] Didn't you check the forum? Some people agree with it,
some don't.
Methos says trying to stall the information, if he plays his
cards right he may earn something from it.
[Joe] What forum?
Joe asks a bit confused.
Methos stares at Joe for a moment in surprise.
[Methos] The Watcher's intranet? You heard about it, right?
Joe shakes his head.
[Joe] Never heard of it.
[Methos] Joe, just do yourself a favor. Check it once in a
while, you'd know everything there is to know if you do.
Methos takes a deep breath while he shakes his head in
disbelief.
[Joe] Fine. What's the address?
Joe asks as he grabs a sheet of scratch paper and a pen.
Methos shakes his head in disbelief again, when Joe asks that.
[Methos] Try Intranet.Watchers.
[Joe] So are you going to answer my question or make me search
for it myself?
Joe asks as he jots down what Methos has told him.
Methos rolls his eyes deciding gaining something from it isn't
worth it, this is getting boring.
[Methos] Who do you think? Miss By-the-book of course. Who else?
Joe thinks about his Watchers and who would have acquired that
particular nickname. Only one comes to mind.
[Joe] Sawyer? Ashley Sawyer?
Joe asks quirking an eyebrow.
Methos nods.
[Methos] Yes, but go easy on her, that's the way she is, can't
take it personal.
Joe reaches for his rolodex...locates Ashley's phone number and
dials it.
[Ashley] This is Sawyer.
Ashley says answering her cell phone.
[Joe] Ashley? It's Joe Dawson. Are you busy?
Joe asks in his most friendly voice.
[Ashley] Not really. Steven's plotting... this will take a
while. Why, what's up?
Ashley replies.
[Joe] Could you come see me at my day job office?
Joe asks sweetly.
[Ashley] You mean at the bar?
Ashley asks, her tone of voice displaying her physical raising
of her eyebrow.
Joe chuckles lightheartedly.
[Joe] Yeah.
[Ashley] Yeah. It'll take me a bit to get over there.
Ashley says.
Methos frowns at Joe suspiciously, Joe is being too nice. He
needs to stick around in case things get out of hand.
[Joe] Cool. I'll be here. See you soon.
Joe says pleasantly then hangs up and looks at Methos.
[Methos] Now who's playing Mr. Nice Guy?
Methos asks raising an eyebrow at Joe.
[Methos] How shocking.
[Joe] I learned from the best.
Joe says as he refills his glass and toasts Methos.
[center]***20 minutes later***[/center]
Ashley pushes the door to Joe's Bar open, and enters. After a
moment for her eyes to adjust she sees Joe isn't in the bar
proper, so she makes her way back towards the office.
[Methos] I still say to go easy on her, Joe. She didn't win her
nick for nothing, you know?
Methos says trying to calm off Joe.
Joe sees a stream of light reflect off of the waxed bar floor
and realizes the front door has been opened. He glances at
Methos to see if he has a reaction and when he doesn't see one
he figures it is Ashley. He turns on his computer and accesses
the Internet address of the Watchers' forum.
[Methos] And she does have a point, the Watchers aren't watching
anything, you only know about MacLeod because he tells you about
it.
Methos says with a shrug, then he adds as an afterthought.
[Methos] Not that I'm complaining, but she does have a point.
Joe looks busy on his computer as he scrolls through the forum's
threads.
Ashley makes her way to Joe's office and taps on the door.
[Ashley] Hello? Joe?
Joe looks up and smiles when he sees Ashley.
[Joe] Hey. Come on in.
Joe says and motions for her to come in.
[Joe] Have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink? I have fresh
coffee.
[Ashley] No, thanks. I'm fine.
Ashley says coming in and taking the open seat.
[Ashley] Hey, Adam.
Ashley greets with a smile.
[Methos] Hello Ash. Joe here just found out about your report.
Methos says as he nods at Ashley, trying to give her a hint of
what is coming.
Joe clicks a few letters on his keyboard even though he isn't
actually typing anything then hits the Enter button and sits
back in his chair. He rests his elbows on the arm of his chair
and links his fingers together across his stomach as he looks
directly at Ashley. Joe refrains from glancing at Methos
although he wishes that his Immortal friend hadn't spilled the
beans quite so quickly.
Ashley raises an eyebrow.
[Ashley] Which report? I do submit them regularly, as per
regulations.
Methos only stares at Ashley, hoping she'd get the hint without
him telling her which report he had in mind.
[Ashley] It's not the one, about Steven admitting to being a
Quickening addict, is it?
Ashley asks, thinking of her most recent report.
[Joe] I take it you're not a computer geek.
Joe says evenly but still without a hint of anger.
Methos side glances at Joe while he thinks, look who's talking.
[Ashley] I wouldn't term it computer "geek" but I do check all
the Watcher Forums and reports daily.
Ashley says with a shrug.
[Ashley] Why?
[Joe] You do?
Joe asks, quirking an eyebrow curiously.
[Joe] I'm surprised that you don't know which report we're
talking about, then.
Joe says without changing his expression.
Methos looks down trying to hide a smile, that report had been
the talk of all Forums since it was submitted.
[Joe] I mean....
Joe points to his computer screen.
[Joe] It's the talk of the town according to this.
[Ashley] Oh, the report about you?
Ashley asks.
[Ashley] I don't see why that's such a big deal. It's not as if
I haven't reported the European head and Asian head for the same
thing, before.
Ashley shrugs.
[Joe] Ashley....you graduated the Academy 29 years ago and I
know the curriculum was the same for you as it was for me at
that time so I know that they taught the use of the chain of
command.....right?
Joe says rocking back in his chair.....his hands still clasped.
[Ashley] Yes. That is why I put it into my regular report...
Which you should have read, before now.
Ashley points out.
Methos moves his hand across his face to hide his amusement, for
a moment he'd been worried about Ashley, he'd forgotten she was
perfectly capable of answering Joe back.
Joe is glad that just this morning he had completely cleaned off
the top of his desk so it looked neat and organized.
[Joe] As you can see....
Joe says indicating his desk top and in box.
[Joe] I have received nothing. But that's not the point, Ashley.
I think you misunderstood the concept of how to use the chain of
command.
Joe says using his fatherly voice.
[Methos] You might want to check your email, Joe. What century
are you from? I swear to God.
Methos murmurs shaking his head.
[Ashley] The report was submitted electronically. As ALL reports
are supposed to be submitted now, according to the most recent
list of regulations *I* received.
Ashley says flatly.
Joe looks at Methos questioningly.
[Joe] Meaning?
[Methos] Meaning your inbox is in the computer now.
Methos explains disbelievingly.
[Joe] Not all of it.
Joe says and shoots him a look of warning.
[Methos] What did you expect a letter? A telegram?
Joe turns back to look at Ashley.
[Joe] Let me give you a quick refresher course.
Joe says calmly.
[Joe] You see....it's really very simple. You have your direct
supervisor....then there's his supervisor and his supervisor and
however many supervisors there are before it ends at the top. In
the case of the Watchers....it would be me, then the head of the
US Division then the head of operations at headquarters and
then, finally, the director himself.
Joe asks sounding like an instructor giving a lecture.
[Ashley] Yes, and allow me to remind you, Joe Dawson, that all
reports are now to be submitted to the general reporting
database, so all supervisors can look at them. I did that. I
have also, specifically copied you directly on all reports
submitted while in your territory. Same as I do, to all local
heads when I am in their direct area. Your e-mail inbox has
received copies of every report I've submitted.
Ashley says firmly, not backing down from her stance, knowing
she is not wrong.
[Methos] If your email box hasn't reached the limit that is.
Methos murmurs with a smirk.
[Methos] Apparently you don't know you have one.
[Joe] The rule.....and it has been the rule of the chain of
command ever since Roman times.
Joe says glancing at Methos for secret confirmation.
[Ashley] Yes, well, to remind you, technology has changed a bit
since Roman times. And again, I did copy everything to you.
Ashley states.
[Methos] Welcome to the 21st century, Joe. No more secret
reports, I mean look at Wikileaks.
Methos says thinking about the latest scandal.
Joe refrains from reacting and responding to her apparent
irritation and simply nods in acknowledgment of her statement.
[Joe] I realize that things weren't computerized 29 years
ago....and that yes....
Joe glances at Methos.
[Joe] I am not a computer user myself. But what I do know about
businesses that use computers the way we do is that for
everything that is sent to someone across the Internet....it is
backed up with a hard copy...a printed copy of the document
which is sent to the receiver and whoever else.
Joe says plainly.
[Joe] If you had done that I would have seen the report even if
I didn't check my cyber in box.
Joe says shooting a glance at Methos again.
[Joe] But whether or not you sent me a copy is not the point.
Joe says unclasping his hands and leaning forward....placing his
arms on the top of his desk.
[Joe] The point is.....BEFORE you ever sent anything to anyone
above me you should have come to me and discussed it.
Joe says firmly and looks directly into her eyes with a stern
expression on his face.
[Ashley] I had assumed, because I did copy it to you, that you
would have seen it, before anyone else. And to point out, I did
not send it higher. It may have been taken higher, by others but
not me.
Ashley says.
[Joe] Again....you're missing the point, Ashley. Or just not
hearing me.
Joe says more seriously.
Methos rolls his eyes, Joe was just too old school to get the
picture. And they call me old, he thinks to himself, he'd always
made the point of living accordingly to the age.
[Ashley] As are you.
Ashley says flatly.
[Methos] You're both right, the old school and the new school,
can't we reach a compromise here? You'll be here discussing it
till tomorrow morning.
Methos points out trying to end this nonsense.
[Ashley] Fine. Perhaps I should have done a more.... physical
approach of ensuring the report reached you, since it did in
part, concern you. But, that said, I didn't, technically, do
anything wrong.
Ashley says with a pointed look at Adam before returning her
attention to Joe.
[Joe] Look....Ashley.....we can argue this around the block
forever and I can see that you still don't get it. So I'll just
tell you now what I would have told you then and that is that
the lack of watched Immortals is NOT my fault.
Joe says swallowing his anger and frustration.
[Ashley] Oh?
Ashley asks raising an eyebrow.
[Ashley] Is it not your responsibility to assign Watchers to
Immortals?
[Joe] I have requested personnel in my monthly report since day
one and they have yet to send me anyone.
Joe says sitting back in his chair.
[Ashley] I see...
Ashley says slowly.
[Joe] The only new Watchers I have gotten have been those
assigned to an Immortal who has moved into town....like you.
Joe clears his throat as he clasps his hands back across his
stomach.
[Joe] I can't very well produce Watchers out of thin air....can
I?
[Ashley] In that case, should Steven come across any other
Immortals... and not take their heads, I will, inform you with
an indepth description. I was... irritated when I wrote that
report. And will keep this knowledge in mind should a next time
occur. And while I won't keep it from my regular reports, I
believe I can keep it from sounding as though anyone is at
fault.
Ashley concedes.
Methos sighs in relief this is looking good, for a moment he
thought they'd be at this all day.
Joe decides this is going to be the best he's going to get right
now. But he knows in his heart that he is going to have to make
time to try and teach her an important lesson before it's too
late. It is, after all, his job.
[Joe] I appreciate it, Ashley. Thank you.
Joe says simply and smiles at her.
[Ashley] Well, if you'll excuse me then. I really should get
back to watching Steven. He's up to something.
Ashley sighs.
[Joe] Definitely.
Joe says with a nod.
[Joe] Keep me posted. And Ashley?
[Ashley] Yes?
Joe 's tone of voice changes back to his fatherly voice.
Ashley asks as she stands up.
[Joe] Be careful.
Joe says and winks.
[Methos] Bye, Ash, Take care.
Methos says as Ashley stands up to leave.
[Ashley] I always am. See you around Joe. Adam.
Ashley says with a smile as she turns and walks out of the
office.
Joe looks over at Methos then scoots his chair closer to his
computer and looks at the monitor intently.
[Joe] You were a big help.
Joe says a bit sarcastically without looking back.
[Joe] I have some work to do before getting ready to open.
Joe says simply hoping Methos will take the hint.
[Methos] Come on, Joe, you're a big boy, you don't need a
protector.
[Joe] Never said I did.
Joe says quietly without looking away from his monitor.
[Methos] Oh and busy, are you?
Methos asks still smiling amused.
Joe ignores Methos and begins filling out the Watcher Forum's
registration form so he can post on it.
[Methos] Guess what?
Methos says ignoring the fact that Joe is trying to look like he
has some work to do.
Joe sighs and lets his hands rest. He looks up at Methos and
quirks an eyebrow.
[Joe] What?
[Methos] You're busier than you imagine. Do yourself a favor
check your email inbox.
Methos says as he stands up to leave.
[Methos] Happy reading.
Methos says before he walks out the door to go to his car.
[Joe] What email box?
Joe asks the empty office then shakes his head.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 352--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 28
By: Cyberfox277 Date: April 12, 2012, 12:03 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Next day - 7 PM***
[/center]David closes the door of his car in the parking lot,
and looks around while he locks the door like he's used to do.
He checks his watch while he walks to the restaurant, now that
Craig is back, he's time to go out with Sarah, and doesn't want
to show up late.
[Sarah] Thank you.
Sarah murmurs to the maitre'd as she is seat at a table for two.
Hopefully David would be here soon.
David smiles when he comes in and sees Sarah already sitting at
a table.
[David] Been here long?
David asks when he gets to the table and pulls the chair in
front of her.
[Sarah] No.
Sarah says smiling at David as he sits.
[Sarah] Just got here.
[David] Good, I'd hate to make you wait.
David comments smiling back at Sarah.
[Sarah] You didn't.
Sarah smiles back.
[David] Have you ordered something?
David asks looking around for a waiter.
[David] We should order if we want to be on time.
[Sarah] Yes, we should order. And no I haven't yet. I'm looking
forward to this. I've heard nothing but good things about Blue
Man Group.
Sarah smiles.
[David] Well, I wouldn't know, never went to see it.
David shrugs looking back at Sarah after he managed to get a
waiter's attention.
[David] I know who they are of course, they're hard to go
unnoticed.
David adds with a smile.
[Sarah] They are hard to miss. But let's hope they're half as
good as I've heard.
Sarah chuckles, then places her order as the waitress comes to
take it.
David makes his order, then he tells Sarah trying to justify the
quantity of food he'd ordered.
[David] Almost didn't have time to lunch, wanted to finish early
so I could leave early.
[Sarah] Well, as long as you didn't skip breakfast. It IS the
most important meal of the day.
Sarah says half teasing.
[David] Hmm, no, or I'd be too weak to work out in the morning.
David chuckles softly. He looks at her with a smile glad he's
there with her, those Immortal women may be very attractive but
they tended to treat him like a child which he found pretty
irritating. Sarah treats him like the adult he is.
[Sarah] Good.
Sarah laughs.
[David] Actually I expect us to have breakfast together one day,
who knows? When you're interested?
David offers teasingly, hoping Sarah would get the hint.
[Sarah] How's tomorrow sound?
Sarah asks raising an eyebrow with a smile.
[David] Tomorrow?
David asks surprised,wondering if she was offering that they'd
finally spend the night together.
[Sarah] Took you long enough to hint around at it. Yes. Tonight,
breakfast tomorrow?
Sarah says.
David frowns puzzled looking at Sarah.
[David] Why didn't you tell me before? This is the 21st century,
you know? If you were interested why didn't you tell me about
it?
[Sarah] Because, I don't want sex for the sake of sex. And I
wasn't sure if you were interested. Unlike most guys... you
weren't obvious. Or I would have let you know when I was
interested.
Sarah explains.
[David] Because I didn't want to pressure you too much, of
course I was interested.
David takes a deep breath looking down at the table, thinking
about the time they'd wasted.
[Sarah] David... you're sweet. But you're also a guy. You're
supposed to pressure just a tiny bit. The only other time I
dated someone and wasn't pressured was when the guy turned out
to be gay. I was starting to worry!
Sarah says with a laugh that invites David to share in her
folly.
David chuckles amused.
[David] I can assure you I'm not.
[Sarah] That's all for the good from where I'm sitting!
Sarah laughs.
[David] Women should come with a manual, you can never figure
out what they're thinking.
David shakes his head still smiling.
[David] If you dare to suggest sex, they say you can't think
about anything else, if you don't they think you're gay. Go
figure.
[Sarah] Of course!
Sarah laughs.
[David] So how bad do want to see that show?
David asks half joking, half serious.
[David] We could skip that and go to my place after dinner.
[Sarah] No. I really want to see the show.
Sarah grins.
David rolls his eyes, then shrugs.
[David] Fine, your call.
[Sarah] Besides, you've got to earn tonight.
Sarah chuckles.
[David] Oh really? I thought it was already decided.
David says smiling at Sarah.
[Sarah] Not for me.
Sarah chuckles.
[David] You're mean.
David chuckles back.
[Sarah] No. I'm a woman.
Sarah grins.
David frowns, looking at her intently.
[David] You are? I've never noticed that before.
David says in what he hopes is a surprised tone.
[Sarah] Okay... Now I'm worried.
Sarah says.
David tries to keep a straight face after Sarah's reply but
fails and bursts out laughing.
[David] I wouldn't be if I were you.
David manages to say between chuckles.
[Sarah] Good!
Sarah says laughing along with David as the waiter arrives with
their food.
[center]***45 minutes later***
[/center]Steven has just come back to his hotel room after a
light dinner when he hears the phone ringing. He rushes to the
phone knowing only one person would call him there.
[Steven] Hello?
Steven asks impatiently, hoping to hear the voice he's
expecting.
[P.I.] It's me.
P.I. says into the phone.
Steven grins evilly, there's only one reason the private
investigator he'd hired to follow that guy from the Bower Agency
would call him.
[Steven] You found her?
Steven asks right away.
[P.I.] Yeah, both of them are together.
P.I. says.
[Steven] I knew it. I knew he'd lead me to her.
Steven murmurs under his breath.
[P.I.] Girl, or young woman, medium height, brown hair, slender.
And the guy.
P.I. adds.
[Steven] So where are they?
Steven asks when the PI doesn't say anything else.
[P.I.] They just went into the Blue Man Group show. Over at the
Orpheus Theater, on the corner of Seymour and Smithe.
P.I. says by way of explanation.
[Steven] The blue what?
Steven asks with a frown, thinking he didn't understand it
correctly.
[P.I.] Blue Man Group. They're a show that, that acts everything
out through movement. They wear blue body suits... or something
like that.
P.I. says shrugging, even though he knows his client can't see
him shrug.
[Steven] Oh it's that modern nonsense.
Steven shakes his head wondering why people bothered to hear
that rubbish instead of real music.
[P.I.] Yeah, something like that.
P.I. says shrugging again.
[P.I.] Anyway, the show should be out in about 2 hours.
[Steven] Good, I'll be there waiting for my... daughter.
Steven grins when he says the last word.
[P.I.] Give me a call again, if you need anything. If you're
going to be here, I'm going to head home as soon as you get
here.
P.I. says.
[Steven] Alright I'm on my way.
Steven nods and disconnects the call. He moves fast to his
luggage to get the dagger he has in there while he thinks
tonight will certainly pay off for all the time he's been
waiting.
[P.I.] Alright.
P.I. says and hangs up the phone, not waiting to here his
client's reply.
Steven grins evilly looking at the dagger, tonight he's going to
take two Quickenings, or maybe save one for later who knows? He
studies the map briefly to make sure he knows where to go and
rushes outside of the hotel.
[center]***2 and a half hours later***
[/center]Steven checks his watch again hiding in the dark near
the wall of the theater, it seems to him he's been waiting all
night. He wonders what they are doing, all the other cars had
left the parking lot except a lonely car at the end of the
parking lot. The trees near it give him an idea as he moves
quickly to hide in there before anyone shows up.
David gasps in surprise when he gets to the theater door and
sees no cars but his.
[David] I've told you it was taking too long, look at this.
We're the last ones.
[Sarah] So?
Sarah asks arching an eyebrow.
[Sarah] I just couldn't make up my mind. Besides, what's the big
deal?
[David] Well, it's just that it's getting late, that's all.
David shrugs keeping his hands in his pockets to look for the
car keys.
[Sarah] What? And afraid I've changed my mind or something?
Sarah chuckles.
[David] Hmm, the idea has crossed my mind when it seemed you
were looking for an excuse to stay in there.
David tells her truthfully, he didn't believe in starting a
relationship on lies.
[Sarah] No. I really just wanted a souvenir from the show. The
t-shirt will be my new nightshirt, but... not tonight.
Sarah chuckles.
[David] I certainly hope not.
David chuckles back, playing with the car keys in his hand.
[David] I liked the show but it would be a little bit too much.
[Sarah] It would get in the way, tonight.
Sarah grins.
[David] That it would.
David nods with a smile, then he extends his hand to her so she
could take it.
[David] Come on, then.
[Sarah] Yeah. I think it's time to go.
Sarah smiles slipping her hand into David's extended hand.
Steven smiles when he sees a couple leave the theater and begin
to walk in his direction. At last there they were, he thinks to
himself.
[David] So my place or yours? I know I've suggested my place
before but it can be yours, no problem with that.
David tells Sarah says while he walks to his car with her.
[Sarah] Yours is fine. You've been to my place before. I'd like
to see yours.
Sarah says, wondering if his place was going to be a typical
bachelor pad. If it was, she knew that she would insist on her
place every night AFTER tonight.
[David] Alright then.
David nods in agreement. He's glad he'd been so busy than all he
did at his place lately was sleep, so everything is in order.
Steven grins while he pulls out his sword, he knows they'll feel
him soon. He prepares the dagger to stab the male while he takes
care of the girl.
David walks a few more step and stops abruptly looking around,
wondering who was the Immortal he'd just felt.
[Sarah] David?
Sarah asks confused and concerned when David suddenly stops.
David keeps looking around uneasily without paying attention to
Sarah, he doesn't see anyone but knows someone is there.
Steven stays at the place he's hiding, waiting they get closer
to the car and him. If he keeps quiet they'll think it was
someone passing by.
[Sarah] David?
Sarah asks again, a little worried now.
[David] Oh, it's nothing, just thought I heard something.
David says trying to explain his behavior, he side glances at
her with what he hopes is a reassuring smile.
Sarah frowns at David for a moment studying the expression on
his face, before shrugging to herself.
[Sarah] Alright, let's go then.
Sarah says.
Steven frowns for a moment, the buzz he had felt looked
different somehow but he shrugs it off, deciding it was too long
to remember for sure. Just a few more steps and he'd be on top
of them.
David keeps looking around but sees nothing, he decides to move
to the car, they couldn't stand there all night. Sarah is
already suspecting something. He moves the poncho they had to
wear to see the show to his left hand in case he needs to pull
out his gun.
[David] Alright, let's go.
[Sarah] Okay, then.
Sarah says, her voice implying it was weird.
Steven jumps out of his hiding place once they get close enough,
his sword raised in his hand and almost gasps in surprise when
he takes a good look at the female accompanying the guy from the
Bower Agency. That idiot had found the wrong woman, no wonder
the buzz felt different, this one was mortal.
[Steven] Am I surrounded by incompetents or what?
Steven murmurs under his breath as he slowly moves closer to the
couple.
David stares at the headhunter in surprise for a second, the
fool was making a scene in front of a mortal? He knows how fast
a man with a sword would get to them at this distance, so he
pulls out his gun and points it at the headhunter.
[David] That's close enough, damn you.
Sarah gasps as a man with a sword. A SWORD of all things! Jumps
out in front of them.
[Sarah] Is this a new style of mugging or something?
Sarah mutters softly.
[Steven] Oh, you know that doesn't work without this to finish
the job.
Steven grins moving his sword in the air.
David opens his eyes wide in surprise, thinking that fool was
giving away too much, as if a sword wasn't enough.
[Steven] Why the surprise? She's already seen too much, you know
what to do in that case, don't you?
Steven asks David grinning evilly.
[Steven] Only one way to solve this that I can think of.
Sarah is not quite sure what exactly the strange sword bearing
guy means, by her seeing too much, but threatening them with a
sword she understands. Sarah reaches into her purse feeling for
her cell phone.
[David] You could walk away so I wouldn't have to shoot you. One
more step and I will, I'm warning you.
David answers still pointing the gun at the headhunter.
[Steven] Then what? You'll never do what needs to be done
afterwards with your friend staring at you.
Steven smiles smugly, shaking his head.
[Steven] Newbies are really amusing.
Steven keeps smiling while he studies the ground between them,
preparing to cover the distance in a few steps.
Sarah's hand closes around the cell phone in her purse. She
slowly starts pulling it out.
[David] I'll do whatever it takes to get her rid of you.
David answers wishing Sarah wasn't there, she was being an
obstacle in the current situation.
Steven takes a deep breath, that brat was beginning to irritate
him. like a Lee would ever be afraid of a gun. Too bad he
couldn't kill the irritating brat right away like he was
planning, he'd have to make him tell where that little friend of
his was hiding. He's betting that he knew.
[Steven] I hope your aiming is good.
Steven tells David grinning evilly before he raises his sword
and charges on them.
David shoots the headhunter four times in the heart before he
falls to the ground.
[David] Top five of my class in the Police Academy.
David grumbles looking down at the body.
[Sarah] OH MY GOD!!!!
Sarah screams!
[Sarah] OH MY GOD!!!
Sarah screams again, and flips the cell phone open and starts
dialing 9-1-1.
[David] Sarah, don't.
David says urgently, wrapping his arm around her waist to make
her walk to the car.
[David] Get in the car.
[Sarah] We've gotta call the police!! You just shot him. I know
he was going to attack us, but we still need to call the police.
Sarah says babbling.
[David] No, get in the car.
[Sarah] No, we've got to do something!
Sarah protests.
David keeps pulling in the direction of his car without further
comment, all he wanted was to get her out of there before the
headhunter came back to life, or then there would be something
really hard to explain. He looks longingly at the headhunter's
sword for a moment, cursing his luck for not being alone, the
bastard was right, he wouldn't cut his head in front of Sarah.
[David] I am doing something, I'm taking you out of here. Or do
you want to spend the rest of the night answering questions?
David says calmly, while he keeps pulling her gently but firmly
to his car.
[Sarah] If answering questions is the right thing to do, then
Yes! That's what I want to do!
Sarah cries.
[David] I'll call them once we're out of here, an anonymous call
or something.
David promises trying to reach a compromise.
[David] Now get in the car.
David asks her again, fighting with his keys without letting her
go.
[Sarah] David I thought you used to be a cop? How can you do
this?!
Sarah cries.
David makes a face while he opens the car door, she had to bring
that up, if he didn't know the guy would be up and running in a
while, he'd never act like this.
[David] Makes no difference where I call the police as long as I
call them.
David shrugs trying to make sense of it, while he gently pushes
Sarah inside the car.
[Sarah] The hell it does!
Sarah says as David pushes her into the car.
David waits until she's properly sitting, then closes the
passenger door and quickly runs around before she has the idea
of open the door and come out. He side glances at the headhunter
to see if he's already moving and is relieved to see, the man is
still like he fell.
[David] I'll stop at a pay-phone or something.
David promises as he gets inside the car and closes the door. He
thinks to himself while he starts the car, he's going to have to
pretend, since he knows there won't be any body once the police
gets there anyway.
[Sarah] Yeah right.
Sarah mutters not believing him.
[Sarah] Take me home.
Sarah adds flatly.
[David] That's all I want to do. No need to be upset.
David grumbles as he drives off the parking lot.
[Sarah] Take me home.
[David] We're on the way.
David nods while he tries to decide if he should go to Craig or
not, apparently the headhunter was after him now.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 355--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 29
By: Cyberfox277 Date: April 20, 2012, 10:56 am
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Later that night***[/center]
David stops his car in front of Craig's place, gets out of the
car and angrily shuts the door. "To improve this night the only
thing missing is Craig not being home." David grumbles under his
breath as he walks to the front door. He feels like smacking his
forehead again for his stupidity, but the thought that guy might
have been following him never occurred to him.
Craig is sitting in his favorite chair watching a mindless
program on TV when he feels the buzz of another Immortal.
David stops and looks around when he feels an Immortal buzz,
he'd been sloppy enough today, no need to be even more. After a
while he decides it's coming from Craig's house so he knocks on
the door.
[David] Craig? Are you there?
Craig lets go of of the hilt of his sword and slides it back
under the chair when he hears David's voice.
[Craig] Yeah. Hang on.
Craig says as he gets to his feet and heads for the door of his
floating home.
David keeps looking around over his shoulders while he waits for
Craig to open the door.
Craig opens the door and looks at David, quirking an eyebrow
curiously.
[Craig] What are you doing out so late?
Craig says with a partial smirk.
[Craig] I thought your bedtime was after the 6:00 news.
David jumps when Craig opens the door even though he's expecting
it.
Craig says teasingly and steps aside gesturing for David to come
on in.
[David] You know about that guy hunting Gemini?
David asks while he walks in the door.
[David] Well he's not after Gemini anymore.
David says while he paces around Craig's living room, too jumpy
to sit down quietly.
[Craig] He's not.
Craig says more as a statement than a question. He closes the
door and turns to look at David but he remains standing in front
of the door.
[Craig] And why is that? Did she take care of him?
Craig asks doubting the answer will be yes since Gemini wasn't
as advanced in her training as David was.
[David] Took Sarah out for dinner and then he makes a scene in
the parking lot.
David explains while he stops to look at Craig.
Craig holds up his hands in a stop gesture.
[Craig] Hold on. Have a seat, take a breath and start from the
beginning.
Craig says calmly as he points to the sofa.
[Craig] Would you like a drink? I have some Scotch and maybe a
little whiskey or a cold beer.
David takes a deep breath, trying to calm down and then he walks
to the sofa and sits down.
[David] I think I need something stronger than beer tonight.
It's not every day a guy attacks you with a sword and you have
to shoot him.
David takes another deep breath.
[David] In front of a mortal.
Craig walks into the kitchen to fix David a drink. When his back
is to his student he mouths the words, "shoot him?" but he says
nothing as he fills a tumbler with ice and some Scotch. He
brings it into the living room, hands the glass to David and
takes a seat back in his favorite chair.
[Craig] OK. Cliff notes give more details than you have so why
don't you start by explaining how you ended up in the same
restaurant as Lee.
Craig says as he sits back in his chair and casually crosses one
leg over the other.
[David] He wasn't in the restaurant, I think he was following
me.
David admits in an embarrassed tone of voice.
[David] I didn't notice him until he showed up in the parking
lot.
[Craig] Man. This guy must be good to be able to follow you and
you not know it. Buzz not withstanding....you're usually much
more observant than that.
Craig says purposefully.
[David] Well, it never crossed my mind he'd be looking for me
now that he lost Gemini, but apparently he is.
David sighs before he takes a sip, trying not to drink it all at
once.
[Craig] David, David, David.
Craig says shaking his head slowly.
[Craig] Have you listened to anything I have said over the last
2 years?
Craig asks and rubs his hand over his face.
[David] Yeah, I know, I know.
David sighs unhappily.
[David] But I assumed he'd be looking for her and she got
herself a teacher so...
David shrugs thinking he wouldn't mess up with that woman if he
was Lee.
[Craig] David.....you need to be alert all of the time. There
are other Immortals out there besides Lee that may follow
you....try to set a trap for you...and you need to be ready.
Craig says leaning forward and resting his forearms on his
knees.
[David] Well I'm still here, aren't I?
David points out looking up at Craig.
[Craig] So....he waited for you and your girlfriend to leave the
restaurant and cornered you in the parking lot?
Craig asks getting away from the teacher lecturing his student
mode.
[Craig] Sword drawn and everything?
Craig asks trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to
form a picture in his mind.
[David] Yeah, I had no choice but to shoot him.
David says moving his legs, resisting the temptation to jump to
his feet and start pacing again.
[David] What pisses me off is that he screwed up everything
between Sarah and me. She's too shocked to keep dating me. Says
she can't.
[Craig] He did this in front of her?
Craig asks a bit surprised. Most Immortals held to the
unofficial rule that swords weren't drawn in view of a mortal.
[David] Yes, she didn't realize it, but I think he wouldn't mind
killing her too.
David takes a deep breath looking down at his glass.
[David] She doesn't know about us, of course.
[Craig] She knows what you do for a living....right?
Craig asks frowning a bit.
[Craig] And she saw Lee threaten you with a sword?
Craig says looking at David.
[David] Yes, she works on Gemini's hotel, I was there on
business the first time we met.
David nods in agreement.
[Craig] So she knows you carry a piece and some guy comes up to
you out of the blue and threatens you with a big sword. What
does she expect you to do? Laugh at the guy?
Craig says shaking his head again.
[Craig] Women. If I live to be a million I will never understand
them.
Craig says with a sarcastic chuckle.
[Craig] So....back to Lee. What did he say to you?
[David] She didn't like the fact I shot the guy and then ran
away without calling the police. How could I? The guy would come
back to live any minute.
David shakes his head with an unhappy sigh.
[David] And he didn't talk much, just something original like
get ready to die or something like that.
Craig looks at David and a slight frown crosses his face.
[Craig] Your father...or the man who raised you....didn't happen
to be a preacher or something did he?
Craig asks some what seriously, although he is actually teasing.
David rolls his eyes.
[David] Come on, you know he was a cop, just like his father,
and grandfather and so on.
David nods looking down at his glass.
[David] And I know what you mean, I would have done it if she
wasn't there.
[Craig] Just wondering. Sometimes you act like you're a
preacher's son. Never swear....never steal....never told a
lie....Mr. Squeaky Clean.
Craig says shaking his head but chuckling softly.
[Craig] OK. So... did you come to me because you just needed to
vent? Or did you come for some advice?
Craig asks looking at his student questioningly.
David rubs his forehead tiredly.
[David] I don't even know why I came here. Sounded like a good
idea at the time.
[Craig] Well.....since you ARE here....
Craig says getting to his feet. He walks over and takes David's
empty glass and goes into the kitchen where he refills it and
pours one for himself. He carries them both back into the living
room and hands David's to him then walks over and takes a seat
on the Ottoman in front of his chair.
David takes the glass again and drinks a sip gesturing Craig to
go on.
[Craig] You could have cushioned things with Sarah by simply
telling her that you wanted to get her to safety and then faked
a call to SPD while en-route to her place.
Craig takes a sip of his drink and shrugs.
[Craig] Or something along those lines.
Craig takes another sip of his drink.
[Craig] As for Lee.....I'm sure you acted purely out of reflex.
And with your background as a cop... that is understandable.
Sort of.
Craig clears his throat and sets his glass on the coffee table.
He looks seriously at David.
[Craig] However...
Craig says... his tone becoming more that of a teacher than a
buddy.
[David] However?
David urges Craig to go on, looking up at him.
[Craig] We don't have the luxury of acting out of
reflex...acting without thinking. Because our actions always
carry one sort of consequence or another.
Craig says seriously.
David frowns still looking at Craig.
[Craig] You had several different options available....all of
which would have ended better for everyone concerned.
[David] So what would you have done in my place?
Craig shakes his head.
[Craig] Why don't you tell me what you think you could have done
differently.
Craig remembers his own training and how Darius would make him
answer some of his own questions instead of simply preaching and
lecturing him. He found that those answers to his questions
stuck with him more than if Darius had done his thinking for
him.
David frowns thinking for a moment, then shakes his head.
[David] I don't see any other option. Not when the guy was
coming right at me with a sword in hand.
[Craig] Are you completely sure about that?
Craig asks, knowing from his own experience that in 2 years time
one could pick up a lot of knowledge and file it away without
realizing it so it lies buried somewhere in the mind until
called upon. It was also a way of determining how successful his
teaching efforts had been over the last 2 years. If David
honestly couldn't answer the question himself....maybe Craig
wasn't doing his job and needed to step up his efforts. David
couldn't train with him forever. At some point the kid would
have to go out on his own.
David drinks some Scotch, then he takes a deep breath and nods.
[David] Fine, I almost told Sarah to wait in the car before I
shot him but I was afraid he'd try to eliminate the witness
before he came after me. I wouldn't risk her life when I was the
only one who could protect her.
[Craig] OK.
Craig says and rubs his chin thoughtfully. After a few seconds
he looks at David.
[Craig] If it had been me.....I would have told Sarah to go get
the car so we could make a quick getaway. By giving her a task
to do...making her think she has a part in the solution of the
problem it gives her something to focus on besides her
fear....or her judgment of you and it also removes her from the
center of the situation. Then I would have kept Lee busy with
some half hearted hand to hand....all the while "leading" him
out of the public eye to a more secluded area where I would make
an attempt to disarm him and maybe knock him out...but if I had
to shoot him...at least I could do it without anyone hearing the
shot....and my mortal girlfriend seeing me shoot someone then
leave.
Craig takes a sip of his drink and shrugs.
[Craig] But that's just me.
Craig adds hoping that it would at least give David something to
think about.
[David] Hmm, I think I forgot to mention something.
David says rubbing his forehead tiredly.
[David] The parking lot was full when we got there so I had to
park far away from the theater. When that Lee guy attacked us
running away was out of the question, maybe I can run faster
than him but I doubt Sarah can, we'd never reach the theater
until he caught us up.
[Craig] What I think right now, though....is that you're both
emotionally and physically exhausted and no one thinks clearly
that way and nothing can be learned when in that state.
Craig says and empties his glass in one gulp. He sets the empty
glass on the coffee table and gets to his feet.
[Craig] Are you OK to drive home or would you rather use my
couch tonight?
Craig asks as he stretches the kinks out of his leg muscles.
[David] Yes, I should get going.
David nods as he gets to his feet.
[David] Don't know why I came here when I could have told you in
the morning.
David shakes his head, as he thinks it looked like a good idea
at the time.
[Craig] Tomorrow....when you are rested....we have some serious
training to do.
[David] Great. That guy didn't beat me up but you're planning to
do it, right?
David grumbles thinking why did he come here in the first place.
Craig shakes his head.
[Craig] No. It's not going to be that kind of training.
Craig says with a smile.
[David] That should be a first.
David replies smiling despite himself.
[Craig] So....your house or my couch. Which is it?
Craig asks looking down at his student.
[David] I think I prefer my own bed.
David decides as he begins to walk to the door.
[David] And nothing to worry about if that guy attacks me again,
I'll just shoot him and no mortal to save his head this time.
[Craig] OK......do me a favor.
Craig says placing his hand on David's shoulder as he reaches
for the door knob.
[David] Sure, what is it?
David asks turning his head to look at Craig.
[Craig] Just go straight home....lock your doors and windows and
don't answer them....no matter who comes knocking. I don't care
if it's Jesus Christ Himself. Then....when you wake up come
straight back here.
[David] I was planning to go to sleep when I got there, and
don't answer the door anyway. So sure?
David says raising an eyebrow.
[David] Anything else, boss?
[Craig] Yeah. That belt doesn't go with those shoes.
Craig says with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes and a smarmy
smirk.
David chuckles softy at the unexpected comment.
[David] Since when are you a fashion expert?
David asks expecting Craig to open the door so he can go home.
[Craig] What? You don't think my flannel shirt is styling?
Craig says teasingly as he opens his front door and holds it
open for David. Outside the sound of the Puget sounds water
lapped against the bottom of Craig's floating home.
[David] So what time do you want me to come here?
David says before he exits the door and looks back.
[Craig] Like I said.....when you wake up. I want you rested.
Craig answers.
[David] Alright, 9 am should do it then. Better call Linda to
tell her I'll be here though.
David says as a way of goodbye and begins to walk to his car.
Craig watches David until he disappears down the boardwalk then
he closes his door, locks it and returns to his favorite chair
to watch some more TV.
[center]To be continued[/center]
#Post#: 357--------------------------------------------------
HALF MOON RISING Part 30
By: Cyberfox277 Date: April 30, 2012, 10:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[center]***Next morning - 9 AM***[/center]
Craig is up on the roof/deck of his house boat. He's sitting on
the small wall around the deck...sipping his cup of coffee and
looking out over the peninsula. He loves the Puget Sound in the
morning when all is still quiet.
David yawns as he parks his car in front of Craig's house. He
was so jumpy last night he had a hard time going back to sleep
even thought he'd decided not to return to his place and stay at
a hotel instead. He smiles when he exits his car and sees Craig.
Craig feels an Immortal buzz and looks around. From his
roof/deck he can see the parking lot and he sees David get out
of his car. He glances at his watch and smiles with an approving
nod.
[Craig] On time.
Craig says aloud and gets to his feet. Drinking the last of the
coffee in his cup, David goes inside and heads downstairs to
answer the door when David knocks.
David walks to Craig's house and winces a little when he feels
the buzz even though he's expecting it. "Damn thing." He
grumbles under his breath. He's beginning to doubt he'll ever
get used to it.
Craig refills his cup and fills another cup with hot coffee for
David while he waits for David's knock.
David stops at Craig's front door and looks around before he
knocks on the door. He keeps looking over his shoulder while he
waits for Craig to open the door.
Craig sets his cup on the kitchen bar and carries David's to the
door. He opens the door and holds out the cup of coffee as he
steps aside to let David in.
[Craig] Good morning.
Craig says with a grin as he waits for David to come in.
David gets the coffee cup while he walks inside.
[David] Morning. And coffee is most welcome.
[Craig] Thought it might be.
Craig says with a chuckle as he closes the door behind him.
[Craig] Did you get any sleep?
Craig asks as he walks over to the kitchen bar and picks up his
own cup of coffee and takes a sip.
[David] Yes. When I was absolutely exhausted.
David takes a deep breath before he drinks some coffee.
[David] When I was almost asleep that lunatic with a sword came
after me again so I'd open my eyes, over and over again. I
didn't know it had impressed me so much.
David confesses with a sigh while he follows Craig to the
kitchen and leans against the door frame.
Craig notices that David is empty handed.
[Craig] Are you working out dressed like that?
Craig asks...quirking an eyebrow. He takes a sip of his coffee
and looks at David over the rim of his cup.
David shrugs looking down at his clothes.
[David] I have some clothes in the car. A sweater maybe?
Craig shrugs as he takes another sip of his coffee.
[Craig] Up to you. If it were me I would feel more comfortable
in sweats or something.
David drinks the rest of his coffee and put the cup on the
counter.
[Craig] Did you eat?
Craig asks walking around the counter and into the kitchen.
[David] I'd say it depends what you have in mind. You said you
didn't want to beat me up today.
David nods watching Craig walk around the kitchen.
[David] And yes, ordered something before I came here.
[Craig] I don't need to. You're doing that enough for both of
us.
Craig says setting his cup in the sink and opens the
refrigerator door....peering inside.
[David] I am?
David asks raising his eyebrows in surprise.
[David] I'm beating myself?
[Craig] So.....ordered something?
Craig says ignoring David's response to his previous statement.
[Craig] Ordered? Like....what. Ordered a couple of donuts or
something?
[David] Ordered room service, I decided to stay at a hotel on my
way home.
David shrugs like he did it every day.
[David] Figured I wouldn't need to drive all the way down here
in the morning.
Craig closes the door of the refrigerator since David has had
breakfast.
[Craig] Help yourself to more coffee if you want. I'll go change
and be right down.
Craig says as he walks out of the kitchen and heads for the
stairs.
[David] Can hardly wait.
David says under his breath unenthusiastically as he decides to
take Craig's offer and fills the cup again. He figures he needs
to be awake for what Craig had in mind.
Craig goes upstairs and changes out of his jeans and t-shirt and
into sweats.
Craig comes downstairs with his sport bag. He carries it into
the kitchen and loads it with several bottles of water from the
fridge then closes the bag and walks over to the coat rack by
the front door. He looks back at David and quirks an eyebrow.
[Craig] Ready?
Craig asks as he grabs his coat and wraps it around his sword
then reaches for the front door knob.
[David] As ready as I'll ever be, I guess.
David says before he drinks the rest of his coffee, puts the cup
on the counter and walks to the door.
[David] Let's take my car, probably need to change anyway.
Craig follows David out to his car and lays his coat covered
sword on the back seat then gets in.
David sits on the driver's seat, closes the door and starts the
car before he asks, "So where to?"
[Craig] Don't you want to change clothes?
Craig asks and fastens his seat belt.
David turns his head to look at Craig suspiciously.
[David] That's the second time you asked me that, what exactly
do you have in mind?
[Craig] Well...if you're comfortable working out in what you're
wearing it's fine with me.
Craig says with a shrug.
[David] I have some clothes in the back, I'll change when we get
to wherever we're going.
David shrugs as he turns his head to look back at the road.
[Craig] OK. In that case head for North Shore.
Craig says and sits back to enjoy the ride.
[David] I thought it was a secret or something.
David grumbles under his breath as he starts the car and drives
off.
[center]***10 minutes later***[/center]
[Craig] Pull in over there.
Craig says pointing to a turn out that over looks the peninsula.
[David] Yes, boss.
David nods as he pulls the car to one side of the road and
stops.
[David] Now what?
Craig gets out and grabs his sword off of the back seat.
David asks after he turns off the engine.
[Craig] Follow me.
Craig says and leads David down a path that leads to a small
cove. He leads David around a large outcropping of rock to a
secluded area and lays his sword against a small boulder.
[Craig] You can change over there.
Craig says pointing to an area behind some bushes.
[David] Yeah, I better. I have a feeling I'm going to get all
dirty, or wet, or both.
David nods as he walks to the bushes, then he throws his bag on
the sand and starts taking of his clothes.
Craig opens his gym bag and takes out a practice sword which he
leans against the boulder next to his own sword. Then, while
David is changing clothes he does a few stretches to get ready
for a workout.
David quickly changes clothes, glad he always carried some extra
clothes in the trunk of his car just in case. Then he gets near
Craig and starts his warm up.
[Craig] You can use this sword to practice with.
Craig says handing David the practice sword then picking up his
own. He walks over to a wide spot of beach and waits for David
to join him.
[David] How come I still don't have a real sword? Gemini already
has one.
David grumbles as he follows Craig, he smiles when he remembers
she doesn't know how to use it yet.
[Craig] Last time I checked you weren't Gemini and I'm not her
teacher.
Craig says with a smirk.
[Craig] Okay. Open your legs out in this stance here.
Craig stands with legs apart and knees bent.
[David] Hmm no, not that I'd mind to have her teacher, she looks
a lot better than you.
David says with a chuckle as he follows Craig's instructions.
Craig stands up straight and looks at David, scowling.
[Craig] Well....if you would rather have her for a
teacher.....there are other things I could be doing.
Craig quirks an eyebrow at David.
[David] Hmm no. Great looks but...
David struggles to find the right word remembering how the woman
had treated him.
[David] Bad attitude?
[Craig] Do you want to get serious about this, David or am I
just wasting my time?
Craig asks seriously.
[David] Sorry.
David sobers up concentrating in what he was supposed to be
doing.
Craig takes his stance again and waits for David to follow suit.
[Craig] Use you muscles.
Craig says and slaps David's inner thigh.
[Craig] Okay. Take the blade in your right hand . . . into an en
garde position.
David sighs as he follows Craig's instructions, wishing and not
for the first time, immortality didn't come attached to this.
[Craig] Bend your legs. Now go for a parry, here.
[David] Got it.
Craig raises katana blade toward left shoulder, then over his
head and behind him.
[Craig] You're going to cut forward. Cut.
Craig brings blade around and down.
David quickly does what Craig told him, this part of his
training he already knew well.
[Craig] Cut.
Craig repeats his move.
David repeats Craig's move again.
[Craig] Parry.
Craig holds blade over his head behind his right shoulder.
[Craig] Cut.
Craig brings blade around and down from the other direction.
[Craig] Lunge.
Craig lunges forward with the left leg, blade extended.
David keeps on following Craig's moves as they move on the sand.
[Craig] Good, now stay there. Stay there, don't move.
Craig moves closer to David.
[Craig] When you have your weight there...
Craig steps on back of David's extended leg, bending the knee.
[Craig] You're on the wrong foot. It puts you off balance.
Craig pulls on David's extended sword blade, moving him forward.
[Craig] See how easily I pull you off balance?
[Craig] Straighten this leg. Straighten it. Straighten it.
That's good. The lunge is here.
Craig demonstrates lunge.
David shakes his head taking a deep breath.
[Craig] Good. Back again. Parry.
Craig holds blade over his shoulder again.
[Craig] Cut backwards.
[David] I'll never get the hang of it.
[Craig] You're not concentrating. 90% of sword fighting is
concentration.
Craig says and steps backwards as he cuts the blade forward.
[Craig] OK. Again.
Craig begins sequence, moving forward.
[Craig] Parry.
Craig parries from left side.
[David] What's the use of concentrating if I'll never get the
other 10%? I'm just not cut out for this.
[Craig] Cut. Parry.
Craig parries from right side.
[Craig] Cut. Lunge. Good. And back.
Craig moves backward
David complains as he keeps moving, he knows Craig well enough
now to not piss him off when they're practicing.
[Craig] Parry, cut, parry, cut, lunge.
Craig continues the sequence.
[Craig] Now go back to your parry position. Show me your parry.
Craig waits for David to comply.
David sighs as he does as he's told, wondering if he'd asked for
this last night or what, that talk with Craig seemed to be a
little fuzzy now.
[Craig] Okay, that's a little low. You're going to have to bring
it up a little higher. Otherwise you're going to get cut. Don't
bring it down here, 'cause it's not going to save you.
Craig with David's blade too low, Craig rests his katana against
David's neck.
[Craig] You'll have this happen.
Craig raises David's blade higher, hits it with his sword.
[Craig] Here. OK?
Craig steps away as David tries the corrected form a few times.
[Craig] Same on the other side. Just covering your neck.
Craig steps away and assumes his starting position.
[Craig] OK. From the beginning. A little faster this time.
Craig says and begins the sequence again.
David sighs and starts all over again, following Craig's moves.
[Craig] That's good. Back. Good. Make sure you parry with the
strong part of the blade. Attack.
[Craig] Good. Very good. Same thing. Come on. Remember, it's
going to come at you anyway. it won't just happen. Low. High.
Low. High. Low. High. Other side. Strokes here, here, here. Come
on. On the parry, you parry here.
Craig demonstrates.
[Craig] Here. All right? Parry. Try it again.
[David] OK.
David says as he starts all over again.
Craig continues to spar with David until David begins reacting
out of instinct instead of having to think about each move.
[Craig] Good. That's right.
Craig lunges at David.
David blinks in surprise when he realizes he'd blocked Craig
without thinking.
Craig lunges again.
[David] And how did I do that?
David asks still surprised, then he remembers Craig's
instructions and after he blocks him again, he parries with a
cut aimed at Craig's head.
Craig swings his blade upward, blocking David's cut and bringing
the two face to face, their blades locked together. Craig slips
his right foot behind David's and pulls his own forward,
knocking David off balance and to the ground. He quickly places
the tip of his sword just millimeters from David's throat and
looks down at him.
[Craig] Remember.....use your other skills if you have to.
Whatever it takes to get the upper hand.
Craig says and raises his sword. He holds out his hand to help
David to his feet.
David rolls his eyes when Craig's puts his sword at his throat.
[David] Still didn't get tired of doing that?
David asks as he gets to his feet.
[David] I know you won when you knock me down.
[Craig] I'll tire of it when you knock me down.
Craig says seriously and assumes a starting position again.
[Craig] Now. Let's try it again.
Craig says and holds his sword in a position of readiness.
[David] Yeah, right.
David chuckles softly as he gets ready to start all over again.
[David] We'll be here till nightfall.
[Craig] Or later if that's what it takes.
Craig says and steps forward, swinging his sword from right to
left....aiming for David's right shoulder.
David blocks out of instinct, then lunges at Craig.
Craig blocks David's lunge with an upward slice, knocking
David's blade away. Then Craig whirls around, swinging his sword
from left to right aimed at the right side of David's waist.
David turns and blocks Craig again, then he parries with a slice
from right to left aimed at Craig's neck.
Craig ducks, feeling the breeze of David's blade as it slices
above his head. He regains his footing and steps sideways which
puts him behind David. Craig lunges forward.
David quickly spins around as soon as he realizes Craig is
behind him and he blocks Craig's lunge with an upward stroke of
his blade. Then he swirls his blade around Craig's a couple of
times before he thrusts his upward, dislodging Craig's sword
from his grip and sending it flying off to the side. Once Craig
is disarmed he brings his blade around and stop it at the side
of Craig's neck.
Craig blinks with surprise and looks into David's eyes. Without
moving he says, "by George....I think he's got it," and he
smiles proudly.
[David] You already taught me how to do that, remember?
David points out with a smile.
Craig waits until David lowers his sword then he straightens up
and walks over to where his sword is lying on the ground.
[Craig] I may have taught you that move but this is the first
time that you have used it without thinking about it.
Craig says as he picks up his sword and returns to where David
is standing.
[David] Yeah.
David nods slightly confused, wondering how that had happened.
[David] Also blocked you without thinking.
David nods again remembering the fight.
[Craig] This time every move you made you did instinctively. Do
you understand the difference?
Craig asks as he takes two bottles of water out of his gym bag
and tosses one to David. He opens his and takes a long drink.
David catches the bottle in the air, then opens it to drink some
water.
[David] Well for once I reacted a lot faster.
[Craig] You have had the knowledge for 3 years. But you always
had to consciously think about what you were doing. Today you
acted out of instinct.....unconsciously. Now the knowledge has
become skill.
Craig explains and takes another drink of his water as he gets a
towel out of his bag and wipes the sweat from his face.
[Craig] There is one other reason that you managed to do what
you did. Do you know what that is?
Craig asks as he drapes the towel around the back of his neck
and takes another drink of his water.
David frowns puzzled, he couldn't think of anything.
[David] Luck?
David offers with a smile before he takes another sip of water.
Craig shakes his head.
[Craig] Confidence.
Craig answers simply.
[David] Confidence? I thought I was going to lose again.
David shakes his head chuckling softly.
[Craig] No, you didn't.
Craig says as he puts his towel back into his gym bag and zips
it shut.
[Craig] If you had thought that....I would have won.
Craig slings the strap of his gym bag over his shoulder and
looks at David.
[David] Well it's not like I was going to lose without trying to
win.
David shrugs as he moves to get his bag deciding to keep his
clothes until he had a chance to take a shower.
[Craig] Let me ask you a question.
Craig says as he starts walking towards the path that leads up
to where David's car is parked.
[Craig] When you were in the police academy....when did you know
that you were ready to become a cop?
David follows Craig to the path still looking around to make
sure he wasn't leaving anything behind.
[David] When I saw a guy trying to rob an old lady and I
arrested him without thinking I didn't have a badge?
[Craig] And the first time you had to do some hand to hand
combat......what kept you from either leaving it to your partner
to handle or just running away?
Craig asks as they get to the top of the hill and approach
David's car.
[David] It was part of the job, I chose that job and I'd trained
for it.
David shrugs taking one last look back at the top at the hill
before moving to his car.
[David] Besides you don't fail your partner, ever.
[Craig] A lot of people train for things but that doesn't mean
that they are successful. All the training in the world doesn't
mean a thing if you're not good at what you're training for.
Craig says as he puts his gym bag and the two swords in the back
seat of David's car.
David throws his bag to the back seat before he seat at the
driver's seat.
[David] I suppose you're right.
[Craig] Why did you come to work for me?
Craig asks as he gets in the passenger seat and buckles his seat
belt.
[Craig] For that matter....why did I hire you?
[David] You're asking me?
David chuckles softly as he starts the car.
[Craig] No. The idiot sitting in your lap.
Craig says and rolls his eyes.
[David] You said you liked my... background?
David frowns trying to remember if that's what he said.
Craig shakes his head thinking, "he still doesn't get it."
[Craig] And you wonder why you don't have your own sword yet.
Craig says still shaking his head.
David rolls his eyes as he keeps paying attention to the road.
[David] Fine, I'm good at what I do, so what?
[Craig] Think about it, Bradford. When you can answer that
yourself....give me a call.
Craig says with a sigh. He closes his eyes and leans his head
back against the headrest.
[center]***10 minutes later***[/center]
Craig opens the car door when David pulls into a parking slot of
the wharf’s parking lot.
[Craig] Go home and get some rest. Don't forget you have an 8 AM
appointment to do a security inspection at the Bellflower
Corporation.
Craig says as he gets out of the car and retrieves his gym bag
and the two swords.
[Craig] It's a multimillion dollar account and I expect you to
land it for us.
Craig adds as he closes the back door of David's car.
[David] Nothing to worry about, Linda already reminded me when I
called her to warn her we wouldn't show up today.
David tells Craig through the open window.
[Craig] And why shouldn't I worry?
Craig asks leaning down so he can see David.
[David] Because I never failed you before?
David points out with a smile.
[David] And I run the agency when you're away?
Craig, not getting the answer he is looking for, shakes his
head.
[Craig] I hate it when people answer a question with a question.
If they don't know the answer they should just keep quiet.
Craig says disgustedly and slams the car door shut. He walks way
from the car and heads for the boardwalk that leads to his
houseboat.
[David] Hey Craig, I know what I'm doing, you can trust me.
David raises his voice so Craig can still listen to him.
[David] It's a done deal.
[Craig] See you tomorrow.
Craig calls over his shoulder and waves. "Obviously I still have
some work to do with you," Craig mutters as he heads down the
boardwalk toward his house.
David waves back at Craig and starts the car to go home and take
a shower hoping that psycho wasn't there waiting for him.
[center]To be continued[/center]
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