redjacketthief | Appointments

That's another reason I've been working so hard.

[He had lost time from his refusal to accept, and had a physical set back from being revived--right when he was starting to be able to throw a decent kick at a punching bag too. Pouting, Lupin took a big bite of his grilled cheese sandwich and listened to her words and her solemn vow.

It was what he asked for over a month before. It was an offer to be his right hand in a fox hole, and of the peace of mind he needed at that time and had been needing since. He would never openly make such an admission, but it was evident in all of his words and actions.]

I'll put my faith in you then, like I have with my partners. [His tone was steady and firm, but he couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze.] It's your word, and a promise between partners.

I only ask that you come to me for the same.

We can pick up our lessons here, as long as you're rested and they're only once, perhaps twice a week. It isn't combat training- but it will help you build up your core and stamina enough to help once this has passed.

[She ran once when he needed it- and never again. She's sorted out her own head since the hurricane. No matter the vision, the storm, the third party banging down her front door; she's staying. The worst they could do was kill her, and she's already dead. What was there for her to fear for herself, then?

Nothing. But those closest to her, those she can, and will, fear for when she's given cause. And she'll take steps to be able to protect them while she remains. As long as she's able, as best she's able.]

I'd have brought the brandy, but you are not to drink. [She lifts her glass of tea instead and taps it against his.]

Consider it done. In the interest of full disclosure- ask whatever you like. You've carte blanche, Lupin.

Thanks, Angel. There's only so much to do when you've only got windows, your journal, and your brain around here. You don't know what I'd have done just to get radio access out here!

[He grins, falling easily into his old pattern of complaining and deflecting. It was easier--but the point was made with their salute. They were partners now, as his grandfather and her uncle had been. She was his Leblanc; he was her Lupin.

Companionship. A person that he knew would be there. That was all he wanted.]

Tea works fine for now. We can always have brandy later. [He takes a sip and drops the brief moment of jest when she makes her offer. Just a simple offer of open communication.

How could it be so hard?]

...I have no idea where to begin. People haven't really been telling me anything, and it feels like I'm being treated a little like a china doll. It's annoying, but I feel like I'm missing a lot of information.

The journals can only tell a guy so much, you know?

Next time I visit? I will bring the record player. It isn't a radio, but it will be something, yes?

[They'd covered what needed to be covered. He gave his word, she'd given hers and they had an understanding. He was willing to try, willing to have faith- and that was more than enough for her.]

I'll save the bottle for you Aubergine.

[A half smile, sweet and sly, and she lifts a shoulder. Sips her tea.]

I suppose I might start with a confession, of sorts. For all my frustration surrounding the performance and being conned into performing for it- I did, in fact, enjoy dancing on stage. Even if it was in men's clothing.

I knew it!

[He laughed, proud that his fit of impulsiveness had earned exactly what he had set out for.]

You really rocked out there, dazzled the audience, and looked like you were having fun. I've seen you with your piano at Seventh Heaven, Angel, and heard that you could dance. Good to know that my guess was correct~

Classical ballet, Lupin, that is what I was trained in and what I've been teaching you. I also know the typical ballroom dances- the only reason I had anything that I could perform was Remy and I were inordinately obsessed with Michael Jackson in the eighties. To the extent that I learned how to moonwalk en pointe.

[Adele laughs at herself more than a little, and shakes her head.]

Yes, yes, be smug. The first time I danced on stage in the better part of twenty years, all because you are, occasionally, an ass.

[He laughs again at the thought of her moonwalking en point. He had been more than a little obsessed himself, but hadn't the same degree of skill to perform that feat--and his obsession had been more with Freddie Mercury and Queen.]

It shows. The spotlight really does suit you better than most of the kids here, and its for more than just your skill.

Can we expect a repeat performance in the future?

LeBlancs were made to perform. It's in my blood. It wasn't how my life went, yes, but I was trained for it.

[Smug, far too smug, and she can't have that. Adele reaches across and hooks her fingers around his nose, giving it a tug.]

Only if you are onstage with me.

[He reaches over and curls a loose strand of her long blonde hair around a finger in return for the affectionate squeeze with a grin that was a little too sly.]

Oh, I do plan on being on stage with you. We have things we need to accomplish.

Nothing too involved- it would detract from time I'd spend with Rick.

[Wait, did Lupin even know about Rick?

...

Oh dear.]

[He didn't.

...

again with the secrets!

He had a quip in mind, but it vanished immediately--instead he has to take a deep, calming breath.]

Who's Rick?

...Sergeant Rick Doyle? He's an...a. We're...

...

You were dead at the time, I cannot be blamed.

[A stranger. A complete stranger.]

Adele. I know nothing about that week. You and everyone else can be blamed for that.

It wasn't just that week- We've been associates- friends. We've been friends for months. That just...changed recently. During the cleanup for the storm.

...You tell me to tell you things, yet you don't do as you preach.

How come no one else knows him?

I haven't told anyone- mostly because I haven't been in a position to say anything. I haven't done this in years Lupin. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure it would...stick.

Even Luke invited Ami around before they were together, Adele. That really isn't an excuse here.

I'm not obligated to keep you informed of every minute detail in my speculative or actual lovelife. Rick keeps to himself- he's still sorting himself out after whatever happened in his world on top of the shifts. He spends time in the woods and I never thought to ask him over- but I did invite him to the beach party. He was there for a short while, before the bonfire. You may have seen us sitting together.

I was too busy trying to keep everyone from treating me differently, Adele. And I wasn't there much before the bonfire in the first place.

Look. I'm not asking you to keep me informed on every detail, but someone like that? Don't keep that person a stranger. It's not very cool for your friends, especially if that person becomes important to you.

I know Ben spoke to him while we were on the mission in the valley...Luke only knows I am romantically involved with him because he misinterpreted something I said so far as to assume that Ben and I were dating. No one else knows. I just...wanted to be sure.

[She smiles softly to herself, and lifts a shoulder.]

You might like him. He's very sarcastic, and quite charming for an American. He's also very sweet to me.

Thaaaat's going to take a while, Adele.

[Because of the secrecy. Three of her closest friends were kept completely out of the loop--who else didn't know? Helios? Sabriel? Who?

He didn't like being uninformed. At all.]

...Just be warned. If he hurts you? He'll pay.

Edited 2012-08-04 02:46 (UTC)

Don't treat him poorly because I didn't introduce you to him.

[She snorts a soft sigh.]

I'm a grown woman Lupin. If Rick does anything to hurt me I'll be the first to react. But I honestly don't think I have to worry about it. We've only been seeing each other like this for a few weeks now but...I'm feeling optimistic about it.

I won't treat him poorly, but don't expect me to be friendly either. I just told you--my friends are my everything.

[He wanted a cigarette. Badly.]

Feel optimistic all you want. If it works? It might be good. But you're one of my partners now, so I figure I should tell you...

I've destroyed assassin guilds because they hurt Pops, and killed a few others because they tortured my friends. If anything turns you into the wreck you were back in June, I will make the cause pay dearly for it.

Edited 2012-08-04 02:55 (UTC)

I've been through the ending of a rough relationship once before Lupin. No matter what Rick does- nothing he can do will make me like that. It was a one time fuck up. I said it won't happen again, and it won't, and even if it did it wouldn't be from anything that he'd do.

[She sighs and sags back into her chair, blinking at the ceiling.]

...I do need to tell Ben. I don't know how to go about it, though.

...fine. [It wasn't, but he was tired. It was going to have to be something for him to accept, regardless of whether he liked it or not.]

Just...no more secrets like that. You want me to talk to you, so I expect the same. Partners. Brandy. Promises. Your father's tradition, remember? [He leveled his gaze at her, dead serious.] That's what I do if anyone hurts my partners, Adele. I never let them forget the mistake that they made.

[He lapsed into silence and sipped his tea, shoving his own biases and misgivings aside to try to listen to her concerns. It was all he manage to do so, but he needed to try.]

Just be upfront about it with Obi-Wan, Angel. Just be upfront and don't beat around the bush. No cuteness, no beating around the bush...just give him the truth.

And organize a family dinner sometime. It's not wise to keep him a stranger.

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