redjacketthief | Appointments

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.

The truth? The truth. In it's entirety...It's not mine to tell. But.

[She pinches the bridge of her nose, swears under her breath, and relents. Lupin would want to know this- and she could explain to Rick later. They had nothing but time, here, after all.]

His situation is similar to mine, in his world. It's...more or less the foundation upon which we built our association. [A soft, biter laugh, she spreads her hands.] The Dead Lucetian's club. I don't remember how we got on the subject, but that's what waits for him- and he knows it's what waits for me. We both know that much. I think it's the only reason he's as comfortable with me as he is. Anyone else and it wouldn't be fair.

...The dinner isn't a bad idea. I'll invite him over. Make gumbo. Or. Something.

...I see.

[It changed nothing, but she was honest in her turn. The shields that had suddenly flown back into position at the hint of her knowingly withholding information from him relaxed slightly. Maybe, perhaps, there was a chance.

That didn't lessen the chances of him delivering payment should he hurt her, but he understood it a little better.

He sighed heavily and leaned back, again wishing for that cigarette. It wasn't Gitane worthy, but he wanted that smoke and the distraction.]

Make Macarons. If you want gumbo, leave that to Gambit.

...just. No more secrets like that. No more big, important secrets--for either of us.

What else do you need to know? If we've slept together or not?

[An attempt at levity in the face of his stonewalling. She hadn't meant to keep Doyle apart from everyone she knew- she just hadn't invited him over or thought that he'd need to be involved with them before he became involved with her. Apparently that wasn't the case. Lesson learned.]

...I can make gumbo as well Lupin. Though...if Rems made the Gumbo I could make cornbread.

Give me all the kinky details if you do.

[His tone was light, as if it were a joke--but it wasn't. Not entirely, anyway.]

...Cornbread and gumbo, huh? That sounds like it could be tasty.

Edited 2012-08-04 03:36 (UTC)

Rick doesn't strike me as a particularly kinky man, but if that would make you happy.

...I really don't care, Adele. I just don't want you hurt ever again. I've seen my friends hurt by lovers too many times to count, and it gets tiring to watch.

You'll at least tell me if you're going to have a kid, won't you?

That's impossible Lupin. No one's perfect, this place is far from safe even on it's best day, and no romance endures without it's conflicts. No matter what happens with Rick I'll survive it; because it can't be worse than what Robert did.

[She goes very quiet, and very still for a moment. Her eyes trail across the ceiling before dropping down to the tile, a hand sliding down to rest over her abdomen. Have a kid. He had no idea.]

...Various reasons why that would be unwise in this place notwithstanding- I. Can't. have children. Or rather it's quite unlikely I'd be able to conceive.

[He was tired. Just tired, and not able to do much to carry out his bravado at this point.]

...I'm going to have to trust you on that, aren't I? I'll only ask that you at least talk to me if he does hurt you.

Friends. Partners. You want to help me, and I really just want to make sure you're okay.

[He watches her carefully as she goes quiet and looks away, but doesn't see her hand move. It was only her tone he had to go by, and her face.

He went quiet himself as he considered the possibilities, and chose his words carefully.]

...

Was it cancer?

Oh no, something else you'll have to leave to faith. You expect so much and give so very little, and I understand it Lupin, I do, but to have that extend to whatever romantic prospects I might have is more than a little invasive. If he hurts me, I'll deal with it. I will handle it as I handled everything of the divorce with Robert. I'll tell you- but if you lash out at him for it I honestly don't know what I'll do or say.

[It's all said in a very flat monotone. Friends and partners- not minders. She's sick to death of minders.]

Car accident. The very one that sealed the deal as to divorcing Robert. At the time it'd been irritating, but now? I don't want children. I'd be an awful mother, and this is no place to start a family.

[She had him read perfectly, understood it, and didn't like it. He understood her reasons, but knew that this was only going to cause problems. With the bulk of his friends having returned home, he knew that he only had once choice:

make new friends.

Lupin eyed her squarely and set both of his hands on the table. He had no secrets at that point, and nothing to hide.]

Very well. I'll give you my faith and my word that I won't do anything to Doyle if something happens that hurts you. I'll do nothing. Nothing at all.

[It was his word, on his grandfather's name and his honor as a gentleman--and it was going to be hard to keep should anything happen. It was completely counterintuitive to everything that he's done up until this point.

But the rules of his world didn't apply to Luceti.

...

what had he gotten himself into?]

Just keep me in the loop. That's all I ask.

[It was tempting to just light up there in the kitchen, but he had promised Luke that he wouldn't smoke in the house. So many promises...]

At least it wasn't cancer, and at least you survived that and it helped you get out of a bad situation. I can't comment on the kids part, because I agree, but I am sorry for whatever anger it caused you.

...thank you. I know it's not in your nature to give your word, let alone for something you feel so strongly for, and I do appreciate it.

[She reaches across the table and rests her hand on top of his. Nothing about what he was doing, what he was promising, came easily. It only makes the fact that he was willing to do so all the more remarkable, and all the more noteworthy. For this if nothing else she'll not fail him again.]

You'll be informed, as much as is appropriate.

[A beat, a shrug.] I've come to terms with it for a long while, and it was more irritating. I'd be a terrible mother, now or then, and Robert, well. It was for the best, really. Sweetness fast turns to sour, yes?

It does indeed. [But she came out okay, and they had met. Even if it was sour, it was still sweet for him. Lupin clasped her hand in his and gave it a quick squeeze, to reassure the both of them that this was indeed real and not a dream.]

And thank you. Not knowing things has always driven me up a wall--I hate surprises like that. [He gave her a small smile and released her hand. His sandwich, half eaten, was pushed aside for the moment.]

After all of that, I need a smoke. It's just going to be on the front porch, no worries.

It might be good for the both of us to get some fresh air.

Fresh air, you say as you prepare to inhale tobacco and other unsavory chemicals for the sake of a very poor habit and coping mechanism.

[It's jealousy talking, mostly. She'd quit, but there always was, and always would be that niggling craving. And it had been a little rough the past few days. Just one wouldn't hurt? No. No. Chemical dependance isn't healthy.

...

She thinks while having a caffeine addiction.

Merde.]

[It was a coping mechanism, but it was also a habit born of many years of bad decisions. He smiled in amusement at her remark as he pulled one out for himself.]

Yeah, yeah. Whatever. At least it's not in the house.

[He regarded her for a beat, remembering the quiet companionship he and Jigen shared when they were in sync. Neither needed to say anything--just offer a cigarette and brotherly support.

...

He missed the cynical gunman.

Lupin held out the pack toward her the same way another would offer a hand. It was an open gesture that was simplistic enough that it hid nothing.]

Want one?

Such was my agreement with Ginia and Helios while I yet indulged in the habit.

[She snorts and stands, willing to follow Lupin out and sit with him while he smoked. She might not appreciate it, she might not condone it- but he's so few vices left to him right now that there was no reason to condemn him.

And then Lupin offered her the pack.

Despite her long dry stretch, the niggling craving lingers. There's something comforting and familiar in the warm inhale of smoke- something she could use right about now. Just one. Only the one; because when he asks like this, so open and honest and without any guile, she can't say no.]

...Why not?

[Slim fingers reach out and pluck a cigarette from the pack. They couldn't share brandy right now but this? They could have.]

Appointments

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]

[Action, July 27]