redjacketthief | Appointments

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Appointments

This is the mailbox of your's truely, Arsene Lupin III. I take it that you've come here because you want to talk to me or make some kind of plan. Whatever it is, I'l gladly listen, but I need your name, date, time, and the best way to get back to you. Sorry I missed you, and I'll get back to you soon, okay?

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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.]

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