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 Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:00 pm
"You could've warned me before, I never would have fed him." But she knew she would have. Seagulls always seemed so hungry, always crying and pacing the beach.
"Hi Toby!" Maia waved back.
"Tell me when you know for sure," Maia said, looking to Dari. "About the Dragon. I bet Lori's excited to be on the field."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:03 pm
"I've never seen a seagull catch a fish," Dari said, and it was true. He was pretty sure a great deal of them lived on human pickings alone.
"Sure. I mean...?" Dari looked to Toby, "I mean that's probably classified information?"
"It is," Toby nodded, giving Dari a look. He finished chewing and swallowed, "S'okay, though." He took the seat beside Dari and the alien pushed the computer further across the table to see bits of them both. Both men leaned in.
Toby felt... odd. It was nice to see her face. To see her smile. To be unable to hold her hand still hurt, though. Hopefully she was enjoying being home again.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:09 pm
"Yeah, I never have either. I've seen them pick crabs up. I'll buy them some sardines or something. Anything's better than bread." She made a face at the two agents. "Everything's classified information with you guys," Maia teased. "Just let me know if she's safe, alright?"
"How are you doing, Toby? I was going to call later." She gave him a smile. "I'm reading history books to keep up with my lessons. Lori suggested some."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:12 pm
"If you feed them they're just going to keep coming back," Dari warned.
"I'm doing pretty good!" Toby said. He was pretty much lying. "Yeah, I remember him telling me about that. Most people don't keep up their studies once they relocate, so good on you."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:17 pm
"Someone's got to feed them. It's getting closer to winter now, they'd starve. Do seagulls go south for the winter?" She fell silent a moment, considering that. "I remember seeing them throughout fall."
"I've got to keep learning, so I can get a good job," Maia said. She hadn't really relocated. Lori knew that. It'd been Dari's idea, but Toby was still in the dark. "Hey, your birthday's next month. What would you like? I found this craft store and pinterest is great! I can make all sorts of things now."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:25 pm
Dari laughed at the thought of seagulls migrating.
Toby considered that history was probably not the most relevant in any work place. Maybe she'd found a museum she liked? He smiled then and shook his head.
"I've had enough birthdays, I don't need any presents." It was nice that she was thinking of him, though, and that she was smiling. She seemed content. He was glad for that.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:32 pm
"But I want to get you one," Maia said. "At least, make you one." She had an idea for one, but was fairly sure that wouldn't work. He'd never accept it. And who knew if she'd be back by then? "How about I make you a surprise, and mail it?"
She looked to Dari. "I'll make you something too," she decided. "Do you think I could visit for Christmas?" And then, in Gaelic, "When can I come home?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:37 pm
Toby gave Maia a bit of a look and just took another bite of apple. It was a losing argument.
Dari smiled and nodded. "Of course you can. Right?"
Toby nodded, choking on his bit of apple and nodding while his face turned red.
"...are you going to survive?"
Toby nodded again and Dari heard the ghost of a laugh, so he answered in Gaelic to Maia: "I don't know yet."
Some more choking, and then between gasps of air: "No fair. No secrets."
Dari just shook his head and smiled. Oh, Toby. Right now it was only secrets.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:42 pm
"You shouldn't eat so quickly," Maia scolded Toby, as he choked. Then concern took place of the scolding expression and she asked, "Are you alright?"
"I was only asking what I should get you for Christmas," Maia invented, giving Toby a small smile. "I've tried buying for you before, both of you, but nothing seemed good enough at the time."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:48 pm
Toby nodded, still choking a bit, to reassure Maia. Then: "Come on! Why even say it in Gaelic if you're going to tell me anyway?" He thought she might be lying.
Dari, however, thought that Toby was doing a really good job of acting like he was all fine and dandy.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 6:51 pm
"Because you said no secrets," Maia shrugged. "I could teach you more Gaelic, if you like. It'd probably go better over Skype though..." She frowned in thought, looking to Dari. "Can you practice with him? How are my fish?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:03 pm
"Sure," Dari said, but he wouldn't.
"They're good," Toby replied, face finally calming from its new red color. He gave one last cough. "Same old fish stuff."
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:09 pm
"I miss them," Maia said, after a moment. She looked to Toby, studying his face. He looked happy, but He had tried pulling that trick when he'd been mourning Carolyn. "I miss you guys. Can you tell me how work's going, besides the Dragon? Oh no, top secret right?" She leaned back in her chair. "Gone to the lake lately?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:18 pm
"Work's going well. We just can't tell you what, exactly, we're working on," Dari said, and then his voice got just a bit more gentle. So many things had fallen out of their lives since Maia had left. "No, we haven't been to the lake."
That was enough for Toby. "Hey, I'm going to go choke to death in the shower. I'll see you later, Maia, alright?" He was already getting up to go.
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Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:24 pm
"Oh," Maia seemed to realize she'd made a mistake in mentioning the lake. "Bye, Toby, see you later." She let her smile fade, looking to Dari. "What else do I not mention?"
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