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He was running late. Not late late but later then he meant to be and that irked Quinn quite a bit. He had gotten into the habit of being on time, if not early, as he stepped into his role at the company. Well, technically it was when he got sent away to clear his head and he ended up working all kinds of jobs. Being late for some of them really brought about disastrous results so Quinn slipped into the standing habit of heading out early for things just in case something happened, like today actually. He really shouldn’t have been surprised about the construction detour, it hadn’t been more than a few days since he first encountered it, but it still threw him off schedule because there was no way in hell he was going to drive past that cemetery again. Not in the middle of summer at high noon in a bus full of exorcists let alone at twilight at fall, by himself, with the leaves falling and a real chill in the air.
Quinn had always felt leery of that cemetery but now he felt downright hostile towards it. If he shoved money at it, pulled a few strings, and greased some palms… and was a complete douchebag, he might have actually been able to do something about the cemetery but Quinn wasn’t that much of a d**k. Nor would he waste good money on satisfying his own fears and petty grudges. Besides, in the light of day he had all but convinced himself that the whole incident was a bunch of crap his mind made up. A mix of the creepy night and the creepy place and his own bad memories balling together into one nightmarish mental ‘******** you’.
None of that really mattered right then, what was important right then was locating a parking spot at the food truck lot. It was pretty obvious by the sheer size of the crowd at the lot where dozens of food trucks had set up that finding a decent spot to park would be a pain in the a**. By the time he actually got a spot and walked back to the lot he really was late, much to his chagrin. Hopefully he hasn’t been waiting too long, Quinn thought as he hurried towards the trucks, quickly shucking his tie and loosing his shirt collar. Being an adult meant he had to try to look presentable at work but once he was free he did his best to at least get comfortable. There wasn’t much he could do about the suit pants or the jacket or the sheer quality of the outfit but he didn’t look like he should be strolling into a boardroom of a fortune 500 company for a meeting anymore… just out of one.
It would be nice to spend some time with someone that wasn’t powered, or from work. To talk about mundane things like the weather or new movies just coming out and not work or knight s**t. To be normal! To be a regular civilian at least for the time of a simple meal and a decent conversation. Now he just had to find Elex in the crowd of people.
Quinn had always felt leery of that cemetery but now he felt downright hostile towards it. If he shoved money at it, pulled a few strings, and greased some palms… and was a complete douchebag, he might have actually been able to do something about the cemetery but Quinn wasn’t that much of a d**k. Nor would he waste good money on satisfying his own fears and petty grudges. Besides, in the light of day he had all but convinced himself that the whole incident was a bunch of crap his mind made up. A mix of the creepy night and the creepy place and his own bad memories balling together into one nightmarish mental ‘******** you’.
None of that really mattered right then, what was important right then was locating a parking spot at the food truck lot. It was pretty obvious by the sheer size of the crowd at the lot where dozens of food trucks had set up that finding a decent spot to park would be a pain in the a**. By the time he actually got a spot and walked back to the lot he really was late, much to his chagrin. Hopefully he hasn’t been waiting too long, Quinn thought as he hurried towards the trucks, quickly shucking his tie and loosing his shirt collar. Being an adult meant he had to try to look presentable at work but once he was free he did his best to at least get comfortable. There wasn’t much he could do about the suit pants or the jacket or the sheer quality of the outfit but he didn’t look like he should be strolling into a boardroom of a fortune 500 company for a meeting anymore… just out of one.
It would be nice to spend some time with someone that wasn’t powered, or from work. To talk about mundane things like the weather or new movies just coming out and not work or knight s**t. To be normal! To be a regular civilian at least for the time of a simple meal and a decent conversation. Now he just had to find Elex in the crowd of people.
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There he is. Arthur James Quinton III. Already declaring the worth of our social by the tick of his watch. See, Mother? The Yorke name doesn't carry the weight you want it to.
Knowing his own hourly restrictions, Elex made use of the minutes spent late by finding food of his choice. The overheated young man at the indian food truck only recently handed off Elex's order by the time Quinn decided to show. He hadn't yet forked any of it into his mouth, though he sorely considered it to return the impoliteness.
By contrast to Quinn, he noted, Elex dressed far more casually. His black-and-clear plastic jacket overlaid a well-hidden white ribbed sweater. A fringed baub of blue poked out the top of the jacket collar where his scarf bunched pleasantly against the hollow of his throat. Ruddy stonewash jeans hinted of department store quality. The boots into which they were tucked screamed runway sharp, however. Thick white laces contrasted heavily against a latex-shined pleather, with inches to spare on the sole and yet a missing heel. The simple experience of walking in them had Elex paying careful attention to his step, especially with food in hand.
"They let you out of your cage." It was as much a greeting as Elex often gave anymore. "Wearing all that label makes you look like a conman. Couldn't change before you made it here?" They couldn't pass their meeting off as business with Elex's obvious age and casual dress; they would simply need to rely on the overcrowding to discourage any sidelong questions.
Jokes aside, Elex segued into the core of their meeting. A slight finger pointed at three separate food trucks. "Crepes stand if you had a bad meeting, Healthy Bites vegetarian if you had a good one, and Big J's Sloppy Joes if you had a long one." He slipped his fork into chicken tikka masala as they stood together.
Knowing his own hourly restrictions, Elex made use of the minutes spent late by finding food of his choice. The overheated young man at the indian food truck only recently handed off Elex's order by the time Quinn decided to show. He hadn't yet forked any of it into his mouth, though he sorely considered it to return the impoliteness.
By contrast to Quinn, he noted, Elex dressed far more casually. His black-and-clear plastic jacket overlaid a well-hidden white ribbed sweater. A fringed baub of blue poked out the top of the jacket collar where his scarf bunched pleasantly against the hollow of his throat. Ruddy stonewash jeans hinted of department store quality. The boots into which they were tucked screamed runway sharp, however. Thick white laces contrasted heavily against a latex-shined pleather, with inches to spare on the sole and yet a missing heel. The simple experience of walking in them had Elex paying careful attention to his step, especially with food in hand.
"They let you out of your cage." It was as much a greeting as Elex often gave anymore. "Wearing all that label makes you look like a conman. Couldn't change before you made it here?" They couldn't pass their meeting off as business with Elex's obvious age and casual dress; they would simply need to rely on the overcrowding to discourage any sidelong questions.
Jokes aside, Elex segued into the core of their meeting. A slight finger pointed at three separate food trucks. "Crepes stand if you had a bad meeting, Healthy Bites vegetarian if you had a good one, and Big J's Sloppy Joes if you had a long one." He slipped his fork into chicken tikka masala as they stood together.
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“More like chased out with pitchforks and torches,” Quinn shrugged a gave a rueful smile before sort of explaining, “pass out from over work just once and everyone starts nagging you to death about over working and eating healthy and all that crap.” As much as Quinn disliked it he also knew that it was needed, as his past actions proved. He was still way too driven to prove himself as a good boss, a good leader, let alone as a possible heir to the corporation. He spent to much time on everything, making sure it was perfect, and as a result was pretty regularly chided about his behavior, told to get out for the weekend, actually dragged out for lunch a time or two. Sometimes he wondered just who was the boss, him or the people he worked with. “I’ll trade ya! This s**t is stifling as hell but apparently going to work in jeans and a shirt is ‘inappropriate’.” the young man actually made the air quotes and rolled his eyes at the sheer stupidity over how people get worked up over his clothes. Like it really mattered if he was wearing fancy smancy labels or Walmart stuff. To him it was just clothes, nothing more nothing less, but he wasn’t stupid. He understood that to others, the clothes maketh the man as it were. “I would have changed if I thought I would have the time but didn’t want to be late, even though I still ended up doing that.”
Quinn winced and looked rather chagrin, he really hadn’t meant to make the other guy wait although if the chicken tikka masala that Elex was holding was any indication the shorter male wasn’t too concerned about his absence. “Sorry about that man, I didn’t factor in finding parking.” If he was an emoji it would have been the sweatdrop, scrunch up eyes, emoji of embarrassment and contrition. “So, um, lets see if we go by those descriptions sounds like I’ve got to hit up Big J’s before getting several crepes.” The sandy haired young man gladly accepted the excuse to shift the conversation to the reason they were there, the food! “Although what you have looks really good too. I might have to try some of that too, eventually.” As moss green eyes surveyed the packed area with a large selection of trucks and carts to choose from he silently made a choice to try something from each spot at least once, it looked too good not to.
Quinn winced and looked rather chagrin, he really hadn’t meant to make the other guy wait although if the chicken tikka masala that Elex was holding was any indication the shorter male wasn’t too concerned about his absence. “Sorry about that man, I didn’t factor in finding parking.” If he was an emoji it would have been the sweatdrop, scrunch up eyes, emoji of embarrassment and contrition. “So, um, lets see if we go by those descriptions sounds like I’ve got to hit up Big J’s before getting several crepes.” The sandy haired young man gladly accepted the excuse to shift the conversation to the reason they were there, the food! “Although what you have looks really good too. I might have to try some of that too, eventually.” As moss green eyes surveyed the packed area with a large selection of trucks and carts to choose from he silently made a choice to try something from each spot at least once, it looked too good not to.
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Elex snorted lightly, a wry smile forming. "You're not my size." The teen looked his companion from toes to tip over his food truck lunch. Look at how flamboyant you are. I wonder if half your family quarrels are from your orientation. What a way to end the Quinton line. "It doesn't matter now. Don't talk to anyone and we'll be fine." Elex tossed Quinn a knowing look over his shoulder.
His free hand flexed and spread, flexed and spread. "Need to find tea," he muttered to himself. A cursory scan offered no obvious brewing shops, though a more thorough read of the nearby signs fingered the crepe shop as having a few blends. It was worth standing in line with the affluent young man for a while. "Looks like I'll be in line at the crepes truck too. Tell me what you want and we'll meet in the middle.
"And spare the polite declinations; we both have the money, but neither of us the time." He lingered only as long as he needed to; he expected Quinn to be quick with his answer. Quick enough, he hoped, that he could get through his lunch and sit with his tea while his companion wolfed through lunch.
His free hand flexed and spread, flexed and spread. "Need to find tea," he muttered to himself. A cursory scan offered no obvious brewing shops, though a more thorough read of the nearby signs fingered the crepe shop as having a few blends. It was worth standing in line with the affluent young man for a while. "Looks like I'll be in line at the crepes truck too. Tell me what you want and we'll meet in the middle.
"And spare the polite declinations; we both have the money, but neither of us the time." He lingered only as long as he needed to; he expected Quinn to be quick with his answer. Quick enough, he hoped, that he could get through his lunch and sit with his tea while his companion wolfed through lunch.
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“My conversation skills aren't that bad,” Quinn joked with Elex. He knew he wasn’t exactly dressed for this crowd but he wasn’t exactly wearing a tutu and singing a aria. Had he known what the younger man had thought Quinn would have indeed drawn looks and whispers as he would have laughed long and loud. His choice of professional clothes were in some sense skewed towards the more homosexual side of the spectrum because he’s gotten help with his wardrobe, allowing himself to be dressed like a doll sometimes. Like his father, Quinn’s fashion sense ran more towards jeans and a t-shirt. Relaxed, informal, and comfortable. So when it came to dressing like a professional, like someone in charge, he left his wardrobe in much more capable hands. Then again maybe Elax was thinking of Quinn’s personality, his joking and teasing manner… that was just inherent in him although he had been known to be serious and commanding when required. He just didn’t prefer to do so when it wasn’t needed.
“Makes sense, strawberries and cream if they have it. If not any kind of fruit mix will work.” He was reaching for his wallet when Elex made the comment about money and Quinn nodded. If the other male wanted to pay, he wouldn’t insult him by insisting. Before he could even make a returned offer to see if Elex wanted anything from Big J’s the younger guy was off, Quinn following his lead and headed off towards the recommended truck. It took a bit but he was finally back with his own food plus some fries to share, just in case. Elex’s meal looked fairly substantial and filling but those fries had smelled so damn good Quinn couldn’t help but grab them too, however with the sandwich and the crepe the young man knew he couldn’t finish off the fries as well hence the plan to share. Besides, he was the one who invited Elex out for food and here he was letting the other guy buy, even if he could afford it, rather than the other way around.
“Makes sense, strawberries and cream if they have it. If not any kind of fruit mix will work.” He was reaching for his wallet when Elex made the comment about money and Quinn nodded. If the other male wanted to pay, he wouldn’t insult him by insisting. Before he could even make a returned offer to see if Elex wanted anything from Big J’s the younger guy was off, Quinn following his lead and headed off towards the recommended truck. It took a bit but he was finally back with his own food plus some fries to share, just in case. Elex’s meal looked fairly substantial and filling but those fries had smelled so damn good Quinn couldn’t help but grab them too, however with the sandwich and the crepe the young man knew he couldn’t finish off the fries as well hence the plan to share. Besides, he was the one who invited Elex out for food and here he was letting the other guy buy, even if he could afford it, rather than the other way around.
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Strawberries and cream. It's been a while since I could order that with a straight face. Elex took to the lines nonetheless, ostensibly patient in their casual march forward, yet inwardly collecting all the seconds in his hands. He ate while in line, much to the surrounding parties' chagrin, and offered no apology for it. And by the time he reached the front counter, he could discard the few remains of shredded chicken and rice. The cashier offered no obvious response.
After ordering, another handful of minutes passed while crepe and tea were each assembled. Elex watched with interest while the pair of workers juggled tasks with seamless practice. Soon they set their burdens on a fold-out shelf and called his number promptly. He assented, claiming the foil-wrapped packet and styrofoam cup with little more than a curt "thank you".
Elex strode toward the center of the food truck madness afterward, inwardly cursing his height. If Quinn stood amongst the gaggle of dawdlers, he couldn't spot the man beyond the too-wide shoulders or too-large guts that obscured his view. Instead he waited, quiet, and checked over each face carefully. Surely Quinn was the louder of the pair; he would announce his presence at need.
After ordering, another handful of minutes passed while crepe and tea were each assembled. Elex watched with interest while the pair of workers juggled tasks with seamless practice. Soon they set their burdens on a fold-out shelf and called his number promptly. He assented, claiming the foil-wrapped packet and styrofoam cup with little more than a curt "thank you".
Elex strode toward the center of the food truck madness afterward, inwardly cursing his height. If Quinn stood amongst the gaggle of dawdlers, he couldn't spot the man beyond the too-wide shoulders or too-large guts that obscured his view. Instead he waited, quiet, and checked over each face carefully. Surely Quinn was the louder of the pair; he would announce his presence at need.
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The crowd seemed to get thicker by the time Quinn walked away with his food in hand, it was almost impossible to even spot the crape stand, almost but not impossible. Green eyes raked the crowd to spot Elex but between the hungry hoards and the chaotic space Quinn had no clue where the shorter male was but he did spot a free table. The metal table was more like a bar stool table, it was made for standing at or for tall a** chairs, but without the chairs not that Quinn cared. It would still work when putting the food down, just meant they couldn’t sit. Not that any of it mattered if he couldn’t spot Elex in the crowd. Damn. For once he wanted to enjoy a meal that wasn’t work or knight related or even worse, black tie social crap. Simple. Easy. No stress or deeper meanings between them. Just good food and good company. But none of that would happen if he ran out of time for lunch.
“Elex, over here!” Quinn called out when he caught sight of the smaller male on the other side of the lot, his hand up in the air to help pinpoint his location. He completely ignored the looks he got from the other ‘dinners’, like they were any quieter! Besides it wasn’t like this place was a five star restaurant in the heart of Paris, France. It was a food court for trucks. Like there was an etiquette to follow. The mental eye roll was so loud it likely could be heard.
“Elex, over here!” Quinn called out when he caught sight of the smaller male on the other side of the lot, his hand up in the air to help pinpoint his location. He completely ignored the looks he got from the other ‘dinners’, like they were any quieter! Besides it wasn’t like this place was a five star restaurant in the heart of Paris, France. It was a food court for trucks. Like there was an etiquette to follow. The mental eye roll was so loud it likely could be heard.
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Elex turned toward the call, half-expecting he misheard his own name out of Alex, yet found Quin standing at a naked table. He navigated through the area with some difficulty as people butted up against one another and naturally shifted him around. When he emerged, however, both he and the food in hand looked hale and whole.
With ever a distaste for standing room only, Elex relinquished the crepes before Quinn. "They were out of everything but strawberry." The comment came matter-of-factly before he sipped his tea. It tasted fresh, at least -- if only for the volume of customers and constraints of the machine.
There's so many people. Perfect place for a youma gathering. Which reminded him,
"You've been avoiding graveyards, haven't you?" While phrased more accusingly, Elex looked on with interest. The supernatural seldom saw discussion, and in a place this crowded, he expected full privacy. The rest of the lot proved too busy yelling over each other to take interest in their conversation. And if Quinn proved reticent about it, they would leave for quietude.
With ever a distaste for standing room only, Elex relinquished the crepes before Quinn. "They were out of everything but strawberry." The comment came matter-of-factly before he sipped his tea. It tasted fresh, at least -- if only for the volume of customers and constraints of the machine.
There's so many people. Perfect place for a youma gathering. Which reminded him,
"You've been avoiding graveyards, haven't you?" While phrased more accusingly, Elex looked on with interest. The supernatural seldom saw discussion, and in a place this crowded, he expected full privacy. The rest of the lot proved too busy yelling over each other to take interest in their conversation. And if Quinn proved reticent about it, they would leave for quietude.
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“Looks like my luck changed then.” Quinn grinned and offered the paper dish of french fries with a simple ‘Fries?’ at Elex before starting in on the sloppy joe he had ordered. After a moment of chewing, and making sure he hadn’t made a mess since he wasn’t a total neanderthal, he added. “This way I can tell the truth when asked if I had a balanced lunch. Fruit, veggies, protein, and starch with the bun.” He indicated the various foods on the table before snitching a fry and taking another few bites of the sandwich. Damn it was good, Elax was right when he suggested Big J’s. Quinn made a mental note to get back here more just so he could try everything that each truck and stand offered, especially if the rest of it was as good as the sloppy joe.
The young man was nearly done with the sandwich, or was it a burger? What was the definition of a burger?... either way his attention had wandered as he worked his way through the meal, mossy green eyes observing the ebb and flow of the crowds around them, when Elax sprang his question on him. “Wha?” Quinn coughed and sputtered for a moment before he was able to compose himself. “God no! Not at all. Well not really. Definitely not all graveyards at least.” His surprise at the accusation had quickly shifted to denial which rapidly faded to more or less the truth. “I mean come on, you can’t tell me you would willingly deal with that place again? Every time I’m in that graveyard something freaking happens.” Quinn grumbled to himself, “Seriously. Every damn time. Never had issues skydiving or swimming with sharks but take one little step in that cemetery and it turns into a Stephen King novel.” He paused in his self rant before adding, “or would it be a episode of the X Files… Supernatural? Definitely not Buffy the Vampire Slayer, no hot cheerleader.” Although that first time did have three spunky girls save his a**… more like toddlers in Quinn’s personal opinion. “Anyway. I’m not scared of all graveyards… but I sure as s**t don’t want to go back to that one. You can’t tell me that you would! Would you? Voluntarily?”
The young man was nearly done with the sandwich, or was it a burger? What was the definition of a burger?... either way his attention had wandered as he worked his way through the meal, mossy green eyes observing the ebb and flow of the crowds around them, when Elax sprang his question on him. “Wha?” Quinn coughed and sputtered for a moment before he was able to compose himself. “God no! Not at all. Well not really. Definitely not all graveyards at least.” His surprise at the accusation had quickly shifted to denial which rapidly faded to more or less the truth. “I mean come on, you can’t tell me you would willingly deal with that place again? Every time I’m in that graveyard something freaking happens.” Quinn grumbled to himself, “Seriously. Every damn time. Never had issues skydiving or swimming with sharks but take one little step in that cemetery and it turns into a Stephen King novel.” He paused in his self rant before adding, “or would it be a episode of the X Files… Supernatural? Definitely not Buffy the Vampire Slayer, no hot cheerleader.” Although that first time did have three spunky girls save his a**… more like toddlers in Quinn’s personal opinion. “Anyway. I’m not scared of all graveyards… but I sure as s**t don’t want to go back to that one. You can’t tell me that you would! Would you? Voluntarily?”
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Had Quinn offered his fries to Elex six months ago, he would accept out of politeness and investment alone. Now he offered a subtle shake of his head as he sipped his tea. Strange how the war so quickly taught him the inanities of social etiquette -- how the lot of it crumbled under martial law's oppressive gravity. The Negaverse never entertained such pleasantries.
Elex only smirked reservedly at Quinn's staunch refusal and subsequent backpedaling. Truly his corporation must rest on the shoulders of its board of directors; Quinn himself was a man easily driven about, content to work as cattle do, and content to graze on peasant fare. He could never lead by Elex's appraisal, nor would any see fit to follow him. No, Quinn functioned expressly as a figurehead while the real work was left to those who knew to direct policy. His favorable expression was only preserved by his fondness for sentiment, woven in by his father's altruistic choice. A pity, however, that his son bespoke incompetence.
But there was oft room in the world for more warnings. Elex retired his cup to the table, his fingers forming possessive ridges around the plastic.
Skydiving or swimming with sharks. I wonder if either of those are true. I wonder if you were chasing thrills or reminding yourself that you're still breathing. "I'd go if I had to." Elex himself remained tight-lipped on the subject. He remembered well the sorrow it inflicted -- the reminder that his family retained the strength to set him aside. To put his memory to rest if only to move forward. There, in the crowded day, context dismissed the graveyard's scares as superstitious lunacy. He felt, then, like a hunter spooked by his own shadow and his grip tightened around his cup in response. "But why would I need to go back?
"There's more than just graveyards to concern us. Overgrown bats spreading a mysterious infection. Massive webs coating isolated parts of the city. Drinks turning people orange and causing them to vomit. It's a strange season." His gaze followed the steady shoveling of food into Quinn's incessant gob. "What do you make of that?" Again he raised his tea and hovered it over his mouth, concealing it from view.
Elex only smirked reservedly at Quinn's staunch refusal and subsequent backpedaling. Truly his corporation must rest on the shoulders of its board of directors; Quinn himself was a man easily driven about, content to work as cattle do, and content to graze on peasant fare. He could never lead by Elex's appraisal, nor would any see fit to follow him. No, Quinn functioned expressly as a figurehead while the real work was left to those who knew to direct policy. His favorable expression was only preserved by his fondness for sentiment, woven in by his father's altruistic choice. A pity, however, that his son bespoke incompetence.
But there was oft room in the world for more warnings. Elex retired his cup to the table, his fingers forming possessive ridges around the plastic.
Skydiving or swimming with sharks. I wonder if either of those are true. I wonder if you were chasing thrills or reminding yourself that you're still breathing. "I'd go if I had to." Elex himself remained tight-lipped on the subject. He remembered well the sorrow it inflicted -- the reminder that his family retained the strength to set him aside. To put his memory to rest if only to move forward. There, in the crowded day, context dismissed the graveyard's scares as superstitious lunacy. He felt, then, like a hunter spooked by his own shadow and his grip tightened around his cup in response. "But why would I need to go back?
"There's more than just graveyards to concern us. Overgrown bats spreading a mysterious infection. Massive webs coating isolated parts of the city. Drinks turning people orange and causing them to vomit. It's a strange season." His gaze followed the steady shoveling of food into Quinn's incessant gob. "What do you make of that?" Again he raised his tea and hovered it over his mouth, concealing it from view.
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Quinn froze for a split second, the moment easily missed, when Elex mentioned the other odd s**t going on in the city. He could play this one of two ways; the jokester who thinks it's mostly someone screwing with the city or as someone who actually believes it's all real. Quinn knew for a fact, a cold hard fact, that everything Elex had just mentioned was real. Everything and so much more. The bats from last year, the plants from last christmas, the monster train. And those were just a few things that the city had birthed. Something that no place on earth sees, creatures that kill and destroy. People who rip the literal soul from people.
If he even breathed a word of what he knew, Quinn feared it would get back to the negaverse. Even if all they did was suspect him of knowing more than he should it would still put his family and everyone he was associated with in danger. Doubly so since quite a few of his close associates were knights or senshi. So his two options were really only one, the ‘I have no clue what your talking about’ option but the sandy blonde young man wasn't as stupid as he acted. He would have to play this really carefully. Walking through a minefield carefully.
“Isn’t the news saying most of it are bad jokes and tainted food?” The young man finished up, rapidly tidying up his mess for easy disposal. “I mean, it makes total sense. Although,” He paused for a moment before continuing, “there are whispers on the web that it's all connected. Everything from this year and the other odd stuff that goes on in the city. But it's probably just someone’s overactive imagination making connections where there aren't any.” He shrugged and added just a bit of uncertainty to his tone, a feel that he didn’t quite believe what he was saying but still more skeptical than not. Quinn knew he was walking a tight line of ‘don't believe it’ and ‘might believe it’. As long as he avoided ‘know about it’ with a ten foot pole he should be fine. He hoped.
If he even breathed a word of what he knew, Quinn feared it would get back to the negaverse. Even if all they did was suspect him of knowing more than he should it would still put his family and everyone he was associated with in danger. Doubly so since quite a few of his close associates were knights or senshi. So his two options were really only one, the ‘I have no clue what your talking about’ option but the sandy blonde young man wasn't as stupid as he acted. He would have to play this really carefully. Walking through a minefield carefully.
“Isn’t the news saying most of it are bad jokes and tainted food?” The young man finished up, rapidly tidying up his mess for easy disposal. “I mean, it makes total sense. Although,” He paused for a moment before continuing, “there are whispers on the web that it's all connected. Everything from this year and the other odd stuff that goes on in the city. But it's probably just someone’s overactive imagination making connections where there aren't any.” He shrugged and added just a bit of uncertainty to his tone, a feel that he didn’t quite believe what he was saying but still more skeptical than not. Quinn knew he was walking a tight line of ‘don't believe it’ and ‘might believe it’. As long as he avoided ‘know about it’ with a ten foot pole he should be fine. He hoped.
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"Are they?" Elex inquired with a dash of raised brow. "I haven't watched." Another sip, and he waited through Quinn's fidgety cleanup. Then came the winding, churning dialogue where Quinn attempted to connect related scenes to a benign explanation: conspiracy theorists.
Finally Elex retired his empty tea. When he looked to Quinn again, his avian fingers interlaced before him and his back hunched in an attentive, intimate conversation, his voice was low and laconic. "Pushing your head in the sand is so unbecoming, Arthur Quinton the Third." How would your company feel if you reacted to entrepreneurial threats the same way? It must be a fluke. If we ignore it long enough, the threat will fade. I wonder if you'll be the death of your father's hard-built interests as so many cherished, silver-spoon boys are to their fathers' greater legacies. Old money versus new money, as Stroud says.
Elex delved into his jacket for his old pocket watch, the cover springing open to show an hour nearing three. He frowned, then tucked the article away. To the savvier observer, its time was not quite right -- a half hour fast by most guesses. Elex gathered his remaining trash into hand. "Be careful, Quinn. I would hate for something to happen to you out of a lack of belief. That graveyard might not be your last Stephen King novel." Elex flashed him an enigmatic smile, light at the edges, before turning in full toward the trash cans.
With the garbage disposed of, Elex returned with a coyness to his gait. He paused with some distance to Quinn. "Try to keep an open mind. It helps with business."
I think you know more than you're letting on. Best to have you watched for a while. "Take care, Quinn. There will be more bad jokes and tainted food in our future." He offered a wave -- a spread of five fingers at best -- and turned toward the dwindling crowds for his own exit.
Finally Elex retired his empty tea. When he looked to Quinn again, his avian fingers interlaced before him and his back hunched in an attentive, intimate conversation, his voice was low and laconic. "Pushing your head in the sand is so unbecoming, Arthur Quinton the Third." How would your company feel if you reacted to entrepreneurial threats the same way? It must be a fluke. If we ignore it long enough, the threat will fade. I wonder if you'll be the death of your father's hard-built interests as so many cherished, silver-spoon boys are to their fathers' greater legacies. Old money versus new money, as Stroud says.
Elex delved into his jacket for his old pocket watch, the cover springing open to show an hour nearing three. He frowned, then tucked the article away. To the savvier observer, its time was not quite right -- a half hour fast by most guesses. Elex gathered his remaining trash into hand. "Be careful, Quinn. I would hate for something to happen to you out of a lack of belief. That graveyard might not be your last Stephen King novel." Elex flashed him an enigmatic smile, light at the edges, before turning in full toward the trash cans.
With the garbage disposed of, Elex returned with a coyness to his gait. He paused with some distance to Quinn. "Try to keep an open mind. It helps with business."
I think you know more than you're letting on. Best to have you watched for a while. "Take care, Quinn. There will be more bad jokes and tainted food in our future." He offered a wave -- a spread of five fingers at best -- and turned toward the dwindling crowds for his own exit.
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Quinn did his best to keep his face blank and uncaring as Elex called him out as oblivious. If only the other male knew the truth. Instead he just shrugged and smiled, “It’s not like magic is real.” Oh it was real alright, and it was deadly but that was something that could not be shared with the general public. However his smile rapidly faded when Elex got up to go and gave his rather ominous warning. Quinn could feel his arms get goose bumps even as he wondered what the other knew exactly. Was he??? But he couldn’t be… the young man who was leaving couldn’t be a night fighter. At least Quinn didn’t think so.
The young man absently returned the wave, staring after the other, his mind a muddle of confusion and worry. It had almost sounded like Elex had tossed a threat in there at the end, almost. Before Quinn could really do more then just sit there and try to warm back up after the chill that went down his spine at those parting words his phone rang.
“What?...Oh, of course…. I’ll be right back.” With that he ended the call and waved off the worry. He would think about it all later but for now he had to get back, work was calling.
The young man absently returned the wave, staring after the other, his mind a muddle of confusion and worry. It had almost sounded like Elex had tossed a threat in there at the end, almost. Before Quinn could really do more then just sit there and try to warm back up after the chill that went down his spine at those parting words his phone rang.
“What?...Oh, of course…. I’ll be right back.” With that he ended the call and waved off the worry. He would think about it all later but for now he had to get back, work was calling.
