-[9th mission//action]-

[1dashingrogue]

...They didn't get my good side, did they? Oh well, another event done in ze wonderful prison zat is Mayfield.

Guess I'd better get to work removing zis evidence. After all, these photos are simply demoralizing to ze average citizen. I'll be disposing of ze pictures as I come upon them.

[Members of Spy's household, you'll find the TV has

Comments

[bustydefense]

[As the Spy kneels to pick up some more pictures off the sidewalk, Mia's heels appear before him]

Picking up litter or destroying evidence?

[She's clearly very amused by this whole thing. She's also turning a photograph in her fingers.]

[1dashingrogue]

[Well, he wasn't expecting to see someone with rather attractive legs stand there in his line of view. Spy coughs lightly under his breath and stands up, as to not seem like a complete pervert while talking to Mia.]

A little of column A and a little of column B.

[He brushes off a few particles of dust off his suit, while giving her a calm smile.]

You're looking a lot better today.

[bustydefense]

[If she didn't want you to look at them, she would have worn pants]

A little good Samaritan to cancel out the bad criminal?

[She smiles to show her harmless intent, while sticking the photograph her in pocket]

Better than when? It is rare that I am not looking well.

[1dashingrogue]

[You are such a tease, Mia.]

If you mean 'bad criminal' by having my picture taken with a woman zat isn't my 'wife', then yes.

[He smiles back, trying to act as nice as possible.]

Ze other day...You came into ze local bar, but I was busy and couldn't stop and say hello. Zat and it looked like you needed some time to yourself.

[bustydefense]

[As if you're one to talk]

Now, now. We all know the pictures are fakes anyway.

[This seems to surprise Mia - her eyes go wide and then narrow and then back to normal, all very rapidly and subtly]

Indeed, I wasn't feeling myself that night. I'm sorry I didn't notice you and at least offer a hello.

[1dashingrogue]

[Touche, you clever lawyer.]

Indeed. But most people seem to be over-reacting over something zat's clearly a fake.

[Don't think that quick shift of emotions went unnoticed, Mia. Spy raises an eyebrow in response, but keeps a warm smile on his face.]

No worries, my dear. We were both distracted zat day, so there's no need for apologies.

[bustydefense]

[It's part of my job]

Indeed. I find the whole thing amusing, overall.

[And don't think she doesn't know you noticed. She's just not as good at concealing emotions as she should be.]

Given my state, I suppose it's better that we didn't speak.

[1dashingrogue]

[Duly noted.]

I have to agree. It's not too terribly bad.

[Ah, he wouldn't have expected anything less of you Mia. You always struck Spy as the sharp crayon in the box.]

Something ze matter as of late?

[bustydefense]

Perhaps it was worse for some. But I haven't heard of anything too terrible.

[Although Matt and Dahlia still makes her a little queasy]

It's been a... busy couple of weeks.

[Yes, yes, that is a poor attempt at evasion you see]

[1dashingrogue]

Perhaps. Either way, people will find a way to cope through zis.

Perfectly understandable. I've been rather busy as well.

[He's not lying, that's for sure. And Mia, he does sense that evasion from you.]

You don't have to tell me anything unless you want to.

[bustydefense]

With a minimal amount of yelling and destruction, I hope.

... I suppose you could say it's been things from... home.

[Mia is choosing her words very carefully. Because how else do you explain a party of lawyers, finding out what happened to your protegee, two 'death' anniversaries, and a possibly-maybe-not-really-sort-of ex-boyfriend?]

[1dashingrogue]

I can't promise zat unfortunately, Miss Fey.

...Demons from ze past?

[Choose wisely, Mia. Then again, Spy is keeping an eye of every gesture, word, and action. He knows something's wrong though, enought o bother the usually calm and friendly Mia.]

[bustydefense]

[Mia laughs] Oh, no. It was wishful thinking on my part that this place could calm down a little.

[She looks away, instinctively raising her left hand to bite at her thumbnail... an odd instinct, considering it's a gesture she'd worked to suppress for years. She's never been much of a liar.]

Past... and present.

[1dashingrogue]

Keep your chin up. It can't always be bad in zis so-called Paradise.

[His eyes rest on her thumb, carefully analyzing the situation and mentally confirming that Mia's lying to him. Or hiding something deep within.]

Then look forward to ze future. Eventually ze present will be ze past, and ze only thing left to control is time zat is yet to come.

[bustydefense]

[As a spirit medium, Mia should know better than anyone the ways in which past becomes present and future. But then, she gave up that business a long time ago.]

I... I didn't expect the past to become the present. Or I wanted to pretend it wouldn't. [She wraps her right arm around her and frowns anxiously, not angrily] And a present and future so fraught... [She thinks about Shiraasan crying, about holding Ed in her arms, and closes her eyes]

[1dashingrogue]

[If Spy even knew anything about Mia's spiritual past, he would be asking her about it. Instead, he just watches, crossing both arms over his chest while Mia speaks.]

Those who live in ze past never gain anything from it, and in ze other hand, people who try to forget only gets dragged back in. [He walks over to her, taking both hands and resting them on her shoulders.] At times things can be tough, but...you can't let them see you bleed. Ze present and future is in your hands. If you stand strong, you'll shape a beautiful future. Weakness will only lead to sadness, despair...death.