(no subject)
Title: Right.
Characters: Claude & Eden (gen)
Rating: PG -13
Word count: 2, 343
Disclaimer: Do not own.
Summery: Claude steals from the wrong person.
Note: First time writing Claude :x
The mobile is resting on the edge of the small round table. Easy. New York is full of small round platters that offer up goods to nimble fingers. They all pretend that no one else exists in their little world, all invisible and safe from each other. Complete bollocks of course.
Claude lifts the silver phone off the table as its owner sits reading, completely absorbed in her book and the summer sunshine. He gives her a second look quickly before moving on, looking down to flip it open and reads the names.
Chandra, Gabriel, Francine, Primatech: HRG.
“The hell!?” Her voice whips out from behind him, sounding strained and shallow. Frightened. All he has to do is keep walking but he can’t, not with those names in his face: Primatech: HRG.
“Stop! Whatever you are.”
Claude feels his heart gallop in confusion, wanting to look behind but he can’t, he’s stuck fast to the ground.
“Show yourself.”
Visible. Out in the open. Seen and observed. Claude feels the blood drain from his face he hears the clicking of heels behind him, then at his side until she is stood in front of him. She’s a titchy little thing, massive dark eyes staring up at him hard. And she’s one of them. Shit.
“You have invisibility…wow.” She breathes out an impressed breath but still seems a bit shaken.
“Let me go, now!” His voice sounds high to his ears and he tries to keep calm.
She raises her palms to him “It’s ok, I’m here to help. This isn’t the best place to discuss this.” Some people were starting to give them lingering looks.
“Trust me I don’t want anything you’re offering. Especially not your help. Now let me go or I swear you will regret it.”
She steps back a pace, eyes never leaving his. Finally she sighs. “Look, I’m like you-”
“Oh I know who you are love.”
Her face becomes stone. “I doubt that.”
“Whatever power you’ve got over me - mental dominance? - just let me go, I was never here. I’ll even give you your bloody phone back!” The position of suddenly being so visible and so vulnerable has his head thudding and his lungs feeling like a set of billows. “It’s not right. You have no right to do this!”
She falters, her mouth trembling and her eyes widen in naked shame. “I’m sorry but I’ve -”
“No you don’t, no you don’t! I’ve already been stamped like an animal.” His eyes stare at her fiercely and her resistance visibly crumbles.
“Yo- you’re free. Move.” Her voice sounds thick, almost like she wants to cry.
He slaps the phone into her hand and thrusts his face into hers. “If you go looking for me, if you set them on me, I’ll get you and you‘ll never see me coming.”
Then he’s running, unseen once more. The girl sits back down behind him, shaking.
*
Two weeks and nothing. Another week and not a peep. But that doesn’t stop him looking for her, just to make sure. See what Bennet has her do.
Sitting on a bench in the park with an old guy, her face rapt as she listens to him talk. She has a pack lunch, sandwiches that they both eat. Right merry picnic, all they need is a blanket. Poor bloke doesn’t even know he’s being deceived.
Another sunny day and this time she’s the one observing, standing at the edge of a building to watch the old man and another man, much younger. He thinks he can see clear traces of jealousy flittering across her face as her mouth pouts and then thins as the young man talks enthusiastically.
She was just a rookie, couldn’t be no more the 20 or so and here she was playing spy. She didn’t even have a partner.
It’s not right.
*
The park, almost sunset. The heat isn’t so bad as the breeze blows gently. His coat lies rolled upon his lap and he watches her come forward, dress sticking to her thighs with the wind.
“I can see you.” She comes to a stop at the bench.
“Very observant…gonna sit?” He didn’t want to alarm her with just appearing, give her the wrong message. Nothing hostile. She pauses, cocking her head.
“You gonna ‘get’ me?”
“You had me backed into a corner. Anyway you do out rank me. Don‘t let it go to your head though.” He smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring manner.
She stands undecided for a moment, looking behind her before she nods and takes a seat next to him, looking at him as she does. “I knew you were following me.” Her eyes drill into his head and he feels his skin prickle unpleasantly.
“Well you’re not exactly a hard mark to loose.” He turns to look at her, lip tugged up at the corner.
She straightens and clears her throat, frowning. “Only because you were purposefully looking for me. Apart from you I’m just the girl next door to others.”
He nods “Ahh, I see. So that’s your assignment is it? Observe and don’t draw attention to yourself?”She doesn’t answer, looking uncomfortable and he tuts. “Look, I’m not going to tell anyone am I? Got no one to tell and I certainly don‘t want to draw attention to myself.”
“Like you are now?” She smirks. She's hard for all her stature.
He gets up, unfurling his coat. “See you later then.”
“No, wait. I’m sorry, please stay?” Her face pleads but her eyes darken.
He tilts his head, stalling. “Gonna make me?”
“No! Of course not.” She uncrosses and crosses her legs, pulling the sleeves of her cardigan over her hands irritably. He stands for a few moments before sitting down, rolling his coat back up.
“So. This your first time?” She nods. “How long?” Strange talking Company business after so long.
“Almost two months I’ve been stationed here.”
“Making sandwiches and when not doing that you’re taking sunlit strolls?”
She rolls her eyes. “Infiltrating. I have my mark and I stick to him.”
“Oh right, of course. Very 007.” His voice jeers.
“Jesus, are you always this condescending?”
“Yes.”
She slumps back against the bench with “humph.” He smirks at her and she returns it lightly, quickly.
“Yeah, that’s a strange little ménage à trios you’ve got there.”
“What?” She turns to him fully with a frown.
“You, the old codger and the tall lad.”
Her eyes grow wider as her face reddens. “Oh my god, you’re sick.”
“What?”
She laughs. “What do you think I mean? ‘What?’ god…”
He can’t help play along. “Look love I’m not the one with the dirty mind that jumps to conclusions.”
She makes a strange noise and she grows even redder. “You…I can’t believe…” Then she starts laughing.
“So you and the old guy…”
“No! Jesus, no. That would be unprofessional.” She gives him a look, one eyebrow cocked.
He nods, sucking air in through his teeth. “No sleeping on the job, rule number 16.”
“Right.” He raises his eyebrows back at her questioningly and she frowns. “What?”
“The lanky bloke, didn’t hear a denial about him.”
“Well you didn’t ask.” She faces forward, eyes not meeting his.
“Ahhh.” He smirks, suspicions firming.
“What?” She turns her face towards him, eyes narrowed.
“Nothing…I was just here before, watching you all.” He keeps his gaze on the teenagers play-fighting.
“What of it? It was a nice day so we decided to go eat outside. Gabriel was there so he came with us.” She keeps her voice light, like it’s weather talk.
“Seems to be there a lot lately. Pitching in on your turf is he? Don’t give me that look love.” She was glaring at him. “I see the daggers you give each other.”
“He gives me daggers?” She sits up straight, looking a him closely. Claude shrugs and she nods, face grim. “I knew it, I knew…” She trails off, eyes loosing focus before her gaze snaps back to him. She looks like she’s about to speak but stops, biting her bottom lip. But the need to unload was too much. “He’s so interfering. I’m there to do my job and I can’t fully while he’s there. I have to fight for Chandra’s attention and he knows it. He likes it, playing with me. He’s a sanctimonious asshole. Even tries to get others to call him by an alias. Chandra’s starting to but I don‘t.”
“Does he have an ability?”
She shakes her head. “Not that I’ve seen. If he does he doesn’t want me to see it. But I think he must otherwise Chandra wouldn‘t be so invested in him.” She quickly adds after seeing his unimpressed face.
“Well you could just make him.” He says bluntly.
Her face blanches, cheeks reddening and she shakes her head hard. “No, not even on him. He’ll slip up one day and I’ll be there. I‘ll get him…”
His eyes narrow at her stern, serious face. “How old are you?”
Her gaze softens, raising her brows. “I’m 24. Why?”
His mouth thins and he shakes his head with a sigh. “Just wondering. And what did you do before you came here?”
“That’s none of your business.” Those eyes burning into his face and he offers his palms.
“Right, keep my nose out…” They fall silent and she remains stiff in her seat, angry. He sighs and gets up, unfurling his coat. “Best be off, getting chilly.”
“What’s your name?” She’s still solemn, her anger fading, hands on her small knees.
“Claude Rains.” He steps back as she rises with a smile.
She snorts. “Yeah right. I’m Eden McCain.”
“At least mine doesn’t sound like a porn name.” He disappears as her face flashes with outrage and then humour.
*
“Didn’t your mum ever tell you that it’s rude to eavesdrop?”
Eden jumps like she’s been electrocuted, hand flying to her chest as she spins around. She manages not to shout as she peers at the scruffy man before her. “Asshole.”
Claude cocks his head “Now, now. No need to get lippy.”
Eden pulls her sleeves further down her hands and steps back from the door she had been standing next to. “Keep your voice down."
His blue eyes twitch to the door opposite and smirks. “Oh that’s right, you’re playing spy. Don’t take this the wrong way but you not exactly the most tactful person I’ve ever seen.”
Her jaw moves from side to side as she grinds her teeth, eyebrows raised. “Found you didn’t I?”
“Um, no. You know nothing about me. You on the other I know works for Bennet in his little paper factory and are stationed here to…be a snoop?”
She sighs and deciding that the conversation may attracted attention moves towards the door of her apartment. “Look, I said I wouldn’t tell Bennet about you and I haven’t.”
“I only have your word on that.” His bearded face stares at her fixedly.
“You do.” She nods and shrugs.
He peers at her for a long time, eyes never leaving hers and she stares back unflinchingly. Finally he moves, rolling his eyes and laughs “Getting stared down by a girl that looks like she hasn’t eaten for a couple of months.”
“Yeah well I’m not asking to be stalked by a guy that probably hasn’t seen the inside of a bathroom in forever!”
He rocks back comically, hooting. “Nice come back. Short ones are always the worst.” He shakes his head, smiling. Eden’s mouth twitches before she tilts her head.
“You accuse me of eavesdropping, well didn’t your mother ever tell you that it’s wrong to steal?” Her skin prickles in guilt.
“’Course. And a clip round the ear to drive it home. But in this case it’s a means of survival, unfortunate for some but there you go.” He shrugs his shoulders in his over sized coat. Then an uncomfortable silence stretches, both waiting for the other to say goodbye.
“You could come in if you want?” Eden opens her door slightly. Claude’s eyes widen and he takes a step back, raising his hand.
“Thanks but I’ve got things to do.”
Eden had the feeling that he was trying to be polite and that was better then him cussing her out. “If you’re sure? I have tea.”
He walks backwards, smirk in place “Yeah and I bet it tastes like a cup full of liquidated flowers. No ta.” He nods his head and disappears around the corner.
Eden remains in place, eyes gradually looking back to the door opposite. She couldn’t really hear anything from the outside…They could be hungry though. Eden darts into her apartment and prepares a light lunch. Chai and white wonder bread.
*
"...That’s not a life, you don’t owe him anything.” Up on the roof, soft coos in the air broken by his harsh voice.
She frowns “But I do. I would have been dead sooner or later if he hadn't found me.” He still looks unimpressed and she lets it go. They never agree on it. “I do want to help, as tripe as that sounds. Anyway I don’t use it on Chandra, I don’t have to.”
“Because you are that charming?” Tone easier, smirking.
“Yes, I have a silver tongue.” She grins at him, joking. The smile fades from her face as she takes in his suddenly stone face, tinged with regret. That's when she sees the duffle bag at his feet. “…You’re leaving?”
“I’ve got to, I shouldn’t even be speaking to you at all. It’s to risky.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I wanted to see if you were right for the job. You‘re not Eden, get out while you still can.” He walks to her and taps a finger to her larynx. “Talk your way out if you have to.”
The pressure of his finger remains on her skin as he disappears and Eden swallows, hand moving to wrap tight around her throat.
Characters: Claude & Eden (gen)
Rating: PG -13
Word count: 2, 343
Disclaimer: Do not own.
Summery: Claude steals from the wrong person.
Note: First time writing Claude :x
The mobile is resting on the edge of the small round table. Easy. New York is full of small round platters that offer up goods to nimble fingers. They all pretend that no one else exists in their little world, all invisible and safe from each other. Complete bollocks of course.
Claude lifts the silver phone off the table as its owner sits reading, completely absorbed in her book and the summer sunshine. He gives her a second look quickly before moving on, looking down to flip it open and reads the names.
Chandra, Gabriel, Francine, Primatech: HRG.
“The hell!?” Her voice whips out from behind him, sounding strained and shallow. Frightened. All he has to do is keep walking but he can’t, not with those names in his face: Primatech: HRG.
“Stop! Whatever you are.”
Claude feels his heart gallop in confusion, wanting to look behind but he can’t, he’s stuck fast to the ground.
“Show yourself.”
Visible. Out in the open. Seen and observed. Claude feels the blood drain from his face he hears the clicking of heels behind him, then at his side until she is stood in front of him. She’s a titchy little thing, massive dark eyes staring up at him hard. And she’s one of them. Shit.
“You have invisibility…wow.” She breathes out an impressed breath but still seems a bit shaken.
“Let me go, now!” His voice sounds high to his ears and he tries to keep calm.
She raises her palms to him “It’s ok, I’m here to help. This isn’t the best place to discuss this.” Some people were starting to give them lingering looks.
“Trust me I don’t want anything you’re offering. Especially not your help. Now let me go or I swear you will regret it.”
She steps back a pace, eyes never leaving his. Finally she sighs. “Look, I’m like you-”
“Oh I know who you are love.”
Her face becomes stone. “I doubt that.”
“Whatever power you’ve got over me - mental dominance? - just let me go, I was never here. I’ll even give you your bloody phone back!” The position of suddenly being so visible and so vulnerable has his head thudding and his lungs feeling like a set of billows. “It’s not right. You have no right to do this!”
She falters, her mouth trembling and her eyes widen in naked shame. “I’m sorry but I’ve -”
“No you don’t, no you don’t! I’ve already been stamped like an animal.” His eyes stare at her fiercely and her resistance visibly crumbles.
“Yo- you’re free. Move.” Her voice sounds thick, almost like she wants to cry.
He slaps the phone into her hand and thrusts his face into hers. “If you go looking for me, if you set them on me, I’ll get you and you‘ll never see me coming.”
Then he’s running, unseen once more. The girl sits back down behind him, shaking.
*
Two weeks and nothing. Another week and not a peep. But that doesn’t stop him looking for her, just to make sure. See what Bennet has her do.
Sitting on a bench in the park with an old guy, her face rapt as she listens to him talk. She has a pack lunch, sandwiches that they both eat. Right merry picnic, all they need is a blanket. Poor bloke doesn’t even know he’s being deceived.
Another sunny day and this time she’s the one observing, standing at the edge of a building to watch the old man and another man, much younger. He thinks he can see clear traces of jealousy flittering across her face as her mouth pouts and then thins as the young man talks enthusiastically.
She was just a rookie, couldn’t be no more the 20 or so and here she was playing spy. She didn’t even have a partner.
It’s not right.
*
The park, almost sunset. The heat isn’t so bad as the breeze blows gently. His coat lies rolled upon his lap and he watches her come forward, dress sticking to her thighs with the wind.
“I can see you.” She comes to a stop at the bench.
“Very observant…gonna sit?” He didn’t want to alarm her with just appearing, give her the wrong message. Nothing hostile. She pauses, cocking her head.
“You gonna ‘get’ me?”
“You had me backed into a corner. Anyway you do out rank me. Don‘t let it go to your head though.” He smiles in what he hopes is a reassuring manner.
She stands undecided for a moment, looking behind her before she nods and takes a seat next to him, looking at him as she does. “I knew you were following me.” Her eyes drill into his head and he feels his skin prickle unpleasantly.
“Well you’re not exactly a hard mark to loose.” He turns to look at her, lip tugged up at the corner.
She straightens and clears her throat, frowning. “Only because you were purposefully looking for me. Apart from you I’m just the girl next door to others.”
He nods “Ahh, I see. So that’s your assignment is it? Observe and don’t draw attention to yourself?”She doesn’t answer, looking uncomfortable and he tuts. “Look, I’m not going to tell anyone am I? Got no one to tell and I certainly don‘t want to draw attention to myself.”
“Like you are now?” She smirks. She's hard for all her stature.
He gets up, unfurling his coat. “See you later then.”
“No, wait. I’m sorry, please stay?” Her face pleads but her eyes darken.
He tilts his head, stalling. “Gonna make me?”
“No! Of course not.” She uncrosses and crosses her legs, pulling the sleeves of her cardigan over her hands irritably. He stands for a few moments before sitting down, rolling his coat back up.
“So. This your first time?” She nods. “How long?” Strange talking Company business after so long.
“Almost two months I’ve been stationed here.”
“Making sandwiches and when not doing that you’re taking sunlit strolls?”
She rolls her eyes. “Infiltrating. I have my mark and I stick to him.”
“Oh right, of course. Very 007.” His voice jeers.
“Jesus, are you always this condescending?”
“Yes.”
She slumps back against the bench with “humph.” He smirks at her and she returns it lightly, quickly.
“Yeah, that’s a strange little ménage à trios you’ve got there.”
“What?” She turns to him fully with a frown.
“You, the old codger and the tall lad.”
Her eyes grow wider as her face reddens. “Oh my god, you’re sick.”
“What?”
She laughs. “What do you think I mean? ‘What?’ god…”
He can’t help play along. “Look love I’m not the one with the dirty mind that jumps to conclusions.”
She makes a strange noise and she grows even redder. “You…I can’t believe…” Then she starts laughing.
“So you and the old guy…”
“No! Jesus, no. That would be unprofessional.” She gives him a look, one eyebrow cocked.
He nods, sucking air in through his teeth. “No sleeping on the job, rule number 16.”
“Right.” He raises his eyebrows back at her questioningly and she frowns. “What?”
“The lanky bloke, didn’t hear a denial about him.”
“Well you didn’t ask.” She faces forward, eyes not meeting his.
“Ahhh.” He smirks, suspicions firming.
“What?” She turns her face towards him, eyes narrowed.
“Nothing…I was just here before, watching you all.” He keeps his gaze on the teenagers play-fighting.
“What of it? It was a nice day so we decided to go eat outside. Gabriel was there so he came with us.” She keeps her voice light, like it’s weather talk.
“Seems to be there a lot lately. Pitching in on your turf is he? Don’t give me that look love.” She was glaring at him. “I see the daggers you give each other.”
“He gives me daggers?” She sits up straight, looking a him closely. Claude shrugs and she nods, face grim. “I knew it, I knew…” She trails off, eyes loosing focus before her gaze snaps back to him. She looks like she’s about to speak but stops, biting her bottom lip. But the need to unload was too much. “He’s so interfering. I’m there to do my job and I can’t fully while he’s there. I have to fight for Chandra’s attention and he knows it. He likes it, playing with me. He’s a sanctimonious asshole. Even tries to get others to call him by an alias. Chandra’s starting to but I don‘t.”
“Does he have an ability?”
She shakes her head. “Not that I’ve seen. If he does he doesn’t want me to see it. But I think he must otherwise Chandra wouldn‘t be so invested in him.” She quickly adds after seeing his unimpressed face.
“Well you could just make him.” He says bluntly.
Her face blanches, cheeks reddening and she shakes her head hard. “No, not even on him. He’ll slip up one day and I’ll be there. I‘ll get him…”
His eyes narrow at her stern, serious face. “How old are you?”
Her gaze softens, raising her brows. “I’m 24. Why?”
His mouth thins and he shakes his head with a sigh. “Just wondering. And what did you do before you came here?”
“That’s none of your business.” Those eyes burning into his face and he offers his palms.
“Right, keep my nose out…” They fall silent and she remains stiff in her seat, angry. He sighs and gets up, unfurling his coat. “Best be off, getting chilly.”
“What’s your name?” She’s still solemn, her anger fading, hands on her small knees.
“Claude Rains.” He steps back as she rises with a smile.
She snorts. “Yeah right. I’m Eden McCain.”
“At least mine doesn’t sound like a porn name.” He disappears as her face flashes with outrage and then humour.
*
“Didn’t your mum ever tell you that it’s rude to eavesdrop?”
Eden jumps like she’s been electrocuted, hand flying to her chest as she spins around. She manages not to shout as she peers at the scruffy man before her. “Asshole.”
Claude cocks his head “Now, now. No need to get lippy.”
Eden pulls her sleeves further down her hands and steps back from the door she had been standing next to. “Keep your voice down."
His blue eyes twitch to the door opposite and smirks. “Oh that’s right, you’re playing spy. Don’t take this the wrong way but you not exactly the most tactful person I’ve ever seen.”
Her jaw moves from side to side as she grinds her teeth, eyebrows raised. “Found you didn’t I?”
“Um, no. You know nothing about me. You on the other I know works for Bennet in his little paper factory and are stationed here to…be a snoop?”
She sighs and deciding that the conversation may attracted attention moves towards the door of her apartment. “Look, I said I wouldn’t tell Bennet about you and I haven’t.”
“I only have your word on that.” His bearded face stares at her fixedly.
“You do.” She nods and shrugs.
He peers at her for a long time, eyes never leaving hers and she stares back unflinchingly. Finally he moves, rolling his eyes and laughs “Getting stared down by a girl that looks like she hasn’t eaten for a couple of months.”
“Yeah well I’m not asking to be stalked by a guy that probably hasn’t seen the inside of a bathroom in forever!”
He rocks back comically, hooting. “Nice come back. Short ones are always the worst.” He shakes his head, smiling. Eden’s mouth twitches before she tilts her head.
“You accuse me of eavesdropping, well didn’t your mother ever tell you that it’s wrong to steal?” Her skin prickles in guilt.
“’Course. And a clip round the ear to drive it home. But in this case it’s a means of survival, unfortunate for some but there you go.” He shrugs his shoulders in his over sized coat. Then an uncomfortable silence stretches, both waiting for the other to say goodbye.
“You could come in if you want?” Eden opens her door slightly. Claude’s eyes widen and he takes a step back, raising his hand.
“Thanks but I’ve got things to do.”
Eden had the feeling that he was trying to be polite and that was better then him cussing her out. “If you’re sure? I have tea.”
He walks backwards, smirk in place “Yeah and I bet it tastes like a cup full of liquidated flowers. No ta.” He nods his head and disappears around the corner.
Eden remains in place, eyes gradually looking back to the door opposite. She couldn’t really hear anything from the outside…They could be hungry though. Eden darts into her apartment and prepares a light lunch. Chai and white wonder bread.
*
"...That’s not a life, you don’t owe him anything.” Up on the roof, soft coos in the air broken by his harsh voice.
She frowns “But I do. I would have been dead sooner or later if he hadn't found me.” He still looks unimpressed and she lets it go. They never agree on it. “I do want to help, as tripe as that sounds. Anyway I don’t use it on Chandra, I don’t have to.”
“Because you are that charming?” Tone easier, smirking.
“Yes, I have a silver tongue.” She grins at him, joking. The smile fades from her face as she takes in his suddenly stone face, tinged with regret. That's when she sees the duffle bag at his feet. “…You’re leaving?”
“I’ve got to, I shouldn’t even be speaking to you at all. It’s to risky.”
“Then why did you?”
“Because I wanted to see if you were right for the job. You‘re not Eden, get out while you still can.” He walks to her and taps a finger to her larynx. “Talk your way out if you have to.”
The pressure of his finger remains on her skin as he disappears and Eden swallows, hand moving to wrap tight around her throat.