Duce fumbled for the phone, glancing at the caller ID and scowling. "Who the fuck is Marion Keeny?" she muttered, finally hitting the 'talk' button on the cordless handset. "If this is a marketing or solicitation call, you can fuck right off. Otherwise, hello?"
"So, personally? I don't think your listing in the Phone book really suits you. I think you should change it to Gorgon comma The. I mean, can you imagine the set of brass balls on the telemarketer that saw that name in the book and thought, 'oh she looks like a possible sale!'. Also, Merry Christmas, Sunshine," Jonathan says, he doesn't bother introducing himself, if Duce doesn't remember him, teasing her about it will be more fun in the long run.
"You still sound like you're about 12 years old on the phone, Jonathan." Duce manages to get that much out in a dry, sarcastic tone before she just about bubbles over with happiness, "OH MY GODS! What happened, the old bat finally let you out of the dungeon long enough to make your one phonecall? Merry fucking Christmas to you too! How've you been?"
"The 'old bat' finally had the good sense to die already actually and so I make this, my first phone call as a truly free man. You won't believe where I am," he teases out the last part, "and also? seeing as some of us might be starting to show that 500 years all over again? I'd be backing off my phone voice. Little wrinkly lines, all around your eyes and mouth."
"Good riddance to old baggage," Duce commented, "Also? I'm technically female, and thus have reason to sound like a girl on the phone. I didn't look 500 when I was 500, and hey, at least there's hope that someday you'll grow up." The grin was evident in her voice, "Ok, I'll bite.. where are you? Still in whereverthefuck?..Gotham?"
"I believe it's called, 'Della Rosa?' My Spanish sucks beyond what's neccessary to order tacos so bear with me. Brand new apartment, well, new for me," he qualifies, looking at the paint peeling on the ceiling, "and not terribly far away from my new University."
Duce is silent for a moment, stunned, "You're HERE?! You're going to the U?! Why'd you transfer to a 2 yea..." She paused, and then asked, "This is gonna sound dumb, but.. how long has it been since you last saw me?"
"Umm, a year," he answers, speaking in the manner people only use towards young children, pets, the mentally handicapped and NASCAR fans, "You know, you left all abrupt like and then my Grandmother made me come home and all, and I missed so much school I just said, 'fuck it and got my GED' cause seriously, not wanting to go back to high school, though I miss Fandom sometimes.
There's another pause, "It's been over three years since I left Fandom High. This place, it appears to screw with timelines. It's only been two weeks for Aaron, Tara, and Shane, but Lily and Draco graduated before coming here. I don't know how long it was for Faith.. she's here but I haven't seen her yet." She chuckled slightly, "Guess this explains why you didn't answer the letters. You haven't gotten them yet."
She paused again and abruptly noted, "I am way too sober to discuss temporal reality shifts in the time-space continuum. You want to head over here and raid my liquor stash, or do you feel like going somewhere there's a crowd to snark on?"
"People snarking? oh my god I have missed that. People, with the actual interaction and not just the... so Yeah, let's umm, go somewhere, did you have like, an idea where?"
"Callahan's is doing this Christmas thing, and it's pretty popular. It's open and friendly. If you want dark and seedy, there are some dives in Tortuga or The Shades, but they'll probably be pretty empty this early," Duce noted.
She gave him the address and generic directions to the bar, "They card, so don't leave your ID at home. You're actually closer to the bar than I am, so.. gimme about 15 minutes before you head out. I'll meet you inside."
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Why do you ask?"
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She paused again and abruptly noted, "I am way too sober to discuss temporal reality shifts in the time-space continuum. You want to head over here and raid my liquor stash, or do you feel like going somewhere there's a crowd to snark on?"
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