[OOM: In which Veronica volunteers to bartend and search for Mike's body, in no particular order.]They don't teach gun flair at the FBI academy, which in Veronica's mind, is a shortcoming of the program
( Read more... )
The last time he made it to the Bar, Quinn got temporarily youthened, shaved, and cleaned up for Halloween. The beard and the years came back the next day, but the clean stayed, which was nice. Quinn hasn't really been trying to get to Milliways since, out of a mild worry that the Bar might grab him on yet another holiday and do something stranger, but today it appeared when he went to check on the rabbit hutches. So-
"I could do with any one of those, really. It's been a while."
Quinn beams and returns the embrace. "Better than I would've thought, all things considered," he says. "There's been a lot going on in my world. How about yourself, eh?"
"Of course," says Quinn. "Now, I could be wrong, 'cos I went for a good six month period without ever finding a door here, but I seem to remember you were at university last time we spoke. How's that been going for you?"
She takes a breath. "Not too badly! Well, mostly. Classes are going well. Finished my first year. But, you know, it wouldn't be me if there weren't random murders and heists involved."
"Better than it's been, actually," says Quinn. "It's a long story, but- we had some Americans show up. Said they were dragon slayers. Used to be some sort of military unit that put themselves back together- anyway, they made it across the ocean 'cos they said they'd figured out how to cut the dragons off at the source."
She cocks an eyebrow. "The source? I really hope you're not about to tell me it's been some vindictive wizard opening a portal to some hell dimension or something all along."
Pause.
"Also, how the hell did they get across the ocean?"
"Nah. More like the species only ever has a handful of males at a time. They've all got big damned breeding territories. They were going to find each of the males and kill him, and that would cut the species off once and for all." He shakes his head. "They gave me some story about putting one of the old jets back together to get to Manchester. I've got no idea how they got it over the ocean without being roasted. Their attack helicopter couldn't've flown an escort all that way on its own,t hat's for certain."
"Attack helicopter," Quinn confirms. "Seems they've been using it to tangle dragon wings in a steel net- don't ask me, I didn't come up with the idea. Your countrymen are apparently mad by my time."
"Apparently. Though I'm going to keep imagining there's a really badass version of me still out there in your world somewhere. Possibly in her own castle. Though I'm not sure where she'd find one." After some thought, "Maybe someone's abandoned and slightly charred Orange County mansion. Anyway, she's sane, I'm sure."
"I hope so. Your country could use it," Quinn says. "The dragons attacked us not long after the Americans turned up. They managed to kill one, but it took out a good fifteen or sixteen soldiers, including their leader... that didn't go over well at all."
"That's..." Veronica shakes her head. "I've been to your world, Quinn, and that's just... it's reckless. I mean, there aren't that many people left, I don't know why anyone would be so willing to do that sort of thing."
"I could do with any one of those, really. It's been a while."
He grins.
"Hallo, Veronica."
Reply
Veronica lunges across the bar to grab him in a hug, beaming.
"How've you been?"
Reply
Reply
Attacked, possessed, shooting my friends...
"- good! I've been good." She pulls back and smooths her shirt, absently. "You know me, always keeping busy."
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Veronica gives him a crooked smile.
"What about you? How's the castle?"
Reply
Reply
Pause.
"Also, how the hell did they get across the ocean?"
Reply
Reply
"...Attack helicopter?"
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment