Room 429 - Thursday Night

[once_a_traitor]

Edmund really did try to avoid doing stupid things now. He was a much more grave and sensible person that he had been as a young boy and he thought things through, often too much. That didn't mean that he never did stupid and inappropriate things, like fiddling with his girlfriend's handcuffs (which, yes, made him blush just thinking about them).

Comments

[didntneeda401k]

Bill had been waiting outside a door further down the hallway, but you couldn't really call yourself a hunter if you ignored a call for help, so he wandered down towards the source.

"Something wrong, kid?"

[once_a_traitor]

He'd been expecting a student, probably one of his classmates, definitely not an adult. "Small problem, sir," Edmund replied, lifting his handcuffed arm to demonstrate. "I don't suppose you could fetch the key for me?"

The key, of course, was no longer where it had been and was nowhere to be seen.

[didntneeda401k]

Well, this was the kind of small problem Bill was more than familiar with. Occupational hazard. Still, it wouldn't do to laugh at the kid.

He looked around for the key, and couldn't find it. "Afraid I can't," he drawled coming over to take a proper look at the cuffs. "But luckily I know a thing or three about picking locks."

[once_a_traitor]

He looked back to where the key was supposed to be and glared. Whether it was squirrel, gremlin or some other beast, Edmund was not pleased with them. It wouldn't do to dwell on it right now, so he turned back to his would-be rescuer. "I would pretend to be surprised, but around here it seems to be a common skill. Unfortunately, it's not one I have myself. I'm grateful for you even stopping to take a look. I was afraid the first person along would be a classmate with a camera."

[didntneeda401k]

Bill couldn't quite stop himself from grinning this time, as he pulled out his lock-picks from his jacket. "That'd be unfortunate. But don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

[once_a_traitor]

"Your discretion is most appreciated," he replied, angling his arm for better access to the lock that wouldn't tire out his shoulder. "Gossip tends to spread here faster than most small towns and by the time it makes its rounds, it's usually so far removed from the original story it's hard to tell what's real and what's not."

[didntneeda401k]

"Believe me, I know from small town gossip." Bill carefully inserted a pick and started fiddling with the lock. "I do a lot of travelling in my line of work."

[once_a_traitor]

Edmund watched, as if that would teach him what to do next time. Too bad it didn't work like that. "What line of work, if you don't mind my asking?"

[didntneeda401k]

It didn't really matter if he told him, being dead and all, but even death couldn't quite break the habits of a lifetime. "I'm kind of a freelancer, problem solving, rescue services, that kind of thing. My wife hates it."

[once_a_traitor]

Though he was watching the lock picking, he glanced at the man. "The work or you travelling so often because of it?"

[didntneeda401k]

"Bit of both, she thinks I'm going to get myself killed." Which admittedly, she had been right about. He grinned. "This actually reminds me of how we met."

[once_a_traitor]

"Handcuffs?" He wasn't sure he wanted to know if it was that personal, but he couldn't help but ask.

[didntneeda401k]

Bill nodded. "This one job I was working, I ended up in this real dive," he explained. "I'd just finished up what I needed to get done when someone hits me over the back of the head. Woke up handcuffed to the bar, with a pounding headache and the barmaid training a shotgun on me. She thought I was trying to rob the joint. I knew right then I was going to marry her. She took a bit more convincing."

Can't imagine why that would be Bill.

[once_a_traitor]

Edmund laughed. "Love at first sight doesn't always work both ways," he supposed. "I can't say I wish I had more stories involving handcuffs, but I do wish this one involved less of me getting myself trapped and having to be rescued by a stranger."

[didntneeda401k]

"I should introduce myself then, so we're not strangers." He extended a hand. "I'm Bill."

[once_a_traitor]

He returned the handshake with a firm grip using his free hand. His father had taught him the importance of a good handshake once upon a time and it was something that stayed with him. "Edmund. Strangers no more, and with some creative retelling, if this ever gets out I'll be able to save face somewhat. What brings you to Fandom?" he asked, and then explained. "Small town. New faces stand out."