from Odessa, with love

[intoparadise]

Date: Fall 2005
Characters: Eden McCain, Mohinder Suresh, Ivy Creed
Summary: Eden reflects upon the meaning of the term "honeytrap". She tries to forget about it with Mohinder. Then someone really creepy turns up.
Status: In progress
Open to NY, but please ask firstLast night, Eden had briefly entertained thoughts of something cheap and forgettable

Comments

[myfathers_son]

He stared at the phone.

Eden's number rested innocently on the hotel desk, scribbled down in her small, curvy handwriting. Where it had lain the duration of the morning. His head was still aching a bit from the alcohol last night and he couldn't remember if her offer had been in earnest or not.

Whether he wanted it to be.

Sighing, he pulled the hotel phone across the desk and dialed the number.

[intoparadise]

At the sound of the ringtone, Eden snatched up her phone with almost embarrassing speed, but before she answered she checked the number- she didn't know Mohinder's, but if it wasn't Bennet (it wasn't) there weren't that many more people it could be.

She picked it up. "Eden McCain."

[myfathers_son]

"Eden!" Mohinder said, unable to keep the warmth out of his voice.

"It's Mohinder Suresh. From last night? I thought I'd take you up on your offer to explore the city, if you're interested..."

[intoparadise]

God, Eden couldn't remember anyone sounding that happy just to be talking to her in... well... ever, honestly. How sad was that?

"Oh, of course. I suggested it, didn't I?"

[myfathers_son]

At the very mention of the thrice-cursed book, the smile faded from Mohinder's face.

"Yes, well," he muttered, "That book might suit the more eccentric types, but it's actual premise is rather shaky."

Trying to turn the conversation away, he asked rather randomly "So how long have you been in New York, if it's not too bold of me to ask?"

[hiswordis]

"Oh, not at all," she assured him. "I've only been here a few weeks so far. My sister asked me to come stay for a while because she broke up with a fairly nasty fellow and she doesn't want to be alone in her house. Admittedly I'm not sure how much damage someone like me could do, but it's a comfort thing, I suppose."

[intoparadise]

"Sad," said Eden, dripping sympathy. "Wish her luck from me."

[hiswordis]

Ivy shot her a saccharine smile.

"I will. You're nice to say so.'

[intoparadise]

"Oh, it's not a loss," she assured him. "We can still try the tourist traps. Or we can just be going for a walk. Or, well, just about anything really."

Eden wasn't the kind to let one odd conversation spoil her fun, after all.

[myfathers_son]

"Going for a walk sounds rather pleasant, actually. Should we try the park? Or do we want to write that conversation off entirely?"

Mohinder grimaced, dropping his gaze to the sidewalk. There were certainly parts of the exchange that he wouldn't mind forgetting. Was he absolutely doomed to always be mistaken for his father?

"Bloody book..."

[intoparadise]

"Eh, why not? I've never been there, and parks are nice. Now we just need to find the place."

She looked sidelong at Mohinder. He looked awfully down, given the circumstances. "What's so wrong with it, then?"

[myfathers_son]

His temper souring a bit a the change in comversation, Mohinder muttered, "It was the cherry on top of the psychotic sundae. A manifesto to his foolish theories and ironically enough, the only thing he's known for."

He sighed in disgust, aware he was complaining, but unable to stop himself. "And it's fast becoming the only thing I'm known for as well."

[intoparadise]

"The wannabe hippies?" asked Eden sympathetically. One more reason to think of this assignment as harmless, really- Mohinder was so determined to be out of this whole thing that there probably wasn't much that could be got out of him.

Not that she'd probably stress that point too much. Didn't want Bennet changing the rules on her.

[myfathers_son]

Mohinder laughed. "Yes, the hippies. New Age urchin nobodies that they are."

He shot a sideline glance in Eden's direction. "You don't buy it, do you? This business about superpowers?"

[intoparadise]

"Well, I'm not totally sure what it is," she hedged. "I think it'd be pretty cool, from what I've heard, but that's really plenty of reason to think it's not true..."

[myfathers_son]

Mohinder nodded. "Makes one wonder what it is about the spectacular that is so hard for our minds to grasp."

Nudging her shoulder, he smiled. "But her we are discussing crackpot theories and my family angst when we are supposed to be touring. Quick, we need to find something to 'oooh' and 'aww' at."