Cape May, NJ

[caleb_z]

After returning to the island with Bobo, and helping the others to cure Sand, Caleb slipped away from the group, and returned to Cape May. Sure, Sand was still powerless, but there were plenty of other mystics who could help to undo that spell. Besides, what can he offer that Dr. Fate can’t

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[outcast_xtras]

Mara is there at the door with the neighbor, Rob. Classes got canceled over the international incident, and go fig, Caleb wasn't answering his phone. Again.

Not that she thought the two were related. Nope, she made the drive down through people acting like nutters on the road for her health. She didn't have a key to his Cape May house, but like the crazy stalker girl she probably looks like right now, she's bunked out with Caleb's neighbor to wait for him. And then chew him out. In that order.

Instead of the quiet fuming she had been doing, she's now standing behind Rob, who's swinging the bat in his hand like a pendulum in the doorway. "Whoever's in there," he starts, "You got five seconds to go!"

[caleb_z]

Exactly six seconds elapse before Caleb nonchalantly opens the door, and tiredly regards his neighbor. The sight of the bat earns a half-smile from the tired Russian.

“I appreciate the thought, my old friend, but given the circumstances, is the bat strictly necessary?”

[outcast_xtras]

"If it wasn't you it mighta been," Rob says, swinging the bat again for emphasis. Then he remembers the fuming little blonde behind him and gives Caleb a salute, which would be better used for 'good luck', before making his quick exit.

Mara's got her arms crossed over her chest and is glaring angrily. She waits until Rob leaves before she speaks, and then only an incoherent garble comes out that ends in "--I thought you were DEAD! CORPSEY! PUSHING UP DAISIES!"

[caleb_z]

Naturally, my day would take me here.

“We met in Hell, laskat. You knew my work involved risks.” A few moments lapse before he softly continues. “You were actually my next stop. I just … I needed …. I don’t know, I just needed to quietly be for a few minutes.”

[caleb_z]

Mara manages to hide her emotions about as ineffectively as Caleb does. “And you felt nervous, with a touch of inadequacy.” He wasn’t asking so much as noting.

He glides his hand through her hair while beaming her a smile. “Silly git. She and I are the past. And ... I hope ... that you and I are the future.”

[outcast_xtras]

"There's a lot to talk about," she says evenly. She's happy and she's not hiding the smile this time, but there is still a lot to wade through.

"I can wait. When you're ready to talk, you will." She shrugs. "And hey, as far as she goes-- look, I really don't know anything about it. I get that it's ugly and complicated, and I try not to make commentary. It's also obvious how you feel about her, though. You've said so. It's only that."

Mara waves, like she's pushing the thought away. "For now. I know how you feel about me, too. Whatever happens, you'll do whatever makes you happy. I've always been okay with it, even if recently I want it to be me."

[caleb_z]

He smiles as he rubs his hand through his hair. It’s something of a relief that Mara isn’t going to be another complication just this second. Tomorrow might be another story, but that’ tomorrow. Today -right now, in fact - is time for a shower, and a quiet minute to reflect upon the day’s events.

“I’m going to go shower.” A playful (if half-hearted) punch on her arm. “Don’t make plans for tomorrow. I’ve got you reserved all day.”

[outcast_xtras]

"If they re-open tomorrow, I've got class, Mister. Not all of us can be rich and teleport willy-nilly to and fro glorious battle-- or ceramics hour."

She goes to the hall closet and throws a towel at him. "Like a cell phone, remember? Nights and weekends."