19th Fix

[techno_mancer]

OK! Now that this whole terrible milk business was behind them, Quinn Hatch was ready to get back to normal Mayfield routines. Which meant checking on his housemates to make sure everyone was alive and sane again. It also meant he had to make a visit to Cyuss's place, but not before stopping at the bakery for a cake. He had promised to bring

Comments

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa finds Quinn hugging the fender of the car, and listens long enough to know he's

1. Drunk beyond his capacity, and
2. Deep in sorrow, which caused the first condition.

So she's bringing one of the lawn chaises and a glass of water to him in the driveway. ]

Come on, hon. Sit down and have some water.

[ She rolls the lounge chair close enough that he can still maintian contact with the car. ]

[ooeeooahah]

I'm having to look at it like an accident. An accident specific to Mayfield. I know somebody could get hit by a bus or eaten by a grue back home, but that doesn't stop me from caring for people.

[ Her accent is showing around the edges tonight. ]

Yeah, droning somebody leaves the shell here, and as a single instance, it's gonna drive the actuaries nuts. Mama'd have a field day with the stats... but the thing that focuses us on it is the part where they aren't the people we love anymore. That person is home, we hope.

[techno_mancer]

I sure hope so. Shows that gettin' too attached it a bad idea though, huh? People can be gone in the blink of an eye here. Not that ya ever plan on gettin' too attached to people, though. I'm a people person. What can I say.

[ooeeooahah]

No! [ She holds him tighter. ] No, hon. I think it means we should cherish the ones we have while we have them.

[ She takes his cigarette from him, flicking it to the gutter. ]

And taking care of each other, right?

[ Then she kisses him on the cheek. ]

[techno_mancer]

[No, not the-- Oh wait, it's Ilsa. Oops.]

Yeah. You're right. You're a smart lady, too.

[He sighs, leaning on her.] Suppose that's all the whining I've got for one night.

[ooeeooahah]

Y'all saved up, I can tell.

[ Still holding him. ]

You know you can talk to me, if you need.

[techno_mancer]

After ten months here, I guess I got some grievances.

Thanks, darlin'. Same goes here, ya know.

[ooeeooahah]

[ She nods, and then the thought strikes her. She's sitting comfortably beside a techmage, in her driveway, in a conversational arrangement with the car. The image makes her giggle lightly. ]

You know we're almost the setting for one of those weird comedies from the 50's? If my car starts talking to me in Ann Southern's voice, I'm officially going to have words with you.

[ She gives him a gentle, playful jab in the ribs, mindful of the fact that he's still sloshed. ]

[techno_mancer]

[That gets a little laugh.] Be on the lookout for some talkin' horses, too.

[ooeeooahah]

Talking ponies we got already, hon. [ She giggles again, and sighs. ]

Want to come in, or can we give you a lift home? [ Ilsa nods to the Rambler, indicating it would be a joint effort to take Quinn home. ]

[techno_mancer]

How come I ain't surprised to hear that.

[He gives the car a friendly pat again.] Think I bugged her enough tonight. You too. 'S okay, I can walk my drunk ass home. [He stands up, slowly, using the car for help and thanking it. Whether he can actually get himself home is up for debate.]

[ooeeooahah]

[ She stands with him, giving him another hug, and surreptitiously checking his equilibrium. ]

Are you sure? It wouldn't be a problem, hon.

[ He seems all right now, but she just doesn't want him to wander off the sidewalk in front of a drone driver. ]

[techno_mancer]

[He's still pretty wobbly.] Naw, it's cool. I ain't to far.

...

What street am I on?

[ooeeooahah]

Kramden. Are you sure? Not a problem to take you home.

[techno_mancer]

[Looks left

looks right

wobbles a little

and sighs.]

Yeah okay. Maybe I oughta take your offer.

[ooeeooahah]

[ Ilsa smiles, and puts Quinn in the passenger seat, actually going so far as to belt him in, and rolling down the window for him before shutting the door. ]

[ She belts herself in, and takes an easy drive towards Brady. ]

You might want another glass or two of water before bed, hon.