[002 - audio] by the pricking of my thumbs

[freeholding]

[There is the rumble of an engine in the background and some wind distortion, but John's voice is very clear. The benefits of training your voice to be as measured and newscaster-bland as possible.]

You spend enough time around certain elements and you get a sense for things. That feeling of 'something wicked this way comes.' Though a friend of mine is always quick to point out that in context, the hero of that story was the something in question and blind to it.

I tend to have a better track record than that, though. [Not that he isn't wicked, mind. But he's not exactly in the hero role anyway. Christ, and he can almost hear Nathan ranting about literary theory and storytelling conventions and et cetera.]

Anyway. Does anyone know where a concerned citizen might gain access to some firepower? Something better than what the pawn shops have on offer.

[With an ounce of humor:] It is the shopping season, after all.

Comments

[freeholding]

I don't disagree, and I have some basic skills, but the aforementioned room mate has a habit of breaking the equipment in the apartment.

[He is going to pounce on that opportunity to not answer the work question, as "life of crime" isn't the greatest of responses.] Perfectly all right. I'm John of Chicago. A pleasure to meet you, Lady Ella.

[ella_of_frell]

Rather clumsy is he? I'm sorry to hear that. [ She sounds more amused than sorry though. ]

It's nice to meet you too; but if you're going to call me by my title, then I'll have no choice but to address you as Sir or Lord John. [ Teasing. ]

[freeholding]

Something like that.

It's Baron, actually. [All that gentlemanly talk comes with the territory.] But I am agreeable to John if you are to Ella.

[ella_of_frell]

Baron? [ Well she didn't expect that. She grins in spite of herself. ]

I'm quite agreeable to such informalies. Indeed, I rather prefer it.

I should caution you if you run across a girl by the name of Hattie, best not to let her know you're titled. She goes after titled men like a dog goes for a bone. Or a squirrel.

[freeholding]

As you please, Ella.

... I am new enough to my title that I actually have not considered that sort of political jockeying. I really should have... But my title means nothing without my territory either way.

[ella_of_frell]

You've never had the trouble of people trying to arrange beneficial marriages to you? Consider yourself lucky. [ It's a hassle, and Ella never liked the idea of it. Even though her mother's was an arranged marriage and she did fall in love, eventually. ]

You may be one of the few with that sort of opinion. A lot of people were pulled out of their worlds from home, and they'd cling to the titles they had there, as if it meant something. [ Or at least, it did to them, even though they had no real authority here. ]

[freeholding]

When I say I'm new this this, I mean my fourth year as Baron is approaching. Before then, I don't think I was quite marriage material. [Being the head of the Chicago mob might've had something to do with that. Goodness knows he has enough money to be tempting, but the mafia thing is always a hurdle for others.] You are less fortunate, I take it?

At the very most, such titles are a resume, proof of prior experience. They may mean something, but clinging to lost power only prevents gaining more.

[He winces.] That sounds overly calculating, but in all honesty, I usually am.

[ella_of_frell]

Unfortunately. [ A wry grin at that. ]

I haven't met him met, but my father intends to marry me off to someone back home. It's all so very financially beneficial for both of our families.
[ S..she may be using airquotes at that. Quirking an eyebrow slightly, she laughs a little. ]

Well... that just means you're extra prepared for any situation, right?

[freeholding]

[He frowns, though she can't see it.] I'm unsure whether to offer congratulations or condolences.

That's a kind way to look at it.

[ella_of_frell]

I'm not sure if condolences would be an appropriate word - unless it's through process of elimination, because congratulations certainly isn't it. [ Huff. ]

But I'm here, and not there, so I think I'm luckier for it as far as that goes. It's a common practice, marrying off ones daughter. [ Although if her mother was still alive, she would never have allowed it. ]

I hear that that sort of thing isn't practiced in this age so much anymore though!

[freeholding]

How about good luck to you, instead?

No, it isn't in the Western world, though a friend of mine would be quick to point out that arranged marriages still exist in many cultures and deserve respect. [His tone gets dry, like he's been lectured on this before.]

[ella_of_frell]

I think that'll work.

[ And amusement at the dry tone. Pff. ]

Well, he may have a point there. I don't have a problem with respecting other cultures and how they choose to handle marriage or other things - but when it's something the other party doesn't even want the... well, no one should be forced to do something they don't want to.

[freeholding]

He always has a point. It's extremely annoying. But you're right. At least for the time being, you're safe from such arrangements.

[ella_of_frell]

It's probably one of the few things that's good about being pulled away.

But enough of that - you sound like you've known your friend for a rather long time, am I right?

[freeholding]

As you like.

... Yes. [The amount of people that know John for the man he is under the armor can be counted on one hand with fingers to spare, and Nathan Hendricks is one such person.] I'm relieved that he is still in Chicago, though his presence is missed.

[ella_of_frell]

Ah -- sorry I .. had assumed your friend was here. I didn't mean to open old wounds, if I did.

[freeholding]

[John chuckles.] Don't worry, it doesn't pain me. If anything, Mr. Hendricks deserves some time off from holding my leash.

I was fortunate enough to be saddled with my greatest rival here instead. The Pull does enjoy its games.

[ella_of_frell]

[ She smiles faintly, relieved. ] Well, then that's good.

Your greatest rival? ... that sounds familiar. [ Dry amusement there. She'd hardly call Hattie her greatest rival but she is a pain in the a... uh. Posterior. ]

I'm inclined to agree though - seems that the people you don't want here tend to show up here most often.

[freeholding]

Tale as old as time, that one. Similarly afflicted? Perhaps the Hattie you mentioned earlier? [He's a good read.]

I didn't say I didn't want him. In fact, in such a situation, he'd be one of the first people I'd pick to be isolated with. [It is a... complicated relationship.]

[ella_of_frell]

Good guess. [ Eheh. ] Is it that obvious?

Wait really? A different kind of rival then? [ Considering most rivals - well most of the time people don't want their rivals around. At least, in her experience. ]

Well at any rate if he is here, then I suppose I should say that I'm glad for you that he is, huh?

[freeholding]

[Yes.] Only slightly. My condolences.

[Why he would admit to this is a mystery, but;] Imagine a man who knew every dark spot of your soul but could still appeal to your better angels.

Also, he is excellent in a fight. So long as we don't kill each other over dinner, it's a fair shake.

[ella_of_frell]

[ Ella laughs at that. ]

Sorry. Thanks for the sentiment, but I'll be all right - it's ... relatively easy enough to avoid her if I need to, so ...

[ She's thoughtfully quiet for a while at that, and smiles. ]

If that's your rival, he sounds like quite a man. Is there as likely a chance you'd kill each other over dinner as there is you wouldn't? Fifty fifty would you say?

[freeholding]

[That was oddly hesitant, but John's unsure how to offer aid. He'll just keep an eye out for this Hattie on the network.] If you are sure.

He is. [Irritating, but incomparable.] About twenty-eighty for the moment, since I'm the only one who can work the electrical appliances in the kitchen.

[ella_of_frell]

[ And lo Ella networked spies and didn't even know it. :D ]

Well twenty eight isn't too bad. That means there's less of a chance I'd hear about you two strangling each other over venison and potatoes at dinner on the newsfeed. [ When she actually looks at it. ]

I hope you don't have a lot of electrical appliances in danger from him.