[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]

[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.