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Espionage is Totally Not My Thing
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Post by Devi on Aug 1, 2013 14:35:39 GMT
It was hot and sunny without a cloud in the sky- the kind of day you would want to spend at the beach or by the pool, splashing in cool water, sun bathing, and drinking fruity cocktails or a frosty beer. Well, Lynx had the frosty beer down, but frolicking in the waves was not exactly his style. He was elbows deep in the engine of his car trying to loosen a bolt to kick out a rusted piece of junk and replace it with a new part. A freshly opened Bud Light perched on a bench nearby, and Led Zeppelin blasted on the classic rock radio station he had blaring from an old, battered radio. This was Lynx's idea of the perfect day: cooler full of beer, radio full of tunes, and all the time in the world to work on his baby.
He straightened suddenly, arcing back slightly to crack his spine with a contented grunt. His arms were smeared with oil stains, as were his jeans and the thin, ratty t-shirt he wore. Reaching out for his beer, Lynx took a long, hearty swig before wiping his blackened hands on an old towel and walking over to his tool box for a different wrench. Max was snoozing in the shade nearby, and he cracked an eyelid to watch as Lynx approached before shifting his head on his paws and going back to sleep.
Working on the car was therapeutic for Lynx, and a bit of R&R was definitely something he needed. From his initial encounter with Tabitha just a few weeks ago, Lynx had been arrested, caught in a fight, involved with a murder, helped save a thirteen year old, was approached by the FBI, attacked by terrorists...it had just not been the best couple of weeks for him. The thought of the FBI made his grip on the wrench tighten, knuckles turning white. He wasn't sure how much they knew about him, or how much they were keeping tabs on him, but the fact that they knew anything at all was too much. Although not entirely ready to face it yet, Lynx could feel his quiet, unbothered life slipping further and further away whether he liked it or not.
Sighing, Lynx tossed the wrench into the tool box and searched for a different size, grabbing the one he wanted and returning to his car. He took another long drink from the amber bottle, finishing it off and tossing it into the metal trash can a few feet away. Whatever was going to happen, Lynx didn't plan on just sitting back and watching his life crumble around him. Damn it, he worked hard to be this lazy!
The radio station crackled, and the song changed to "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress." Lynx grinned and bent back over the front of the car, reaching both physically and mentally towards that rusted over bolt.
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Post by Parrot on Aug 1, 2013 18:01:41 GMT
"No, no, I'll be fine," Tabitha sighed, taking a few steps back from the border patrol, "this was all my fault anyways. I left a stack of half graded papers at the diner when I took the kids out for a field trip."
The two sentries exchanged uncertain looks.
"Listen, I'm on the War Committee, Tabitha Holt, head of education, please don't turn this into something bigger. Have you ever had an angry parent knock on your door at dinner time because their student complained you never grade work fast enough? That you assign more to your students than you yourself can handle? No. I have. And trust me, it's embarrassing and awkward and a little annoying. So may I please go?"
Five minutes later, Tabitha was finally on her way to Mapleport but definitely not to and pick up papers. Even since Gwyn had informed her about the FBI and...well nearly everything else, that's when Tabitha realized her...friend, he was her friend, Lynx could be in trouble as well. The water Elemental was unsure if he would even still hang around Mapleport, maybe he'd moved far away. She wouldn't blame the ESP if he did, but Tabitha felt it was wrong if she hadn't at least try to warm him.
Stopping at the inn, the teacher inquired about Lynx, earning her an answer from the owner and a very, very dubious look. One that clearly said 'Weren't you the woman that was with him last time?' and 'Could you please try and not disrupt the other guests with your love problems.'
Flushed, Tabitha retreated out into the parking lot, rolling her eyes at the loud music blasting away. Instantly, she spotting Lynx arms deep into his car, a smile playing at her lips.
"Working for the FBI," the radio crooned, "Sittin' in a nest of bad men."
Her smile vanished.
"Lynx! Lynx!" Tabitha said, walking over to the man so she could tap the back of his shoulder, "and no, before you get that look on your face. I don't need your help with any dire rescue mission...I just need to warn you about something..."
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Post by Devi on Aug 1, 2013 19:13:00 GMT
"Come on you fucker," Lynx muttered under his breath, putting all of his weight into wrenching that damn bolt loose. The sound of his name and the tap on the shoulder made him jump so that he almost hit his head on the hood of the car, spinning around to see who had snuck up on him. Tabitha. Damn it, Tabitha, he wasn't a freaking rescue-
Clearly his less-than-thrilled expression showed on his face, because Tabitha was very quick to dispel his concerns that she needed him to do something for her. His expression turned wary, however, when she said she needed to warn him about something; god, he really hoped she came to warn him that that girl they had rescued was stalking him. He didn't think he could handle anything worse than that. Balancing the wrench on the edge of the car, Lynx reached for the dirty towel and cleaned the grease and oil from his stained hands. A glance at the radio turned the volume knob down a few notches so that it was easier for them to hear each other, and turning to Tabitha with a grin that was only mildly sarcastic, Lynx said, "Why Tabitha, it's so good to see you under non-life threatening circumstances. Wanna beer?"
He turned and wandered to the cooler, opening the lid and plunging a hand into the ice to find a really cold one. "So, do I even want to know what you've come to warn me about? Let me guess- the Elementals found out about me, and now there's a bounty on my head?" Despite the sarcasm, it was obvious Lynx was in a good humor, and his words were more teasing than spiteful. "Wait, wait, don't tell me you've come to drown me yourself." He adopted a wounded expression. "That would really put a damper on our friendship." An unexpected grin blossomed on his face. "HA!? Get it? DAMP-er on our friendship?"
Smirking, he withdrew two icy bottles and offered one to Tabitha.
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Post by Parrot on Aug 1, 2013 20:44:50 GMT
"This is better than any alleyway," she agreed, specifically leaving out the pharmacy, "and, I'll take one. We're going to need it. Trust me."
"Well, if the Elementals did want you dead, I'd be the one to carry it out. After all, I'm the only one who knows what you look like and, well, what are friends for?" If the FBI hadn't been tracking her, Tabitha would've made a little show of her powers just to freak Lynx out a bit. The seriousness of the matter, however, would win out over any joke. At least in Tabitha's eyes.
The woman rolled her eyes at the pun. She wasn't even going to comment on that.
Twisting the cap off, Tabitha took a long drink, fortifying herself before adding, "The FBI are looking for us."
Maybe that would wipe the permanent smug look off of his face.
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Post by Devi on Aug 1, 2013 21:11:30 GMT
Albeit certainly not what Lynx had been expecting, the news that the FBI was looking for them was not new to him. The fact that he already knew this little nugget of info was made apparent by the slightly sheepish, slightly awkward expression that overtook his features, and he hastily down about half his beer to avoid immediately commenting on the subject. It would have made for a perfect Twix commercial: Need a moment? Why yes, yes I do.
"Uhhh, yeah," Lynx replied after he had swallowed the beer, running a dirty hand over the back of his head uncomfortably. "I mighta heard something about that..."
Lynx sucked in a breath and turned back to the cooler, pulling out a stool for Tabitha to sit on before plopping down on the blue and white plastic box. He knew he was going to have to tell Tabitha everything, and he had meant to after the whole pharmacy incident, but they just hadn't had time, and they had all been so maxed out already...
Examining the callouses on his hands, Lynx wondered where to begin. He decided to be just as blunt as Tabitha had been. "I was approached by this agent guy, Atkinson, a week or two ago. Asher was with me- remember Asher? The non-magic kid from the pharmacy? Anyways, they must've found out about us after our little jail date. Something about keeping tabs on magic people. They just want information. Well, that's all they want for now, at any rate.."
He ran a hand over his face before taking another swig of beer and frowning. "How did you find out? I figured they wouldn't be able to find you in the forest."
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Post by Parrot on Aug 1, 2013 21:31:09 GMT
He knew? Tabitha's face fell and whether that was due to Lynx's lack of shock or the fact that the FBI had already gotten to him, even she couldn't tell. The teacher probably shouldn't have been as surprised as she was. It was easy to get to people in the city and town, not so much for those nestled away in the woods. Even easier since Lynx was practically one of the locals here in Mapleport. The fact that he was still alive proved that the FBI didn't mean any serious bodily harm to Tabitha, but that didn't stop the woman from worrying as much as she did.
"Yeah, I remember him, poor thing."
Asher had been quite shell shocked throughout the whole ordeal. Even more so when Tabitha had to use her own ability to wash the blood off of him. From that moment on, Tabitha was pretty sure the kid wasn't magic's number one fan.
"What kind of information?" she questioned, sitting down on the stool as she crossed her ankles. "Like our names and powers or more about our- I mean Elementals and ESP?" For a tiny moment, Tabitha had completely forgotten that Lynx wasn't an Elemental or interested in joining a party. Not that the Elementals would take him happily. The War Committee would probably have a fit at the idea and Tabitha would be out of a job faster than Lynx could down that battle of beer.
The teacher sighed, taking her own sip. "I honestly don't know. A friend of mine told me they were looking for me. I'm not sure if she's told the higher up's but this could spell out a lot of trouble. Is that really all you know?"
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Post by Devi on Aug 2, 2013 2:34:12 GMT
"Not information about you and me, information about...about everything," Lynx replied, gesturing vaguely in the air as he downed more beer. "Information on the war, on what both sides are doing, stuff like that." He shook his head, a wry grin creeping onto his face. "I can tell you one thing, though, sweetheart. They sure as hell found the wrong ESP." Lifting his bottle as though to cheers with Tabitha, Lynx drained the rest of the liquid and chucked the bottle into the metal bin, standing up just high enough to reach back in the cooler for another one.
"Pretty much," he answered in response to Tabitha's question. "I mean, he said it was for the safety of the American people, or some crap like that. Granted, after the pharmacy incident I can't really blame him."
The last part was almost mumbled under his breath, and he took another hearty swig, staring off towards his car with an unhappy expression. "He wasn't real pushy, but I have a feeling this is only the beginning. He mentioned you, but they said they hadn't been able to find you. I figured they wouldn't, but I guess if they got it in their heads, they wouldn't have much of a problem marching right into that forest of yours."
Lynx paused, looking down at the bottle in his hands. "This friend of yours, she'd tell on you?" he asked, lifting his brows as she shot Tabitha a sidelong glance. "Not much of a friend, if you ask me."
He stood up suddenly, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket before sitting back down and flipping it open. After a brief search, he pulled out a battered business card, handing it over to Tabitha. "Agent Atkinson. That's his number. We can call him if you like. Might be better to approach him rather than the other way around?"
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Post by Parrot on Aug 2, 2013 16:08:11 GMT
"Everything," Tabitha parroted, eyebrows rising high. She snorted roughly into her drink before taking another swing and adding, "what makes them think I'll tell them anything? Because they asked nicely?" Tabitha couldn't blame the non-magicals for beefing up their security, but did they really have to go about it this way? If the FBI bled secrets from both factions...well that would leave them vulnerable not only to each other but to the non-magicals as well. This wasn't the magical's land though, it wasn't even their world, they'd just come barging through and settled down because, well, frankly, because they could. Did this mean that Tabitha would have to comply with the FBI?
Tabitha felt torn.
"There's no way they should go into that forest," Tabitha grunted, twisting her ankles around till they popped, "I know we shouldn't think this, but to Elementals that land is ours and we'll defend it. No, if the FBI do that, there will be trouble."
The teacher sighed. "I don't think she would," Tabitha answered, "but I don't know how long she can hold it a secret. The border guards were giving me a hard time for coming down into Mapleport this morning. It's not even that we're that strict with where our people go like the ESP are...it's just we want to make sure everything is protected and me getting messed up in, well, everything that I have. Ugg."
Shutting her rambling mouth, Tabitha reached over and grabbed the card, studying it intently before shrugging her shoulders in defeat. "That's probably for the best. I don't want this agent Atkinson anywhere near the forest."
Tabitha highly doubted that Lynx would be giving away any secrets to the FBI anytime soon, so, neither would she.
"You have a phone?"
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Post by Devi on Aug 4, 2013 15:17:18 GMT
Tabitha's sarcastic defiance caused Lynx to lift his brows, a sly smirk sliding across his lips. Not that he had exactly seen Tabitha rolling over in fear, spilling everything she knew about her people; no, Lynx new that while Tabitha might be a rule-follower, she was steadfast. And stubborn. And anybody who threatened her people would end up with water shoved down their throat. I mean, he had seen that already. Twice, in fact.
Lynx agreed with Tabitha about the FBI not going into the forest. While the FBI might have been welcomed into the Skyscraper for a tour, Kenji would make it to where what they saw was exactly what the ESP (Kenji) wanted them to see- progress for the good of humanity, or some bullshit like that. The Elementals were not so...cunningly diplomatic. Any purposeful intrusion by the non-magic would no doubt be seen as threatening. Lynx did not necessarily care if the Elementals fucked themselves by making an aggressive move towards the non-magic government, but he was not stupid enough to think that such a move would not fuck every magic on the planet. No, if one group appeared threatening, they would all be considered threatening.
"You mean, everything like cruising around with a rogue ESP on his motorcycle, saving lives, conquering evil fanatics...stuff like that?" Lynx queried with feigned innocence as Tabitha snatched the business card and looked at it. He grinned, amused with his romanticized version of Tabitha's behavior.
"No, I actually don't have a phone," Lynx replied with a shrug. He had never gotten a phone with the fear that Kenji would one day be make a machine that could detect when ESP- especially rogue ESP like himself- used a cellphone. "But there's a payphone at the front of the inn."
He stood up, taking a swig of beer as he led Tabitha around the side of the building to where two payphones were installed. They were rarely used these days, but Margot never got rid of them. Lynx dug around in his pocket for some change, asking, "What are you going to say to him? If he wants to meet up, let's not do it here. We can meet at...the Stumble Inn, or I'll even drive us into the City. But I definitely don't want him to know where I'm living at....if he doesn't know already."
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Post by Parrot on Aug 6, 2013 14:24:12 GMT
Tabitha rolled her eyes at the ESP's tone, shaking her head lightly. "Exactly 'stuff like that'," she replied, setting her beer on the stool of the seat as she jumped down. The Elemental thought about Lynx's question, chewing on the inside of her lip as her mind turned gears. What would she say to the agent? Tabitha certainly wanted him away from the forest and if she could provide 'help' than no one else had to get involved, or at least that's what she hoped.
"We can meet at the Stumble Inn. I don't want to be in Coho more than I absolutely have to," Tabitha told him, following Lynx towards the payphones. "I'm not exactly welcomed there and do you want the ESP seeing you with an Elemental and a government official? You'll be on their watch list in no time."
Tabitha picked up the phone, juggling a few coins out of her pocket to shove into the opening. She shot Lynx a look that clearly instructed him to keep his mouth closed while she was talking- adults were working. The Elemental dialed. The phone hadn't even rung one time before a man's voice answered.
"Atkinson?" Tabitha questioned, her face scrunched in concentration. "Yes, my name is Tabitha."
A pause as the agent on the other side talked.
"Yes, yes, listen, if we're going to do this than it will be on my terms."
Tabitha swatted away a fly that hovered around the payphone.
"We'll be at the Stumble Inn," another pause, "I think you know who I'm with. Fine. Yes.....goodbye."
With a huff Tabitha slammed the phone back into its holster, turning around to face Lynx. "He said he'll drive over now. That gives us time to get to the Stumble Inn, find a good place to sit, and talk over how we want to handle this."
A half grin smirked onto Tabitha's face. "Guess we're going to be partners for a little bit longer."
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Post by Devi on Aug 6, 2013 14:50:36 GMT
"Good thing I'm so charming then, eh?" Lynx replied breezily with a chipper sort of smirk. "We can walk over, let me just put my stuff up first. Mapleport citizens aren't above thievery."
Of course he was thinking of Asher whose thievery always worked up a mixture of amusement, annoyance, and admiration in Lynx. The ESP wandered back to where he was working, pounding the rest of his beer and chucking it into the garbage as items around him began to move around. The radio turned off and unplugged, tools floated back into their places, and all the while Lynx let down the hood of the old GTO and pulled the cover over it to ensure nobody would mess with it. Lynx was always good at multitasking- telekinetically, at any rate. He gathered the tool box, radio, and cooler and put them in a small store room Margot had given him the key to, wiped his hands as well as he good on the oil rag, locked up, and was ready to go.
"Alright, let's go," he said, taking off at a brisk pace. He could get to the Stumble Inn with his eyes closed, which was probably a good thing since there were many nights he had stumbled home practically with his eyes closed.
"So this Atkinson guy, he's kinda a dick," Lynx started as they walked, squinting in the sun. "When he came up to Asher and me in Coho he said they just wanted information, but I ain't buying it. It might be different with you, though. You're in the middle of things. I'm an outcast, I don't know much."
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Post by Parrot on Aug 6, 2013 15:10:57 GMT
"Lucky me," Tabitha replied back, walking over to the stool to finish her own drink. The teacher watched as Lynx worked his magic, impressed at how much he had grasped his skill with a graceful finesse. Tabitha had seen Telekinesis who couldn't control their powers, opting to deal large shock waves instead of fine tuning their craft. Not for the first time, Tabitha was glad that Lynx was neutral about the war- it was his delicate touch that could be mastered into moving organs inside of people.
Tossing her bottle into the trash, Tabitha pushed the stool over to the side of the building, hoping it wouldn't be stolen. Who, honestly though, would steal a chair? She shrugged to herself, jogging a few steps to catch up with Lynx's long stride. It didn't surprise her one bit that the ESP knew where he was going, the Stumble Inn was no doubt one of his favorite haunts.
"I'm just easier on the eyes," Tabitha joked at Lynx, smiling a bit. Over the time they'd spent together, the crap they had dealt with together, Tabitha relaxed a little more around him. Her humor peeked out more and more past her serious nature.
"Either way, I don't plan on telling him anything worthwhile, just enough to keep the FBI out of the forest," a grim look passed over Tabitha. This Atkinson guy, he probably wasn't going to fall for that trick, would he?
It wasn't a long walk and soon Tabitha could see the outline of the comfy looking inn, happy that it wasn't too late in the day to draw more crowds. "So you agreed to help him? Asher as well?"
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Post by Devi on Aug 6, 2013 15:40:55 GMT
At Tabitha's joke, Lynx turned to look her up and down and shrugged. "Eh, I think I could give you a run for your money," he teased with a smirk. "Though I bet you definitely look better in a skirt." The smirk flashed into a mischievous grin as they crossed the street, and Lynx nodded in response to Tabitha's "plan" for the FBI agent.
"Eh, we didn't particularly have much of a choice," he replied as the Stumble Inn came into view. "He didn't ask a whole lot, to be honest, which actually makes me kinda nervous." Just as Tabitha was growing comfortable enough around Lynx to crack jokes, Lynx was growing comfortable enough around Tabitha to be straightforward. They definitely had a strange sort of partnership going on; funny what defeating death on multiple occasions could do for a friendship.
"I just don't like where this line of questions could lead to, y'know? One day it'll be questions, the next it'll be 'go break into the Skyscraper and find this out or plant this virus' or some shit like that." Lynx shook his head, scowling. He had no intentions of going back to that stifling hell hole. Like ever.
Lynx opened the door for Tabitha and followed her inside the pub, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the dimmer light. The air conditioning felt marvelous after being out in the sun for so long.
"Drink? It'll be my treat since you came all this way to see me." Another cocky half-smile as he waited for Tabitha's response.
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Post by Parrot on Aug 6, 2013 15:56:39 GMT
"You could always pull a legger," Tabitha said, thanking Lynx as she walked into the inn. While Tabitha would sorely miss having Lynx around, he made for a good ally and an even better friend, she wouldn't blame him for leaving while the getting was good. He could escape the magics easily that way, the non-magicals not so much but maybe they would leave him alone if he wasn't involved with anything. Unlikely, but a girl could hope.
The AC washed over her and Tabitha shuddered, slightly wishing that the Elementals would allow them to install the devices in the castle, or at the very least, the cottages. But that would require electricity and any kind of machines could be easily taken over by a Tecnopath. Wind was great....but during this summer heat? AC was even better (no offensive to Gwyn and other wind Elementals, of course.)
"Just a glass of water, please," Tabitha said, grinning at her private joke, "I want to have my wits about me when Atkinson shows up."
The Elemental walked over to the side of the inn, picking a table that wasn't too far in the front to deal with the foot traffic but wasn't too far in the back to draw suspicion. Patiently, Tabitha drummed her fingers against the wooden table as restless as any water current.
"How long do you think he'll be?" Tabitha asked, watching as Lynx ordered their drinks.
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Post by Devi on Aug 6, 2013 18:45:11 GMT
Rolling his eyes when Tabitha requested water (both at the joke and her lameness for not opting for something stronger, Lynx went to the bar and got one water and one stout pint of beer, exchanging brief pleasantries with Jayne before joining the water Elemental at the table. He shrugged in response to her question.
"Who knows? Hopefully long enough to prove he's not stalking me," he answered, sipping the frosty pint class with a muddled expression. He was not looking forward to another meeting with Atkinson, which is precisely why he did not want to have his wits about him when the agent showed up. To be fair, Tabitha had a lot more to lose; Lynx just wanted to be left alone.
Some amount of time passed- enough time to suggest Atkinson came in from Coho- before the FBI Agent stepped through the front door of the pub. Lynx stiffened slightly, nodding his head in the direction of the newly arrived patron.
"That's him," Lynx mumbled as Atkinson stared straight at him. Lynx gave a sarcastic sort of smile and an equally as sarcastic wave as the agent beelined towards them. "By the way," Lynx added before Atkinson reached their table, "Don't forget my name is Stuart. Or Stu, if you like. Personally, I'm not a fan of a Stuey, but for you I'll make an exception." Flashing Tabitha one last smirk, Lynx fell silent as Atkinson arrived at their table, looking briefly at the telekinetic before focusing his attention on Tabitha.
"Tabitha, I presume. And Mr. McPhearson, so good of you to give your Elemental friend my number." He smiled blandly at the ESP, looking almost wary of the grin plastered on Lynx's face.
"Aww, c'mon, Dougie, I'm pretty sure we're on a first name basis at this point," Lynx greeted with sardonic cheer. "Please, call me Stu." Lynx winked briefly at Tabitha before stretching his legs out under the table and reclining in his chair. "Won't you join us?"
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