alderwitch
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She couldn't help but smile even as she ducked her head at the compliment. Witty banter she could handle. Dealing with compliments, however, was newer territory. It wasn't that she was a complete novice when it came to the dating scene but she'd never gone out with anyone close to Jack's league socially. It was hard to equate this congenial man with the raspy, growling Avenger. "It isn't so very hard to make me smile," Taylor protested laughingly. Her cheeks were still a charming pink from the compliment. "In fact, you've had me smiling all evening. I fully intend to allow you as much opportunity as you'd like to stagger me with scintillating wit," Enjoying the warmth of the moment, Taylor rested one hand on his arm as she dodged a fellow pedestrian. She was careful not to bump into any strangers, or objects for that matter. Spend enough time insubstantial and one was bound to pick up some bad habits. She really had no desire to end the evening with careening into a lampost.
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Alex followed along, taking advantage of the time it took Erin to store things away to slather herself in sunscreen. She tossed the bottle in the locker afterwards, making sure it was both capped and clean. Once they were ready, she turned around to survey the park thoughtfully before suggesting, "Tilt-a-whirl?"
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"Mike said my sunglasses were too ugly, but I found a hat!" It was rainbow striped with the amusement park logo on the front. Alex had already purchased the baseball cap and a few bottles of water. She'd finished threading her pony-tail through the back of the hat and was all but bouncing in her sneakers, "Oh, oh. Should we go on the roller coaster's first? Or maybe the tilt-a-whirl? Let's go on whatever's fastest!"
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Giving into the inevitable, Taylor sighed and took his hand. The last thing he heard was her muttering, "I don't even know what time it is in Paris right now." Then Ace was treated to the growing ever-more-familiar sensation of the endless void before they were both standing on one of the smaller side-streets in Paris. Taylor was trying to re-orient herself around. Sometimes it got very confusing between similar dimensions. She'd thought she was going to set them in the fashion districts but this didn't look like that at all. Perhaps she miscalculated off of an else-worlds Paris? Where were they anyways? She looked expectantly to the famed world-adventurer, "I'm going to assume that you speak French?"
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"It's an interesting tactic to take," Taylor flashed a teasing smile up at him, "Start with the worst stories, then everything from there should be smooth sailing. Or at least only improve your image." Taylor stepped out of the slower elevator first and into the night air of Freedom City. One thing her extra-curricular activities had certainly given her was an appreciation of this town after dark. As summer nights went, it was certainly a beautiful one. She turned back to glance over her shoulder at Jack, with a smile that dimpled both of her cheeks, "I believe you, Jack. Besides, if you're wrong, I won't be showing up just to tell you I think you're a jerk." No, chances were pretty good that if Taylor was that ticked off, there would probably be reprecussions. Not likely verbal ones but reprecussions none the less.
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"You want to go to Paris for clothing shopping? I can't afford Paris! I don't even have franks to try and spend there!" Taylor pointed out, staring at his outstretched hand like he had lost his mind completely. "I was thinking the mall. Or maybe if we were going ritzy, the nice little shop down here in Riverside."
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Relieved to move off the subject of school, Taylor's mood restored itself quickly enough. While she was good with confined spaces (unless of course, those confined spaces happened to be on fire), it was nice to get out into the lobby, if quiet. At his statement, she quirked an eyebrow and gave him a mock-serious look, "Jack, if you're trying to raise my confidence level in all of this, bringing up an ex's low opinion of you is not how I would go about doing it. Even if you've improved since then, its still not the most reassuring tactic to take."
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Taylor watched him sort things. It wasn't too difficult to tell which pile was what by the grimaces on his face. She stole her bomber jacket at least and was left to perch on the edge of the bed, clutching that and her had and watching the adventurer tear through her wardrobe like a force of nature. Taylor said, waspishly even to her, "I know what a bra is for, Ace. What, exactly, are you suggesting?"
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"Okay!" Alex said cheerfully as Erin vanished. She selected a few hats, poking Mike when the hat she wanted was out of her reach. She was playing with the idea of seeing if they could transfer the funds from her card's too Erin's as she shopped idly. Poking Mike again, she pointed out the water bottles, "We should buy a couple of those. It's hot out today. D'you have space in your pockets?"
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Her mouth worked soundlessly for a few moments before she glared at him in the sort of way that made it clear that she was considering putting Ace through a wall, security deposit be damned. It was true that she'd struggled to find something to wear the other day. She had needed to go buy a few new things. Taylor couldn't argue that Ace was always well dressed, so the only harm in taking advice would be to her currently bruised and battered ego. "Evening wear? I have no idea. Can you put that down?" Taylor broke off to plead as she realized he'd moved from the outer clothes to more unmentionables, "That's my bra!"
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Taylor smiled reluctantly, finally looking back up at him, "Probably. It's just... This is going to sound dumb, but I really want to get my degree without having to resort to that. Before all of this, she gestured up at the amulet around her throat, "I was an honor student. Top of the class. I guess it's my line in the sand. I just want this one piece of my life before Phantom." She laughed a little self conciously, "It probably sounds totally rediculous. I'd rather flunk out of college then bend the rules."
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"You know, I've heard that speech before. The last time, I spent thirty years in prison for my troubles. Tempting, but no. After all, I've already caught up on my reading," Bombshell replied wryly, dismissing the Scarab's claims of being the same individual with an airy wave on the other end. "Besides, what sort of good could 'a petty thief with delusions of grandeur, an overinflated sense of nationalism, and a rather unorthodox view concerning property rights' manage to accomplish anyways?" "As much fun as our little chat has been, I'm afraid I'm running out of minutes, and I did have something I wanted to say before the phone goes dead: good luck, darling. You're going to need it."
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Taylor answered the door, having just returned from class, to stare blankly at the one and only Ace Danger on her door step. She was dressed, as usual, in jeans and a white t-shirt. She hadn't even had time to remove the battered hat from her hair. She had just enough sense to feel vaguely affronted at the look of horror on his face before she quickly moved aside to let him rush past her. The closet was easy to find in her small and spartan apartment. Apparently all she had within was the afore-mentioned pant-suit thing, several more iterations of the jeans and t-shirt look, a very battered bomber jacket and several dresses that were the flowey one-piece affairs suitable to wear to church or to visit her family. She shut the door behind him and caught up to Ace as he was poking at her clothing, "Ah, Ace? There's nothing in my closet but clothes. Why are you here, anyways?"
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She followed along eagerly and it was clear that this was the first time she'd worked with another psychic. It wasn't that she was projecting her memories at Scarab, it was more that she was entirely open. It wasn't out of a lack of understanding on how to sheild her mind, rather that she was so very, very honest. The headmaster had sent her to learn from one of the greatest psychics of their time, and she absorbed the knowledge like a sponge. Asking only as many questions as she needed to clarify the instructions, she listened more than she spoke. After a moment, she turned her attention once more to the rocks. It took her a few tries but her chin only firmed with determination as she focused on moving the rocks with all of her attention. Beneath the gentle girl, there was a core of steel. Alex never allowed the thought to enter her head that she couldn't move the rock pile. Finally, with a little shimmying, the rock cube lifted into the air. Only when it was firmly in place once more did Alex turning a beaming expression to the Scarab. I did it!
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It was Taylor's turn to jerk her chin away to keep from wincing. If Jack was touchy about the whole business thing, her classes weren't a much better subject. Having any sort of relationship was going to prove difficult if all they had to talk about was the super-hero gig. With that in mind, once she was certain her tone wouldn't betray her, Taylor spoke up with a forced lightness to her tone, "That's the plan, unless I get asked to leave sooner." She shrugged, a small lift of her shoulders that didn't look carefree at all. The bang that kept slipping free from her clip slipped loose once more but this time she didn't bother to push it back. Her tone was very quiet in the elevator, "If I don't pass the summer credits I picked up, I'm looking at academic probation. Too many missed classes with not enough good excuses."
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"Well, your pedantic views on the law and all its wonders are certainly in line with your predecessors," Bombshell drawled through the connection before her tone sharpened, "As for prison, you have no understanding what-so-ever of the circumstances surrounding it. Everything is so black and white for you. To you, I'm simply a petty thief with delusions of grandeur. Fine. If you intend to live up to the legacy you claim to be worthy of, it should be a piece of cake to sweep up one more low-life." Her tone became business like, "The vase was personal. I wasn't counting it against you and despite the rather brutish man that tried to interfere, I still won't."
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Alex looked at Erin, her expressive face obviously torn between telling the truth and being polite. Finally she pronounced, "I don't think even I'd wear those. Do they have any solid colors?" She glanced over, digging through the bins to try and find something that didn't look like the American flag had been sick all over them. Alex was briefly diverted by red ones that had sparkly blue-and white stars coming off the temples of the glasses. It was clear on her face that she was at least considering them. Forcing herself to focus, Alex put the glasses aside and sent privately to Erin, the thoughts popping into her thoughts, You should use my card too. I'm just gonna get snacks and go on rides. Well, and buy a hat. All the prepaid money on my card's gonna just go to waste and they don't refund it.
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The voice on the end was a touch breathless from her recent encounter. When she spoke, it was not unfamiliar. The cadence was upper-class British by way of a husky lounge-singer's drawl. It was a rather singular accent. Distinctive. "Sneaky, you know. I wasn't expecting to encounter one of your little friends. Before you start looking, this is a track phone. When I hang up, its going in the trash. Just to get that out of the way. I do hope my reputation precedes me."
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Taylor slid her eyes away from him, proviing the illusion of privacy as he had the terse conversation on the phone. She wondered briefly what he did for a living that led to quite so many calls day or night it seemed. She dismissed the thought as she'd been used to growing up with her parents getting called at all hours. As curious as she might be about his day-to-day life, it would have been rude to pry further than she was invited. "I leave mine in the void and just check messages. Jackson knows I have it for emergencies and then the Knights. A few other contacts among the hero communities. I find its only worth the trouble as it gives me the possibility that Elena might call rather than just plugging directly into my brain," Taylor said dryly, turning back towards him as the phone clicked closed. Her gaze was still curious as she looked up at him but she only said, "You sound a little more vital to you work than that, however."
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Alex tilted her head up to laugh at Mike, one hand holding the hat from falling off as Erin had pointed out, "Don't be silly. Even if you were seven feet tall, there's lots of clearance. I looked it up. Not to mention that with the quality of steel and wood most of these are made out of, I'm relatively certain that your face would survive the impact better than the coaster would." It was a bit of a back-handed reassurance as those things went but Alex didn't seem to notice as she turned her attention back to Erin "Not in a few years. I think we went when we were ten last time. And you're right on the hat. I'd hate to lose it accidentally. Plus, cotton candy!"
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Alex caught up with Erin as all of the kids started breaking into smaller groups and pairs. She already had a map out of her pocket and was perusing it quickly. By the time she'd reached her taller roommate, Alex had the map memorized so she held it out to Erin, "What are we going on first? Or did you wanna hit the shops? I should probably pick up a hat. I swear I thought I brought one but if I did, I guess I left it on the bus." She frowned and glanced back over her shoulder towards the parking lot. Alex normally was much better organized but she hadn't wanted to lug a backpack back and forth accross the park. The hat was probably just the first of many things she'd forgotten to stuff in her pockets.
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8/9 - Gossamer Ink added
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8/9 - Several updates. Finals on: Picnic Illustration, Taylor, Zephyr, Fleur, Jack. Ace added to list.
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Taylor stood up and brushed her slacks off with a quick movement of her hands, making sure she hadn't accidentally taken any of the greenery with her. Once she was satisfied that everything that belonged with the plant was still with the plant, she smiled up at him, "You know, it's a nice night out. Why don't we take the long way back?" Not only was it good exercise, Taylor was happy for the excuse to spend a little more time rather than rush home. Besides, a trip through the void sounded like a much less pleasant end to the evening.
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"Honestly, you're pretty safe picking most things in Freedom City. Provided, of course, that they're inside the buildings. I'm pretty sure I've been on every rooftop at this point. I can honestly, however, say I've never been to a drive in. Not in this dimension or any other," Taylor said with an easy chuckle. She pushed back the stray bang that had managed to work its way out of the clip again and shook her head, "Of course I trust you, Jack."
