[Or they would, if he had...more friends... Anyway, don't worry, Veronica. If he wasn't interested in playing along he wouldn't bother getting in touch.] Forcing my hand would take a little more doing than that. Just maybe give me a head's up before handing out referrals.
[Lucina. That said he doesn't...actually mind walking Veronica through the basics, as long as she's not jerking him around about it. Better she has an ace in the hole than she doesn't, given her noncombatant background and the likely nature of their continued work. (He's read the files.) But y'know, he's not running a summer camp, here. So—]
If you're serious, I think I could spare the ammunition.
Contrary to the belief of a surprisingly large number of people here, I'm serious.
[The responses to her little job posting had been rather varied, but one thing was clear: none of them seemed to understand why she required protection. Or help, for that matter.]
I'll make one thing clear, though. I've only fired off a gun once in my life, and it was to break up a gang fight. Long story. I don't want this to be my first answer to conflict, but Lucina's right. I could use something on hand.
[And Veronica can't see herself wielding a sword. It still seems so ... silly and Game of Thrones to her.]
[Could be the whole multiverse recruitment bent was just biased to the sword-and-sorcery types, who knows. Firearms were a pretty surprising minority around ALASTAIR, for a while. Maybe they still are, he's still getting used to the shift in demographic.]
Glad to hear we're on the same page. I wouldn't want to waste either of our time.
[...but her attitude toward the whole thing sits better with him that he'd anticipated, actually. She's not stupid.]
Lucina's a smart girl. Better to have a backup than not. Nice as it is to count on the knight in shining armor to save you, it's not always going to come through.
[Speaking from experience, maybe. Either way, to continue with keeping things on the level—]
I can lend out for lessons, but I can't necessarily promise you a piece of your own.
People only end their weapon-training montages with a brand new weapon of honor in Tarantino movies. Aren't we on a warship? I think I'll be able to handle that part myself. I'm resourceful.
[It may not be a warship. It seems like a warship turned into a space shopping mall on one level. The point is: there's probably weapons around.]
I guess I should make it clear who I am. I'm sure Lucina mentioned it, but I'm Veronica. Last name Lodge. [Like the username.] I don't think our upcoming mission is full of promise for training sessions, but I wouldn't mind one before we hit the road. (So to speak. We teleport there or something, right?
[How many movies was he too dead to make jokes about, eternal comics timeline questions that I'm too tired to ponder. Anyway, shopping, activity rewards. Same thing. Still: deal.]
Or something. Hope you don't get motion sick.
[That first interdimensional jump or two can be a kicker.]
Don't worry, I looked you up. [But all's fair, if she wants to return the favor—] Jason Todd. I'll be in the range, if you want to try your luck before we go.
[Gotta get that practice time in before it's all swords and sorcery again.]
[Metaphorically. The range, when she gets around to tracking it down, manages to be largely empty. Partly because firearms are so unpopular around here in the first place. But mostly because most people are using the break between missions to get some R&R before shipping out for a while.
And then there's this guy. Who looks up from piecing together a pistol at a tabletop to arch his eyebrows up at Veronica when he hears her come in. Well, what d'you know. Look who's a girl of her word.]
Wow. For an entirely different reason. [Veronica pauses midstep to take in this beautiful comic book specimen. Nice jawline, seven out of ten on the hair (that can be worked on), and ... the rest. Oh, and he's not old like Kevin's father is old, so she doesn't have to feel as weird about observing him in his natural territory.
And that is what this is, isn't it?
She picks up her walk, striding over with purpose. To say Veronica didn't come prepared to shoot a gun is an understatement—at least, if someone is judging. She has on a typical outfit, complete with heels. If she's going to do this, she's going to do it the way she'd always be. For now, she's insistent on sticking to her style choices. That's important to her.]
Consider me punctual. And very annoyed by all the really unnecessary reminders that I am ill-prepared for this step in my life. If I have to define a bodyguard one more time ... [She rolls her eyes and then flashes him an easy smile. A flirtatious smile. Because of course.]
[I'm physically pained by the phrase "beautiful comic book specimen" being used in his direction. That's fair, though. Right up to the part where he probably needed a real haircut ages ago.
He'll give her a quick once-over in return. About what he'd been expecting from his conversation with Lucina and her file on the network. Pretty, put together. (The heels stand a raise of the eyebrows but. Well, people operate in heels in comics all the time, which is terrible.) He does, however, happen to catch her drift and crack a crooked grin in response. Don't encourage him, Veronica, he's obnoxious enough on his own.
Pushing himself up away from the table, he spreads his hands out in front of him in a way that says "what can you do."]
People here are pretty quick to tell you how you ought to be doing things. [He deals with it by ignoring it, mostly. Not to mention not bothering to ask for opinions in the first place. But—] Here I thought we were aiming for something a little more self sufficient.
Ah, I see Lucina left out some critical information. [There's a hint of fondness to Veronica's voice. As stuffy as Lucina is, she reminds her so much of Betty that she can't help but like her. The fact that she's a princess and a certified badass helps. They're just factors that she's never really found anywhere before. Which, well, not surprising. She grew up in New York City, not a fantasy novel.]
You're a part of a package deal I made with her. Don't worry, all you're meant to do is ensure that I know how to burst in guns blazing. [Veronica will never be bursting in with any guns blazing.] And until I'm ready, Lucina will be watching my back. It's a fair trade, and one that takes into consideration that training takes time.
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no subject
[Or they would, if he had...more friends... Anyway, don't worry, Veronica. If he wasn't interested in playing along he wouldn't bother getting in touch.] Forcing my hand would take a little more doing than that. Just maybe give me a head's up before handing out referrals.
[Lucina. That said he doesn't...actually mind walking Veronica through the basics, as long as she's not jerking him around about it. Better she has an ace in the hole than she doesn't, given her noncombatant background and the likely nature of their continued work. (He's read the files.) But y'know, he's not running a summer camp, here. So—]
If you're serious, I think I could spare the ammunition.
[But he's not here to convince her, either.]
no subject
[The responses to her little job posting had been rather varied, but one thing was clear: none of them seemed to understand why she required protection. Or help, for that matter.]
I'll make one thing clear, though. I've only fired off a gun once in my life, and it was to break up a gang fight. Long story. I don't want this to be my first answer to conflict, but Lucina's right. I could use something on hand.
[And Veronica can't see herself wielding a sword. It still seems so ... silly and Game of Thrones to her.]
no subject
Glad to hear we're on the same page. I wouldn't want to waste either of our time.
[...but her attitude toward the whole thing sits better with him that he'd anticipated, actually. She's not stupid.]
Lucina's a smart girl. Better to have a backup than not. Nice as it is to count on the knight in shining armor to save you, it's not always going to come through.
[Speaking from experience, maybe. Either way, to continue with keeping things on the level—]
I can lend out for lessons, but I can't necessarily promise you a piece of your own.
[Necessarily.]
no subject
[It may not be a warship. It seems like a warship turned into a space shopping mall on one level. The point is: there's probably weapons around.]
I guess I should make it clear who I am. I'm sure Lucina mentioned it, but I'm Veronica. Last name Lodge. [Like the username.] I don't think our upcoming mission is full of promise for training sessions, but I wouldn't mind one before we hit the road. (So to speak. We teleport there or something, right?
no subject
Or something. Hope you don't get motion sick.
[That first interdimensional jump or two can be a kicker.]
Don't worry, I looked you up. [But all's fair, if she wants to return the favor—] Jason Todd. I'll be in the range, if you want to try your luck before we go.
[Gotta get that practice time in before it's all swords and sorcery again.]
no subject
[Veronica would be mortified to show up to only get sick. How embarrassing.
(So, it may happen, but she will try to hide it.)]
I'll see you in the range. Soon, even.
&action.
[Metaphorically. The range, when she gets around to tracking it down, manages to be largely empty. Partly because firearms are so unpopular around here in the first place. But mostly because most people are using the break between missions to get some R&R before shipping out for a while.
And then there's this guy. Who looks up from piecing together a pistol at a tabletop to arch his eyebrows up at Veronica when he hears her come in. Well, what d'you know. Look who's a girl of her word.]
Wow. You weren't kidding.
[Hi.]
no subject
And that is what this is, isn't it?
She picks up her walk, striding over with purpose. To say Veronica didn't come prepared to shoot a gun is an understatement—at least, if someone is judging. She has on a typical outfit, complete with heels. If she's going to do this, she's going to do it the way she'd always be. For now, she's insistent on sticking to her style choices. That's important to her.]
Consider me punctual. And very annoyed by all the really unnecessary reminders that I am ill-prepared for this step in my life. If I have to define a bodyguard one more time ... [She rolls her eyes and then flashes him an easy smile. A flirtatious smile. Because of course.]
no subject
He'll give her a quick once-over in return. About what he'd been expecting from his conversation with Lucina and her file on the network. Pretty, put together. (The heels stand a raise of the eyebrows but. Well, people operate in heels in comics all the time, which is terrible.) He does, however, happen to catch her drift and crack a crooked grin in response. Don't encourage him, Veronica, he's obnoxious enough on his own.
Pushing himself up away from the table, he spreads his hands out in front of him in a way that says "what can you do."]
People here are pretty quick to tell you how you ought to be doing things. [He deals with it by ignoring it, mostly. Not to mention not bothering to ask for opinions in the first place. But—] Here I thought we were aiming for something a little more self sufficient.
[He didn't sign up for bodyguarding, either.]
no subject
You're a part of a package deal I made with her. Don't worry, all you're meant to do is ensure that I know how to burst in guns blazing. [Veronica will never be bursting in with any guns blazing.] And until I'm ready, Lucina will be watching my back. It's a fair trade, and one that takes into consideration that training takes time.