[Puff puff. Damn the thing's down to the filter already. He tosses the cigarette only to start up another. That's why Freddy's a smoker. He doesn't talk again until after the click of his lighter.]
Me and the big guy, we got a couple rules. You're a cool guy so we can close that book and be friends or you know...
[You sound so dumb, Newendyke, what are you trying to say.]
[Of course. Elijah takes a second to think on it, then sighs.]
Listen, son. I like you. You're a good kid. And if that's what pleases you, then I'd like to keep carryin' on like this.
[He doesn't use the word "friend" because it's not a word he likes to use lightly. It's not a word he particularly uses often, either, but that's beside the point.]
But if we are gonna keep on carryin' on, then I got one stipulation.
[His posture slips right back into being loose and a relaxed, similarly relieved. Orange doesn't have a clue as to the truth of why Elijah would want to sweep it aside like that. As far as he knows it's because the man has his own man in his homeworld and there's some fidelity to keep in tact.]
It's good cause you know that thing on you it kinda looks like it could blow sky high and me and the old man don't need that.
[Shameless needling disguised as stupid kid inquiry.]
[He can guess what Orange means by "that thing on you", and there's a slight frown on his face because of it. He still doesn't like the fact that his grimoire was on clear display like that, even if only to people who had no idea just what it meant.]
Believe me, son, there ain't no chance of that happenin' anytime soon.
['Soon' he mouths because that implies it can happen but Elijah's already giving off bristling signals so Orange backs off on the notion. Puff puff. Second cigarette already halfway down.]
[Elijah glances around again, moving a hand from his pocket to scratch just behind his ear.]
Even if it did, it sure as hell wouldn't be caused by what you two were doin'. [Already breaking one of his own rules, even if only tangentially. But he figures it doesn't really matter in this case.]
[He quips, obviously joking. The rule breaking doesn't escape his notice either but if it's another sign of being more relaxed around him then he's not gonna remind Elijah about his stipulation.]
[He can tell the kid's only joking, but he's not exactly laughing in response.]
That "thing" you're talkin' about is just as much a part of me as anything else. It feels an' reacts to things just like the rest of me does, 'specially when my mind's all in a fuss.
[Tequila Farina's is a classy establishment with cactus decor and a sign that reads Tequila Farina's Spicy Cantina in Spanish but sweat not, Spanish is not a requirement for communication. The patio is his choice of seating because that's where Freddy can smoke in peace. Hey wouldn't Elijah also experience the culture shock of an anti-smoking world? Look the serving girl's got a short hemline and cowboy boots, all that leg going to waste where Freddy Newendyke is concerned.]
[The same goes for Elijah, as well. That point concerning Spanish is good as well, considering he only has passing experience with the language...or most languages of Europe, for that matter, with German and French being the only ones he can communicate with, even in only the slightest capacity.]
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Been doin' just fine. [That's a safe enough answer.] You?
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[Puff puff. Damn the thing's down to the filter already. He tosses the cigarette only to start up another. That's why Freddy's a smoker. He doesn't talk again until after the click of his lighter.]
Me and the big guy, we got a couple rules. You're a cool guy so we can close that book and be friends or you know...
[You sound so dumb, Newendyke, what are you trying to say.]
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Well, if he can't figure it out himself, he'll just have to ask. In the meantime:] Or...?
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[His big guy. Orange shoves his free hand into his pocket because the other has an opportunity to fidget with his cigarette.]
Or I don't call you up anymore and forget I know you.
[He doesn't really prefer this option.]
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Listen, son. I like you. You're a good kid. And if that's what pleases you, then I'd like to keep carryin' on like this.
[He doesn't use the word "friend" because it's not a word he likes to use lightly. It's not a word he particularly uses often, either, but that's beside the point.]
But if we are gonna keep on carryin' on, then I got one stipulation.
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Yeah?
[He's not sure what to expect to hear but Elijah's been a cool upstanding guy so far.]
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We don't talk about it. [Simple enough.] We don't mention it. And above all, we don't even think about me carryin' on like that again.
Am I understood, son?
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Okay. I got it.
[Sounds like option number one after all.]
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[Elijah sticks his own hands in his pockets. For some reason, he wasn't expecting this to go so easily.]
Is that all you wanted?
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[His posture slips right back into being loose and a relaxed, similarly relieved. Orange doesn't have a clue as to the truth of why Elijah would want to sweep it aside like that. As far as he knows it's because the man has his own man in his homeworld and there's some fidelity to keep in tact.]
It's good cause you know that thing on you it kinda looks like it could blow sky high and me and the old man don't need that.
[Shameless needling disguised as stupid kid inquiry.]
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Believe me, son, there ain't no chance of that happenin' anytime soon.
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Okay okay. Just askin'.
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Even if it did, it sure as hell wouldn't be caused by what you two were doin'. [Already breaking one of his own rules, even if only tangentially. But he figures it doesn't really matter in this case.]
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[He quips, obviously joking. The rule breaking doesn't escape his notice either but if it's another sign of being more relaxed around him then he's not gonna remind Elijah about his stipulation.]
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That "thing" you're talkin' about is just as much a part of me as anything else. It feels an' reacts to things just like the rest of me does, 'specially when my mind's all in a fuss.
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[Okay so much for taking the comedian route. He smokes down the last of his cigarette before putting it out.]
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He coughs, somewhat awkwardly, and sticks his hand back in his pocket.] So, uh... You want to get a drink or somethin'?
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Sure. I got time for a drink.
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You know a good place?
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Tequila Farina's. Trust me on this one, it sounds like a joke but it ain't.
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Well, I'll take your word for it.
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[Just like he trusted their invitation at the spring. Yep.]
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Lead on.
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Fancy place.