11-09-2013, 12:12 PM
Tony's smile at Claire's playful nature slipped only by an inch as she revealed her verdict.
Any hack would be able to make a reasonable guess at the piece of cloth's nature by simple logic and deduction, but as she looked into his eyes - her own neither mocking nor playful (at least compared to her earlier mood) - Tony could see the understanding.
It took him back more than a decade. Sifting through an empty room. A home scoured and devoid of anything human. The torn piece of cloth overlooked, fresh with the ever familiar scent.
"So it was,"
was all Tony could say, his smile turning sad and fond.
He did not feel the chill associated with a woman using the power, so it was not that. He had heard rumours of people like her among the underground information chain of misfits and outcasts, but nothing solid.
Whatever ability it was, it didn't use the power.
Still... He had spent the last decade and more around people like him and Claire acted like one who knew she could crush any assailant without lifting a finger.
Perhaps she was simply naive and arrogant, but Tony doubted that very much.
He pulled out his wallet and produced a dozen CCD notes and Dr. Oborev's card. "My thanks, Ms. Novak. For your services and the conversation."
He held up a hand before she had time to object, as most people did when given money like that. "Don't think I'm taking pity on you, whether you realise it or not, you have earned it."
That was not exactly true, he had only suppositions and circumstance to go on, but he felt he had been too bold already.
After the money, he handed her the card. "I'm afraid I can't offer you any work, but your talents are particularly intriguing. If you find yourself in need, use this. Dr. Oborev is a reliable man. Tell him you are an acquaintance of Tony."
It was an incredibly vague statement, but Claire was an intelligent woman, and if anything arose, he was sure she would understand his meaning. If she had nothing to do with recent events, then it would likely be dismissed as a man trying to impress an attractive woman.
Tony held out his hand, his smile widening to consolidate the impression. It was not entirely feigned either, she was an intriguing woman, after all. "May I escort you home?"
Any hack would be able to make a reasonable guess at the piece of cloth's nature by simple logic and deduction, but as she looked into his eyes - her own neither mocking nor playful (at least compared to her earlier mood) - Tony could see the understanding.
It took him back more than a decade. Sifting through an empty room. A home scoured and devoid of anything human. The torn piece of cloth overlooked, fresh with the ever familiar scent.
"So it was,"
was all Tony could say, his smile turning sad and fond.
He did not feel the chill associated with a woman using the power, so it was not that. He had heard rumours of people like her among the underground information chain of misfits and outcasts, but nothing solid.
Whatever ability it was, it didn't use the power.
Still... He had spent the last decade and more around people like him and Claire acted like one who knew she could crush any assailant without lifting a finger.
Perhaps she was simply naive and arrogant, but Tony doubted that very much.
He pulled out his wallet and produced a dozen CCD notes and Dr. Oborev's card. "My thanks, Ms. Novak. For your services and the conversation."
He held up a hand before she had time to object, as most people did when given money like that. "Don't think I'm taking pity on you, whether you realise it or not, you have earned it."
That was not exactly true, he had only suppositions and circumstance to go on, but he felt he had been too bold already.
After the money, he handed her the card. "I'm afraid I can't offer you any work, but your talents are particularly intriguing. If you find yourself in need, use this. Dr. Oborev is a reliable man. Tell him you are an acquaintance of Tony."
It was an incredibly vague statement, but Claire was an intelligent woman, and if anything arose, he was sure she would understand his meaning. If she had nothing to do with recent events, then it would likely be dismissed as a man trying to impress an attractive woman.
Tony held out his hand, his smile widening to consolidate the impression. It was not entirely feigned either, she was an intriguing woman, after all. "May I escort you home?"