cause you gotta stay cool in the corner

[waiting]

WHO: Rick Bradbury & Diamond Lil
WHERE: A local shopping center.
WHEN: Sometime this weekend.
WHAT: Bradbury's in the market for hired muscle; Lil happens.
WARNINGS: Lil Crawley.

[ Bradbury's been turning Mitch's request over in his head. As far as security goes, a few names come to mind easily enough. After all, he doesn't have any other members of his security team left around the place, so Lil's a natural option.

He could have just asked over the phone, or dropped by Mitch's house -- he isn't sure if Mitch has already said anything -- but it seems like the kind of offer that's better brought up face to face. Which is why he's here, standing around awkwardly beside a fountain in the atrium of whatever mall he and Lil agreed to meet in.

He doesn't need to scan the crowd for her, since she's going to stand out no matter what she does anyway. This isn't normally the kind of place he hangs out in, since the merchandise is definitely outside his budget, even if it would be nice to get a new suit. ]

Comments

[glassbox]

[ It's hard to miss her when she arrives. The woman is at least a head taller than everyone else, plus the shameless high heels that mark her steps towards him with a steady click-clack, click-clack. Despite everything, she looks well enough -- a hint of dark circles under the eyes maybe, but she still smiles when she catches sight of him, waggling her fingers hello as she closes distance.

There's no hesitation when she leans in to embrace him briefly in greeting, giving him a little squeeze. ]

Hiya, Rick.

[waiting]

[ She seems a little tired -- her job keeping her up, maybe? He doesn't get much of a chance to think about it before she's in front of him, giving him a hug, and he relaxes almost imperceptibly.

Same old Lillian Crawley. They've both had friends they've seen come and go, in the time they've been here, but there's a reassurance in the casual contact, and he gives her a brief squeeze back before letting go. (At least she didn't go for the butt this time.) ]

Hey. [ The high heels means he has to tip his head up a big to meet her eyes. ] You look good. Came from work?

[glassbox]

Do I gotta be modelin' t'look good?

[ She counters quickly, but is clearly just giving him a hard time for the sake of teasing him. It's comforting at a time like this, to be able to joke around with someone who feels like an old friend. Her hands linger on him just a second after he lets go, rubbing fondly at his upper arms before she releases him. ]

It's good t'see you though. Everythin' alright with you, hon?

[waiting]

You know you always look good to me. [ It's automatic banter, easy and comfortable, though he feigns a wince of pain when she squeezes his arms. ]

Hey there, easy on the goods. I ain't as tough as you.

[ Or the other people he assumes she typically hangs out with. It's never been an issue -- he's always seen her as Lil more than he saw her as a superhero, though there have definitely been moments when that superhero experience has come in handy. He hasn't answered her question, though, and he huffs in soft amusement before glancing away. ]

Things are going fine. [ Maybe... too fine, even. He's getting complacent, or worried that he is, anyway. ] Haven't run into any mechanical sharks lately, anyway.

[glassbox]

[ Aw, sweet Rick. Sweet ordinary, normal Rick. She'd missed that about his company. The uncomplicated nature of their relationship is something she's always appreciated, and should have appreciated more, maybe. It's easy and comfortable, when she loops her arm loosely with his, leading him off so they can do some window shopping while they catch up. ]

You're plenty tough, hon. Bet y'could take a mechanical shark or two if y'had to.

[ She teases him mildly, patting him on the shoulder with her opposite hand. ]

So. Did y'jus' miss me, or did y'wanna talk about somethin'?

[waiting]

Felt more like it took me, honestly. [ His voice is dry. That was a mess and no mistake, that entire business; he feels a little stupid for how he'd tried to save people and ended up being saved himself, but maybe that's why he should let heroes do their jobs instead of trying to pretend he is one himself.

He lets Lil tuck her arm into his -- absently wonders if she did this sort of thing with Nelson, too. It's an easy image to superimpose. They always did get along like a house on fire... and he's so busy musing over memories that he almost misses her question. ]

Can't it be both? [ It's teasing, but she's right, after all: there is a matter he wants to bring up, and he clears his throat. ]

I'm sure you've noticed that when a lot of imPorts get together somewhere these days... it usually turns out ugly. Guess with more of us around, we make an easier target.

[glassbox]

[ The truth is, it's hard to say how much she's been paying attention. Of course, it's hard to miss the broad strokes -- imPorts getting messed up left and right, posts being made about it on the Network at all. Even if she's had her own problems to keep her busy, she has some idea of what he's talking about. ]

Could be, I guess.

[ She watches him, a little curious. ]

Y'gonna try t'do somethin' about it? 'Cause I'll be honest, hon, I ain't sure how I can help with keepin' folks outta trouble unless y'got some kinda plan.

[waiting]

[ Bradbury snorts at that, shaking his head. ]

I ain't the one with the plan. [ Holding her arm, he guides their steps smoothly around a group of giggling, chattering teenagers before he goes on. ]

Mitch says he's working on setting up a meeting for imPorts -- a town hall meeting, to talk about uh, the problems we've had. [ He shrugged, one-shouldered. ]

Anyway, I don't know if he'll actually manage to convince anyone to go, but he's asking me to work security, make sure people don't cause any trouble... and I thought you might be interested. [ He raised his brows at her. ] How about it? You up for it?

[glassbox]

[ Right. Mitch. Of course he'd be the one with the plan. After living with the guy all this time, she probably should have guessed that. In all the time they'd spent sharing space, she hardly remembers seeing the man do anything but work, work, and more work. It's really no surprise to hear that he's organizing a town hall meeting.

Her attention is half on Bradbury, half on the store windows that they pass by -- but she actually looks towards him when he asks her that question, giving him an eyebrow arched in curiosity. ]

What, for like old times' sake? [ She asks with a light, amused exhale. ] I guess if y'need a hand, I ain't gonna tell a friend "no." How hard can it be anyway, right?

[waiting]

Hey, don't jinx it. [ He shook his head, giving her a small smile before his expression shifted, becoming something more pensive -- thoughts directed inward ]

I'd feel better having someone I trust watching my back. [ He settled on, instead. ] Like you said -- for old times' sake.

[ That sounds a bit more ominous than he'd like. The past isn't quite so far back for some of them, and he has his own reservations about what Mitch intends to accomplish with this. Still, it's not as if he can just let him go off on his own. ]

[glassbox]

Well, y'know I got your back.

[ That answer comes easily, without any second thought. In her mind, it isn't something that needs any questioning. If Rick Bradbury wants her help, then he'll have it. And anyway, it's not as if he's asking to take her newborn. Working security at one meeting shouldn't be a problem -- and a nice change of pace, maybe, from all this supermodel business.

Lil gives a light shrug of her shoulders that makes her arm bump against his. ]

What're y'worried might happen, huh? More sharks?

[waiting]

Something like that.

[ He keeps his tone bland, non-committal -- then shakes his head ruefully. ]

Or, maybe I'm just getting as paranoid as Mitch is. [ He's too out of practice, even if security is his job. Guarding a bank just doesn't require the same skillset that bodyguarding does, and Bradbury's worried that if something does happen, he's not going to be able to move fast enough. Despite his reservations, he manages to collect himself enough to muster a weak grin for Lil.]

Thanks, though. I feel a little better just knowing you'll be there.

[glassbox]

[ She feels her age sometimes -- invulnerable or not, there's no stopping the process of getting older. Even being a mutant, with genes like hers, Lil isn't what she was twenty years ago. But her powers haven't faded, even if she's slightly slower and a bit more tired. Worse comes to worst, she'll make for a better human shield than most.

Either way, she doesn't seem much concerned about it. Instead, she pats him lightly on the arm again, as if she feels like he needs her reassurance. ]

It'll be fine, Rick. [ Then with a mild curiosity: ] Who else y'recruitin'? 'Cause I'm doubtin' it's jus' gonna be you an' me, right?

[waiting]

[ That gets a laugh out of him, and he shakes his head. ]

That's the thing. Most of the people I would've asked about it aren't around anymore. [ He shrugs. ] I'll ask John, maybe Ace, but besides that, I can't think of anyone off the top of my head. Guess I'm gonna have to go looking around and see who wants any work for an evening.

[ Please don't point out how sad it is that Bradbury's falling back on the talking dog do do security, Lil. ]