June 2012: Badlands of South Dakota; Ted's Diner

[damncompass]

Travelling is hell, especially when you're half-moving anyway. Joshua had decided that he was going to take some books and the Artifact to the B&B, to just have a few less things things to take when he actually moved a week later.

Flights were late, Customs was eying Joshua's papers like they were in Greek, and the closer they got to South Dakota, the more unsettled Helena was. So, when they got to the airport finally, Joshua decided to fuck it, and get the flashiest car that the Hertz place rented: a red convertible something-or-other that suited Joshua's mood just fine. However, to his vast embarrassment, he'd almost forgotten how to drive in the fifteen years that he didn't actually need to. He was able to get the car in gear and going, with a minimum of offers to drive from his Victorian now-girlfriend.

Driving into the address that he'd been e-mailed a couple days ago (how they got his e-mail, he wasn't actually going to ask at this point), he parked (very poorly) and looked around, wondering where the shit everyone else parked, as the lot was mostly empty.

Comments

[k39zzz]

"Oh, great, now there's two of them," someone says.

Jane smirks. "Yes, some of us watch movies. And some of us had teenage sons when that one came out."
(Naturally, it was one of Pete's favorites.)

[damncompass]

"Yes, and some of us were almost teenagers when the movie came out." Joshua's smirking. "There's nothing wrong with a good movie reference." Or fifteen.

[k39zzz]

"It gave Pete ideas. Caught him trying to lick his palms clammy one morning."
She made him wash his hands and go to school.

"Well. I'm not hearing anything useful."

[damncompass]

Joshua just snortlaughs, then calms himself down. "I'm not either, so does that mean the matter's closed now?"

[k39zzz]

"I think it does. Guess that means we're not bronzing anyone today."

...So one of Theodora's cohorts moves on to the question of turning Helena loose from the Warehouse. It's everything Jane can do not to facepalm.

[damncompass]

Joshua jumps in before any discussion can even start. "Actually we can't."

[firstprotector]

"Grounds, Mr. Donovan?" He has been sitting back and watching the entire situation unfold. Regent Lattimer and Regent Donovan seem to have the situation well in hand, so he hasn't had to say anything thus far. He only wishes he had some popcorn.

[damncompass]

"Simple." Joshua sits up, ticking things off on his fingers. "First, is it not true that when someone becomes Bronzed they become an Artifact?" There are a few grumbles. "Second, is it not true that there is no way to de-Artifact an Artifact?" A few more grumbles as people realize where he's going with this. "Lastly, it is our Prime Directive, is it not, to protect and preserve Artifacts? Thus, we cannot let Agent Wells go. Besides, it would be absolutely idiotic to let her talents and first-hand knowledge of Warehouse 12 go to waste."

[k39zzz]

Well, there are two Star Trek captains at this meeting. Of course Prime Directives would come into it.

"Not to mention, I imagine it would take more than a year and a half to adjust to all the changes the world's been through in the last century. We're better equipped to help her with that than anyone else."
Jane wouldn't have applied the Artifact line of reasoning, but she likes it.

[damncompass]

"Oh, at least. I'm still adjusting to twelve years out of time." Joshua crosses his arms, almost daring someone to question him. "So, I'm thinking that there can't be much argument against that."

[timelessinventor]

She's been trying to keep her emotions under control, and her face neutral, but at Joshua's line of reasoning, she breaks into a huge grin, finally relaxing her grip on Joshua's note. Under her breath, she mutters. "Oh, it'll take me quite a while to completely adjust." And she's hoping that Joshua will be around for it.

[k39zzz]

"No, I'd think not. I hope we're done with Agent Wells' merits now?"

[damncompass]

Many of the other Regents shift uncomfortably in their booths. They know that Joshua and Mrs. Lattimer are right, but they're not used to being so masterfully put down.

"Well, you keep an eye on her, then." Someone speaks up.

"I will, then." Joshua smiles, probably a bit smugly. "I would never ask anyone to put up with something I am not willing to do myself."

[k39zzz]

"And it's not as though he won't be there to keep an eye on her anyway."

Theodora looks up from her notepad. "He's what?"

Jane sighs. "Theodora, did you miss the part of our last meeting where we discussed the fact that Joshua was interested in researching Artifacts, and that it would be safer if he did so in a contained environment where someone can help him if something goes wrong?"

[damncompass]

Joshua rolls his eyes and mutters under his breath. "Oh, I'm sure that Claudia's just waiting for the moment when that happens to give me a goo bath."

[k39zzz]

"And I'm sure she'll relish that moment when it comes."

[damncompass]

"Oh, she certainly will."

The conversation moves on to other topics, other things. Joshua falls silent again, finishing his food and one of the two slices of pie.

[k39zzz]

After a while, the topic of having more agents at the Warehouse comes up.

"Actually, that would be a great idea," Jane says. "At the moment, we have two full agents, one junior agent, one full agent who's mostly a century out of practice, and one consultant."
Nnnnnot so much enough to do an effective job, that.

[damncompass]

"Even though I'm sure My, er, Agent Bering will be back, I think another agent or two would definitely not be amiss." Joshua looks up from his pie.

[k39zzz]

"Agent Bering will likely choose to return. But we can't push her for that all of four days after she left."
Jane would know nothing at all about that feeling, what are you talking about.

[damncompass]

"Well, I wasn't saying push her. I'm just saying that I'm pretty sure she'll be back."

[k39zzz]

Jane nods. "I know. I was just pointing it out for the record."
And for the people (because there are surely a few of them there) who would argue they should wait on Myka. They don't have that kind of time.

[damncompass]

Joshua nods, going back to examining his pie.

Everyone was right. It's pretty damn good pie, but he's not sure if it's worth the glares that come with it.

[k39zzz]

Eventually, the meeting concludes.

"Well. That was fun."

[damncompass]

"That was, actually." Joshua cracks a smile, turning to catch Helena's eye, who exits the diner before anyone can talk to her.

"Are meetings usually this... energetic?"