Do I look crazy to you?

Veronica Morrow. Formally, Nexus calls me a Post-Mortem Interrogator. But really, all I do is talk to dead people.

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

Or you could just call me Reese like the rest. D’you have a thing for making people uncomfortable using names they don’t care for or something? You’re the only one who’d call me Emrys, so that’d give you away. He stopped playing to wriggle his fingers against the ache starting to spread through them, eyebrows raised as he looked up at her properly. I did the musical theater nonsense once, lived on scraps and worked myself half to death. Which is fine ‘till you can’t do it anymore. Better off using a talent no one else’s got to pay my bills now, musical pretty boys are under every bloody floorboard, practically. Being a medium pays better too.

[hauntingveronica]

[The rest, right. Roni thought, outwardly chuckling. I wonder what I didn to make him think I'd identify with the rest.] I have the habit of using names I can actually associate with the person so I can remember them, Emrys. You seem more like the mystery magic man rather than a peanut butter cup. Not really a fan of theatre. I never know what's going on. [She perked up when he mentioned that he was a medium.] You're kidding. You're a medium?

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

Suppose that’s your business, but I’m Reese to practically everybody else that isn’t family. Don’t answer as quickly to anything but Reese unless it’s a client or something either. He snorts and shakes his head, picking out a new chord for another song midway through the one he had been playing. Everyone’s got things they’re good at though, it’s not just me. I’m hoping the next thing you’ll be saying isn’t ‘you should do this for a living’ because I’ve heard that half a hundred times over by now. Been there, done that, didn’t get a bloody t-shirt for my trouble.

[hauntingveronica]

You'll have to react more slowly to me then. [She shrugged. It wasn't likely that she'd meet this man again. But if she did, she didn't mind a slow reaction from him.] But some people are just good at one thing, though. [She was referring to herself, mostly. But she needn't point that out.] I wouldn't bother to tell you to make a living out of this, though. You've obviously no intention after you denied the money I wanted to you-- I wouldn't waste more energy on trying to convince you to pursue a career.

[racheldvncan]

Tatiana Maslany as Cosima Niehaus behind the scenes of Orphan Black season 3.

[mini-marcus-blog]

[At the next stoplight, Leo turned his head over his shoulder to see if they were followed or not. He couldn’t see any faces too clearly through car windows but for now, they felt safe enough.] Have you ever heard about hanging out with the wrong crowd? God, that was such a close call. You’re welcome and all but it was all just pure luck I was around.

[hauntingveronica]

I don't think we were followed. He was alone, the dumb turd. [There was a small smirk of amusement on her lips as she noticed him looking around at the next stop.] Oh shush. You sound like my mother. [Her smirk had disappeared when he'd told her that she was hanging with the wrong crowd.] The wrong crowd just so happens to have a lot of useful information.

[mini-marcus-blog]

[Leo flinched as he heard the impact between Roni’s fist and the man’s jaw. That girl had some swing. His bike dipped slightly under the weight of a new passenger. His hand pulled back on the handle as soon as she instructed him to take off. The engine roared and the two of them propelled straight ahead, gaining more and more distance from the creep with the taser.] So, uh. That your boyfriend? You guys are just having some lovers’ quarrel, right? 

[hauntingveronica]

What? No. [She frowned at Leo-- and if he wasn't driving she would've actually shoved him. ] If you really need to know, a friend of mine is hiding and that guy was looking for him. Something about a large debt. I refused to say anything and he pulled out his frickin' tazer. [Roni drew a long breath and sighed, trying to cool her head off.] Thanks-- by the way. I would've been dead meat if you hadn't showed up.  

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

My brother Ianto calls me Em, but the rest always go full name on me. Dunno why, but there you are. All my American friends call me Reese though, you don’t have to go calling me Emrys if you don’t want. Veronica? Nice to meet you then, I’ve never met a Veronica before. He shrugs slightly, smiling at the compliment. Mostly. Mum and dad couldn’t afford the lessons by then anyways, so I was borrowing sheet music from the music teacher at school and teaching myself as best I could. It was easier to do that with the piano, at least I got to use one of the decent ones so long as I played for the choir a couple of times a week.

[hauntingveronica]

But I do want to call you Emrys. You don't really strike me as a Reese.  [She quirked her lip and tilted her head to the side at him as if she was considering the matter seriously.] Nah-- I'm definitely sticking with Emrys. You seem like a man with multiple talents. Just stacking impressive things.

[awalkthroughthestorm-blog]

          “First thing: you have to find a firm stance. One foot in front of the other; your body should be facing the target sideways.” Says Caleb, giving her some space for her to assume a stance. “Next you hook the end of the arrow to the string, and then you draw the arrow back— but don’t just draw it. Use your body to help you draw the arrow by twisting your torso.” Caleb observes her muscles and how they would react to the string’s pressure. “Last steps: you aim while holding the end of the arrow close to your cheek, you aim with both eyes, and you fire.” Caleb takes digs for more information he might have to tell her, and there was. He remembered one of the most important details. “Take note: when you’re firing an arrow, flick your hand back and down as you let go to make things smoother.”

[hauntingveronica]

"Firm stance," she echoes as she does what is asked of her. It feels kind of weird that she was following someone's orders-- but since she wanted to learn this so badly, she obliged. "Hook arrow, draw back," she muttered to herself as she notched the arrow. She twists her torso, drawing the string back. She takes even breaths as she listens to each word. Before of course he added the tip. "Wait-- what? Flick back and down--" she looks at her wrist and flicks it in different directions, trying to figure out what back and down actually meant.

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

It’s a face, I suppose, and it’s mine. Don’t have much to say about it. He shrugs, absentmindedly plucking out a few notes of another song while they’re talking. Emrys would work well enough. Or Reese if you’re not up for wrapping your tongue about the Welsh. I taught myself, mostly. Mum bought me a guitar when I was sixteen, but I’d been stealing my brother’s before that and borrowing his lesson books. I play better than him now anyways.

[hauntingveronica]

Emrys... I had a classmate in high school. She was top of every class. I doubt she'd remember me though. I was barely ever around. [She shrugged.] Everyone called her Em. You don't seem like an Em, though. I think I'll just stick with calling you Emrys. My name's Veronica, by the way. Oh wow. [She nodded in approval.] Even more impressive. Self-learned, huh?

[awalkthroughthestorm-blog]

          A smirk forms on his face after seeing the girl’s reaction. He crosses his arms and glances at the floor— at nothing in particular, just the tiles. “Yeah, a recurve bow is lighter, but the issue is, it’s fucking hard to shoot straight with it when you have little to no experience. The compound has more precision for beginners because you have to rely on instinct with the recurve bow.

          Caleb approaches Veronica. He eyes the bows for a good couple of seconds, ten— maybe 20 before he takes one and holds it as he draws the string back. “Give this one a try.” He proceeds to hold it in front of her, insisting that she takes a compound.

[hauntingveronica]

[Veronica raises her brow at him when he hands her the compound bow. It has always been a struggle for her to respect people of authority. But she considered his suggestion carefully as she eyed both of the bows.] Well, I guess you're the expert here.[She returns the recurve bow back to its place and takes the compound bow in Caleb's hand. She tried not to soon too excited] So what do I do first, coach?

[mini-marcus-blog]

[Leo walked down the street in search of his motorcycle. The bar was too packed for his liking so he decided to dip out early. He took a sharp turn around a corner when he thought he heard a familiar voice. The glow of the tazer stood in contrast against the darkness.]

Roni? Is that you?

[hauntingveronica]

[She had recognized the voice the moment he spoke up. She didn't even need to look to know that it was her old friend.] Leo. [The way she said his name sounded urgent. It was enough for the thug who was holding out the weapon to turn toward Leo at the moment's thought that he posed a threat. Veronica took the split second to slip a brass knuckle into her fingers, socking the man on the jaw the moment he turned back to her. ] Not exactly my definition of discussing things like adults but, good enough. [The man was still struggling to stand up, clutching onto his jaw, when Roni practically flew to Leo's direction. ] Start up! [She prompted Leo. She'd be dead if the thug caught up with her. ]

[gemmamarston-deactivated2015052]

Do you? I’m sure they’re just thrilled that you enjoy scaring them shitless on dark streets. Wonderfully friendly behavior. She flicks the switch on the Taser to turn it off, but she doesn’t put it away as she folds her arms in front of her chest, eyebrows raised and lips curved into a frown. Yes, clearly. With all the muggings and the attacks on post-humans out here, that honestly seems like the worst excuse for fun that I’ve ever heard. Do you get threatened often when you pull stunts like this?

[hauntingveronica]

They're not "scared shitless." Most of the time, at least. Most've them are just glad to see me. It's like I come as a pleasant surprise.  [She grinned.] Stunts like this? The most I get is a friendly punch on the shoulder.

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

And I’m willing to play for free, that’s all. Don’t get much of a chance to play for anyone these days, may as well see if I’ve not lost the knack. He smiles faintly at her agreement, though it turns into a disdainful frown at her insistence on calling him ‘pretty boy’ and his eyebrows rise as well. Pretty boy doesn’t particularly give much of a shit if he is a pretty boy, to be right honest with you. S’not something I care much about. And I could go dropping the accent to sound like a proper American but it’s more work than I care to do, honestly. May as well just be Welsh.

[hauntingveronica]

Not here to argue, Pretty Boy. Just pointing out my humble observations, you don't have to agree with me, I'd respect your opinion either way. I'd call you something else if I had any idea what your name is. Where'd you learn to play like that?

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

Don’t need the free money though, you probably need it more than I do, aye? No point in handing me something you could use, I’d think. He snorts loudly and shakes his head. I don’t play for that sort of thing, try to keep my goals a near bit lower these days. Easier not to be disappointed when things go sour. Pretty boy, though?

[hauntingveronica]

I'm willing to spend for good entertainment. [Too willing, she'd say if she were being completely honest. In fact, most of her money goes to things she believed would entertain her.] There's no arguing with that logic. [She shrugged.] Looks like pretty boy doesn't know he's a pretty boy. Accounting your accent, you've just become ten times prettier.

[gemmamarston-deactivated2015052]

Proper adults don’t tail other proper adults down the street for three blocks, or whatever you thought you were doing. She narrowed her eyes further, unwilling to snap her fingers at the dead streetlight above them and reveal herself as anything more than human, no matter how much she disliked the darkness. But go on, talk. Explaining yourself might be a good start.

[hauntingveronica]

[Veronica tried to smile sweetly and innocently, which quite frankly didn't quite go well with her. She tipped the tazer away from her face.] I'm sorry. I thought you were one of my friends. I like sneaking up on them when they don't realize I'm around. Dometime follow them until that I am. Clearly a habit I need to get rid of. [She laughed nervously.]

[hauntingveronica]

[There were moments, moments surprisingly rare for someone with Roni's lifestyle, where she wished she had a different ability that could take her away from situations like this. One toe out of the line and she was staring at the edge of a tazer.] Woah, let's slow down shall we? Let's talk this over like proper adults.

[emryscantor-deactivated20161113]

It was rare that one of his better days, i.e. one where the spirits were thin and far between on the streets, lined up with decent weather and a good mood to boot. He even had an empty schedule for the day, as one of his clients had canceled and moved their appointment to the Thursday next instead. He wasn’t quite sure where the urge to drag his guitar along on a walk through Central Park came from either, but he wasn’t going to question it too heavily, nor did he feel inclined to push away the idea of busking in the park for a little while. How often did he get to live spontaneously? Very little was the answer to that, and besides, there was something therapeutic about playing the first song that came to mind and letting out the singing voice he had so far failed to ruin. "Ah no, it’s alright. I’m not playing for money or anything." He waved his hand dismissively at what looks like an offer of a tip for his playing, tempering that with a half-smile for good measure. "You don’t have to do that, really. Just felt like playing here for once."

[hauntingveronica]

Dude, you should just accept the free money. Sadly, I have neither good pipes or the ability to play the guitar. Pretty boy like you with a guitar? I'd say Central Park is too low an aim for a goal. You should set your targets on something higher. Just sayin'.

[marywb]