alternativewriting | (no subject)

Entry tags:

alec,
sally

(no subject)

Alec is late. Unusual for him as he takes ridiculous amount of pride in being on time. Sometimes showing up a little bit early. So when he comes in about fifteen minutes late it's worrisome.

When Sally gets a look at him it'll be even more worrisome. He's definitely been in a fight and more than likely on the losing side of one. His coat, which he'd been taking fastidiously good care of was ripped and he had a bloody lip, bruise showing up around the eye and some other fun indications of injuries. From the look in his eyes, Alec was also burning furious.

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"It belonged to my grandfather, who got it from his father, who bought it from a famous watchmaker in Prussia. He gave it to me when I started university - so I'd always be on time for my classes. He died a few months later."

Yes. It means quite a bit. Though he's glad his grandfather isn't around to see the fact that he dropped out of university and is well... where he is.

She nods. Just as she thought -- it has a great deal of personal significance. Things like that are usually more worth fighting for than expensive things.

"I'm glad you were able to keep ahold of it. Otherwise, I'd've had to go and get it back for you."

She's only kind of kidding.

The look of I am going to say something about you shouldn't do that because you're a girl flashes across his face but he manages to actually not say it. It's a close thing but he does shut his mouth in time.

"Me too. It's the nicest thing... only thing... he ever really gave me," he says. "I don't know what I would have done if they got a hold of it. But now... I don't know... I'm afraid they'll break into my room to steal it. As a matter of pride, you know? I got the best of them somehow and they can't let it go."

"They might try, but we won't let that happen, will we?"

"I hope not. But I barely got away from this time."

Alec is in serious doubt about his keeping the watch skills. And it's not like he can go to law enforcement. He really doubts they would do anything helpful for him in this instance.

"So we'll just have to teach you how to fight better next time, won't we?"

It seems reasonable to her. He's obviously not a practiced fighter. They can change that.

"And who would teach me?"

The tone of his voice indicates that he doesn't think that she would be someone who could teach him.

"You're looking at her, kid. I could handle you just fine."

She's not impressed by his implication that she couldn't do it.

The expression on Alec's face is kind of funny to watch. He's really, really, really, really, really, really trying hard not to say "but I can't hit a girl!"

"Mmhmm," is all she has to say to that expression, and then she shakes her head.

"You're going to have to get over that idea pretty damn quick if you want to survive down here in the swamp, honey. There're plenty of girls around here who could kick your ass around the block and back without even breaking a sweat."

"Yes... but...but... it's not proper!"

"And what have I said about propriety in the past, Alec?"

She sighs, long and hard. He just doesn't get it.

He's trying to get it. He really is.

"That it doesn't count out here."

"That's right. So do you want me to teach you, or do you want to be stubborn and worry about propriety?"

He bites his lip clearly conflicted.

"I'd like to know how to fight and you can teach me... but is there someone else I could hit?"

"Sure, go hit whoever you want."

And then enjoy getting hit back really hard because they don't understand what's going on. She grins at him after a second.

"We'll find you someone. Some guy."

Alec rolls his eyes and then winces in pain.

"I'm sure some day I'll be able to hit you."

"Well, good. We'll work our way up to you being able to punch me right in the face, how about that?"

"This discussion is turning rather surreal and uncomfortable."

He really doesn't like the idea of hitting girls.

"In the meantime, what am I supposed to do?"

"In the meantime, maybe you should store some of your valuables here. Nobody'll go after them then."

Because really, anyone who breaks into her bar gets a nasty surprise by being shot, so they don't tend to try it.

Alec stares at his watch and spins it around briefly before pushing it over to her.

"That's it really... I didn't have a chance to take anything else with me. Well... I spent it getting down here."

She takes it and nods once, very firmly.

"I'll keep an eye on it. You don't need to worry about it for one second."

"I need to fix the chain," he says. "Thank you."

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