lt_safe_house | (no subject)

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(no subject)

Date: June 9th, afternoon
Location: The restaurant
Status: Public
Summary: Jarod worries over the hellbeast brand

Jarod sat at a restaurant table, alone. He had pushed aside the plate of food and was nursing a glass of dark red wine.

Eventually, he pulled a piece of paper from his pocket, unfolded it and scowled at it.

The brand they had copied from the hellbeast's hide, three interlocking triangles, all pointing out and enclosing a fourth one. He was sure he had never seen it before. He had googled it - without any success.

He was going to show it around to the other guests, for all the good it would probably do. Next... well, maybe the local library. He'd cross that bridge when he got there.

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Methos slipped into the restaurant, fully intending on grabbing a quick late lunch and being gone again.

There was only one other guest, and that one seemed preoccupied with a piece of paper - or its contents.

Curiousity piqued, Methos moved over to him.

"Got something interesting there?" he asked.

Jarod looked up to see the man the truth or dare game had taught him was called Methos.

He smiled up at the man and gestured to a free seat at his table.

"I don't know," he admitted openly, sliding the piece of paper across the surface of the table for the other one to look at.

"When we dissected that hellbeast creature, we found this mark branded into its hide. I've been wondering if it's an owner's brand, and if so, who the owner is. Well... and if the mark has any meaningbeyond that, of course. Internet's not very forthcoming."

Methos took the paper, turned it over and looked at the design intently.

"I don't think I've ever seen this before," he said. "but I can ask around if you want to. I've got friends who're into research."

Jarod considered.

"That'd be great," he said. "Although... I guess it might be a good idea to not tell people where it's from, don't you think?"

"Not telling them it was cut from the hide of a creature that shouldn't even exist in the first place?" Methos asked. "I guess not. Speaking of that thing... Found out anything interesting while you were cutting it up?"

He gestured for the waiter as he spoke.

Jarod's eyes lit up at the question. "They melt or explode when touched by water that Raphael blessed," he said. "They're not made up like either reptiles or mammals inside. I recorded everything and am still in the process of putting the recording and drawings I made into a report. I can give you a copy of it when it's done."

Methos grinned at the younger man's enthusiasm.

"Sure," he said. "So you're all the scientific type, yes?"

The waiter approached, and he quickly placed his order, waiting for the man to retreat before going on.

"No magic tricks up your sleeve?"

"What?" Jarod said, smiling. "You want me to pull an egg out of your ear, is that it?"

He seemed to think about it for a moment.

"Sorry to disappoint," he added then. "I didn't put any in my sleeve this morning. A card will have to suffice."

With a flowing motion, he moved his hand in the direct vicinity of Methos' ear, bringing it back holding a poker card.

He tossed it on the table, face up. "Jack of Spades," he said. "D'you think that means something?"

"Yeah," Methos said. "It means you put a Jack of Spades in your sleeve this morning. Ever done that for money? With the fire-dancer around that Joe mentioned you could have yourself a circus."

Jarod smiled mildly. "Two performers don't quite make a circus yet. I've worked in some before, though. They can be a lot of fun."

Methos nodded. "You bet they can be! And I still prefer them to the more modern circuses."

He gave a wry grin as he remembered the time of his utter failure at some game show that required answering of questions on history.

"What's wrong with modern circuses?" Jarod asked. Then he thought of something. "Wait - you're not referring to those people shooting videos of themselves doing insane and potentially fatal things and putting them on youtube, right?"

"People doing what and putting it where?" Methos was confused.

"Actually, I was thinking about those shows they have and put on TV, with people trying to win money some way or another and other people pay to come to the studio and watch the whole thing live.."

"Oh," Jarod said. "They're fun. Especially when the people being asked the questions don't know the first thing. I wonder if they are paid to make themselves look stupid in screen."

Methos raised his eyebrows slightly.

"I can assure you, they don't. It happens all on its own."

"Really?" Jarod asked. "How do you know? I've thought about trying to get on one a few times, but I've always been too busy up to now."

"Oh, I know people who did it, and who made absolute fools of themselves. Really, the questions they ask, you hardly have any choice but!"

Methos decided a chance in subject would be prudent.

"Back to the subject at hand, though: What are we going to do about that design?"

Noticing the change of subject, Jarod wondered if he was currently sharing the table with one.

"You said you know people who're good at investigations. I'll make you a copy and you can give them a try. I know a bit about investigating myself, so I'll see what I can find out, too."

"I'll do that," Methos said. "Give me that copy, and I'll be talking to a few people. I'll find you and tell you what I learned then."

"Very well," Jarod said. "I'll make a proper copy and drop it off in your room."

He gestured for the waiter. "You'll have it by tonight."

Methos nodded and got up from his chair.

"I'll contact you if I find anything out about it."

He nodded to Jarod and left before the waiter arrived and tried to put anyhting on his bill.

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