(no subject)

[shufti]

Shufti is in the bar, by the fire, knitting a little bobble hat. The ball of wool rests on her heavily pregnant belly.

And there's a crossbow resting on her belt as always, just in case that demon she's heard about should show up.

Comments

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Knox enters the Bar from his city, soaking wet as usual of late. He takes a breath, and is relieved not to be singing (yet).

"Good evening, Shufti," he says as he drapes his hat and coat over a chair.

[shufti]

"Good afternoon Mr... Alexander."

She smiles a little.

"You're all wet!" she says, moving over to him and drying him a little with the sleeve of her jumper.

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"It's rainy season in Gotham. Starts in November, and goes till the snowy season starts. Part of the city's charm." Knox grins at Shufti's efforts to help.

"How are you doing, kid?"

[shufti]

"Did I mention I feel like I'm carrying an elephant?"

She smiles. "How are you? Apart from wet?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"I'm no expert, but I don't think you're any larger than any other pregnant lady. And I think that's a good sign anyway. Means the kid should be healthy." Knox sits down.

"I'm doing well. Busy on a big story. Or at least I hope it's big."

[shufti]

"I think it's just because I'm small." she says. "Last time I was checked Doctor Guppy said it was slightly small but not dangerously so."

She picks up her knitting again. "What's the story about?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, I guess you a bit small." But women with crossbows have a way of seeming big.

"There's this man in Gotham. A crimefighter who calls himself Batman. And he got into a big fight with one of his enemies. During the fight, his airplane - that's a machine that can fly - crashed. I'm working on a story about that machine. About how's it built, and about the people keeping an eye on it."

[shufti]

"Was his Rupert angry?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Knox makes a face. That can't possibly mean what he's afraid it means.

"I have no idea what that means."

[shufti]

"His officer." she says.

"If he's a batman he must be working for someone, like I'm a batman for Mr Faramir."

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

It takes Knox a few moments before he remembers the old British term for an officer's aide. It's a good thing Knox used to watch WWII films.

"He's not that kind of batman. He dresses like a bat. See, Bat-man. Guess we should hyphenate it.

"I didn't know you had a job. This at home, or here?"

[shufti]

"Here. Back home I'm the head chef at the inn I live at."

A hand to her bulge. "I had to support this little one somehow. People here are kind, but I can't rely on charity."

Wide blue eyes. "He dresses as a bat? Why?"

[gotham-knocking.livejournal.com]

Knox wishes more people in Gotham would have that attitude.

"That's good to hear. Though it will be a bit rough, working two jobs and looking out for the baby. But you have help, right?

"He dresses as a Bat to...I think so he can scare the crooks. Or maybe because he has a thing about bats. But the stuff they believe about his is pretty intense, so at least the crooks are running from him."

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

Since they didn't get to finish up last time:

"Shufti, good evening." The duchess of Sto Helit smiles at her as she passes by.

[shufti]

She looks up and smiles.

"Good evening Miss Susan. How are you?"

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

"About the same as ever, I suppose." Susan slings her umbrella over a chair and takes a seat, ordering a cup of hot tea from the bar. "How is Borogravia?"

[shufti]

"Messy. And surprisingly persistant in its wish to imprison whores." she says casually.

"But don't worry, I didn't shoot any naked people."

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

"Did you shoot any clothed people?" Susan's lips twitch at the edges, as if she's trying not to grin.

[shufti]

"Recently or in general?"

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

"...recently?"

[shufti]

"I shot someone in the groin. But to be fair I gave him plenty of warning and didn't fire until he was on top of me. Even then it was by mistake."

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

"Really?" Susan should probably be shocked and blushing and embarrassed by this point. Ah, well. "Good for you. I certainly hope it wasn't a clean shot."

Her voice gentles, as she reaches out to--a bit awkwardly, fighting her natural reserve--touch Shufti's shoulder. "The war... is it..."

[shufti]

She shakes her head.

"Like I said, they want to take me away because they think I'm a whore."

[sto-helit.livejournal.com]

Being a very properly brought up young lady of a noble household, Susan doesn't have any access to swear words, improper language, or dirty curses.

Which happens to be a damn bloody shame right about now. "You're fighting their war," she says, tightly.

[shufti]

She shakes her head.

"The war's at a truce until it starts again in Mal's time."