Re: dock: atticus and mal
"Gods are fond of rituals. Is true. Have to be careful, because anything can be a ritual. Stir your coffee, and there's some beleaguered old god. Standing in the kitchen, ready to be worshiped. Complicated." Grinned that lazy grin again. Even in the new night, was visible and evident that he was joking. Not that he didn't believe rituals couldn't be misconstrued, but didn't think an old deity was going appear in his kitchen while he made some dark roast. A demon, maybe. Definitely. Janus had a thing for appearing without warning.
Was a teacher at heart. Had been doing it since his freshman year. Substituting, then. Knew when he saw interest on a face. Was key to being a good teacher, to know when you had their attention. His new friend here was interested in the radio waves. "Met them, in a manner of speaking." Was more to it than just the radio, but the truth was that his own haunts wouldn't go near the island. Were standing right there, behind Mal, but they wouldn't step foot on the rock. "Sound interested? The caves beneath the island are good for the radio waves. Assume because it's closer to where their bones are. One of these days, am going to hike out to the old base and see what they say out there. Interesting stuff." Nodded to the puzzle at the foot of the boat. "That thing's supposed to help, but can't figure it out. Was trying to seduce it with Billy Joel. Feel free." If he wanted to.
Considered. "Big difference between good tidings and bad news." But Mal was right on the money when it came to Atticus Finch. "Middle name is Anning. Leaves a lot to be desired. Family name," explained. "My people built a church that's officially haunted, in New York. Could say I was born to be an expert on dead things." Wasn't worried about telling people about himself. Wasn't guarded. Got the distinct feeling old him was guarded, but already knew Mal wouldn't be able to elucidate on that matter. Hadn't reacted to his, Atticus,' name, not in any personal way. Hadn't know the old man he would become.
Glanced beyond Mal, to the mansion he couldn't quite see. "Avoiding it for a reason?" Was hazarding a guess. "New owners?" Didn't think it was anything that simple, which was likely obvious in his tone when he asked. "Always like thinking to music, personally. If I fail, can just blame the lyrics." Another grin. Warm. Comfortable. No rush, nowhere to go, which was probably also obvious. Glanced at the house again. "Loaded, huh?" Also obvious. Was stinking rich himself, and knew the look.