Re: carriage house: matt/atticus
She's young, but she's gifted. [Which encompassed everything Atticus knew about Claire that was relevant. Her romance with Carver, which he knew more about, wasn't important.] Things from Hell must be hard to exorcise. Redundancy. Wouldn't be exorcising anything that wasn't from Hell. Not sure if she's doing an exorcism. Doubt it. This thing isn't a demon. No clue why an exorcism would work. Might. Could be wrong. [Wasn't sure. That was what it came down to, when all was said and done. No idea what the plan was. Only knew he was working on perimeters.] Can't come. Just another person present for the thing to crawl into. Love the metal arm, but you would be a liability.
[Chuckled about the jacket.] That's the extent of my improved reflexes. Can catch jackets with ease now. Careful world. Am a real threat. [Could hear the movement in the arm, now that he was leaning back against it. Was new. Wasn't sure if he'd just missed it before, because everything seemed loud now. Though, it seemed to be fading. Like the hunger and the sense of smell, the hearing seemed to be simmering down. Thought maybe it was all amplified near the moon. Would ask, but he'd begun to realize the wolf experience wasn't the same across the board. Everyone had different symptoms.]
Am only going along for the ride, Matt. They planned this without me. Just glad she agreed to let me come. Have a feeling Janus was attempting to deliberately keep me uninvolved. [Atticus had spent too much time teaching young adults who thought they had all the answers. Was normal in kids, but was dangerous too. Was glad he would be going, as much for Claire as for his own sanity.
Didn't immediately get up to retrieve a beer. Sat forward a moment and grabbed his bottle. Was still cold, and he handed it, half empty now, to Matt. That lazy grin settled back in place, and it stayed for a few seconds. Didn't last long because it was replaced by a heavy sigh.] Talked to PJ. Didn't go very well. Said she told you she was interested, and you told her you wanted to ask me out. Not very smooth, Matt. She was upset. Angry, too, I think. Says she talked to you about this before. [He reached for a fresh cigarette, moving away from the arm across his shoulders again. Lit the cigarette without any rush, and ignored the one still smoking in the tray. Sign of stress. Nerves.] Don't know what to say to these girls. Never learned how to make it better. Don't know the rules. Fairly sure you're against the rules. [Could just imagine a small, disappointed Connie on his shoulder.] Think I broke a friendship rule. [Confused.] They keep talking about treehouses.