Re: [En route: Janus, Steve, Atticus]
Atticus still saw Janus. In that abbreviated lift of hand that didn't quite reach cheek, Atticus saw Janus.
Saw Janus, but knew that wasn't what was actually there. The person that walked into the plane looking like Janus was the wrong size, smelled wrong, sounded wrong. Even the fall of footsteps was wrong. Atticus looked out the window. Listened instead of looking. The hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention, just as they always did when something in the physical world didn't match up for his senses. Was an annoyance that came with the wolf. The hairs on the back of his hands stood at attention too. Atticus listened, sniffed the air, then finally turned his head. A woman. Janus, apparently, felt it was a good idea to step into a weapon-fight as a woman. Didn't make any sense to Atticus.
Steve made more sense. Solid. Predictable. Broad in white tee and jeans. Distracted. Atticus had been giving Steve wide berth since their forum conversation had gone badly. Wasn't the type of man to chase after someone and ask what his transgression had been. Wasn't even the type of man to assume the conversation going south had anything to do without him at all. Unless Steve told him that he'd done something, Atticus was content to accept the fact that Steve had shit going on that affected his behavior, and that the shit had nothing to do with himself.
Watched as Steve patted Janus knee. Gave his coffee up with a chuckle as Steve dropped into the neighboring seat.
Listened to the conversation as the jet made its way across the country. Back home. Became lost in that for a few moments and blinked back to weary, post-moon attention. "Special powered individuals?" Sat forward with interest. "Been reading about the increase in mutations over the past few decades. Hotbed topic. Takes the pressure off the supernatural community, but the government has taken a hard stance of non-acceptance. Insist on the drafting of laws to govern abled people. They say that prison out beyond the Capital is made to house people with powers. Always wondered how that place works. Don't recall any trials. Do either of you?"
Wasn't an opinion precisely, but perhaps it was. Sat back again, slouched again and tucked his reading glasses into his pocket after using them to point at Janus. "Mind telling me what you look like right now? Might make my senses calm down."