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JACK TODD
WHAT A COINCIDENCE!
The observer watched the man react, although only one who knew him well would know he had. Too much coincidence makes the startling seem commonplace, her mistress had said once, and the observer knew Mr. Todd was not easily surprised. She waited for the second part of the message, knowing what to expect.
As Jack looked blandly at the text spelling out his name, the letters changed to read:
TURN AROUND, IF YOU WOULD.
Jack turned to see the messenger and facilitator for Lady Lily of Grief, as the woman called her mistress, although Jack knew her as simply Lily. The messenger bowed to him respectfully and approached at his slight nod.
"Mr. Todd," she began, for she had been informed upon first meeting him that this man of great power preferred not to be addressed as My Lord or Your Lordship, "I hope this is not an unwelcome interruption. I have been sent in advance of her arrival by
( ... )
The woman slid into the chair Jack dusted off for her and ordered two root beer floats. Seeing Jack's barest flicker of an eyebrow in response to her request, she explained, "The Lady just rediscovered these a few weeks ago during a visit to the Midwest on Earth, and they're suddenly all the rage at the chancellette. I haven't had one at this cafe, and I'll be interested to see if they can manage a passable float." She sighed and settled back into her chair. "But that's neither here nor there."
She looked at Jack for a few moments, as if trying to decide whether to speak. She should probably wait for the Lady to arrive before getting to the business at hand. Small talk, then.
"And how was your stroll through the chancel this fine day, Mr. Todd? "
Jack's gaze drifted up from the section he was perusing but didn't drift off the page immediately. "Nice. Good exercise. Plenty to see. Ideas." He nodded and focused on the paper again. Events and times danced before him, each trying to draw attention to its ancestors and potential descendants.
They sat silently for a few minutes, first comfortably and then awkwardly. Eventually Jack folded the paper shut and turned to his compaion, looking at her properly for the first time.
“Four in a day,” mused Rhocas from his perch upon the Midsummer Tree. His long legs had been drawn nearly to his cheekbones as he fed a morsel to one of his subjects. “Four in a day. Tell me, my friends, whom do I seek in this matter? If this is a coincidence, it is a grievous one; and should it be no coincidence it is ruinous regardless. Do the orders meant to keep these men from their now-dead wives restrain or reinforce their mad misgivings
( ... )
As the figure approached the occupants of the table looked up. The woman stood sharply and backed away a step but the man simply lowered his cup and tilted his head.
"Lord Rhocas. Good. Coffee? Lady Lily's here soon."
Jack pulled an envelope from his pocket and from that removed a card. Dropping it in the centre of the table it was, it seemed, a draft of an invite.The Rotating Ball You are most cordially invited to this year's Rotating Ball to be held at 18.2°N, 63°W. Boat docking and airstrip facilities available. 21/8/2002
"Mister Todd. It was, wasn't it? Such a nice reason to return to the earth." He accepted the proffered cup and sat, nodding toward the messenger. "Madam. Kindly tender my regards to the Lady Grief."
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JACK TODD
WHAT A COINCIDENCE!
The observer watched the man react, although only one who knew him well would know he had. Too much coincidence makes the startling seem commonplace, her mistress had said once, and the observer knew Mr. Todd was not easily surprised. She waited for the second part of the message, knowing what to expect.
As Jack looked blandly at the text spelling out his name, the letters changed to read:
TURN AROUND, IF YOU WOULD.
Jack turned to see the messenger and facilitator for Lady Lily of Grief, as the woman called her mistress, although Jack knew her as simply Lily. The messenger bowed to him respectfully and approached at his slight nod.
"Mr. Todd," she began, for she had been informed upon first meeting him that this man of great power preferred not to be addressed as My Lord or Your Lordship, "I hope this is not an unwelcome interruption. I have been sent in advance of her arrival by ( ... )
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Jack smiled and swiped at the dust on an empty chair at he same table with his newspaper and turned to raise an eyebrow to the cafe owner.
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She looked at Jack for a few moments, as if trying to decide whether to speak. She should probably wait for the Lady to arrive before getting to the business at hand. Small talk, then.
"And how was your stroll through the chancel this fine day, Mr. Todd? "
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They sat silently for a few minutes, first comfortably and then awkwardly. Eventually Jack folded the paper shut and turned to his compaion, looking at her properly for the first time.
He scratched his ear. "How are you, Miss..?"
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"Lord Rhocas. Good. Coffee? Lady Lily's here soon."
Jack pulled an envelope from his pocket and from that removed a card. Dropping it in the centre of the table it was, it seemed, a draft of an invite.The Rotating Ball
You are most cordially invited to this year's Rotating Ball to be held at 18.2°N, 63°W.
Boat docking and airstrip facilities available.
21/8/2002
"Good turnout last year."
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He sat back. And then leaned in again to underline the year.
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