Editing Adventures of Dash Karp and Cat Flynn (section)

== Chapter 12 "Discussion of Energy" ==


'''''DASH'''''

She assumed we would be sharing a room, but I had not decided that yet. While it might be the safer thing to do on one hand, on the other it might draw a certain scandalous attention. Of course, in Atlantic City, there were many hotels and inns that turned a blind eye to such things.
 
I took Cat by the hand and hurried her out of the dining hall without the interference I half expected. We retraced our steps easily enough back to our suite and bolted the door behind us. I looked at the door a moment as though I half expected it to open despite the bolt. When I turned from the door I gave Cat a half-smile. "I imagine they are all suitable worked into another lather again by now and paired up into aroused little trysts." It certainly seemed like a lusty group, those four.
 
I hurried passed Cat to the cigarettes and got one out for myself, then held the open case toward her. "Cigarette?" Mine was already in my mouth, and my free hand was reaching for the lighter

'''''CAT'''''

She did not relax until she heard the bolt being slid into place, and even then, her version of relaxing was to head for the bar. "Yes please," softly, trying to shake off the lingering sense of energy and their touch, most especially Lorenzo's.  That his grip had hurt was unwelcome in the extreme but had also given her a window into the fact he was not unwilling to use force to at least some degree to get what he wanted. "If you ask me those four deserve each other.  Whiskey?" glancing to him, her eyes a stunning blue.


'''''DASH'''''

"Yes," to the whiskey and I lit her cigarette for her and exchanged it for the whiskey. I personally didn't think Gladys quite fit with Lorenzo and the others. I regretted not having a chance to speak with her privately, but I felt I needed to get Cat out of there before things got out of hand. I lit my own cigarette after a quick sip of the drink I moved about the sitting room in thought. "There is more to this game, and I have yet to fathom it. What was the idea with these clothes he gave us?" and I tugged at my jacket. "Arnav and Magdelena have a part to play in this as well, and Gladys is the biggest mystery of all. She doesn't fit." I puffed and I drank and I ran all the pieces through my head, but certain things refused to come together. I stopped moving about and looked directly to Cat. "So it turns out you're going with me afterall, but don't get any ideas about about being too involved. This is just a chance to get you out of here and away from that man!" I jabbed my sternum with my thumb. "I'm the boss here, ya see? If the chance comes to drop you off someplace safe, I'm doing it and you ain't gonna argue the point!" 


'''''CAT'''''

She handed him the drink and took the cigarette, moving to perch on the arm of the couch and taking a drag off the smoke.  She watched him as he paced and thought, studying not only his body, admittedly a nice view, but his energy signature as well. She lifted a dark brow and tipped her head as he got all chest jabbing and dominating.  Lips pursed but she took a sip of her whiskey before speaking. "I agree that there is more to this than we yet know. I also know that Lorenzo knew exactly what I was doing, though how he knew is a mystery."  She frowned, "as to my going along..." she sighed, not one to really get uppity with men but she felt she had to say a little something, "I am fine with you being the boss, Dash. I cannot guarantee that I will not balk at being dropped off with some stranger like a sack of laundry."


'''''DASH'''''

"You understand you won't get your money unless you return here," I wanted her to be aware of that. She did look nice in the outfit Lorenzo had provided for her, even if his intentions were....well I still wasn't sure about his intentions. I inhaled some smoke then raised an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean he knew what you were doing? What *were* you doing that he knew and I didn't?" She was likely referring to that mystical stuff that she believed in and I didn't. Applewhite always warned me I would come face to face with something like this one day. Despite his scientific mind, I always believed Applewhite had a secret desire to meet some vampires or ghosts. "And why do they seem to become sexually aroused whenever you are around?" I also wondered how it was that I seemed largely resistant to whatever it was that influenced the others. 


'''''CAT'''''

"What I was doing was simple energy work.  Harnessing the energy is easier when I am....when the situation is..." she paused, flustered by his last question. "Adrenaline helps me use the energy.  Did you not see Arnav move away? See Lorenzo drop his arm? He knew I was shielding and his hair grab distracted me and the energy fell." She knew he did not believe in that stuff but that did not make it any less real. "As to their...arousal....it surely is not of my doing! You have been with me, and why on God's green earth they would be salivating over anyone but those two floozies is a mystery." An arm curled around her stomach as she spoke, uncurling it to lift her drink. "Tell me, do I have no effect on you at all?" part related to the topic he broached but also a small part that was perhaps curious, more than curious, which explained the blush.

'''''DASH'''''

I studied her intently as though I expected to see some outward evidence of her claim. "Are you telling me you made them back away and leave off?" It was fair unbelievable to me, but I would try real hard to keep an open mind. "How exactly do you accomplish that?" I could at least ask, even if I might not buy the explanation offered. After all, if it was true, maybe I couldn't quite trust my own actions in all of this. "You think Lorenzo recognized what you were doing? Would he have some sort of defense against it?" For now, at least, I could give her the benefit of the doubt and learn what she believed. I snuffed my cigarette out in the ashtray and thought a moment. "But you had nothing to do with their sudden amorous desires? What sort of effect do you think you should have on me?" She did have an effect on me, but I wasn't sure, especially now, if it would serve to acknowledge such a thing. To me, it seemed the sort of effect any pretty girl might have on a fella in a more casual sense, anyway. But if her claims were true, what then? 

'''''CAT'''''

"My abilities have nothing to do with....scandalous things Dash.  I would have thought Lorenzo would have had a better defense than yanking my hair, but then I was testing him so I suppose I know now, hm?" she swirled the whiskey in her glass, watching the deep golden liquid move. "Making them back off was a matter of...well it is hard to describe.  Imagine you were holding a leather strap loose in one hand and a stray dog jumped at you.  You would shift the loose grip and swing the strap, yes?  It is a bit like that.  The connection is always there, to some degree but it can be utilized sometimes." His question about what effect she thought she should have on him made her cheeks go a prettier shade of warm pink. "I was being inappropriately forward, forgive me.  Quite out of character for me and I will be careful.  I'm sorry Mr. Karp."


'''''DASH'''''

Inappropriately forward? I scratched my head and went for another cigarette. I didn't normally smoke so much, but it seemed to help right now. "Are you talking about my change of mind about you going to Atlantic City with me? Did you do that?" I looked at her suspiciously. I still didn't really believe it all, but I was sure she believed it. "Can you influence Lorenzo to pay you before we leave?" That would certainly be helpful, then I wouldn't feel guilty at all about getting her out of here and away from all this. With Five thousand smackers, she could get far, far away from Lorenzo and Applewhite as well. Of course, that meant far away from me also, which I will admit did not seem very appelaing, but...was that *me* who found it unappealing? Really me? I blew smoke rings while I convinced myself that there was no way anyone would be able to get into my mind and make me do things I might not ordinarily do. 

'''''CAT'''''

She gave a frustrated flap of hand before stubbing out her own cigarette. "Oh for the love of....." she fixed those bright blue eyes on him, a frown on her face. "I cannot control anyone's thoughts or actions Mr. Karp.  I can see and hear spirits and energy and, on occasion, usually negative or high emotion occasions, I can manipulate the energy." She threw back the rest of the whiskey and rose to her feet, snaring his glass,. acutely aware of his gaze and stature as she did so. "We need more to drink, "announced as she headed for the bar, the full gypsy skirts moving around her legs as she did so. "All I meant was a wonder if you perhaps found me not utterly awful is all," she had no real idea why she was even still talking. "Again, it was forward and I apologize.  I was being foolish." A shame, really, as he was certainly strong and handsome, if a bit bossy.


'''''DASH'''''

So we had gone back to being completely formal and of course I would accede to her preferences in that regard. Still, I remained a bit confused about the energy and how she manipulated it. "Of course I don't find you awful!" For the first time since having met Miss Exotica, it seemed she might be ....flirting? "But I barely know you, Miss Flynn," I would rather be calling her Kitten, "and the circumstances ain't exactly given me much time to contemplate much more than business." And I wasn't going to start leering at her now. Not at Miss Flynn. Not that I didn't want to. I could still recall seeing her naked flesh just the night before and the idea of seeing it again was more than appealing. I set my glass on the bar and tried to keep my mind off her naked flesh. "Now tell me more about this spirit business. What really happens there?" 


'''''CAT'''''

She poured them both a healthy bit of whiskey and tried to stop blushing, not pleased that her ill ease caused him to go back to her formal name.  She almost told him to at least call her Catarina or Cat or maybe...Kitten.  But no she was pretty sure she had been awkward enough for the both of them. "I am changing out of this dress," and she headed for the bedroom.  She half closed the door so she could still talk to him. "Perhaps Atlantic City will give us more time then, hm?" she chuckled, only partially teasing as she tossed the dress aside, picking up the nightgown provided for her and groaning as she slid it over her head.  It was a fruitless search yielding no robe. "Dammit," she reappeared in the bedroom doorway, trying to act casual while wearing a deep red nightgown that was sheer on the arms and had a v shaped panel of sheer that went from below her breasts to her navel.  The deep neckline was fetching but it was altogether more sensual than she would have tossed on. "What do you mean what happens there?  They are no less real and relatable than any others who happen to be in a room with us."


''''''DASH''''''

It she who had gone formal. While she went to change, I drank my whiskey and made sure not to look through the parted door. "More time to ...get to know each other? Miss Flynn, I don't know much about how you read these engeries and all that, but those energies should be telling you I ain't the sorta fella a girl like you should be mixing up with." I swallowed more whiskey and when she returned wearing that nightgown, I caught myself leering and was not proud of it. "He gave you that to wear? I bet he'll be knockiong on the door any minute now." I tossed back more whiskey and averted my eyes. "Look, what I was getting at, do they talk to you in your head or something? How do you...contact 
Dash Karp: them? I'm just trying to undestand, is all." 


'''''CAT'''''

"A girl like me?" an amuised tone to her voice, walking over to take her drink as if she were dressed for church. "If Mr. Lorenzo were to show up I assure you, a girl like me would not give him the time of day,"  she took a sip, "and yes, time to get to know one another. At the very least, we should have a deeper idea of what the other is capable of, no?" She tipped a curious glance his way, "the energy does not warn me away, so tell me what makes you a fella the energy should dislike?" She curled in the corner of the couch, bare feet tucked up. "Come, sit," she patted the leather, "as to the energy, it is a combination of things.  Generally I am aware of energy the way you might be aware of a scent as you enter a room or to how the light looks. In the case of simple energy there are no voices, that is only a spirit generally and then I hear them most often as a thought or idea, though if they are strong enough or I am agitated, they can be heard orally or even seen on rare occasions."


'''''DASH'''''

"Seen and heard?" I shook my head at that. "No, no. Ghosts should be kept in their crypts and coffins if you ask me." I was about to accept her invitation to sit when I paused and checked myself to make sure I truly did want to sit. I suppose I would be a bit leery for a time. "I am a cad, Cat...err...Miss Flynn. A rogue. A philanderer of the worst kind. Some say I am amoral in my approach to relationships," and in many ways that was true. At least in the traditional sense. I did finally sit then, though not right up against her. "As far as my capabilities, I suppose you could say I am a Jack-of-all-Trades. Aviation is my first profession, but working with Applewhite has broadened the scope of my abilities and skills." It was so very hard not to eye her cleavage, or hope for a peek of leg, or something. But I managed quite well and sparingly sipped my whiskey. 


'''''CAT'''''

She gave him an amused smile, "some of them would prefer that as well, though many are simply lost or stuck here.  They can be wildly helpful." She shifted as he sat down, not moving toward him though the urge was there.  She drank some whiskey, listening, "ah, I see.  Well, I will admit, I am not the sort to act like your lady friend Gladys.  If she is the sort of woman you prefer, I do wish you well in that endeavor." Oh she was no innocent angel but she was not trying to catch a man here or to settle one down.


'''''DASH'''''

"Gladys is putting on an act, but for who's benefit I'm not sure. She earned both a medical degree and a law degree and got bored of both. Her current interest is Africa and some story about an ape man she is convinced is true and wants me to help her find him." I set down my whickey and leaned back casually. "Look, she and I have...well lets just say we've been off and on, but she's not the settle down and get serious type of gal. Thats why I don't mind her so much. She makes no demands other than the occasional night at the opera and her obsessioon with Africa." Now that I thought about it, I wondered if Gladys believed Lorenzo could somehow aid her in her ape man search. That would actually be quite acceptable to me. The other odd point about Gladys, which I was not going to mention, was how she encouraged my philandering. "So other than helping you locate ancient relics - which I still say we won't find in Atlantic City - how helpful can these spirits be?" I was trying to keep an open mind, if for no other reason than to keep Cat's spirits up. 


'''''CAT'''''

She nodded as he spoke about Gladys. "I do hope she is not out of her depth here with these people." If only because he seemed connected to the woman, she wished no ill to fall upon the socialite. "The energy and spirits do help in finding objects but they are also inclined to protect me sometimes.  They also will give me information I need from time to time, which can be very helpful. I cannot command them like dogs though. Respect is cruial."


'''''DASH'''''

"I see," and it seemed all rather nebulous to me. Even if we did locate this Missile of Eros where we were directed to, I might still remain unconvinced. "How do they protect you? With warning? Or do they actively intercede?" I wanted to know what she believed. My believing was a long way off...if ever. "So, Miss Flynn, if I can get you out of this situation and guarnatee there will be no more contact with Lorenzo, will you return to your job as a dancer and fortune teller?" 


'''''CAT'''''

She was unsure how to answer the first part but the second half made her face fall, she looked crestfallen for a moment. "I...hm.  I do not believe that Johnny had no hand in this, but I do not have anywhere else to go either.  My familiy, as it were, is scattered to the four winds.  The work family well, it seems my trust there was misplaced.  Arnav mentioned Lorenzo promising him I would do a seance for him, and no one outside of the clients Johnny throws my way would even know I could do them," a hand raked through her raven hair. "I am going to have to figure that out I guess." That fact made her both angry and sad, with a healthy dose of scared.


'''''DASH'''''


I stood to remove my jacket because it was annoying me and looked down at her. "Miss Flynn, I am sure the fact that you do seances is no more a secret than the locations of the most exclusive speak easies in Manhattan. Such things do get around you know. And someone like Lorenzo would have a ready list of mediums and fortuine tellers and the like always at hand." I threw the jacket over the back of the couch and sat back down. "But if you don't want to go back to that, then we will need to come up with a plan." What was this 'we' stuff? It really wasn't my responsibility, and yet I felt at least partially responsible for her circumstance at the moment. I was sure between Applewhite and myself, we could manage something for her. It would cost money, however, and there was no guarantee she was going to get her cash from Lorenzo. I suppose that would be because of me as well. 


'''''CAT'''''

She curled her legs in to sit Indian style on the couch, watching his shoulders and back as he stripped off his jacket and catching herself staring. She ducked her chin and blushed softly but glanced up at him through dark lashes when he spoke of plans. "It is a part of me that I cherish, but not so much doing so for cash or for people like these. I am far too Romnichal to enjoy dancing to other people's tunes," and it was true, the free spirit had dimmed some over time in the big city, but it was there yet, yearning for a forested glen or a seaside beach but a steady flame inside of her.  The flicker of that wild spirit was in blue eyes at the thought, one she dared not entertain in far too long now, of escaping the concrete corridors and fouled air of the city with some grand plan. "Why would you help me Dash?" a soft question, not beligerant, not rude, more touched with an air of genuine open wonder.


'''''DASH'''''

She was back to calling me 'Dash'? Well that was nice, but I wasn't sure if I was going to push it. My shoulders lifted in a shrug. "I guess I feel like I got you into this. Though Lorenzo was coming after you anyway whether I was there or not." I shrugged again and crossed my ankles. "Its just what we do...Applewhite and me." It was true, we often helped people out of jams that sort of got swept up in our business somehow. I suppose thats why I stuck it out with Applewhite. We came from vastly different worlds, but somehow our values were quite similar. "Well, you think bout it...Catarina. You are under no obligation, of course. In fact, I am not even going to try to coerce you into meeting Applewhite at all, or to sell your jewels," which I still had not seen yet. "Whatever you decide, I am sure I can at least get you started in the direction you want to go." 


'''''CAT'''''

His response brought a steady thoughtful look from the gypsy, she had been told she could be unnerving like that sometimes, but she was rather certain that he was not an easy man to unnerve so she was not overly inclined to be coy about the fact that she was considering it, or him. "Wait here one moment," and she slid from the couch gracefully, a decision reached.  Bare feet carried her back into her room, the sound of rustling followed by her return.  If she was at all self conscious about the clingy nightdress it sure did not show in the graceful sway of lithe body or the lift of chin.  She re-settled on the couch, close to him this time, legs crossing again as she looked around, lowering her voice. "If you tell me this Applewhite will get this back to its rightful owners, I am inclined to believe you.  If nothing else, "she hesitated, owing debts was not something Romnichal enjoyed, "I want you to have it as payment for your...work." She blushed some, not at all easy to give this away, but she was getting the sense that she was just business to him and she did not want the karmic implications of him risking himself for her without being compensated. "This is the brooch Miss Lorraine gave me.  I have cash too, if you want that as well," she tugged at her lower lip with her teeth, not sure what she would do when they got out of this, but she had nothing else to offer him that he might value.  She pressed the palm sized brooch into his palm, hands soft and warm as she closed his hand around it, not easy given its size.



'''''DASH'''''

"The Order of St. Patrick," I breathed. The truth was, I was pretty damn proud of myself that my hunch had paid off where Cat was concerned. It was some darn good detective work, if you asked me, and my ego felt two sizes too big in that moment. But then I shot her a near angry look. "Who said anything about paying me? I told you before, Applewhite would compensate you well. And yes," I nodded emphatically, "he will return this to the Castle of Dublin from where it disappeared." I was experienced enough about such things that just cursory inspection of the item had me believing it was genuine. Of course, Applewhite would have its authenticity officially verified by others. My grey eyes lifted to her again questioningly. "Were you aware there was a badge that was part of this collection, Catarina?" 


'''''CAT'''''

Her stomach tightened, a moment of deep sentimentality filling her as she withdrew her hands.  She ducked her head, letting dark hair fall forward as she wiped at her eyes. "You deserve to have something for the danger you are in here Dash." She lifted her chin some, a trembling smile offered, "I'd offer a kiss but rumor has it you are an awful cad and a philandering rogue," only partially teasing, as evidenced by the way her gaze dropped to his mouth for a moment. "A badge?" brows furrowed. "Like a copper's badge? Do you think Miss Lorraine had that too? I never saw one, but then again I never saw the brooch until she gave it to me either." With the General dead, she had no way of knowing the state of his affairs much less where the rest of her own family might be.


'''''DASH'''''

The whereabouts of teh diamond badge would currently remain a mystery, though I was sure Applewhite would keep me on the case for as long as it took. I closed my hand on the diamond star as though I expected prying eyes to be about. "Yes, I am a cad and a philandering rogue, but I don't take advantage of women either. *You* will be paid for the jewelry as I first said. Or, if you choose, you may keep it. Either way, I am not looking for payment from you, Catarina." I took her hand then and pressed the diamond star back into her own palm. "You hold on to this until we get to Applewhite. That's an order." I made it an order? I certainly didn't expect that to go over well with the gypsy. 


'''''CAT'''''

Her eyes widened some at his words, the brooch pressed back into her hands.  An order?  That was....unexpected.  An impish glint rose in blue eyes then and she closed her fingers around the jewel even as she leaned forward, smooth as water spilling over a riverstone, she brushed a not so quick kiss to his lips.  Chaste in the lack of tongue but not so much in the warm linger. "Yes sir,"  with a wink before she slid back and eyed him, uterly unsure of his response to her bold move.


'''''DASH'''''

That kiss, to my mind, held more than gratitude in its warmth. Of course, I have quite the ego so I could have been investing more than there was. At least the order didn't seem to bother her too much. I smiled as she leaned back and my smile might have been less than innocent in its own right. I start to lean forward, but to what end I was unsure. The decision was forestalled by a knock at the door that change my expression to one of confusion. "You better put that thing away," I whispered and rose quickly to go answer the door. I paused with my hand on the knob, giving her a chance to get the diamond star put away. 



'''CAT'''

When he started to lean forward something low and warm tightened in her belly, an excited little flip flop that created a low growl when the door was suddenly being knocked on.  She exhaled dramatically as he rose instead, a clearing of throat as her tongue flicked over her lower lip.  Wait, put it away? She was not exactly wearing anything with pockets so she rose swiftly, scooting into her room and jamming the brooch under her dress on the bed before running back to the couch, nodding to him.  She ran hands through her dark hair, then realized that doing so accentuated the line of breasts in the nightgown.  Shit. No time to change so she just acted as if she owned the moment, an imperious tousel of hair and a smile in place as he opened the door.