Dispel The Darkness

[lesliethompkins]

Hope for the best, expect the worst. It's one of the many valuable lessons Leslie has learned over the years. Taught by her father, reinforced by experience. She had hoped the bomb delivered maliciously to the clinic would not be an indication of things to come. Somehow she knew that wouldn't be the case.

A week later, there are three patients in residence. Black Mask has had his revenge. Leslie and a select few are left to pick up the pieces.

Comments

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"My first priority will always be the health and general well being of my patients," she explains. "I'm fairly predictable in that regard, Mr-"

She waits, expecting him to fill in the blank.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Constantine." He straightened his shirt and stuck his hands in the pockets of his coat. He couldn't smoke in here so he tried to keep his hands occupied.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"I'm Dr. Thompkins. Nobody's called me sunshine in decades," she comments congenially.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

He likes her attitude and the fact she's taking such good care of Selena doesn't hurt.

"Not hangin' out with the right people then." He grinned at her and winked.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

She doesn't regret in the slightest her choice of companions. Nor the many years she's spent in and out of their lives. What she divulges is no where near as personal.

"I'm very often the bearer of bad news. Hazards of the profession, I'm afraid." From the tone of her voice, it seems she accepts it in good stride.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Funny that. I'm usually the bearer of bad news myself." His profession just happens to be a very different one than hers is.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"Do I dare ask, Mr. Constantine, what it is that you do for a living?"

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Ask away...you won't like the answer." He chuckled under his breath and took his hands out of his pockets to make a flourishing gesture.

"Magic."

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"Something tells me there's far more to your magic than the casual slight of hand," she comments, her gaze dropping briefly as he gestures. He lacks the poise, posture, and charisma of a stage performer.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Slight of hand's a piss poor attempt at the real thing." The hands go back into his coat pockets.

"I'm a bit more on the low an dirty side of things."

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

She has no idea what to make of the statement. Low and dirty could be interpreted in so many different ways. She does however recognize certain un mistakable mannerisms in the man who stands before her. "May I walk you out, Mr. Constantine? I wouldn't want to keep you from your cigarette."

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

There was almost a sigh of relief as he nodded and walked towards the door. tense situations made the craving worse and he'd been neck deep in those for weeks now.

He had the Silk Cut and the lighter in hand before they even got to the door.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

She accompanies him out onto the front steps and waits until the cigarette is lit before asking yet another question.

"How is it that you know Selina, if I might ask?"

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Met her in a nightmare." A place called Silent Hill which he wouldn't wish on his worst enemies...okay maybe one or two.

"Kind of became friends fightin' the dark."

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

His explanation only makes a small degree of sense to her. A common purpose is often the soil from which friendships spring.

She says nothing in response.

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"It wasn't a nice place Sunshine, even for me an that's sayin' a bit." He sighed after another deep inhale on the silk cut.

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a story she's better off not hearing. There's a pause before half turns back toward the door. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Constantine. I'll be sure to tell Selina we parted on amicable terms."

[laughing-mage.livejournal.com]

"Tell the Prat too, he'll probably suspect me of doin' somethin' off colour while I was here." He chuckled through the cloud of smoke and tipped a finger of his forhead like he was tipping a hat at her.

"Evenin' Sunshine, look after Selena."

[lesliethompkins.livejournal.com]

"I intend to, dear," she states dispassionately.

A second later, she disappears back into the clinic.