The Valley Campfire: Monday Afternoon

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

Anyone coming across the campfire today would find Layla sprawled out on a blanket as she traced a convuluted route on a map of the Northeastern part of the United States. She was lying on her stomach with her feet up in the air as she munched on a snack of raisins and goldfish crackers

And while a fire wasn't lit in the firepit, there was a cooler of drinks and some goodies from J'GOB sitting on top of them for visitors to enjoy.

[Open campfire is open]

Comments

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"I'll find a way," Layla said with a shrug. "Maybe not today or tomorrow. But someday. I'm crafty like that."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I feel like I should tell you that manipulating me won't really get you any huge reward," he said. "Nothing special about me at all."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"No really no," Layla replied cheerfully. "But you do have the best abs in school so that's always nice to see."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Flattery is really nice," he said and laughed, "but not a deal breaker. Still, always nice to hear. It's nice to be known for something."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"That wasn't flattery," Layla said frankly. "They are the best abs in the school. Now if Jamie Madrox were still around I'd have to give my own subjective opinion but that's just me."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

Hannibal wasn't about to combat that statement. He'd be dumb if he did.

"Jamie Madrox was a fan of getting naked in public," Hannibal told her. "He did it at graduation."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"I know," Layla said with a smirk. "He's such a dumbass but at least he knows how to put a good show."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Of course you do," Hannibal said and shook his head. "Why are you even in school if you know all this stuff already?"

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"Well I don't know everything," Layla replied. "Besides there are things that I have to do here."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"How very cryptic of you," Hannibal said, smirking. "Not gonna tell me what that stuff is, are you?"

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"Nope," Layla said shaking her head. "If I did that then I'd be killed. Which, honestly, isn't too bad for various people in my universe but I'd like to avoid the whole issue entirely."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Not that I'm asking you to tell me because I'm not but how would they know that you told some random person?" Hannibal wondered. "They tracking you or something?"

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"There's not really a 'they' but it's one of those 'the universe is a quirky place' things that'll get me if I start blabbing," Layla explained. "So it's best if I play it safe."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"No problem," Hannibal said, waving that off. "I don't need to know. I'd end up just babbling to Angela anyway and let her solve the problem. She's the brains."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"She is a smart one," Layla replied with a grin. "Cute too. You got lucky as a roommate."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, but she doesn't have abs like mine," he said and patted his stomach. "Otherwise, I agree with you. I got lucky and she gets stuck with me."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"No, but she has a very nice rack," Layla smirked. "And I'm sure there are many other she'd be worse off 'stuck' with."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Have you told her that?" Hannibal asked, unable to do anything more than laugh. "You often go around telling people they have nice racks? She'd appreciate it."

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"Well it hasn't come up in conversation," Layla chuckled. "Though if it did I'm sure she would appreciate it. I'd probably phrase it more delicately."

No she wouldn't.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I think everything about her's nice but it's nice to know that I'm not blind or anything," he laughed. "Not a shy one, are you?"

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"I like to think of myself as brutally frank," Layla said in agreement. "With the occasional need for subtlety."

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"I appreciate the honest and directness," Hannibal said, giving her a nod. "Much better than keeping a secret and making me guess. That just gives me a damn headache. But, I'm guessing you've got a lot of secrets, don't you?"

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"I do," Layla admitted. "Don't worry, I won't use my power for evil."

As far as Hannibal knows.

[decoder-rings.livejournal.com]

"Anyone who gives a disclaimer like that automatically makes me wary," he teased.

[iknowstuff.livejournal.com]

"You should already be wary of a girl who wants you to strut around without wearing pants," Layla joked.