[ForgottenCode]

Robert was extinguishing his seventh cigarette of the day when a taxi pulled up, bearing Luke. The Englishman was still early, but the rest of the group was supposed to be arriving within twenty minutes, where as Robert had already been at the airport for over an hour.

Luke was wearing jeans, a black tshirt with the cartoon figure Black Mage on the front, and a garish bomber jacket that depicted a giant union jack on the back. He looked around as he stepped out of the cab after paying the driver, checking all of the usual spots until he spotted Robert.

The Metaphysics Moderator thanked the driver as the Lebanese man gave him his suitcase and then trotted over to his fellow Moderator. Luke surveyed the area, noticing just how many cigarette remains lay strewn around where Robert was standing and arched an eyebrow. “Let me guess, you got here really early again?”

Robert barked a laugh. “You know me, my friend. I’m either way early, or five minutes late. And since we’re travelling with Scott, well, you know what a stickler he is for being prompt.”

Luke nodded slightly. “He’s never late, and never early, but always appears exactly on time. Before, when he was still able to laugh, we used to make fun of that, but now? Now, everyone but Marcos gives the man a wide berth – should make for an interesting trip, now shouldn’t it?”

Robert’s expression twisted into a sour smile. “I suppose you’re right, my friend.”

The Englishman looked around him. “Hold that thought. If you’re not going to have another smoke, can we head inside? I don’t mind the cold weather, but I don’t see any reason to stay out here if I don’t have to.”

Instead of answering, Robert turned around and walked back into the airport proper, and his companion followed.

Luke sighed happily as the warm air gathered around him. “So, have you thought about where you’re going to go for your little vacation, before we get to business?”

Robert nodded. “I’m going to Romania. I want to find some gypsies and test my Gifts against theirs.”

Luke arched his eyebrow again. “I hope you have more of a plan than just to wander around yelling, ‘Here gypsy gypsy.’”

Robert stared back at his friend. “Funny. No one gives me any credit. I’ve known for years that there’s a man who lives out there, by the name of Iosif, who’s known for his powers of sight. At least among his people anyway. I’ve even bought a CD set to teach myself the language while I drive around the city.”

“Wow, you’ve certainly put a lot of thought into all of this. You’re a lot more complex than people think, aren’t you Robert? You’re not just the chain smoking women chasing alcoholic that you seem to be.”

Robert looked around to see if anyone was paying attention and then whispered, “You keep that to yourself now.” His voice returned to its normal pitch. “And besides, alcoholics go to meetings. I’m just a drunk.”

Luke laughed and then after a second, Robert joined him.

Drew approached the two of them. “What’s so funny?” The Communications Moderator and all around master of technology wasn’t dressed in his normal penguin suit tuxedo, but instead looked a lot like Luke, clothes wise. He was wearing blue jeans, with a red Linux shirt, the penguin making an appearance there, and a large winter jacket covering him.

It took a few more laughs for Robert and Luke to get it out of their systems. “Oh nothing,” Robert said. “You just had to be there.”

Luke looked at Drew’s jacket with a critical eye. “You do remember that we’re going to Holland right, and not Siberia? Unless of course that’s where you’re planning on visiting.”

Drew blushed slightly and shrugged. “I was born and raised in Alabama. It’s freezing outside.”

Luke gestured towards Robert. “He’s from Texas and he was standing outside when I got here.”

Drew cracked a grin. “True. But I don’t smoke.”

Luke looked puzzled. “What does that have to do with…” He glanced outside and his eyes lit up in understanding. “Oh, I see.”

Robert chuckled. “What can I say? I love my nicotine.”

The Observation Moderator continued, “I’ve already told Luke, so I might as well tell you where I’m going Drew. And then maybe the two of you can fill me in? We all know where George is going and I’m not sure Scott is even going to care enough to ask – it’s hard to tell with him. And while I don’t need to know obviously, I’m curious. So satisfy a man’s curiosity and fill me in.”