[ForgottenCode]

Robert looked between his two companions. He didn’t really care one way or another who went first, and they should be able to both get their words in before Scott showed up and it all became about business. However, since Luke had been here first, and had been the first other than he to arrive, he should have the honour, Robert supposed.

“Luke, why don’t you go first?”

The Englishman shrugged. “I don’t have much to say. I’m flying to London and then heading home to see my folks.”

Robert smiled and cut in. “Just your folks?”

Luke smirked and shook his head. “I can’t get anything past you can I? Fine, fine, I’ll definitely be visiting Claire. Like you’re one to talk, Robert. You’re like a bloody sailor, with a girl in every port.”

Drew chuckled at that while Robert put on his best “who me” expression. That only got Drew laughing harder.

Luke shook his head in exasperation, but he was grinning. “I’ll also be picking up a good solid watch, nothing expensive or gaudy, mind you, but something functional. I’m not really sure what happened to my last one and I haven’t gotten around to replacing it for whatever reason, but I always feel better with a metal wristwatch on.”

Drew nodded. “That’s sensible. So who’s Claire? I’ve never heard you talk about her, but clearly Robert knows.”

Robert patted the Englishman on his shoulder. “She’s his little British sexbomb, she is.”

“What? No you arse. If you must know Drew, she’s my on again, off again girlfriend.” Luke said, as he rounded on Robert looking a little put out by the other man’s words. Until he saw the huge smile on the Observation Moderator’s face. Then he sighed and shook his head, but he was definitely grinning.

“Oh?” Drew asked. “Is she Gifted?”

Luke nodded slightly and Robert’s smile faltered a little. He hadn’t known Claire was Gifted. He’s seen a picture of her and instantly envied Luke, but he didn’t remember anyone by that description going to the school.

“Really?” He asked, “Did she go to the school?”

Luke shook his head. “No, she’s self taught.”

That brought Robert up short. He knew that there were people who came into their Gifts later in life. Dr. Zorbino and Big Dave were two such people. He also knew that for some, the shock of what they could now do didn’t lead them into medicine or teaching. It was good that such people were rare among the Gifted, who were rare among the general population in the first place.

Drew looked like he wanted to ask some more questions, but Luke didn’t give him the chance. “Enough about me; where are you going, Drew, and what will you be doing there?”

The Communications Moderator looked like he was going to ask anyways, but then seemed to think better of it and answered Luke instead. “I have a couple of options. I’m either going to Belgium or Germany, although I think I’ve settled on the latter. I’m not sure if you two know, but I like to make beer in my spare time.”

Robert perked up at this and Luke smiled. “There you’ve done it Drew. You’ve gotten him thinking about alcohol.”

Drew shrugged. “Robert thinks about alcohol about a third of the time. I wouldn’t have to talk about beer to make it so.”

Luke nodded. “True, true.”

“But anyway, I have a list of breweries I’d like to visit, in either country. If I go to Germany, places like Ayinger, Erdinger, Weihenstephan, Ueriger and others. If I instead choose Belgium, I’ve got Saint Bernardus, Orval, Westvelteren, De Koninck and so on. Did you know there are around thirteen hundred breweries in Germany? How long do I have again?”

Robert looked at his companion in a new light. He’d never seen Drew drunk, in fact come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Drew very often in a social setting. He had a feeling that he wouldn’t be only learning about George on this trip.

Speaking of the man, he say him walk though a door down the concourse. He couldn’t see much from this distance without utilizing his Gifts, but he did notice the other man was wearing an Atlanta Braves cap. Baseball was a little boring, but everyone needed hobbies.

He was about to let Luke and Drew know that the fourth member of their group had arrived when the sliding doors opened and in walked Scott. Playtime was over, at least for now. Time to get down to business.

[Solar]

excellent work as usual FC, looking forward to this kind of turn around!

[linpixie]

I like the new perspective. It is always interesting to hear about the other characaters and what they are doing!

[ForgottenCode]

Good. I was concerned that people weren't happy with the change of pace. Good I was wrong

[dreamchaser]

Pretty sure nothing you do could disappoint us!

[Claire Tigre]

two characters named claire? hmm

[Solar]

well there was another claire on the forums for a bit...

[Claire Tigre]

two others, right? claire-tron, or some thing?

[ForgottenCode]

She's not Clairetron either. She hasn't posted much on the forums recently, but there's a clue in this chapter and there will be others later. We're not done hearing about Luke's girlfriend .