006

[seeagreatergood]

Saturday, in the park -- the twelfth of May, not the fourth of July. The rest of the week passed with less excitement than the weekend.

When Elizabeth called up and invited Auggie out on an afternoon walk, he was more than happy to accept. It's only natural for them to link arms once they get off Vivi -- she's being his guide, after all.

Comments

[seeagreatergood]

"Rule number ten," he says, laughing. "Always keep your options open."

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

"Ooh, definitely hiring you as a spy," she jokes.

[seeagreatergood]

"If you hired every geek who knows the Moscow rules as a spy you would have a lot of shitty spies," he points out. "Especially in this case. You might want someone who can actually, you know. Spy things."

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

She laughs.

"I already know you can flirt. This just confirms you have an interest. Besides, the most I'm going to need you for is counterespionage against nosy mathematicians. Hardly high-stakes."

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

Someone is coming up the path behind them.

[seeagreatergood]

"Is there a lot of industrial nosiness in the world of mathematics?" he asks, genuinely curious.

He takes a half step to the side, tugging Elizabeth with him, to make room for the passer-by.

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

She laughs. "Not usually," she says, following him with an absent-minded glance back at the—

—hah.

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"Oh, hello, Libby. What a nice surprise."

It isn't, of course. She knew all along. Knowing things is what Virginia Potts does. Knowing things and getting things done.

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

"Fancy meeting you here," she answers dryly.

"Virgo, this is Auggie. Auggie, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to my best and oldest friend, Virginia Potts. Who I was not expecting to see in DC—is this a work thing?"

[seeagreatergood]

Auggie has been raising his eyebrows since Elizabeth stopped walking; now he smiles, amused, and extends a hand in the general direction of Virginia's voice.

"Nice to meet you."

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"Likewise." She shakes his hand. Her grip is firm, cool, professional. "And yes, Libra, it's a work thing. When isn't it?"

[seeagreatergood]

Libra? Interesting.

Having already let go of Elizabeth's arm for hand-shaking purposes, he folds his hands on top of his cane and makes himself unobtrusive.

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

"Approximately never," she says, laughing, and gives Virginia a peck on the cheek. "We should catch up. Auggie, how do you feel about the three of us grabbing a coffee somewhere?"

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"I promise to tell embarrassing stories about Libby's childhood," Virginia chimes in.

[seeagreatergood]

"Coffee with two lovely ladies and embarrassing childhood stories? I'd be a fool to pass it up."

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"Excellent. Right this way," she says cheerfully, turning back down the path. "I know just the place."

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

Elizabeth (or Libby, or apparently Libra) takes Auggie's arm and trails after her.

[seeagreatergood]

Auggie squeezes Elizabeth's arm, smiling, and murmurs, "Libra?"

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

"Libby and Virginia. Libra and Virgo. It made sense at the time," she murmurs back.

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"We were ten," Virginia says helpfully over her shoulder.

[seeagreatergood]

"Cute. Is this why you asked me to give you a nickname when we first met?"

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"She likes to collect them."

[prima-sequentem.livejournal.com]

"I do," Elizabeth affirms. "What's the point of having such a nicknameable name if you don't take advantage?"

[seeagreatergood]

"So what's the best one anyone's come up with? Other than Libra."

[most-capable.livejournal.com]

"She punched a boy out in sixth grade for trying Bessie," says a smirking Virginia.