Samantha's Flat - Dinner and a Show, part the first

[Domanic Taylor]

Dom gets a devilish look on his face. "I'll make it up to you by naming something Samantha Hall."

[Samantha McManus]

She groaned.

"Let's not and say we did."

[Domanic Taylor]

Dom laughs. The appetizers arrive, an interesting mix of staple foods and elegant presentation.

"I don't think I'll ever get tired of teasing you."

[Samantha McManus]

"Yes, well we'll just have to see how much repetition it takes, aye?"

[Domanic Taylor]

"Before you turn me into a newt."

[Samantha McManus]

"The means to that end elude me. Thus far, at least."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Which is the only thing saving me from an amphibious fate."

[Samantha McManus]

"Not exactly my bit. I'd avoid asking me to do your laundry, though."

[Domanic Taylor]

"You're pretty safe from that with me."

[Samantha McManus]

"I've yet to cook dog stew though, so I doubt I'll be dooming any legendary heroes soon."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Dog is not so bad if you cook it properly." Domanic snacks on a filled red potato.

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye, but it's the context."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Unfortunately, my grounding in Celtic myth is not very good. Which is a problem because it seems to want to come to life right now."

[Samantha McManus]

"The washing as well as the stew are both from the Ulster cycle. Morrigan attempts to seduce Cúchulainn, and when she's spurned she prophesies his death by washing his burial shroud at the fords, then in another guise tricks him into violating his patron animal by eating dog stew. After his death, she appeared as a crow that perched on his shoulder."

[Domanic Taylor]

"See, that's the problem with having a patron animal."

[Samantha McManus]

"Common theme. Cúchulainn is rather like Samson or Achilles. Nigh-undefeatable unless he breaks the rules."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Well what are the rules on perfect copies of a person that turn into sticks and straw?"

[Samantha McManus]

She quirked a brow.

"What's this, now?"

[Domanic Taylor]

"One of the kids got copied by... whatever it is. When he and his friends confronted it, it did some kind of power drain to another one of the kids. They attacked it, and it collapsed, then turned into sticks and straw."

Dom shakes his head at the situation, sips his drink. "I've asked X-Corp to find us a sorcerer or magician or the like and send them out here, but they say it'll be a few days."

[Samantha McManus]

"Can't say as that's ringing any bells." She frowned. "Sounds passingly similar to some ghost or witch stories, but I can't quite remember which."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Here's an easier one, I read this one in a Sherlock Holmes story. Big black dog, glowing eyes, tries to maul people. Vanishes when confronted."

Dom orders an entree when the waiter swings by, gets an opinion from Sam on wine and orders a bottle of that too. The waiter takes Sam's order as well and heads off.

[Samantha McManus]

"Doyle's dog was revealed to be a ruse. Black Shuck however is a bit more persistent. Never ranged into London though..."

She thought for a moment.

"...of course, there's Newgate."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Had an attack on Genbu, bit right through his firearm resistant skin."

[Samantha McManus]

"Doubtful if there's any connection to Newgate. That one only appears on the grounds, and supposedly only before executions."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Well whatever it is, I want it to stop. We've had two attacks already, and that's two too many."

[Samantha McManus]

"I'll see what I can find out. Magic usually resonates on the Astral, and ghosts live there."

[Domanic Taylor]

"That would be wonderful, since this kind of thing is something I have no real way of dealing with."

[Samantha McManus]

"More things in heaven and earth, aye?"

[Domanic Taylor]

"Exactly. And that's probably enough business. Tell me about you, how have things been going? Family still doing well?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Kat's just finishing up at Oxford. She'll have her degree in the spring. She's terribly excited."

[Domanic Taylor]

"That's terrific news. You going to the graduation?"

[Samantha McManus]

"Aye. Rather owe it to her, I think."

[Domanic Taylor]

"Anything else new and exciting in your life?"

[Samantha McManus]

"With our track record, aren't we aiming for the opposite?"