A Watched Pot Never Boils

[Guy LeGrange]

Guy sighed, leaning back into his seat. Delayed twice already, and he was beginning to wonder if the flight would ever actually arrive. In truth, he was surprised that his old friend would even want to come back to the Kalispell area. The place had nearly turned into a war zone, with people being kidnapped and the possibility of special agents combing the area to look for more to abduct. Of course, Guy didn't have to worry. Unless they purposefully tested him, they'd never discover that he was a mutant. Wouldn't stop him from defending others, but it did make him a good candidate for heading a little wider afield. also helped that people saw him as a dwarf first, then pretty well figured that surely someone like him couldn't possibly be a mutant on top of it.

The dwarf sighed and shifted, pulling out his phone and flicking through it. His friend had been due to arrive for several hours now, and Guy had already read the book he'd brought with him and checked up on all his students' files. In truth, he was enjoying the time away from the school and the mess that came with it. The airport looked completely normal, and there weren't exactly agent types roaming. Okay, maybe the people in the suits. Guy chuckled and flicked to pull up Angry Birds, knowing that he only had a few minutes to go or so. He flicked to a level he hadn't completely beaten and---

and the loudspeaker binged to life. Guy looked up, and soon found himself sighing as the flight had yet again been delayed. Guy slid his phone into his pocket and got out of his seat. He was at least going to walk around for a bit, stretch his legs. Who knows, maybe he'd get lucky and see someone he recognized, or someone that recognized him. Though he wasn't quite sure he really wanted to. Maybe he could just get something to munch on, a churro or something...

[Det. Dexter Sterling]

Dexter slung his bag over his shoulder and fell in line with everyone else looking to exit the plane. Exhaling slowly the police detective's thoughts drifted to the whirlwind of events that led to him being here. Department transfers were usually long, messy affairs, especially when one so strapped as LAPD was losing out on one of their young detectives. He'd expected the process to take longer than it had. It seemed like he'd received the offer for the position in his old hometown just yesterday. In truth, it had been a couple weeks since the offer came down, but it was still surprising to already be landing in Montana to begin his new position at the Kalispell Police Department.

Finally free of the cattle train of people just outside the boarding gate, Dexter veered to the right, bypassing the crowd that had decided to stop in front of the walkway and continued along the terminal. He didn't know what to expect in Kalispell. He knew his position as an investigator was but a small portion of the role he was expected to fill. His real purpose was brought about by his 'unique' genetic condition on top of his prior experience with the Bellefonte Academy. He'd kept his mutation a secret, as he was instructed as a child, but the rumor going around was that the Headmaster of the Academy had requested him personally when the previous police liaison had retired.

Taking pause to look over the bank of TV monitors just outside the gate Dexter searched for the location of his luggage. Upon finding the right line of bold, white text he nodded and turned to head out of the terminal. Even in Montana the airport was a melting pot of different people. Hippies, suits, fat guys in sweat pants, they were all present. Hell, there was even a little person navigating their way through the crowd of much taller travelers.

Wait a minute... Dexter's brow furrowed as his attention was pulled to the short man walking. At first it was just a case of noticing something that was uncommon, then recognition started playing a role. He looked so familiar but it'd been so long. Dusty memories stirred, shaking off the rust that had gathered over the past decade. "Mister LeGrange?" He asked upon drawing close to the little man. Sure the trainer was older but he had an unmistakable air about him. Silently Dexter wondered if he'd be recognized. It had been a decade since Dexter had dared venture back to Montana, after all.

[Guy LeGrange]

[not 100% sure if you wanted Dexter to be whom Guy was waiting on. I'm cool with it if that's so, though I technically was having the flight delayed again. I'll make it ambivalent for my post, so just lemme know in yours which we're going for]

Guy had walked up to the court, standing there and eying the foods with all the suspicion they rightly deserved. Nobody ate here unless they had to, which was the unfortunate circumstance for many people. Hence why a few people had purchased various items with decidedly less chagrin than Guy. However, before he could make a decision one way or another, Guy heard a voice. He frowned, turning to look through the crowd. Had he read something wrong? Or had someone caught an earlier flight? Well, Guy supposed it was also possible that someone recognized him. He was a rather distinct figure, what with his rugged good looks and all.

This struck Guy as being the most likely explanation. The dwarf worked his way out of the milling crowds to look at the young man who'd appeared. The person, whomever he was, did look vaguely familiar to Guy, but he couldn't match a name to that face. He squinted up at the man for several seconds. "I'm Guy Legrange," he said, nodding. "I work at Bellefonte Academy, have for years...but I don't recognize you," he licked his lips and gave a short nod. "That's not that unusual though. I've had dozens, possibly hundreds of... students," that was the best word for what he did, though 'trainee' was technically more accurate, "throughout the years. I, thankfully, have changed decidedly less than most of them..." and he trailed off there, figuring that the young man could figure the suggestion the words made. could this be another of those?

[Det. Dexter Sterling]

While riding the wave of nostalgic memories that came flooding back upon seeing his old trainer at the Academy right after landing in Montana for the first time in a decade, Dexter forgot he was a 28 year old police detective and was a 16 year old kid still trying to come to grips with his own capabilities. "Yes, of course." He scratched idly at his temple. "Sorry, Dexter Sterling." He said, his brow furrowing apologetically. "I graduated from the Academy in oh-four. I shouldn't have assumed you'd recognize me."

Dexter had been a rowdy kid of sorts but a decent enough student. Much like many of the other kids, when he got older he would partake in the usual affairs. Smuggling in alcohol, sneaking out, going to parties. Never in excess and he never seemed to take things too far. He did, though, have a daredevil streak a mile wide. Whether it was illegal street racing, jumping off things, jumping into things, jumping over things, or anything a sane person would gladly decline even considering out of pure self-preservation, Dexter had been either caught doing or had rumored to have done.

[Guy LeGrange]

"Dexter... Sterling," repeated Guy, speaking slowly. The young man soon followed up by stating that he'd graduated from the Academy, which had Guy chuckling at least. Probably meant that he'd had the kid as a student at some point. He still couldn't quite remember who Dexter was though, which bothered him more than he cared to admit. He had this vague memory of a gangly sixteen year old coming to him... and of having to tell said kid that jumping off shit was---

"Seriously?" said Guy, looking Dexter over. "You somehow survived to adulthood? I thought for sure we'd read your obit a while back," he wasn't entirely kidding either. Dexter had nearly been as bad as, well, JJ. Strange how the two had come around at nearly the same time, graduated from the same class, had most of the same teachers, and turned out differently. At least Guy was figuring that Dexter had turned out different than his classmate, seeing as Dexter hadn't made any insulting comments about his height or anything yet.

Guy would soon follow up with the usual questions, how was Dexter, what did he do now, etc, etc.

[Det. Dexter Sterling]

"Uh, yeah." Dexter gave a short laugh. He remembered what he was like during his days at the Academy. Some of the things he did he looked back on and wondered how he was still alive. "I guess everyone reacts to their being dumb and in high school days differently." That was just about the only excuse Dexter had. It wasn't the adrenaline rush, or some deep rooted desire for attention that had made him perform his schoolyard antics. He just seemed to lack that little voice most people had in the back of their mind that told them when something wasn't a good idea.

It almost seemed a relief when the conversation switched to present day topics. Dexter offered his former trainer a faint nod. "I'm actually a detective with the LAPD. Or, at least I was." His head shook a bit as he corrected himself. "I'm actually transferring to KPD. I just landed." Dexter assumed, since Guy had already said he was still at the Academy he'd be working with the trainer in a professional capacity soon enough. But there was no need to discuss such business in public. "It is strange being back." He admitted. "I'm a little nervous to see how much he place has changed... or stayed the same."

[Guy LeGrange]

Guy chuckled, knowing all too well how stupid people could get during their high school days. "Tell me about it: I was a little shit back then," Guy paused for a moment, then shrugged, "so I guess nothing really changed for me. "I've seen plenty of people end up in surprising situations though," he gave Dexter a look that clearly hinted that the man most likely fit in there. Thankfully, the conversation continued on from that point; not that Guy didn't simply love to talk about high school for hours upon end.

As Dexter mentioned "PD" however, Guy's brows shot up. The correction sent them back down for a moment, only to pop right back up again at the mention of the KPD. So Dexter had moved back to the area to work in his old alama mater? Strange decision, but one that people did seem to make quite frequently. When you were a mutant, there were only so many place you could go and still feel accepted, Kalispell being among them.

"Quite a few people say that," said Guy, nodding. "Though they often find themselves coming back here anyway. Something about the place. As for what's changed, well, there is the legal prostitution, which is rather interesting. Not to mention the Thunderdome that we recently erected just outside the city limits. The death toll's not quite as high there as I think officials would have liked. Other than that, I'd say it's been pretty much the same. Oh, there's a new crop of Bellefontes prowling about the place, which is always interesting," seeing as Guy had more or less grown up with the last batch. He had to admit to preferring the lull between. Something about that name just had way too much weight.

[Det. Dexter Sterling]

Oh, yes. Dexter had nearly forgotten the legendary with and sense of humor of the Head Trainer. The young detective had always remembered Mr. LeGrange as being a hard ass but fair. He'd always respected the man as a person and as a trainer. If not for Guy, Dexter probably would never have joined the Police Academy and could very well have been just another stupid kid getting into trouble. Of course, eighteen year old Dexter never would have let on anything of the sort and it didn't seem the appropriate time for twenty eight year old Dexter to either. Dexter just offered a light laugh at the quips. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

"Is that so?" Dexter asked curiously. He didn't recall attending the Academy with any Bellfontes of note. He knew the name, obviously, as well as the Headmaster and a number of staffers, but if he grew up with one or more of the family it escaped him. It didn't matter. He'd be dealing with the family in its entirety soon enough. Guy's words didn't comfort him on this fact. Frowning some he glanced to the small man. "You know, when the time is right, maybe I'll buy you a beer and you can elaborate on that one." Dexter knew better than to attempt instigating such a conversation in such a public place.

[Guy LeGrange]

Guy nodded at Dexter's question. "It seems to go in cycles; I think the last batch was actually when I was in school," he wrinkled his nose, trying to remember. He hadn't exactly run in the same circles as Bellefontes, and the recent batch was, on the whole, more gregarious than their name usually entailed. Modern living had left a clutch of children ready to go off and lead their own lives, though the twins worried Guy for entirely different reasons. He didn't see as he could accomplish much there.

"Ah, I will actually end up taking you up on that," said Guy, nodding and pointing at Dexter. "There's actually a relatively new establishment, Matt's Hole in the Wall, which is every bit as good as its name would entail," that rakish smile returned, and Guy even winked. "You'll find me there as often as not. though right now, I'm afraid I'm going to have to settle for something provided by the good people here."

With that Guy, gestured at the food carts surrounding him, before lowering the arm and sighing. Yes, he certainly was looking forward to eating airport food; that just sounded ever so splendid.

[Det. Dexter Sterling]

The young detective nodded. The weight of the Bellefonte name wasn't lost on Dexter. He paused a moment as he gave Guy's words their proper due. He didn't know if the young Bellefontes would make his job as liaison more or less difficult, but judging by Mr. LeGrange's response, he guessed the former. "I'm sure I'll get to know them very well very soon." Dexter said flatly. He didn't want to predict what would come of the latest generation of the school's family when it pertained to him, at least not so soon. He'd just landed in Montana, after all.

"Alright." Dexter nodded. He fully intended on fulfilling his promise. Regardless, he'd have to look the place up when he got the chance. Every cop needed a place to go drinking and an establishment that apparently named itself after its atmosphere certainly seemed the best option. "Maybe I'll catch you there some time." He replied as his eyes shifted to look out over the food carts where Guy had gestured. "There's always worse food." He commented idly, smirking a bit.

"Well," Dexter said, glancing down to his watch with a bit of a frown. "I should probably leave you to your quest for food." His gaze shifted back to the little man as he waved idly down the terminal. "Need to get my luggage and report in to my new duty station." He was almost reluctant as he'd much prefer to stick around and catch up with the Academy trainer, but time wasn't on his side. There was still much to do and far less daylight to do it in. Still, though, it felt a step in the right direction, connecting with an old mentor. He shrugged his bag higher onto his shoulder and extended a hand to Guy. "It was great to see you again. I'm sure we'll be working together in the near future."

[Guy LeGrange]

"I'm sure you will," agreed Guy dryly. You could hardly avoid the clutch of current Bellefontes, and everyone had an opinion about nearly all of them. Personally, Guy thought they could all use some love and an adult actually worth looking up to, but he didn't feel a need to voice this. Dexter would uncover the information on his own, after all.

The man agreed to Guy's offer for food, and Guy nodded. He'd no doubt see the man around; you couldn't exactly avoid Matt's forever, not if you actually liked to drink in Kalispell. The place was loaded with... atmosphere, after all. As for the food: "You say that, but you haven't tried it yet," he pointed out. In truth, he found Matt's to have an exquisite version of greasy bar food, but he knew there wasn't much to do there.

It sounded as if Dexter had business to attend to, and talking wasn't exactly filling Guy's stomach. He nodded, extending his hand to take the one offered to him. "It's a pleasure to see you again," he agreed, nodding. "Always nice to see that they all don't end up assholes or crooks," or sometimes both, in quite a few cases. Guy smiled, gave Dexter's hand a squeeze, and turned back to the food carts. "If you need anything, feel free to contact me. I'm easy enough to find," since it felt like a third of Kalispell knew Guy for one reason or another. wasn't like they had a lot of dwarfs that ran the training areas of local academies, after all. Guy chuckled to himself as he headed toward the food court, his stomach leading the way.

{fin?}