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[Here's a message Nick didn't expect, from someone he didn't think would be texting him, about a topic he was hoping said someone might not get involved in. He worries just a little about you, Nate. It doesn't take a detective to figure out what lady he's talking about, given the day's events.]
How do you figure that?
How do you figure that?
[Nate probably should have expected questions; that he couldn't leave it vague. Nick is the resident gumshoe, after all, and he wouldn't be himself if he didn't pry.]
I, uh, I went to speak to Hope.
[Helpless to really assist people who had genuinely neededed it when everything was going down, he resorted to the next best thing even if it meant swallowing all his pride. It sticks in the craw even now, but it was necessary.]
He agreed to make her less powerful.
I, uh, I went to speak to Hope.
[Helpless to really assist people who had genuinely neededed it when everything was going down, he resorted to the next best thing even if it meant swallowing all his pride. It sticks in the craw even now, but it was necessary.]
He agreed to make her less powerful.
You went to Hope.
[There's a sound that's something akin to a pleased laugh on his side. Just one, and one that's definitely made in quiet, appreciative approval.]
You didn't strike me as the type to tattle on someone.
[There's a sound that's something akin to a pleased laugh on his side. Just one, and one that's definitely made in quiet, appreciative approval.]
You didn't strike me as the type to tattle on someone.
[The incredulity - and barest hint of judgment - is enough to set Nate's jaw tightening, defensive. The last thing he needs is a reputation as someone who asks other people to take care of his problems for him; Nate has been handling himself since he was able to throw punches at the bigger kids who would take his books out on the orphanage playground. Regardless of the fact that he always ended up in suspension with a black eye and a fat lip, at least he'd had his goddamn say in the matter.
This is like...risk management, with a hired consultant.]
I'm not, [he half-grouses, aware of how it looks.] But I'm only human, and so are a lot of other people here.
[Comparably delicate in the grand scheme of resident entities.]
This is like...risk management, with a hired consultant.]
I'm not, [he half-grouses, aware of how it looks.] But I'm only human, and so are a lot of other people here.
[Comparably delicate in the grand scheme of resident entities.]
[Nick hears that slight shift in tone, and backs off his teasing for the second, partially because he'd rather not tick off the guy he owes his thanks to.]
You won't hear any complaints from me. There's only so much the people here can do against bona fide demons, even those of us who aren't human. Guess I never thought the gods would agree to help us keep someone in check like that.
[They've always struck him as willing to turn a blind eye to most suffering in general, seeing how the events they cause usually go. Hope keeps them fed and the monsters out, but there's a lot to be desired from the gods overall.]
Hey. [There's that hint of concern eking in.] He's not putting you through the wringer as payment for this, is he?
You won't hear any complaints from me. There's only so much the people here can do against bona fide demons, even those of us who aren't human. Guess I never thought the gods would agree to help us keep someone in check like that.
[They've always struck him as willing to turn a blind eye to most suffering in general, seeing how the events they cause usually go. Hope keeps them fed and the monsters out, but there's a lot to be desired from the gods overall.]
Hey. [There's that hint of concern eking in.] He's not putting you through the wringer as payment for this, is he?
[Nate didn't think any of the gods would agree to it, either, which has him wondering whether this is going to bite him in the ass somewhere down the line. Like signing his soul off, Robert Johnson style.]
I...don't actually know, [he admits, hopelessly out of his depth.] He seemed to just accept it after I made the case that drawing on emotions is kind of hard if all of us are dead, but I have no idea if he's going to come back later for something else.
[The entire process has been a fairly regular study in Nate's traditional approach to problems, which usually just involves the execution and a lack of concern about any consequences that may befall him in particular.]
I...don't actually know, [he admits, hopelessly out of his depth.] He seemed to just accept it after I made the case that drawing on emotions is kind of hard if all of us are dead, but I have no idea if he's going to come back later for something else.
[The entire process has been a fairly regular study in Nate's traditional approach to problems, which usually just involves the execution and a lack of concern about any consequences that may befall him in particular.]
You must've made a hell of a case.
[Then again, Nate isn't some machine pretending to be a person. Maybe the gods were more willing to listen to him than they would to someone more akin to the Null. They certainly hadn't given Nick the time of day regarding a few of his choice concerns.
Still, Nick wants to be able to do something. He might be a machine, but it's in his nature.]
Look... if he does come back looking for payment down the road, give me a call. I'll see what I can do to help.
[Then again, Nate isn't some machine pretending to be a person. Maybe the gods were more willing to listen to him than they would to someone more akin to the Null. They certainly hadn't given Nick the time of day regarding a few of his choice concerns.
Still, Nick wants to be able to do something. He might be a machine, but it's in his nature.]
Look... if he does come back looking for payment down the road, give me a call. I'll see what I can do to help.
[Nate allows himself some nervous laughter, because as with many things, he has no idea how he accomplished what he did but isn't keen to over-analyze it.
Maybe he shouldn't be surprised by Nick's offer. The guy has made it abundantly clear that his mission in this place is to help people. Still, outside of a rare few, people don't often stick their neck out for him.]
I- Thanks. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Maybe he shouldn't be surprised by Nick's offer. The guy has made it abundantly clear that his mission in this place is to help people. Still, outside of a rare few, people don't often stick their neck out for him.]
I- Thanks. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.
Maybe that'll be all the hope he needs for payment.
[Nick, please.]
Did he say when he's doing this?
[Nick, please.]
Did he say when he's doing this?
Edited 2018-04-17 07:44 (UTC)
[Perhaps unsurprisingly Nate chuckles at the joke, appreciative of the kind of retort that would make most people groan. If there is one thing in this godforsaken world he hopes never dies, it's bad puns.]
I left him an offering. Maybe it's enough.
[Nate rubs at his chin, though Nick cannot see it.]
He seemed to imply it would be effective immediately, but I don't know if he can snap his fingers from the comfort of his temple or has to grace us with his presence for it. Either way, I don't wanna be around her when she finds out she's basically human.
I left him an offering. Maybe it's enough.
[Nate rubs at his chin, though Nick cannot see it.]
He seemed to imply it would be effective immediately, but I don't know if he can snap his fingers from the comfort of his temple or has to grace us with his presence for it. Either way, I don't wanna be around her when she finds out she's basically human.
Yeah. She might wish she'd torn me to pieces instead of walking away when she does.
[The dangers of being the guy to talk down a demon.]
[The dangers of being the guy to talk down a demon.]
Good morning.
I must confess something to you, and I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. I have been disloyal to you as a member of the guard, and I wish to rectify that.
It should have been a simple chain of command. I operated under miss Maketh and you both, and when she left I should have been wholly yours. I was not- perhaps I still don't see your authority the way I saw hers. For that, I'm sorry. Transitioning between handlers has always been difficult for me and you and I have not exactly had a close working relationship in the past.
I must confess something to you, and I am willing to accept whatever punishment you deem necessary. I have been disloyal to you as a member of the guard, and I wish to rectify that.
It should have been a simple chain of command. I operated under miss Maketh and you both, and when she left I should have been wholly yours. I was not- perhaps I still don't see your authority the way I saw hers. For that, I'm sorry. Transitioning between handlers has always been difficult for me and you and I have not exactly had a close working relationship in the past.
If it makes you feel any better, I haven't exactly been putting myself out there the way I probably should have, given my new position. I'd like to fix that, if I can.
[Almost the second after he sends that message, he wonders just why he felt the need to be so honest with Rome regarding his insecurities as co-leader of the Guard. People have been a little strange on the network lately, but Nick has been busy, and hasn't yet connected the dots.]
[Still, he feels a little better even after getting such mild confessions off his chest, and sends another message shortly:]
I know you and Maketh had some close ties, and losing her couldn't have been any easier on you than it was on the rest of us. [He's save asking about this whole 'handlers' business later.] Are you saying you were disloyal to the Guard because you've still been following some orders of hers, even after her disappearance?
[Because if this is about him being Nick's watchdog during dangerous events, he's happy to let the kid off the hook.]
[Almost the second after he sends that message, he wonders just why he felt the need to be so honest with Rome regarding his insecurities as co-leader of the Guard. People have been a little strange on the network lately, but Nick has been busy, and hasn't yet connected the dots.]
[Still, he feels a little better even after getting such mild confessions off his chest, and sends another message shortly:]
I know you and Maketh had some close ties, and losing her couldn't have been any easier on you than it was on the rest of us. [He's save asking about this whole 'handlers' business later.] Are you saying you were disloyal to the Guard because you've still been following some orders of hers, even after her disappearance?
[Because if this is about him being Nick's watchdog during dangerous events, he's happy to let the kid off the hook.]
...What do you mean you talked to her?
[Jesus Christ, Nick has no room to criticize Nate for having a death wish.]
I thought some of the people down at the temple knocked her out.
[Jesus Christ, Nick has no room to criticize Nate for having a death wish.]
I thought some of the people down at the temple knocked her out.
[Shortly after this doozy of an encounter:]
So, um. There was this woman who showed up at the Speakeasy tonight talking about how she could probably... tell me certain things about myself, but only without the presence of the gods. I suggested that maybe she might be able to remove whatever limitations they hold on her if she were to distance herself from them and the city-- [because heeeell if we're going to start down that road again] --but. I just thought that you should know. Since I wouldn't do anything crazy like that without letting you know. And, well, it sounded pretty shady to start...
[Just FYI.]
So, um. There was this woman who showed up at the Speakeasy tonight talking about how she could probably... tell me certain things about myself, but only without the presence of the gods. I suggested that maybe she might be able to remove whatever limitations they hold on her if she were to distance herself from them and the city-- [because heeeell if we're going to start down that road again] --but. I just thought that you should know. Since I wouldn't do anything crazy like that without letting you know. And, well, it sounded pretty shady to start...
[Just FYI.]
[Someone with limitations put on them by the gods, huh?]
She have solid black eyes?
She have solid black eyes?
[Nick can have a death wish, all right. He doesn't have a wife here in town.]
I thought they would have, but they must've gotten tied up with the goons she brought in, since I got to her first.
I thought they would have, but they must've gotten tied up with the goons she brought in, since I got to her first.
That's the dame who murdered Margaery Tyrell and brought in all those demons.
The... "dame"...?
[Snort. Nick, u so old fashioned.
[But no. Trying to be sincere here.]
Okay, sorry. Really. You serious?
[Snort. Nick, u so old fashioned.
[But no. Trying to be sincere here.]
Okay, sorry. Really. You serious?
[Nick isn't laughing.]
Yeah. That's her.
[Not that he'd know because he went and talked her down or anything. Now that Hope is restraining her powers, he's betting that trick won't work a second time.]
There's a good chance she's bluffing just to get you out there.
Yeah. That's her.
[Not that he'd know because he went and talked her down or anything. Now that Hope is restraining her powers, he's betting that trick won't work a second time.]
There's a good chance she's bluffing just to get you out there.
[Rey doesn't know the full extent of what happened, having been bedridden and then high on magical tea shortly after, and she hasn't really asked for a follow-up. Given the way things ended and the city isn't blown to shit, she just figured that someone handled it.]
Ah, probably. Like I said, it sounded shady, so it's not like I was going to jump into this without thinking. I'm not that desperate -- or stupid. Most of the time.
[Or so Rey would like to think. She's just stubborn as hell.]
Ah, probably. Like I said, it sounded shady, so it's not like I was going to jump into this without thinking. I'm not that desperate -- or stupid. Most of the time.
[Or so Rey would like to think. She's just stubborn as hell.]
[Most of the time. Nick is grateful she called him first this time around, as her being out in the middle of nowhere with a murderous demon is just asking for trouble.]
What were you hoping to find out?
What were you hoping to find out?
[After everything they've been through the last several months, that's the last thing either of them need.]
...
The reason IV wants to dissect me like a frog.
[It could have been a much more worrying answer.]
...
The reason IV wants to dissect me like a frog.
[It could have been a much more worrying answer.]
And what did Caedra say she could do to find that out, open a portal to your world and ask IV herself?
[Because if that's the answer, that is a terrible idea.]
[Because if that's the answer, that is a terrible idea.]
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