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[Never been stellar, and most if it isn't even the Guard's fault. Most people just assume they're the cops immediately; always have, probably always will.]
We have a few of those, actually. Getting people to them is the real trick. You can lead a horse to water and whatnot.
[The Guard's motto ought to be Damned If We Do, Damned If We Don't.]
Drake is going to be heading them up now. I might see if I can get a few of the others on it, too.
We have a few of those, actually. Getting people to them is the real trick. You can lead a horse to water and whatnot.
[The Guard's motto ought to be Damned If We Do, Damned If We Don't.]
Drake is going to be heading them up now. I might see if I can get a few of the others on it, too.
I'll put it on the to-do list.
[But he'll pass on putting Drake on the spot like that, thanks.]
[But he'll pass on putting Drake on the spot like that, thanks.]
Well... You said it yourself. About the Null weapon, how real people couldn't get near it.
「He gives a little shrug.」
I might not be very tech savvy, but I know what you mean, it's glaring obvious — but I don't think not being made of flesh and bone would make you less of a person, Nick.
「He gives a little shrug.」
I might not be very tech savvy, but I know what you mean, it's glaring obvious — but I don't think not being made of flesh and bone would make you less of a person, Nick.
Edited 2018-10-08 16:52 (UTC)
I had a hunch.
[Though it wouldn't take a detective to figure that out. He cocks his head back, a gesture for Nick to follow him as he crosses the empty bar to the table where he has his work laid out. Papers, as usual -- Nick seems to always be buried in those. However, that also means folks won't think twice about him carrying around any files on them.
Not that he has files on everyone. Just a few notable characters.]
Now I'm not expecting you to go sneaking around trying to gather up dirt on folks or anything. I mostly just need someone to keep an ear to the ground for me when it come to certain individuals, and let me know if they see trouble coming.
[Though it wouldn't take a detective to figure that out. He cocks his head back, a gesture for Nick to follow him as he crosses the empty bar to the table where he has his work laid out. Papers, as usual -- Nick seems to always be buried in those. However, that also means folks won't think twice about him carrying around any files on them.
Not that he has files on everyone. Just a few notable characters.]
Now I'm not expecting you to go sneaking around trying to gather up dirt on folks or anything. I mostly just need someone to keep an ear to the ground for me when it come to certain individuals, and let me know if they see trouble coming.
[His eyes flick away, if only for an instant.]
Guess it depends on who you're talking about. I guess it'd be hard to consider the Null to be people, given how they operate.
[But he knows good and well that's not who Atem is talking about.]
Guess it depends on who you're talking about. I guess it'd be hard to consider the Null to be people, given how they operate.
[But he knows good and well that's not who Atem is talking about.]
[He follows, listening. Nick has a slew of paperwork spread across a table that reminds him of the way he used to organize his own research, prior to narrowing down search areas for artifacts. It's difficult to resist the urge to pick a file up to look it over, but he is doing his level best to be respectful.
Nate does not believe that he is personally capable of sneaking around to gather dirt on folks, seeing as he is abundantly lacking in subtlety, but he is at least talented at associating with untrustworthy peers.]
...well, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's getting to know people who will probably stab you in the back.
[He leans up against the table.]
Who'd you have in mind?
Nate does not believe that he is personally capable of sneaking around to gather dirt on folks, seeing as he is abundantly lacking in subtlety, but he is at least talented at associating with untrustworthy peers.]
...well, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's getting to know people who will probably stab you in the back.
[He leans up against the table.]
Who'd you have in mind?
What do you consider them, then?
「How they operate is independent to what they are, they clearly have an understanding of what their species need or don't need, regardless of how brutal it might be. They create themselves, they look after their own, how does that make them any different to a human being or a synthetic person?」
What makes a person, Nick?
「How they operate is independent to what they are, they clearly have an understanding of what their species need or don't need, regardless of how brutal it might be. They create themselves, they look after their own, how does that make them any different to a human being or a synthetic person?」
What makes a person, Nick?
[ Hey, even if he doesn't have to sleep, maybe he likes lying down? Technically DiMA has no specific need to sit but he does it anyway. So he won't question the furniture, and the Guard notes and weaponry make sense... really the only thing he pays specific attention to is the fish, and when he leans in to examine it more closely also notices the glowing eye under the bed. DiMA blinks, straightens up, and crosses over to whatever creature is hiding there instead. ]
Then I'm lucky to have arrived after you, and others of a mechanical nature, did the hard work for me.
[ What is under the bed..??? DiMA is still focused on the conversation, but is also offering skeletal fingers to whatever's there. ]
Oh? I've met a few mechanical folk already. Who would you say is more unusual?
Then I'm lucky to have arrived after you, and others of a mechanical nature, did the hard work for me.
[ What is under the bed..??? DiMA is still focused on the conversation, but is also offering skeletal fingers to whatever's there. ]
Oh? I've met a few mechanical folk already. Who would you say is more unusual?
Nick? I'm very sorry to bother you, but I thought you should know. The demon who murdered me has been imprisoned in ice by a vigilante. I attempted to gather thoughts and plans for what to do about it when it emerges, but responses were. . . useless at best. I thought perhaps you might have ideas for how we should proceed.
Edited 2018-10-21 03:25 (UTC)
[As DiMA entices the one-eyed creature under the bed, Nick straightens some of the papers on his desk, trying to busy himself and make the place just a little more hospitable. It's not a stifling distance he puts between himself and his presumed brother, but it's evident enough he's still gauging how to handle this whole situation, as well as deciding just how much of his life here he wants to offer up for scrutiny to this person who knows him from another time. How different is he from the Nick that DiMA knows? How have his experiences in Hadriel shaped him?
Nick could say loads about that, but maybe later.]
There's at least one fella here who is a genuine alien. Covered in ice, couldn't pass for anything even close to human in a million years. A good guy, though. That's what really matters.
[And speaking of unusual characters, a single, ratty paw lashes out at DiMA's fingers, batting them playfully before darting back under the bed.]
Nick could say loads about that, but maybe later.]
There's at least one fella here who is a genuine alien. Covered in ice, couldn't pass for anything even close to human in a million years. A good guy, though. That's what really matters.
[And speaking of unusual characters, a single, ratty paw lashes out at DiMA's fingers, batting them playfully before darting back under the bed.]
Edited 2018-10-21 03:40 (UTC)
[ DiMA couldn't quite make an assessment of that yet, honestly, though Nick could ask. He's already noted several differences and mentioned the most striking one -- the fact that they're having this conversation so amicably in the first place. ]
An alien? Seems we really do get pulled in from all over, I met one who might call himself something similar as well. Though I'm sure your friend is... nicer.
[ Starscream was friendly enough to him, being mechanical, but there was an undercurrent of speciesism DiMA hadn't been certain how to navigate as a fellow newcomer. ]
Hopefully he'll come to understand that humans aren-- oh. [ ....kitty??? ] Hello there, little one.
An alien? Seems we really do get pulled in from all over, I met one who might call himself something similar as well. Though I'm sure your friend is... nicer.
[ Starscream was friendly enough to him, being mechanical, but there was an undercurrent of speciesism DiMA hadn't been certain how to navigate as a fellow newcomer. ]
Hopefully he'll come to understand that humans aren-- oh. [ ....kitty??? ] Hello there, little one.
[Nick glances DiMA's way as he interrupts himself, seeing how he's let his hand linger at the shadows under the bed.]
Is that where you've been hiding.
[That's more of a question than a statement, and one made to the cat rather than his guest. He digs through the draw at the front of his desk, pulling out a stick with feather and a toy mouse attached to it, passing it DiMA's way. The second the toy is out of the drawer, Tripod edges toward the light just a little bit more, the distinct of shape of a cat -- a one-eyed, three-legged cat who sets off internal Geiger counters with his presence, but a cat nonetheless -- visible at border of the shadow.]
The alien I'm talking about is out at sea right now, out with a group on a scavenger hunt for pieces of some artifact. You might see him around the water sometimes when he gets back. He's on the Guard with me, and keeps an eye out for anything lurking in the depths.
Is that where you've been hiding.
[That's more of a question than a statement, and one made to the cat rather than his guest. He digs through the draw at the front of his desk, pulling out a stick with feather and a toy mouse attached to it, passing it DiMA's way. The second the toy is out of the drawer, Tripod edges toward the light just a little bit more, the distinct of shape of a cat -- a one-eyed, three-legged cat who sets off internal Geiger counters with his presence, but a cat nonetheless -- visible at border of the shadow.]
The alien I'm talking about is out at sea right now, out with a group on a scavenger hunt for pieces of some artifact. You might see him around the water sometimes when he gets back. He's on the Guard with me, and keeps an eye out for anything lurking in the depths.
I'm sure you expected Caedra.
[He pulls out his file for her, filled with some notes on her abilities and known activities since her arrival. While he does note her magic has been weakened by the gods, he left out who is to blame for that. He wouldn't want anything to happen to Nate should his files ever get stolen, after all.]
I'd like an eye kept on Law, too. Don't suppose you talk to him much, do you?
[He pulls out his file for her, filled with some notes on her abilities and known activities since her arrival. While he does note her magic has been weakened by the gods, he left out who is to blame for that. He wouldn't want anything to happen to Nate should his files ever get stolen, after all.]
I'd like an eye kept on Law, too. Don't suppose you talk to him much, do you?
I've seen the activity on the network.
[And kept fairly quiet about it, too. As much as he doesn't trust Caedra, he can't say he trusts folks who take it on themselves to dispense vigilante justice, either -- especially when they person they dispensed it on might very well be ready to raise literal hell when she thaws.]
I'll make sure the Guard is on call when our thirty days is up, just in case she decides to take it out on all of us. Not much we can do about it if she goes straight for the vigilante themselves, though.
[And kept fairly quiet about it, too. As much as he doesn't trust Caedra, he can't say he trusts folks who take it on themselves to dispense vigilante justice, either -- especially when they person they dispensed it on might very well be ready to raise literal hell when she thaws.]
I'll make sure the Guard is on call when our thirty days is up, just in case she decides to take it out on all of us. Not much we can do about it if she goes straight for the vigilante themselves, though.
[Odd, when Ignis usually chooses to speak 'face-to-face' (so to speak), but perhaps the peculiar unsteadiness in his voice gives enough of a clue as to why he might be choosing not to use video this time.]
Ah... Nick. [He pauses, as if he's momentarily forgotten why he called, then clears his throat softly and continues.] I'm afraid I'm going to have to request a few days off duty. I'm not... [Another uncharacteristic trailing off, and he falls silent for a few moments.]
I don't feel I can give my best to the Guard at present. Or... close to half of my best. [Which might have even been enough. He almost seems to laugh, here. He's been hiding it so, so well, but the last few days have made it clear to him that he can't continue doing so.] I apologise. I know it's an inconvenient time.
Ah... Nick. [He pauses, as if he's momentarily forgotten why he called, then clears his throat softly and continues.] I'm afraid I'm going to have to request a few days off duty. I'm not... [Another uncharacteristic trailing off, and he falls silent for a few moments.]
I don't feel I can give my best to the Guard at present. Or... close to half of my best. [Which might have even been enough. He almost seems to laugh, here. He's been hiding it so, so well, but the last few days have made it clear to him that he can't continue doing so.] I apologise. I know it's an inconvenient time.
I'm sure it was hard not to.
[she fears that the vigilante has done the equivalent of putting a bandage on a gut wound. underneath the bandage, the wound continues to fester]
Thank you, I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates your efforts. [she sighs] I doubt that the vigilante is eager to step forward, town sentiment being what it is.
[she fears that the vigilante has done the equivalent of putting a bandage on a gut wound. underneath the bandage, the wound continues to fester]
Thank you, I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates your efforts. [she sighs] I doubt that the vigilante is eager to step forward, town sentiment being what it is.
Yeah.
[He confirms quietly, moving in to glance at the file in Nick's hands. Nate anticipated having to keep an eye on her in particular, what with the whole "introductory murder spree" she went on when she arrived.
The second name is more reassuring, at least in the sense that Nate has had his own doubts about Law's motives since the Name incident. Kind of nice to be validated in one's suspicions.]
A little. More acquaintance than friend, but he definitely knows I've got experience in less-than-legal matters. What kind of stuff are you looking out for?
[He confirms quietly, moving in to glance at the file in Nick's hands. Nate anticipated having to keep an eye on her in particular, what with the whole "introductory murder spree" she went on when she arrived.
The second name is more reassuring, at least in the sense that Nate has had his own doubts about Law's motives since the Name incident. Kind of nice to be validated in one's suspicions.]
A little. More acquaintance than friend, but he definitely knows I've got experience in less-than-legal matters. What kind of stuff are you looking out for?
Just keeping an eye on his motivations these days. I can't say he's ever struck me as the altruistic type, but he at least seemed to have folks' best interests somewhere in mind... until lately.
[His voice dips at that last note, his brow knitting.]
Maybe he's been playing toward his own interests all along, but now that the stakes are higher, I can't help but question his judgment.
[His voice dips at that last note, his brow knitting.]
Maybe he's been playing toward his own interests all along, but now that the stakes are higher, I can't help but question his judgment.
I can't say I blame folks for being up-in-arms, given the circumstances. That vigilante may feel good about themselves now, but we'll see how they feel if Caedra comes out of the ice swinging. I'm just hoping she isn't batting for all of us.
[This is an odd call, and one he can't say he expected.]
It's fine if you need to take some time off, Ignis.
[He'd ask if everything is all right, but it's obviously not, or he wouldn't be calling. He goes with a different approach.]
What's going on? Anything I can do?
It's fine if you need to take some time off, Ignis.
[He'd ask if everything is all right, but it's obviously not, or he wouldn't be calling. He goes with a different approach.]
What's going on? Anything I can do?
Well, he's spending a lot of quality time with Caedra.
[Nate volunteers, though he isn't one-hundred percent clear on the extent of that association beyond "very personal." He wouldn't put it past Caedra to make a pass at someone with a disreputable past - she sure as Hell seemed more interested in Nate when she learned he was a thief - and Law is a pirate.
He's also a narcissist with a dumb hat, but that's neither here nor there.]
He made it pretty clear back at the Name meeting that he just wants to get out of here, and with all that tree bullshit it sure doesn't feel like he's community minded.
[It's a sentiment Nate can empathize with, wanting out, but Law's internal compass points him in a direction that seems to come at the cost of everyone else.]
[Nate volunteers, though he isn't one-hundred percent clear on the extent of that association beyond "very personal." He wouldn't put it past Caedra to make a pass at someone with a disreputable past - she sure as Hell seemed more interested in Nate when she learned he was a thief - and Law is a pirate.
He's also a narcissist with a dumb hat, but that's neither here nor there.]
He made it pretty clear back at the Name meeting that he just wants to get out of here, and with all that tree bullshit it sure doesn't feel like he's community minded.
[It's a sentiment Nate can empathize with, wanting out, but Law's internal compass points him in a direction that seems to come at the cost of everyone else.]
[ What's this his brother is passing him? DiMA accepts the stick, and while he might not have specific experience using cat toys it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how this one works. Especially since the creature under the bed is coming forward with its single glowing eye focused on the dangling mouse.
And so, a broken-down old robot is kneeling on the floor of Nick's room, wiggling a stick to make the toy on the end dance for his pet. With a hint of a smile on his face, even. ]
Here. Would you like to come out?
[ He wants to meet the kitty! But will keep up the more important conversation as well, of course. ]
I did hear about the expedition, yes. Perhaps I'll meet him when he returns. The individual I was referring to sounded quite disparaging about any species -- or perhaps even group with that, all the names he used were unknown to me -- besides his own. Still, polite enough.
And so, a broken-down old robot is kneeling on the floor of Nick's room, wiggling a stick to make the toy on the end dance for his pet. With a hint of a smile on his face, even. ]
Here. Would you like to come out?
[ He wants to meet the kitty! But will keep up the more important conversation as well, of course. ]
I did hear about the expedition, yes. Perhaps I'll meet him when he returns. The individual I was referring to sounded quite disparaging about any species -- or perhaps even group with that, all the names he used were unknown to me -- besides his own. Still, polite enough.
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