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[synthedick]

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[mismanagement]

[Maketh smiles over her coffee. Of all the people she knows, Nick is one of the more reasonable.


Though, to be fair, that's not exactly hard.] I worry. It's become a habit.

[synthedick]

[The competition for reasonable people in Hadriel isn't very steep.]

I know you do. Someone has to, given this place could go to pieces at any minute.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh snorts.] No, I suppose you're right. But--we're doing better than I could have hoped. Despite everything.

[synthedick]

It could be worse.

[Truer words never spoken.]

Anything in particular keeping you up these days?

[He's a worrier, too.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh smiles just a little.] Perhaps it's foolish, but...I have people now. I--they could die. And that should not worry me. It shouldn't. I know better. But they cannot. You cannot.

[She laughs unhappily.] I am losing my edge.

[synthedick]

We all meet our maker eventually.

[Though he knows what she's going through. He knows what it's like to lose people he cares about; he refuses to let that happen again. Not now, not here.]

We've just got to keep focused on what we're doing, and why we're doing it. We're making this place better, safer. For them, and for us.

[mismanagement]

For them, [Maketh echos. It's still difficult to add herself into that. So much of her still clings to old habits. A life is only important if it serves something greater. And yet--

Well.]

It's harder with an enemy you can't physically strike.

[synthedick]

[Nick understands that sentiment. The only reason he includes himself is because he knows how much Rey depends on him from time to time... for now, at least.]

Yeah. And with people working against us every step of the way.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh nods unhappily.] They were sensible for a while. No longer.

[synthedick]

Some seem to be shaping up. Kate in particular. I've still got my eye on Bianca.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh rocks back on her feet.] You think Kate has seen sense?

[She doesn't pretend to understand how Bianca works.]

[synthedick]

Some. But I think what she did was impulsive, and she knows it.

[mismanagement]

That's a start. [Better than nothing. Maketh has done impulsive things here. The scheme with the explosives for one. If Lilith hadn't talked her out of it...] Stars, there are too many people now that need to be watched.

[synthedick]

Guess we'll have to do some recruiting.

[mismanagement]

Indeed. And we're due for newcomers soon. Perhaps some of them will be promising.

[synthedick]

Fingers crossed.

[He rotates the mug in his hand, lightly whirling the liquid inside.]

Aside from all that worrying, you holding up okay? Not working yourself to death, are you?

[Says the guy who is the textbook definition of a workaholic.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh quips a smile.] Trying not to. I'll admit I haven't been sleeping much, but that's hardly new.

[synthedick]

[He sighs.]

You've got to take care of yourself, Maketh. You're not a machine, and we can't afford to lose you.

[mismanagement]

[She huffs a smile over her coffee.] You will not.

[And even if they did, Hope would just bring her back again.]

[synthedick]

[Hope would, but Nick's not so sure he'll keep doing it, especially if it'd save him some energy. Better not risk it.]

I'm gonna hold you to that next time I regroup with everyone and find out I'm suddenly in charge.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh watches him for a moment.] You did well. I mean that. I would not have--if I did not trust you.

[synthedick]

[Nick's eyes fall, his face along with them as lingering doubt colors him. The memories of that night are still fresh on his mind, and yet, he's one of the lucky ones in terms of what could have happened -- what did happen to Maketh and Henry.]

I did what needed to be done. I just wasn't expecting to lose both you and Henry so quickly.

[mismanagement]

No. [Maketh looks away, drinking her coffee. That was -- not a good day.] I should have anticipated more of it.

[synthedick]

I don't think anyone wakes up expecting to die that day. I was just surprised it was me rather than Sheriff Bigby or Damianos of Akielos. Someone with experience in leading people. I'm just an old detective.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh shakes her head briefly.] Experience in the field is one thing. Having the trust of the people is another.

[She could have put a soldier in charge, someone who knew how to command troops, but that wouldn't have held the community together. The people here believe in Nick, know his word can be relied upon, and won't balk when he speaks. Besides, the defenses had already been put in place. The soldier's work was done. They needed a leader and Maketh gave them one.]

Don't mistake me. Damian and Bigby are capable men, but they don't have the sway that you do.

[Maketh meets Nick's eyes.]

People here trust you. That matters.