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[synthedick]

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[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.

[synthedick]

[Nick's eyes flick to Maketh, meeting them as her gaze lands on him. She's right, of course -- the Guard isn't about leading the city, nor is it about policing them. It's about keeping them safe, getting them to cooperate. Doing that takes some level of trust with the people, some rapport they're still working on. Not everyone trusts them, and not everyone will, but what they have is a good start. They just have to maintain it, build upon it -- and that takes a finesse not everyone is capable of.

So Nick can absolutely see what Maketh means, even if he doesn't believe it himself sometimes. Even being a detective, it sometimes takes another pair of eyes to see the answer that's staring him right in the face.]

Not sure how much sway I really have around here, but... I appreciate the trust you put in me. I won't let you down, Maketh.

[mismanagement]

[She smiles, ducking her head over the coffee.] I have faith.

[Not so long ago she would have never dared to put a civilian in charge of such an operation. So much has changed since she's come to Hadriel, not all of it for the worse. On Lothal, she had no trust in the civilians, had thought them simple and weak, easy to manipulate. Worth protecting, but perhaps a little naive - never quite good enough to know how to do anything themselves.

She'd been cruel then, Maketh thinks. Perhaps she still is.]

[synthedick]

Now if you can manage to spare some for yourself, we'll be good.

[He worries about Maketh and how much she deals with -- how much she doubts herself.]

[mismanagement]

I'll try. [She exhales slowly, then finishes her coffee.] That's all I can promise.

[It might not be much, in his eyes. But it's what she can give.]

There was--another matter I'd bring up, if that's all right.

[synthedick]

[Hey, the thought that she'll at least try is good enough for Nick. You can't eat an elephant in one sitting, after all.]

Sure, sure. What is it?

[mismanagement]

[Maketh smooths her thumb over the rim of her mug.] We need to put protocols in place, in case--well. In case I am not there. People die, or sometimes they simply leave--it's not efficient to leave this things to chance.