[Nick nods as Ephemera walks up, noting the cleaner armor. Nice of him to take the helmet off to talk, too.]
Ephemera.
[His greeting is but his name, but his tone is warm enough. He looks like he could use some fixing up himself, given the cane and the visible corrosion on his bare, metal hand. The rest of him is in as good a shape as ever, which isn't saying much, what with the tears and discoloration of his synthetic skin. He's not doing as well beyond that friendly face, though, the weight of the past several months weighing him down in the shoulders.]
Drake filled you in on all that's been going on?
[Nick knows the answer to this question, but it's worth asking anyway, if for no other reason than to see just how ready Ephemera is to be back in the midst of things. Drake said he needed space, and while Nick figured that much on his own, it didn't hurt to have another reason to not call up Ephemera himself. They might be hurting for Guard members, but he's not about to go hounding after folks the second they get back in town, especially when there's no telling what they've been through back home -- and that's if they remember Hadriel at all.]
[Nick has to admit that he hadn't expected Ephemera to come back so readily; the guy doesn't seem like the type who enjoys taking orders, much like most of the mercenaries floating around town. He does, however, have close ties with Drake, and that clearly counts for something.]
I'm not about to turn down help we desperately need. Anything I should know about what happened while you were gone?
[Not to pry into Ephemera's life or anything, but a. he's curious as to what the answer will be, and b. sometimes, folks come back missing things (like an entire arm, in one case), and it never hurts to be prepared to accommodate.]
[ Which sounds formal and snotty as all fuck. Ephemera winces. Takes a breath. ]
Shit went down, back home. Got bad. Think being here is - I dunno, something like a second chance. I don't wanna fuck that up. And you and Drake, you need more fighters.
[And that gets more of a genuine smile out of Nick.]
It means a lot to all of us who are just trying to make this city a better place. Drake's done a lot of good, more than most folks will ever know. Heck, I'm not sure even he knows it.
[Which makes Nick think maybe he should say it more. He continues after only the slightest pause.]
He was a mess when you left, but he's held it together.
[His voice darkens just a bit, hardens with an edge that betrays his protective nature.]
Don't let him down if you can help it, understood?
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no subject
Ephemera.
[His greeting is but his name, but his tone is warm enough. He looks like he could use some fixing up himself, given the cane and the visible corrosion on his bare, metal hand. The rest of him is in as good a shape as ever, which isn't saying much, what with the tears and discoloration of his synthetic skin. He's not doing as well beyond that friendly face, though, the weight of the past several months weighing him down in the shoulders.]
Drake filled you in on all that's been going on?
[Nick knows the answer to this question, but it's worth asking anyway, if for no other reason than to see just how ready Ephemera is to be back in the midst of things. Drake said he needed space, and while Nick figured that much on his own, it didn't hurt to have another reason to not call up Ephemera himself. They might be hurting for Guard members, but he's not about to go hounding after folks the second they get back in town, especially when there's no telling what they've been through back home -- and that's if they remember Hadriel at all.]
no subject
[ Though the new scar is covered up by his survival suit, Ephemera's voice is notably rougher. Looks like both of them have been taking some hits. ]
I know you need more bodies in the Guard. I needed some time, but I'm good now. Say the word and I'll come back.
no subject
I'm not about to turn down help we desperately need. Anything I should know about what happened while you were gone?
[Not to pry into Ephemera's life or anything, but a. he's curious as to what the answer will be, and b. sometimes, folks come back missing things (like an entire arm, in one case), and it never hurts to be prepared to accommodate.]
no subject
[ Which sounds formal and snotty as all fuck. Ephemera winces. Takes a breath. ]
Shit went down, back home. Got bad. Think being here is - I dunno, something like a second chance. I don't wanna fuck that up. And you and Drake, you need more fighters.
no subject
You wouldn't be the first one getting a second chance here. Let's hope you make the best of it.
[Better than some people, at least.]
Glad to have you back, Ephemera.
no subject
I'm not the best with orders, but I'm solid. Whatever you and Drake need, I'm your guy.
[ A pause. ]
Drake's important to me. And this shit means a lot to him. So it means a lot to me, now.
no subject
It means a lot to all of us who are just trying to make this city a better place. Drake's done a lot of good, more than most folks will ever know. Heck, I'm not sure even he knows it.
[Which makes Nick think maybe he should say it more. He continues after only the slightest pause.]
He was a mess when you left, but he's held it together.
[His voice darkens just a bit, hardens with an edge that betrays his protective nature.]
Don't let him down if you can help it, understood?
no subject
I won't. You can count on that.