[Given that his old house is on another island, Nick has been living at the Speakeasy in the back for a while now; thankfully, the place is closed when Nate shows up. Since the owner is out of town, he keeps the place locked up in the mornings until one of the helping hands arrives to take over. In good news, that means its empty, leaving them two of them alone to discuss things.
And yeah, he's got some things he'd like to discuss.
[Nate does flash a quick glance behind him before slipping inside, because while he doubts anyone actually followed him he knows that many of Hadriel's citizens can get bored in the downtime.]
Wouldn't be here if I had.
[He points out, taking in the empty room. He's been in plenty of desolate places so customarily occupied, so the somnolent quiet is more reassuring than eerie. It lends them privacy, at any rate. Turning back to face Nick he raises an eyebrow.]
But I think you knew that already.
[It is within Nick job description to size people up, after all.]
[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.
[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 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 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.
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.]
It's one thing to want to get out of here, but it's another to slam the door on the rest of the city when you leave.
[And he's positive Law would be up for that. He shuffles a few things on his desk, getting the last file he has ready and passing it Nate's way. Speaking of that Name meeting -- it's Curufin.]
Now don't get me wrong about that last one. I think his heart is usually in the right place, but his judgment is another story.
[Nick isn't wrong, and Law moves too fast to let the Door hit him on his ass on the way out.
The last folder Nate accepts has him making a face almost immediately. Criminals, unsavory types, and reprobates he can handle - those are the kinds of folks he grew up with - but people who think as highly of themselves as Curufin make his skin itch.]
Yeesh. This guy. [Nate grimaces, splitting the file open and taking a look inside.] Does he always think he's the authority on everything?
[Inside, there are a few notes about Curufin -- his devotion to the Guard, the work he's done in his time, as well as a couple of notable altercations he's had with people on the network. Nick keeps an eye on these things, as well as on Curufin's partner, Yukari, a fellow whose name is also in that folder. A lot.]
Not the authority, but he sure seems to change his mind a lot. I can't say he's ever struck me as the type who'd betray the Guard, but given a couple of his ideas, there's a reason we don't leave him in charge of anything big.
[And by 'we' he means himself. He's still getting used to leading without Henry.]
[Thanks to Lance, Nate isn't one-hundred percent oblivious to some of these things - in fact, it's nice to have the information corroborated - but all it does it twist something in his gut a little harder. There are plenty of helpful individuals around town, but it doesn't take a genius to know when someone is waffling for the sake of saving face, or reputation.
Nate huffs a laugh at the statement and sucks his lip between his teeth, chewing on the information.]
Comes across to me like somebody who will say anything to make himself look good and in-line with the ideas of whoever he's speaking to, even if it contradicts something he said a minute ago.
[He's seen enough conversations on the network to notice Curufin's tendency toward ingratiation. Glancing back up at Nick, he raises an eyebrow.]
Lance caught me up on most of the Yukari stuff. Romantically involved with Curufin? Murdered someone on the Null hit list for a godkiller, right?
[No wonder Nick harbors a grudge. Not even Nate has the stones for that kind of bullshit. A pretty strong sense of denial runs in his veins, but when it comes to killing he owns up, every time.
Then again, like his nautical compatriots, Curufin has strenuously denied responsibility for what happened with the trees.]
Okay, so...he's basically on the Guard so you can keep an eye on him. [Nate closes the folder, tapping the table with it.] Criminals, murderers - I'm familiar with. I can handle. What makes you think Curufin will talk to me?
[In the orphanage, they'd call a guy like Curufin a suck-up. Nate never did get on with those.]
I'm pretty sure Curufin would talk to a wall if he thought it'd talk back.
[There's some levity in his voice as he says that, despite the seriousness of what he's asking.]
I think he'll do right by the Guard in most cases, but I want an extra pair of eyes on him, someone who isn't his commanding officer. And I don't doubt for a second Yukari gives me a wide berth. They're not as important as Caedra and Law for now, but if you hear anything...
[It's hard not to snort at the first statement and so Nate files the information away as relevant, in the event he has to break bread with someone who can talk as much as he can.]
If I do, you'll be the first to know.
[He thumbs the edge of the folder for a long moment, thinking aloud.]
Caedra's easy. Pretty sure she's wanted to get in my pants since we met and we've got a linguistics exchange right now. Law seems like the kinda guy to play stuff close to the vest so that might take a little longer, but if I'm right about them working together there might be a more effective in somewhere. [Nate's gaze slides back to Nick, wielding the file.] Can I take these? Or some notes off these, if you're worried about the intel getting out?
[Nick isn't even the slightest bit surprised to hear about Caedra -- there's a reason he thought Nate might be good at this sort of thing, his very nature aside. He nods to both questions.]
They're yours if you need 'em. I figure you know how to keep that kind of information to yourself.
[Which is how Nick says he trusts Nate, apparently.]
I put a list of the current members of the Guard in there like you wanted, though we keep one around the headquarters if you ever need to update it. We're pretty public about who we are, save for one.
[Nick steps forward and opens the folder in Nate's hands, flipping to the list and tapping a metal finger on one name in particular: Fiona Stransky.]
Rey. We keep her name off the public record, keep her off patrols, etcetera. The Guard knows it's her, but that's it.
[Nate gives him a quiet nod of acknowledgment at the statement, because as far as both of them are concerned, this files will never leave the Drake-Fisher residence. He only pauses in his flipping when Nick interjects again, pointing out a name he doesn't recognize.]
Is...there a reason for that? [He asks, raising an eyebrow.] Because if it's an incognito thing that Rey's working for you, I feel like that's kind of an easy conclusion to draw based on the- you know.
[Nate gestures with one hand at Nick. Rey runs the bar under his unofficial office when they're not living in the same place; Nate assumed she had some affiliation. Nick never struck him as the kind of guy to surround himself with specific people unless he trusted them implicitly.]
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no subject
Date: 2018-09-26 07:22 am (UTC)And yeah, he's got some things he'd like to discuss.
He unlocks the door, letting Nate in.]
Haven't changed your mind on this, have you?
no subject
Date: 2018-09-26 03:09 pm (UTC)Wouldn't be here if I had.
[He points out, taking in the empty room. He's been in plenty of desolate places so customarily occupied, so the somnolent quiet is more reassuring than eerie. It lends them privacy, at any rate. Turning back to face Nick he raises an eyebrow.]
But I think you knew that already.
[It is within Nick job description to size people up, after all.]
no subject
Date: 2018-10-11 08:04 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2018-10-11 03:11 pm (UTC)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?
no subject
Date: 2018-10-22 10:36 pm (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2018-10-24 05:24 pm (UTC)[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?
no subject
Date: 2018-10-26 08:42 am (UTC)[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.
no subject
Date: 2018-10-26 04:11 pm (UTC)[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.]
no subject
Date: 2018-11-20 09:08 am (UTC)[And he's positive Law would be up for that. He shuffles a few things on his desk, getting the last file he has ready and passing it Nate's way. Speaking of that Name meeting -- it's Curufin.]
Now don't get me wrong about that last one. I think his heart is usually in the right place, but his judgment is another story.
no subject
Date: 2018-11-20 02:26 pm (UTC)The last folder Nate accepts has him making a face almost immediately. Criminals, unsavory types, and reprobates he can handle - those are the kinds of folks he grew up with - but people who think as highly of themselves as Curufin make his skin itch.]
Yeesh. This guy. [Nate grimaces, splitting the file open and taking a look inside.] Does he always think he's the authority on everything?
no subject
Date: 2018-11-21 04:12 am (UTC)Not the authority, but he sure seems to change his mind a lot. I can't say he's ever struck me as the type who'd betray the Guard, but given a couple of his ideas, there's a reason we don't leave him in charge of anything big.
[And by 'we' he means himself. He's still getting used to leading without Henry.]
no subject
Date: 2018-11-21 10:57 pm (UTC)Nate huffs a laugh at the statement and sucks his lip between his teeth, chewing on the information.]
Comes across to me like somebody who will say anything to make himself look good and in-line with the ideas of whoever he's speaking to, even if it contradicts something he said a minute ago.
[He's seen enough conversations on the network to notice Curufin's tendency toward ingratiation. Glancing back up at Nick, he raises an eyebrow.]
Lance caught me up on most of the Yukari stuff. Romantically involved with Curufin? Murdered someone on the Null hit list for a godkiller, right?
no subject
Date: 2018-11-21 11:04 pm (UTC)[Was that a hit nerve? That sounds like a hit nerve.]
And Curufin still had the gall to ask if we'd let him in.
no subject
Date: 2018-11-22 04:12 am (UTC)[No wonder Nick harbors a grudge. Not even Nate has the stones for that kind of bullshit. A pretty strong sense of denial runs in his veins, but when it comes to killing he owns up, every time.
Then again, like his nautical compatriots, Curufin has strenuously denied responsibility for what happened with the trees.]
Okay, so...he's basically on the Guard so you can keep an eye on him. [Nate closes the folder, tapping the table with it.] Criminals, murderers - I'm familiar with. I can handle. What makes you think Curufin will talk to me?
[In the orphanage, they'd call a guy like Curufin a suck-up. Nate never did get on with those.]
no subject
Date: 2018-11-22 08:48 am (UTC)[There's some levity in his voice as he says that, despite the seriousness of what he's asking.]
I think he'll do right by the Guard in most cases, but I want an extra pair of eyes on him, someone who isn't his commanding officer. And I don't doubt for a second Yukari gives me a wide berth. They're not as important as Caedra and Law for now, but if you hear anything...
[Nate knows where to go with that.]
no subject
Date: 2018-11-24 03:15 pm (UTC)If I do, you'll be the first to know.
[He thumbs the edge of the folder for a long moment, thinking aloud.]
Caedra's easy. Pretty sure she's wanted to get in my pants since we met and we've got a linguistics exchange right now. Law seems like the kinda guy to play stuff close to the vest so that might take a little longer, but if I'm right about them working together there might be a more effective in somewhere. [Nate's gaze slides back to Nick, wielding the file.] Can I take these? Or some notes off these, if you're worried about the intel getting out?
no subject
Date: 2018-12-08 03:41 am (UTC)They're yours if you need 'em. I figure you know how to keep that kind of information to yourself.
[Which is how Nick says he trusts Nate, apparently.]
I put a list of the current members of the Guard in there like you wanted, though we keep one around the headquarters if you ever need to update it. We're pretty public about who we are, save for one.
[Nick steps forward and opens the folder in Nate's hands, flipping to the list and tapping a metal finger on one name in particular: Fiona Stransky.]
Rey. We keep her name off the public record, keep her off patrols, etcetera. The Guard knows it's her, but that's it.
no subject
Date: 2018-12-10 05:46 pm (UTC)Is...there a reason for that? [He asks, raising an eyebrow.] Because if it's an incognito thing that Rey's working for you, I feel like that's kind of an easy conclusion to draw based on the- you know.
[Nate gestures with one hand at Nick. Rey runs the bar under his unofficial office when they're not living in the same place; Nate assumed she had some affiliation. Nick never struck him as the kind of guy to surround himself with specific people unless he trusted them implicitly.]
Your proximity.