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[ While 76's fight with Alan had been little more than a farce, there's no denying that some of his other bouts had been far more intense. There's some dried blood around his hairline and he's certainly been through the wringer. He'll need to air his jacket out whenever they make it back to Olympia proper, if he doesn't want Ana to fuss at him about stinking up their living space.
He hadn't been expecting Ana to bring Alan along with her to their meeting spot, though it isn't something to get worked up over. The bar had been a point of convenience; this doesn't compromise anything. ]
Hey.
[ He nods to the other side of the booth, motioning for both of them to take a seat. ]
We met back up on the station, yeah.
He hadn't been expecting Ana to bring Alan along with her to their meeting spot, though it isn't something to get worked up over. The bar had been a point of convenience; this doesn't compromise anything. ]
Hey.
[ He nods to the other side of the booth, motioning for both of them to take a seat. ]
We met back up on the station, yeah.
We probably should if, we are going to stick around.
[ Ana doesn't try to signal someone. They'll come around in their own time, and she's in no hurry to pay for a beer she won't drink. ]
Do either of you want a shot? [ She's not talking about alcohol. ] I don't want anyone bleeding out or coughing up their kidneys at the table.
[ Ana doesn't try to signal someone. They'll come around in their own time, and she's in no hurry to pay for a beer she won't drink. ]
Do either of you want a shot? [ She's not talking about alcohol. ] I don't want anyone bleeding out or coughing up their kidneys at the table.
Edited 2017-10-09 15:50 (UTC)
Don't waste your goods on me, I'll be fine.
[ 76 shouldn't have to explain. Ana knows just how fast he can heal, and while he's definitely been battered and bruised, none of the wounds are severe enough to merit Ana using one of her shots on him.
He raises an eyebrow at Alan, over the visor. ]
So did your little act get you what you wanted?
[ Silver, he means. ]
[ 76 shouldn't have to explain. Ana knows just how fast he can heal, and while he's definitely been battered and bruised, none of the wounds are severe enough to merit Ana using one of her shots on him.
He raises an eyebrow at Alan, over the visor. ]
So did your little act get you what you wanted?
[ Silver, he means. ]
[ Ana slides a cartridge out of her belt. ]
Hm. It must be true what they say about people similar personalities.
[ She stabs Alan in the stomach with it. It's a quick gesture, under the table where no one will notice. The needle and cartridge disintegrate in her hand, but the job is done. The shot itself is nearly painless and he should be feeling better already.
As for Jack, she can argue with him when they get home, if it turns out that she has to.
She leans her elbow on the table, and props her chin against the heel of her palm. ]
Do you need to take them out to measure? I can wait some more.
Hm. It must be true what they say about people similar personalities.
[ She stabs Alan in the stomach with it. It's a quick gesture, under the table where no one will notice. The needle and cartridge disintegrate in her hand, but the job is done. The shot itself is nearly painless and he should be feeling better already.
As for Jack, she can argue with him when they get home, if it turns out that she has to.
She leans her elbow on the table, and props her chin against the heel of her palm. ]
Do you need to take them out to measure? I can wait some more.
[ True to his word, he's there ten minutes before, chatting with the receptionist about some orders that came in this morning, and the guard she's got her eye on. He scrolls over a few other things in the post out of interest, largely, he pockets his phone. The sense of urgency that followed him in Gotham is dim now, more of a scientist's curiosity than a detective's drive. ]
[ He's not sure how he feels about magic, really, but he'll find out soon enough. Seeing someone enter the door and look around as though they're being expected, he waves the man over. ]
Nightingale, I presume?
[ Bruce is dressed in his own clothes, casual office wear and coat with the Institute's emblem. ]
[ He's not sure how he feels about magic, really, but he'll find out soon enough. Seeing someone enter the door and look around as though they're being expected, he waves the man over. ]
Nightingale, I presume?
[ Bruce is dressed in his own clothes, casual office wear and coat with the Institute's emblem. ]
[ Ana seems to think that he and Alan are similar, but Jack doesn't know enough about the other man to make that assessment either way. He's pretty sure he wouldn't fake an entertaining fight just for the money, for one thing. He'd gone along with it because it'd been a (fairly) harmless request.
It doesn't matter, though. He watches the quick process of Ana administering the injection. A bar might be a strange place to do such a thing, but it's effective enough.
A server comes by soon after, though 76 doesn't order anything. He isn't willing to take his visor off here.
He grunts under his breath at Ana's comment. ]
It isn't about that. There a reason you wanted us to meet?
It doesn't matter, though. He watches the quick process of Ana administering the injection. A bar might be a strange place to do such a thing, but it's effective enough.
A server comes by soon after, though 76 doesn't order anything. He isn't willing to take his visor off here.
He grunts under his breath at Ana's comment. ]
It isn't about that. There a reason you wanted us to meet?
[ There is — overlap. Bruce doesn't probe deeply into the meshwork of Jack's soul — he sees violence there. The same way he himself is predicated on it. ]
[ There's no value in building kinship with that kind of soul — it's nothing to do with Jack or Bruce's individual personability, it's that they'd work well together, but the magnetism of that violence is often repellent rather than understanding. (there's Bucky, for understanding, if Bruce wants it) ]
Same question.
[ Another man would wink. Bruce simply studies her as he catalogues the effectiveness of the shot and feels a little better, physically. ]
[ There's no value in building kinship with that kind of soul — it's nothing to do with Jack or Bruce's individual personability, it's that they'd work well together, but the magnetism of that violence is often repellent rather than understanding. (there's Bucky, for understanding, if Bruce wants it) ]
Same question.
[ Another man would wink. Bruce simply studies her as he catalogues the effectiveness of the shot and feels a little better, physically. ]
[ Very capable of walking amongst mortals. His address is now clear, and her eyes spark with curiosity. Dragons of Valyria were made with blood magic, they are as mysterious as they are terrifying. And none of them ever spoke. ]
The business of dragons rarely is.
[ One does not seek to understand a sword, do they? She nods. ]
How long have you roamed your country?
The business of dragons rarely is.
[ One does not seek to understand a sword, do they? She nods. ]
How long have you roamed your country?
[ Even that would matter little. A shapeshifter is still a fascinating encounter — Keyleth should probably prepare for a barrage of questions about her magical abilities. ]
[ Asha swims with her in delight. Then, she points up, she needs to swim up for air. ]
[ Asha swims with her in delight. Then, she points up, she needs to swim up for air. ]
[ nightingale strolls into the institute precisely on time. strolls is the right word for the seemingly casual nature of it, every appearance of him a quiet and contained but confident man, certain of his place in the world. the bespoke three-piece suit speaks of wealth, as do the handmade leather shoes, but while those items speak, they do not shout it. there's a walking cane, or what seems like one in one of his hands. he doesn't appear to need it, not really.
he seems confident, but he doesn't necessarily feel it. in truth, he doesn't feel much at all besides grief, but he has experience in going through the motions, in carrying on. the famed stiff upper lip of the british has served him well since the war, since the last time he'd lost nearly his entire world. (this time, there was no "nearly" about it.) ]
Quite. A pleasure to meet you. [ his accent is her majesty's finest english. he holds out a hand. ]
he seems confident, but he doesn't necessarily feel it. in truth, he doesn't feel much at all besides grief, but he has experience in going through the motions, in carrying on. the famed stiff upper lip of the british has served him well since the war, since the last time he'd lost nearly his entire world. (this time, there was no "nearly" about it.) ]
Quite. A pleasure to meet you. [ his accent is her majesty's finest english. he holds out a hand. ]
[ Bruce shakes his hand. Poise and elegance speak for themselves. Educated, self-possessed. These are inculcated, mastered over many years. Bruce himself doesn't look dishevelled in comparison, but there are signs of one more interested in his work than bothering to be as immaculate. Alfred would usually have his head for a dirty collar or unclean cuffs — Alfred's also not here at the moment. ]
Likewise. Have you been here long?
Likewise. Have you been here long?
Aside from the entertainment value?
[ Ana orders a coffee, and when the server finally leaves them she does remove her mask. She's shielded between two much larger men, and the low light of the bar casts generous shadows.
The details of what they do and how they move through the world are different, but Ana thinks of the two of them in broad strokes. They're good men who can't stop punishing themselves because they don't know how to be anything else. ]
I'm going to have to disappoint you this time. [ Ana shrugs. ] I suppose I wanted to give you a reason to trust each other. Enough to work together, when there's a need for it.
I'm not Gabriel, I don't know how every card is going to be played, but I know when to begin stacking a deck in my favor. We need allies. [ She glances at Alan. ] And you need friends.
[ Ana orders a coffee, and when the server finally leaves them she does remove her mask. She's shielded between two much larger men, and the low light of the bar casts generous shadows.
The details of what they do and how they move through the world are different, but Ana thinks of the two of them in broad strokes. They're good men who can't stop punishing themselves because they don't know how to be anything else. ]
I'm going to have to disappoint you this time. [ Ana shrugs. ] I suppose I wanted to give you a reason to trust each other. Enough to work together, when there's a need for it.
I'm not Gabriel, I don't know how every card is going to be played, but I know when to begin stacking a deck in my favor. We need allies. [ She glances at Alan. ] And you need friends.
Edited 2017-10-15 00:12 (UTC)
A few days. [ and nightingale could leave it at that, but this man is going out of his way to offer him information and a tour. that deserves something more. and so he clears his throat, features arranging into something not quite sheepish but giving the air of it. ]
I'm afraid I'm still very much getting the hang of things.
I'm afraid I'm still very much getting the hang of things.
[ His look in turn is sympathetic, the we were all there. Bruce isn't sure of the truth of this place — some collective delusion, an actual alien world... he tries to keep an open mind. ]
Well, let's not waste any time fixing that.
[ He plucks a visitor's pass cheerfully from the receptionist and hands it to Nightingale. Bruce's own ID is pinned to his breast pocket. ]
This way, please.
Well, let's not waste any time fixing that.
[ He plucks a visitor's pass cheerfully from the receptionist and hands it to Nightingale. Bruce's own ID is pinned to his breast pocket. ]
This way, please.
[ nightingale has always considered his mind more open than that of most individuals on earth, given that he's aware of the existence of magic when so many are not. he's never outright rejected the possibility of aliens, though he'd hardly expected to encounter any.
this isn't a mystery he is desperate to solve right now; all his energy is eaten up by grief. it's practice and iron will that keep him going, that have him offer a nod of thanks to alan foster and pin the visitor's pass to his suit jacket. ]
Of course.
[ he moves wherebruce alan indicates. ] In what function do you work for the Institute?
this isn't a mystery he is desperate to solve right now; all his energy is eaten up by grief. it's practice and iron will that keep him going, that have him offer a nod of thanks to alan foster and pin the visitor's pass to his suit jacket. ]
Of course.
[ he moves where
[ Keyleth nods her understanding and swims behind Asha with a few quick swishes of her tail, hooking her hands under her arms to pull her along with her as she swims them both up to the surface, quick and effortless. She lets go when they're just about to break the surface, letting their bodies natural buoyancy take it from there. Keyleth sweeps her soaked hair out of her face and treads easily, circling a bit just to keep moving. ]
I'm one of the scientists.
[ The pass says chemistry and engineering, both staff members on each respective wing will react to him pleasantly. Bruce didn't care for social niceties at home, but here, it's good to have people willing to talk. A little social lubrication always helps. ]
The library first, or laboratories?
[ The pass says chemistry and engineering, both staff members on each respective wing will react to him pleasantly. Bruce didn't care for social niceties at home, but here, it's good to have people willing to talk. A little social lubrication always helps. ]
The library first, or laboratories?
The laboratories, if you don't mind.
[ mostly because— ] I'd like to spend a little more time in the library after, if it's permitted. [ without necessarily taking up too much of bruce's time, but nightingale won't mind being supervised, if bruce would prefer that. ]
[ mostly because— ] I'd like to spend a little more time in the library after, if it's permitted. [ without necessarily taking up too much of bruce's time, but nightingale won't mind being supervised, if bruce would prefer that. ]
[ Violence has been a part of Jack's life since he was young, yes, but he wouldn't say he'd truly embraced it until the last few years. He'd been head of a peacekeeping organization, after all. It had been heavily militarized for what it was, but all the same, they'd been fighting in hopes that eventually that fighting would end.
The point is, these days he would be open to working with someone who wouldn't necessarily hold him back from those newer violent tendencies.
Ana seems to think he and Alan would work well together, and Jack isn't about to question her judgment. If she trusts this Alan, then that must mean he's been reliable.
The moment that she says the name "Gabriel," 76's back goes straight and his shoulders stiffen. Ana's much more willing to speak of him as he used to be, and Jack still isn't used to it. ]
Fair enough. [ He turns to regard Alan, and the whole setup feels a little too much like when he'd interview potential recruits. ] What have you been doing since we arrived in Olympia?
The point is, these days he would be open to working with someone who wouldn't necessarily hold him back from those newer violent tendencies.
Ana seems to think he and Alan would work well together, and Jack isn't about to question her judgment. If she trusts this Alan, then that must mean he's been reliable.
The moment that she says the name "Gabriel," 76's back goes straight and his shoulders stiffen. Ana's much more willing to speak of him as he used to be, and Jack still isn't used to it. ]
Fair enough. [ He turns to regard Alan, and the whole setup feels a little too much like when he'd interview potential recruits. ] What have you been doing since we arrived in Olympia?
[ Hey, if anyone wants to approach their work with a little extra... zeal, Bruce is not going to voice complaint. His box of rage issues is tightly closed and kept, but it has to be let out. ]
[ Besides, he already knows he and 76 can function as a unit. No questions about Gabriel. Not yet. ]
I'm a vigilante.
[ A deliberate side-step of the question. The methodology of that work will speak for itself. He glances at Ana. He promised her the story someday, but here is pieces of it. ]
What about you?
[ Besides, he already knows he and 76 can function as a unit. No questions about Gabriel. Not yet. ]
I'm a vigilante.
[ A deliberate side-step of the question. The methodology of that work will speak for itself. He glances at Ana. He promised her the story someday, but here is pieces of it. ]
What about you?
It is. I imagine you'd find a lot to your liking there.
[ He gestures, and they have a leisurely walk through the biology and chemistry wing, with the assistants scurrying to and fro. Some labs are open, separated only by glass from the corridor, others are stiffly closed and locked, with the inhabitants sometimes poking their heads out into the corridor to shout for some fresh equipment. There aren't yet guards like there will be after the bombing, but there are occasional checkpoints, and some very obvious closed off areas even Bruce can't go. ]
They have demonstrations outside, on occasion.
[ He gestures, and they have a leisurely walk through the biology and chemistry wing, with the assistants scurrying to and fro. Some labs are open, separated only by glass from the corridor, others are stiffly closed and locked, with the inhabitants sometimes poking their heads out into the corridor to shout for some fresh equipment. There aren't yet guards like there will be after the bombing, but there are occasional checkpoints, and some very obvious closed off areas even Bruce can't go. ]
They have demonstrations outside, on occasion.
[ It's not an accident that she uses his name, though she regrets making Jack tense up like that. It's just the way she thinks of him, even now. Gabriel had been a part of her life for much longer than his absence had been. She couldn't possibly build a wall around every space he had once occupied. She doesn't pretend that he's a good man these days, but she can't let the Reaper be the only truth of him that's left.
She lets the moment pass without comment.
She looks back at Alan. His answer reads as some measure of the truth, even if it's not a direct. It checks out. ]
I think we all have that in common. Your outfit needs some work, though. It's a little underwhelming.
[ She leaves the questions to Jack. This is his interrogation - she knows what she needs to know already, even if there are plenty of questions she wants to answer. ]
She lets the moment pass without comment.
She looks back at Alan. His answer reads as some measure of the truth, even if it's not a direct. It checks out. ]
I think we all have that in common. Your outfit needs some work, though. It's a little underwhelming.
[ She leaves the questions to Jack. This is his interrogation - she knows what she needs to know already, even if there are plenty of questions she wants to answer. ]
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