Logs:A Necessary Promotion Of Sorts: Difference between revisions
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This whole line of conversation makes Ari rub their forehead. "Later, as you say, she was dealt with. And now we have this list. Hot Doug is Kindred, as is Shiri, yes. So. With that in mind, what do you make of that list?" | This whole line of conversation makes Ari rub their forehead. "Later, as you say, she was dealt with. And now we have this list. Hot Doug is Kindred, as is Shiri, yes. So. With that in mind, what do you make of that list?" | ||
"I mean..." Jack's frown deepens. "It means...someone with connections, or at least knowledge of, our three groups, wants some of us dead. Maybe the Mage 'big bads', or maybe just someone who's got enough of whatever this assassin wanted as payment...but I got no clue why these five, and why that order." | |||
"None of them are monarchs, or the Sakima," Jack continues after a moment of silence. "They're just...high ranking courtiers. And Shiri and Hot Doug are up there, too, not sure *exactly what they do, but they've got responsibilities. Oh...fuck...they're 'high ranking courtiers'..." he repeats himelf, and trails off as the charcoal around his face flickers, bits exploding off to dissolve into nothingness. "Luci's...an Emissary. Does that make this...an old list?" His silhouette gets a little fainter as he takes a breath. "None of 'em are Mages, either. That feels...important." | |||
"At least knowledge of," agrees Ari, taking another swallow of their coffee, and then they go quiet, letting Jack work through all of this. This, admittedly, is kind of what the Regent does in situations like this: they rarely give answers, only ask questions gently leading their courtiers toward at least what they think is the correct answer. | |||
Like they're always teaching or something, idk. Here, Jack, learn to do this part better. | |||
A sympathetic hand reaches out to touch his briefly. "I don't know. None of us do. I do not know if there's another assassin out there, but we should not assume there isn't one." They draw in a slow, thoughtful breath when Jack says 'this feels important'. "I have a theory, which may just be an old person's thoughts, too long sitting out in the Spring sunshine and ruminating," they begin. "And that is where I need your help." | |||
"When you think about -- let's say TERFs -- or the right wing politics of America, yes? You are familiar with the term 'wedge issue'?" | |||
Jack takes another few breaths to calm himself down before the simple fact that There May Be An Assassin After Him sends him into a panic attack. Maybe it helps that this isn't the first time his life has been in danger? Who knows. He runs a hand through his hair and takes a swig of coffee. | |||
"Yeah, the super divisive shit that pits people against each other," Jack nods. "You think someone's trying to...get us angry at the Mages?" | |||
"Well," answers Ari in a sort of ponderous way, tipping their chin up and looking up at the clear, beautiful blue sky -- it seems somehow incongruous to be discussing assassins and internecine politics and murder on a day like this -- "If I were attempting to destroy a group, I surely would not want them to have allies." | |||
"So I'm expanding your portfolio, Jack. I considered giving this job to Luci, but... " Here, they pause. "She's been directly threatened, as has her partner, and she is... a little bit angry. Not everyone can be Patchie and diplomatize through their fury." Those onyx eyes glitter again. "I also know that you know more than a few members of various societies." | |||
That last comment finally gets Jack to smile again - a small thing but it's there, the corner of his mouth turning up as the sketchy lines around him start to settle down. "Ari, if you wanted me to go find some Mages to fuck, all you had to do was say so," he jokes with a huff of amusement. "But yeah I'll...do what I can to diplomacize, I know a few mages but...not a whole lot, and not as well as I know Kindred. Guess that's gotta change, yeah?" | |||
"I'm not telling you not to do that," Ari counters, absently spinning the black metal ring on their left hand, "but if that's what has to be done, I suppose it's best that I'm outsourcing it." Total deadpan, there, but those black eyes glitter, and they finish their coffee. | |||
"It does. I'd like you to find out who you should make formal overtures to with the Mages and Vampires -- I mean, we know who's in charge, but I'll be honest, I'm not a hundred percent sure if there's someone who handles ... large-group diplomacy... in any of those groups. It's been a while since we needed anything formal." | |||
"And ... please, be careful. Travel alone as little as possible, even if it just means you get someone to quietly follow you around, or have scheduled check-ins. The ... amount of knowledge that assassin had about the inner workings of our societies and who to target doesn't not concern me." | |||
"I'll...do my best. T' clarify, what d'you want me to say to whoever I find who's in charge of this? I'm assuming it's gonna be the...me equivalent, if they exist...?" Jack finishes off his coffee and sets the bottle in the grass. "An' I've got a few people who'd be down to make sure I'm safer than usual - and Moss, too, though...maybe I'll leave her at home a little more. Couldn't forgive myself if something happened to her..." | |||
They lean forward a little bit, the Adirondack complaining underneath their stone frame. The broad-shouldered butch absently scratches their cheek with their claws. "You are speaking with the voice of the Spring Regent on these matters -- and you're concerned with the pattern that the two of us theorize, that this is an attempt to -- you'll find a good way to put this. An attempt to destabilize relationships, maybe even the internal functions of the societies themselves, and you're empowered to work with them as needed, and you are actively requesting to be looped in on information." A beat. "That last bit? I definitely want. I'm tired of continually guessing, even though my people are very good at it." | |||
Jack sits back as Ari leans forward, and runs his hand through his hair again. "Yeah, being looped in...yeah. I'll make sure I get that across, be nice for everyone to have all the information. You know. After I figure out who the fuck I'm even supposed to be talking to. But I'll...keep you updated, 'f there's anything to update you about." He sighs, heavily. "Y'know, when I first started thinking about wanting to be an Emissary, I didn't think it'd be this much responsibility..." | |||
"Yes. I know it's a multi-stage project. Just keep me updated as things progress." Ari sits back again, and both of their eyebrows arch up at that last bit. Somehow, by the grace of all their considerable self-control, they do not say that must be difficult, Jack. | |||
At least Jack's got the grace to wince immediately after. "I'll do my best to make your life easier," he says in apology. "Here's hoping we don't have to turn back time again, that can't be healthy for anyone involved..." He stands with a groan, and stretches, his back cracking as he does. "I've got...a fuckton of texts to send, now, I think. An' I might get someone to walk me home from here..." | |||
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Latest revision as of 01:27, 15 May 2021
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