|
NOTE: Set Before The Left Hand Directs
Asbolus:
A call had been made to meet and Asbolus naturally agreed, waiting out in front of the apartment building that housed his Hallow for Lux's arrival.
Lux:
Lux is hard to miss as they appear from a nearby alley, moving around the building to flash a smile at him. "Hey, Bobo." They lean in to give him a peck on the cheek, then a shoulder bump. "Thanks for letting me swing by."
Asbolus:
"Hey there." He replied with a smile, returning the shoulder bump before leading the way into the building. "Always happy to see you. Things going well, I hope?"
Lux:
"Pretty well! How about you?" Lux follows along behind him, but waits to say anything else until they're inside the security of the Hollow.
Asbolus:
"Rather well, all told." A brief glance about the hallway and the usual knock later and the door to the hollow was opened, the cozy 'apartment' looking much the same as their last visit, barring a new book or three on the shelf. Once the door was closed he continued, motioning for them to take a seat as they wished. "Did find a bit of interesting information that may tie into our current project, but I need to do some further digging to be sure."
Lux:
"Oh?" Their brows lift. "You first, then." They move to sink and sprawl onto the couch like they own the place.
Asbolus:
"Do you recall seeing something in the news about a week ago in reference to the evictions that happened at the Trenton Avenue Commons development? The Commons themselves weren't one of the names on the files that Robin had, but I did find that the construction company behind the renovations of the development into single-family units is the same one that's handling the construction of YouthBuild's new charter school." He moved to take a seat as well, smirking a touch as their cat-like claiming of the couch. "Can't say it's connected off-hand, but it may be worth looking into as well."
Lux:
"Huh." Lux blinks, then nods. "Well, Sturm has gotten pulled into this by Marjorie. She's already done some digging and she actually mentioned something suspicious going on with the construction union that is working on one of the projects on the list you gave me. Here, let me see..." Lux pulls out their phone to poke at, bringing up the text conversation to skim. "So... Okay, here. She said that there's been a lot of general incompetence on both sides--the construction people and the management, I think. But people are getting hurt. So often that the workers are wanting to stop working, but the management is being super shitty and trying to push things forward. But she doesn't know if that's just corporations being general shitty or if there's something darker going on. She didn't give me the name of the construction company, but you two can compare notes and see if it's the same one? I can give you her number if you don't have it."
Asbolus:
Asbolus looked over the phone as the screen was shown, nodding quietly as mental notes were taken. "I don't believe I do. That definitely sounds suspect, though..."
Lux:
"Yeah." Lux puffs out a breath, then frowns at Asbolus. "That's not the only thing she came up with, though. Well... this is just a theory, but... it holds some merit to me."
"Sturm believes it's a Lost behind this. That maybe they're... trying to help? But don't know the rules or don't know any better or--I dunno." They shrug. "They think that they're trying to dry up the Hedge, by using the iron dreamcatchers to make people unable to dream. And these projects--are linked to that. Maybe staging grounds, somehow. Which... considering we have Robin as a possible suspect..."
"I didn't tell her about Robin, though. Marjorie said it was up to me, how much I could tell Sturm, and.... well... she's not very good at lying. Figured it'd be safer to keep that bit between us."
"Dry up the Hedge to fight the Gentry, I mean," Lux adds, lounging back into the couch.
Asbolus:
The Darkling sat back in his seat as he mulled that over, the gears turning almost visibly. "Perhaps...certainly an interesting idea." He nodded quietly. "The havoc that could unleash on both the mundane population and the Hedge as a whole would ripple rather far and wide, though."
"Understandable. As I said before, I'd rather not point fingers at her until we have a firm grasp on her involvement."
Lux:
"Same. It does make me wonder though. If she's involved, or knows the person behind this and is trying to protect them for whatever reason? Or... Eh. Dunno, really. Could be anything." Their hands stretch above their head a moment. "Anyway, seems like this thing is bigger than just us two. Marjorie said that we could involve people outside of Winter, if we gotta. I think Sturm is wanting to get people in Autumn involved, to investigate the Hedge around the projects. See if there is anything weird going on. And I'm gonna ask Jack to look into this construction union, I think... But I still want to keep the Robin stuff close to our chests."
Asbolus:
"One must wonder. Her covering for someone would almost make it easier to swallow, but not by much." He frowned softly, giving a little nod. "Sounds good on all counts, and agreed."
Lux:
"I'm also poking around city hall, myself. Making some headway, just waiting on some paperwork I got filed to come back. Hopefully I'll have some information on who has gotten the building and construction permits for these places. Maybe hear some rumors while I'm around there, if I'm lucky. I'll let you know when I hear anything back."
Asbolus:
"Alright. Is there anything in particular you think I should take a look at? Don't have much in the form of connections, but I can do some general research or the like."
Lux:
"Do you feel safe doing a bit of recon around the projects? Your eyes are pretty sharp, aren't they? I wouldn't want you to put yourself in too much danger, but you could take a look around at the construction sites, maybe. Or... do some snooping around with Robin."
Asbolus:
"I can definitely do that. With the Ermine's coat and that trick of the Crown I know I should be able to get in without issue."
Lux:
"Ermie's coat?" They blink curiously.
Asbolus:
"Ermine's Winter Coat. It improves one's ability to blend into the scenery, both in terms of mundane stealth and being seen as something Wyrd by others of the fae persuasion."
Lux:
"Oohh..." Lux blinks a moment, then puffs out a breath. "That sounds useful. I don't know any Winter contracts. Never dipped into the magic side of it much..."
Asbolus:
"That's the only one for the Court I know, admittedly. Comes in handy, though."
|