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Having worked off her anxiety about what had happened to Aaron and Mei at the protest by spending a few hours doing laps of the Hollow's pond in her mermaid form, Annie is now dressed again, sitting on of the many benches strewn about it, reading a textbook and taking notes.
Makoto Mori is a rather busy woman at the best of times - least of all when she's all but accepted a new, high-profile case. But. There's only so much research one can do on their own before a check-in with contacts becomes necessary - and it's rather difficult to do that this late in the night.
The Kitsune is a blur when she passes through the Spring Hollow - suit jacket slung over one shoulder, tie untied - it's a rare look for Memento Motherfucking Mori. She's carrying a briefcase in one hand and she's headed off Ironside, but she stops when she sees the familiar Spring courtier. "Ahhh, Anneliese." That sly smile spreads across her features. "I see I'm not the only nocturnal creature haunting the hollow at this hour?"
Annie blinks, looking up. Her mantle's gotten stronger since the last time Memento ran into her, the klezmer music just that little bit easier to hear. "Memento Mori. What brings you out here?" The Nymph is rather more casually dressed than Memento's likely used to seeing - black jeans, flats, and a red teeshirt reading "MEDIC" in several different languages, with a light green hoodie open over top.
"I prefer having a quiet space to work when I'm pouring over documents. Smartphones are a wonderful tool, but they can make it difficult to focus. When they work." She drapes the suit jacket over the crook of her arm, and then deposits her free hand in the pocket of her fitted slacks. Her eyes drop to Annie's shirt. "Medic, huh? Now, I imagine that you and I might be up on account of the same reasons, then."
"I take it you have heard what happened to Aaron and Mei, then?" Annie sighs. "Would you like to sit? I can make space for you."
"Why thank you, Anneliese." Memento drapes her jacket over the back of the seat once Annie makes room for her - and then she sets down her briefcase next to the bench before sitting. "I have heard about what happened to Mei and Rabbi Cohen, but I probably oughtn't speak about my feelings on the matter - or say too much about the case, though." Beat. "But I take it you have some opinions?"
"What, about the pigs beating one of my closest friends outside our community, and a coreligionist of mine, half to death? Why would I not have opinions?" Annie asks rhetorically, glancing at the other Spring. "Why should you not talk about your feelings on it?"
"Ahh, did you happen to view these events first-hand? Or just the video on Facebook?" Memento's lips pull back into a grin that reveals nearly every single one of her terribly sharp teeth. "... and I probably shouldn't because there's a possibility I might be representing them soon."
"I was at the protest, if that is what you are asking." Annie says, casting a cool look at the other woman's sharp teeth. "Are those supposed to intimidate me?"
Memento's brow furrows, and she tilts her head to the side. "... no?"
"Oh. You just seemed oddly fond of showing them off, that is all." Annie shrugs. "If I ask who hired you, would I get a meaningful answer?"
"This is just my face, Dear Anneliese," Memento offers simply - tilting her head to the opposite side. "... and, as I said - there's only a possibility I might be representing them. I received a call from a worried significant other - they're the one that established the meeting."
"Ah, my mistake." Annie shrugs again, glancing at the other Spring. "What have you been up to, if you do not mind my asking?"
"Settling in," Memento leans back - crossing one leg over the other knee - and lacing her fingers together in her lap. "Tragically, it is a full-time job - one that I am very much looking forward to being through with. However, now that I've got my temporary office in order, and I've established something of a routine, I feel comfortable enough to pick up work." Beat. "Out of the frying pan and into the fire, or so they say. Yourself?"
"Studying. Working. Moonlighting as a protest medic." Annie deadpans. "Spending my oh so copious free time with Yu Jin, when our schedules line up."
"Ahh, excellent!" Memento breaks into another one of those smiles - exactly the same as the last. The curse of the fox - every time you smile it seems like lunch time. "I was wondering what ever became of that; did you take my advice? The flowers?"
"Not yet," Annie admits, sighing. "I have been meaning to have a bouquet sent round to their office, but sadly I have not managed to find a florist that stocks them and fits within my budget. The curse of combining study with service-industry work, I suspect."
"Oh, that's dreadful - and I'm terribly sorry to hear it." Memento turns, fussing with her jacket until she produces a business card and a nice pen from one of the pockets. "Here, if you do manage to find a florist who stocks them, pay what you can, and I'll PayPal you the difference." She scrawls an email address down on the back of the card. "Consider it an investment in Eugene's happiness."
Annie blinks, not having been expecting that. "Thank you, I think?" She takes the card, slipping it into her satchel for safekeeping, before glancing at Memento. "I should thank you for the matchmaking, as well. Even if I was not sure you were serious, at first."
"It's not a problem, seriously." Memento closes her hand with a little flourish when Anneliese takes the card from her paw. "It was the least I could do for Yu Jin after all we've been through - and the help they've given me. You were simply collateral damage in the matter." She, of course, says this with the utmost mischief in her tone - and wiggles an eyebrow.
"Really? Any stories you feel like telling me?" Annie seems genuinely curious.
Memento flashes another devilish grin. "Now, now. You won't catch Makoto Mori spilling a friend's secrets so easily." Beat. "Though, we were patient and therapist for several years. Eugene is quite good at what they do - and I'm grateful. Which is why I'm so keen on facilitating."
"Fair enough, I suppose," Annie admits. "I am grateful for the facilitation, at least." She sighs wistfully. "They are amazing."
"Well," Memento offers a little bow of her head. "You are very welcome - and I agree. Treat them well, or I will turn you into a smoldering crater in the grass where you stand."
... and then she sticks out her tongue, and breaks into a little chittering Fox laugh. "... but at any rate, I have to check in with a man about some badge numbers." A broad grin. "Thank you, Anneliese, for this momentary reprieve from the crushing reality of life in Philadelphia - where, apparently, there's a protest. Every. Fucking. Day."
"Oh, I treat them very well." Annie smirks slightly. "If I were a gentleman, this would be where I would say something about not kissing and telling. But I am no gentleman."
"Well then, my good madam," Memento fetches her things, and rolls to her feet. "I shall trust that I've left this in your capable - and likely dexterous - hands, then. You have a lovely evening - and do take me up on the flowers. They're their favorite."
"Well, I am not sinister." Annie deadpans. "But yes, I intend to. See you around, Memento."
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