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Mearcstapa: The afternoon light was warm through the windows of the library, and Mearc had found the perfect little patch of sun to curl up in one of those comfy reading chairs. He's surrounded by a small stack of books on topics from fashion design to modern art to biographies of prominent supermodels. A shadowy-skinned fella, he bears freckles like a street after a pride parade bears glitter, in vivid neon red and green. Beside the chair, at his feet, is a brown leather messenger bag, his foot casually looped in the strap.
Asbolus: While he did have internet access through his phone there were certain tasks that worked better with a proper computer, and it was this purpose that brought Asbolus to the library on this particular afternoon. The Darkling was dressed neatly but casually, a certain sharpness about him that almost made one wonder if his shadow would leave thin gashes in the carpeting by his passage.
Mearcstapa: Mearcstapa glances up from his book, his gaze tracking Asbolus as he walks in. Or at least, his head tracks. It's a little hard to be sure about the gaze, with his eyes apparently either Vantablack or completely missing, like two holes into the abyss of his mind. Probably the former, he's perfectly able to read.
Asbolus: The sensation of having eyes upon him was a rather familiar one, and after a moment or two he looked towards Mearcstapa, his pace slowing as a curious look crossed his features, in that "I know you from somewhere..." sense.
Mearcstapa: Mearc looks thoughtful, gesturing to a chair beside him invitingly. Easier to do this talk up close than shouting across the room. Some of his redder freckles dim, casting him in a bit of a greener hue.
Asbolus: He nodded at the offer, diverting from his original path and moving to take a seat beside the other Lost. "Afternoon."
Mearcstapa: "And you. I'm not sure if we've met, friend." At least up close, Asbolus can have the reassurance of Mearc's Autumn mantle, a soft rhythmic sound in the background, like someone being stalked or chased through a corn field,
Asbolus: Member of the Silent Arrow that he was Asbolus' mantle was subtle, taking the form of a brief stilling of the air about the man now and again. "We have now, at least." He offered a hand. "Asbolus."
Mearcstapa: And at that name, Mearc's demeanor shifts, as do his colors, to a more proper even mix. He takes the offered hand with a non-confrontational grip, his skin cooler than human standard. "Lux mentioned you. I think they even called you 'Bobo' at one point."
Asbolus: His grip was firm but not overly so, a wry smirk settling into place at the nickname. "Bobo...that's a new one. They usually call me 'Bo' more often than not. Where did you run into them?"
Mearcstapa: "A few times now. At a park, painting; karaoke night they convinced me to come to; coffeeshop. They're, ah, very good at making people feel welcome in their presence."
Asbolus: "Indeed. Something I've admittedly been working on since I got back into town myself."
Mearcstapa: "You're doing alright so far, for what it's worth." Mearc inclines his head slightly to one side. "How did you and Lux reconnect?"
Asbolus: "Appreciate it." He smiled a touch. "We ran into each other at a bar in town not too long ago."
Mearcstapa: "Makes sense." A bit of a nod. "What are you about, then? Five words or less, if you want a challenge."
Asbolus: "Still feeling that out, admittedly. Been focused on getting settled on one side of things to the detriment of the other, and haven't quite found my footing there yet."
Mearcstapa: Mearc nods slowly. "You're still pretty fresh out, then?"
Asbolus: "About a year, give or take. You?"
Mearcstapa: "Almost five, over four of those spent in Chicago in the Orchard Field 'hold. I'm new to Philly--relatively--and spent my first few months getting Ironside pinned down. I'm only now doing proper meet and greets in our society. Backwards to you, I suppose." He smiles faintly. "Let me know if you need any help; I am better on this end of things."
Asbolus: His eyebrow arched a touch at the difference in time before giving a nod. "I may take you up on that."
Mearcstapa: “Good." Mearc nods slowly. "What do you know about where you'd like to end up? Or what you don't want to end up doing?"
Asbolus: "On one level I wouldn't mind getting back into the line of work I did out of town but on my own terms...reclaim it, in a way. Observation, tracking down leads, things like that."
Mearcstapa: There's a distinct smile. "I know what you mean by that. Private investigation, perhaps? I know of at least one in town, I might be able to put you in touch. That or testing escape rooms for a living."
Asbolus: "Wouldn't be opposed. I know that PI work takes some licensing that I'm not able to get at the moment, but I have looked into it."
Mearcstapa: "I may be able to help with some of that. I have friends on the local police force through my day job, for what that's worth. And I believe I head that the Winter Steward is currently taking appointments until the end of the season, so getting an identity squared away may be possible."
Asbolus: "I did hear that as well...will be putting in for a meeting on that front shortly." He nodded quietly. "I'll take any help I can get at this point."
Mearcstapa: "Let me know when you intend to go in about licensing, I can reach out to some friends." He nods. "Though, I suppose you'd need a way to reach out, in order to do that. If you give me your phone number, I'll text you, so you have mine."
Asbolus: "Certainly." He gave his number as he took out his own phone to confirm the eventual receipt of the text. "Fire when ready."
Mearcstapa: The text is simply a green circle, and Mearc smiles once it's been sent.
Asbolus: Asbolus smirked as he saw the text, giving a nod as he slid the phone back in his pocket. "Thank you."
Mearcstapa: "You're very welcome." Mearc nods. "Besides, it pays to be friends with investigators. They tend to make the most interesting friends, themselves."
Asbolus: "Very true indeed." He allowed himself a quiet chuckle. "Run into a few interesting folks in the city so far, and I imagine that will remain the case going forward."
Mearcstapa: "Yeah? Any worth talking about?" He leans forward in his chair, looking every bit the gossip.
Asbolus: "A few. Some still settling in, others putting in work to make sure that the people they represent are being given the resepct they are due. Have to applaud the latter in particular."
Mearcstapa: "Mm. Tell me more about them?"
Asbolus: "Works in the arts behind the scenes, and is trying to make sure that those they work with have they power they need to hold down what's theirs."
Mearcstapa: "Ah. Lux, yes." Mearc can't help but smile as he works that out. "They're definitely a bit of an anglerfish, way below the surface."
Asbolus: "Them and someone else, but yes." He nodded with a small smirk. "They do work rather well in that way, though."
Mearcstapa: "Mm. I suppose I'll have to puzzle out who the someone else is." He nods, then checks his phone. "I ought to be heading out. But good to put a face to the name."
Asbolus: "Was good to meet you as well...or meet again, as the case may be." He gave a nod in return. "Have a good day."
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