IC Contact Post [Hadriel]

[mismanagement]

This is Maketh Tua. State your business.

Comments

[Voice]

[mismanagement]

All right. Thank you for informing me.

There is something I'd like to run by you, if you have the time.

[voice]

[synthedick]

Sure, I've got a minute. What is it?

[voice]

[mismanagement]

Chris proposed an idea about gathering information about the gods in a unified fashion. I believe it has merit.

The idea is quite simple. If we can coordinate a list of questions, then we can inquire about them at the next resurrection. It will be less suspicious if it's spread out. What do you think?

[voice]

[synthedick]

I think we shouldn't be talking about this over the phone.

[Just in case. The gods definitely watch the network -- chances are they have eyes on private conversations over the devices, as well.]

[voice]

[mismanagement]

Agreed. And it was only a thought.

[There's something like humor in her voice, however dark.]

Do you drink coffee, Nick? I'm in the mood for some myself.

[voice]

[synthedick]

Never really drank the stuff back home, but there's always time to start. Your place, or mine?

[voice]

[mismanagement]

Yours, I believe. I shall be there soon.

[voice]

[synthedick]

See you soon.

[And in case she doesn't know he moved into one of the houses, he sends her the coordinates. He'll be ready at the door, minus his signature trench coat. It seems it isn't glued to him after all.]

Action!

[mismanagement]

[Maketh arrives promptly, carrying a bag of paperwork and instant coffee because there is still work that needs to be done for the guard, regardless of what they might or might not decide.

She could use some coffee, anyway.

The location is different than expected - not one of the spires. Interesting. Maketh knocks.] Nick?

[synthedick]

[Nick pulls the door open at the knock -- while he's not wearing his coat, he apparently keeps the hat on even when inside. It hides some of the more unsettling mechanical parts that are visible through that torn seam on his face.]

Maketh.

[He steps aside to let her in. The coffee table in front of the couch has some paperwork on it, too. His are mostly notes from network surveillance, as well as a few other things he's trying to get in order.]

I wasn't sure if you knew I moved into this place. The, er... steps at the Spires were giving me more wear and tear than I realized.

[mismanagement]

I hadn't realized, no. [An oversight, clearly. Maketh is careful to keep tabs on everyone, as much as she's able. The fact that she's missed this means she's been slipping lately. That will have to be corrected. She frowns up at him in concern, stepping through the door.] Are you all right?

[synthedick]

I will be. Rey lives here too, and she's been helping with maintenance. Parts aren't easy to come by though, which is one reason I'm stepping back from some of the extra patrolling I've been doing. At least there's plenty of desk work that needs doing.

[He gestures toward the kitchen.]

Need me to carry anything?

[mismanagement]

Is she? Good. [Rey can keep an eye on him - and vise versa. There have been a few occasions when Rey has needed watching. Maketh glances down at her bag, then pulls a few of the papers out.] I do have some reports for you to look at. Some scouting missives, the like. Nothing that requires your immediate attention, but...

[It's important to have more than one pair of eyes.

She hesitates.]

What do you need? If there is something I could find for you, then perhaps--well.

[synthedick]

[He takes the papers, his eyes skimming over them. Looks like some things that need organizing -- busywork, but at least it'll give him something to do.]

I appreciate the offer, but if finding parts was as easy as just looking for them around here, I'd have had them long ago.

[He hesitates himself for a moment, his brow furrowing.]

The parts I need are pretty specific, and Rey's been doing some work for Hope to get them.

[His tone says he's not pleased about that, but there's not much he can do about it.]

[mismanagement]

Oh. [It makes sense, having to do that. There are things that simply cannot be scavenged. Maketh hesitates, then decides to reveal something. Perhaps it will help.] I made a similar bargain with Hope, to replace Henry's armor. It was not...well. I had need of what he offered, and the price was not so terrible.

[synthedick]

[It does make him feel just a hair better, though one probably couldn't tell it from his face.]

She said he sent her into the caves to take care of a few monsters. Nothing too terrible, but the fact she's putting herself in debt to a god for my sake doesn't sit well with me.

[mismanagement]

[There are worse things. Rey can handle herself. Truthfully, she's likely one of their strongest fighters. Not that it really helps when it comes to the guilt that Nick must be feeling. Maketh sighs.] It's not ideal, I know. Much as it pains me, we have to make compromises from time to time.

[synthedick]

Yeah. Mine is more paperwork.

[He did promise Rey that he'd take it easier, and if that's what he needs to do for her peace of mind, then so be it.]

You need help with that coffee? Can't say I know much about making a good cup, since I don't drink much of the stuff myself, but my secretary used to.

[mismanagement]

The bane of us all, I fear.

[But it must be done. Maketh knows a few things very well, and one happens to be administration. It's kept them organized so far. She offers Nick a smile.] I've got it. Though I understand your meaning. Secretaries are very helpful.

[synthedick]

She was. Is, if I ever get back home. I'll bet Ellie would have kittens if I came back in pieces.

[Not that she didn't get like that after a tough case, anyway.]

[mismanagement]

[Maketh laughs a little, moving towards the kitchen.] I imagine she would! We shall endeavor to avoid that, then.

[synthedick]

[He follows her in, nodding toward the coffee pot and the mugs sitting nearby. He's kept them out since Dr. Gottlieb visited, just in case they have company.]

So, you said that young man on the network had some ideas for us?

[mismanagement]

Indeed. [Maketh busies herself with the coffee maker. By now she's gotten the hang of it.] Quite simply, we need more information about the gods. There's nothing to prevent them from lying if we ask, of course, but assuming they tell the truth even intermittently...

[It's a risk worth taking.]

But if one of us were to ask such questions, they would get suspicious or at least frustrated. Better to spread them out, no?

[synthedick]

[Nick watches as she works the coffee maker, taking in what she's saying.]

I agree. We might even want to ask a few questions twice, with two different people. See if we get the same answers across the board.

[mismanagement]

[Maketh nods. Their numbers are such that it won't be difficult - and it appears that the gods do favor some of them over the others.] That would be wise. Would you be willing to speak with your contacts, see if any of them would be willing to help?