text;

[alittlesweptup]

As apparently no one else is going to do it:

We're running missions to go digging dirt on the UE's past, but we need people to be doing info gathering here as well. Meaning we ought to have someone(s) go meet with this timeline's version of the Initiative to get as much information as possible. I know we're all feeling very cozy at the moment, but let's not pretend that it can't or won't change at the drop of a hat. Fortifying ourselves in bunkers isn't going to do us much good if we don't know what we're supposed to be defending against in the first place

Now as Christ knows I can't do it (I think we're all more than aware of what my version of diplomacy consists of), that means we need a set of proper volunteers - preferably with experience in this sort of field. If you or anyone you know might be suited to it, speak up so you can find one another and get a bloody away team wrangled

Comments

[hyanaimne]

I suppose after all the work he's done in the clinic he could use some time off . . .

[but, she shrugs a shoulder] I will consider it.

[alittlesweptup]

[Charlie nods, making a low noise of approval - not as if that's anything she needs of him. Afterward he pauses, finding himself slightly awkward now that he's set down his cup and saucer. He could pick it up again for the strict purpose of busying his hands, though it feels self conscious to do as much. So instead he settles for clearing his throat. After a momentary pause, he leads with:]

Seen any of the crew lately, have you? The so-called 'mutineers,' I mean.

[hyanaimne]

[the question surprises her, and she pauses with the cup halfway to her mouth. After a moment she shrugs again, takes a sip, then sets down the cup and saucer]

I see Seviilia quite often. We go hunting together, sometimes. [she hums a bit] And I see you often. Other than that, though . . . no one in person.

[alittlesweptup]

[He can't quite keep the look of distaste off his face at the mention of Seviilia - and must know it, as he does go for his cup and saucer again.]

I've fallen behind on checking up on people. If you've the time, I'd appreciate a hand with it. Everyone's so bloody scattered now, it's not easy to keep tabs on everyone.

[hyanaimne]

[the look of distaste is surprising, and she would ask, but . . . what he says next surprises her just a bit more]

I . . . could send some messages?

[alittlesweptup]

Messages works. In person might be better if you can manage it.

[He likes the network just fine, but he doesn't trust that someone isn't keeping tabs on them out there. Doesn't trust that someone isn't hacking their correspondence. Some would call it paranoia, but he'd prefer taking reasonable precautions given the givens.]

[hyanaimne]

I could manage it, certainly, but I do not know where they live. [a pause] Unless the damn tablet will tell me that.

[really, all he'd have to tell her is that; she has her own, healthy dose of paranoia without the whole mutiny thing, and that just adds to it]

[alittlesweptup]

I've a few notes on that. I can give you the details, though you'll have to track down a few I haven't got. Some people have been better at slipping through the cracks than others.

[He moves, cup and saucer and all, toward a small side table where his tablet is resting, quickly tapping it to bring it back online.]

[hyanaimne]

I can certainly give it a shot. Though my track record of tracking people down isn't very good.

[because lbr, it took her ten years to track one man down. At least here everyone's in the same general area]

[alittlesweptup]

Well I'm not saying you can't message them for their address. But any serious conversation -- that ought to be in person.

[He's a spare diamond drive, left over from some long ago information exchange, that he loads the contact and housing information that he has on. He tosses it over to her, simple enough.]

You'd be doing me a favor. I'll owe you one, yeah?

[hyanaimne]

[she catches and it gives it a look like it might bite her.

Because for all she knows it might do that, what the hell even is this? She holds it between two fingers and holds it up, giving it a curious look]

Well, yes . . . of course you would owe me one. [she glances over to Charlie again] I am an expensive woman, fair warning.

[alittlesweptup]

[That gets a sharp, deeply self-satisfied sort of grin out of him. Charlie gives her an arch look, all quirked eyebrows and irritating levels of smug.]

I don't doubt it, but I'm apparently fuck off rich in this universe these days.

[hyanaimne]

[she barely resists sticking her tongue. But just barely]

My, are you really?

[alittlesweptup]

Well I didn't get this flat by prostituting myself, if that's what you've been thinking.

[Yeah, best to keep that tongue in check.]

[hyanaimne]

I think you're a bit too old to do that anyway, dear.

[like she ever keeps anything in check]

[alittlesweptup]

Aren't male prostitutes supposed to have a longer shelf life?

[Not that he'd know anything about that. --Charlie takes another sip of his tea, lifting his eyebrows in her direction.]

In any case, just say the word when you need a favor done. You know I'll be good for it.

[hyanaimne]

[she stares at him for a moment, then can't help but burst into laughter. While she may try to come off cool and all that, she really does have the mentality of a teenaged boy]

Please do not speak of favors after we just spoke of male prostitutes.

[alittlesweptup]

Oi, you're the one who brought it up with all your talk of being an expensive woman. [He sniffs at her, all mock offense. Honestly, she's such a bloody child.]

[hyanaimne]

You brought up prostitution in the first place! [Charlie pls]

[alittlesweptup]

[No Tempest pls]

Alright, alright. Piss off, you.

[hyanaimne]

[she shakes her head, entirely amused]

I was joking about being an expensive woman, anyway. At least in this instance.

[alittlesweptup]

Mmhmm, I'm sure you were. [He drains his cup. It's all thick sugar at the bottom - sticks to his tongue and the roof of his mouth, sickly sweet.]

Tell me that after you've been traipsing about this hell hole doing my errands for me.

[hyanaimne]

You are not hiring me, yes? So I'm not. But if you were . . .

[she grins] I like traispsing about this hell hole sometimes. So I do not mind so much.

[alittlesweptup]

In that case forget I ever said anything about owing you. Happy to hear you'll do it out of the kindness of your heart. How charitable of you, love.

[Given how his career as 'bad man' and 'politician' have both gone absolutely nowhere, he might as well stick to what he's been doing best as of late - i.e., giving Tempest shit.]

[hyanaimne]

[at least, she gives as good as she gets]

My, do you think I would let you out of owing me? The only kindness I have is that my favor won't be too ridiculous when I ask you of it.