@stephen.strange [locked to @gaby]

[rehandle]

Time to talk?

[ as in do you have but is it sits in there too, already answered by his reaching out. ]

Comments

@gaby

[vns]

I'm available.

[rehandle]

We're down Dick, Prompto and V. We're going to need a new approach.

[vns]

I agree.

I don't think I can, in good conscience, keep that a secret from anyone anymore. Not with what came out recently about El.

But I'll follow your lead. What do you think?

[rehandle]

If we'd made any progress we could justify keeping it under wraps. We haven't, your hands are tied, and I don't have any in roads to make use of the information without more leads or someone on the inside.

We're sitting on something somebody might be able to work with, and we're wasting time.

[vns]

When it was Dick and V on opposite ends working with Riko, it was different.

At the time, I thought it was safer to keep it locked up, too. Time has changed that.

And, again, secrets don't do well locked away when the reason for it fades.

[ Gaby is never going to look to anyone – wholly and completely – for assistance with dealing with the El news. it's hard, but the Displaced aren't of this world, and she can't look to any comrades to understand.

but the secret is a secret, and – as she said – the reason is gone. ]

[rehandle]

We're in agreement there.

[ on all counts. the keeping of the secret made sense in the context they had, despite the damage that may have been done had it leaked. but the extent of the damage possible when a well kept secret lands with a sudden bang has been made all the clearer now.

now that their advantage has passed, there's very little good in keeping quiet. ]

But however good our intentions, we did choose to keep this to ourselves. And we have very little to show for it.

[ if they'd made some progress it would be different. but to find both of their keepers have been keeping critical information from them may not bode well for Morningstar's standing with some of the Displaced. if they share this, they'll need to frame it well.

he'll make his suggestions for that later. first, an alternative. ]

There's a woman from my world who's looking to enter the NAPD.

[vns]

Do you trust her?

[rehandle]

Yes.

[vns]

I'm working with El to add more concrete numbers for Morningstar here again, since your numbers have diminished. But until that's in place, I need to be able to keep my cover. If you think she can manage that, good.

But in going forward, you may want to discuss revealing more about yourselves to Riko. As a group.

I don't think she knows V is gone yet, but she will. And she knows the UNA is fucked up, shady, and limiting investigations.

However, there are some in your group—still around, I might add—who rightly don't trust cops. We'll have to establish her as trustworthy. Should we start with your friend or start with your word?

[rehandle]

You're willing to open her up to the wider attention of the group?

[vns]

Open up the existence of a contact that could benefit the group.

[rehandle]

If you're sure.

We start with Captain Danvers. Better to give her the benefit of informed choice and you the opportunity to meet with her before moving forward.

[vns]

I'll reach out.

Did she show up in the monster haven?

[rehandle]

She did.

[vns]

[ a rub of temples on her end. ]

Do you think I should reach out to all of them from that?

It's not as if they know why their usual handler was missing.

[rehandle]

No, but they also didn't know any different.

[ they could go on not knowing easily enough. having said that, and knowing at least a few of the people who woke up in that outpost... connecting with them might be well worth her time. ]

I think they'd appreciate the gesture.

[vns]

Right.

So, let me meet with your friend. We'll set things up on that end, move them forward.

There's one other thing.

Solidifying the numbers. Doing that means bringing them here. Risking them finding out about El.

What are the odds you can help me keep their mouths shut about that? The current group is a lot quieter. But that doesn't mean it won't change.

[rehandle]

High odds. I'll be there when you're ready.

[ it's not going to be a comfortable meeting for her, the need for it resting in such difficult territory, but when she chooses to get into it his support is a given. plus, there are people she'll meet that he shares a world with. others he shares something altogether different with: an experience, a fascination.

his name may not mean anything to some of them but he's got enough common ground with a few to hope his word will be worth something alongside hers. of course he'll help. ]

Shall I organize the meeting with Danvers?

[vns]

Please do.

[rehandle]

[ An indeterminate amount of time later what are timelines when multiple threads are in play I sure don't know: ]

Carol's free to meet tonight to find out what exactly it is she's signed up for if you've got time. Otherwise any other evening.

[vns]

[Sorry to all your timeline juggling.]

Let's make it happen. Come by my work. She's meeting Riko, so we might as well have some beers when we talk about inconspicuously befriending the love of my life.

[rehandle]

We'll see you there.