Edge Town-City of Light

"These other organizations," Terry interjected. "Please elaborate a bit on them." Because let's be real here, he was probably going to end up fighting at least one of them before he made it back to the states. At least his life wasn't boring, eh?

"..so let me get this right, you bailed out a bunch of gang members right in front of him, hexed his station's coffee maker, magically assaulted two of his officers, and you think this hate is undeserved? And you still haven't given me a straight answer on why you were arrested in the first place."

Leon rubs his temples but refrains from actually yelling at Jarl.

"Right moving on, sounds like the church is the most pressing issue, but its probably still swarming with cops and Proteau is almost certainly there. Or at least was, since he was on his way there when I spoke to him at the port."

Jarl

"I'm sorry, Leon. You know what, the next time there's a city in mortal danger and a cop running a two-bit investigation gets in the way because he feels like marking off his turf like an attack dog, I'll make sure to be nice and polite to him as he threatens to put me behind bars for doing my fucking job."

"But I'm genuinely sorry to have inconvenienced you by advancing our investigation in a way that could not possibly lead back to us unless one of us could make people magically fall asleep, which everyone with a lick of sense knows is impossible, and in a way that didn't involve putting anyone in a hospital, weighing the needs of my employer over the needs of a GIGN washout who, quote me, 'has more testiclular mass than braincells.'" Just to reassure Tjalfe, he pet the large lupine on the head. It might have also been to keep his temper from spilling over.

"I don't think his hate is unwarranted, but I also don't give a flying fuck. He's a bully who's found someone he can't move or shake, and now it means he's going to be letting his temper run his judgment. Let him." He shrugged. "I mean, worst comes to worst I throw him into the Nevernever to learn some Christmas spirit and he's never heard from again."

"...That last part was a joke."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

T&A

Alain shrugged. "Other...supernatural outfits, throughout Europe." His face twisted into a bit of a grin. "She's amassed a bit of a reputation for herself, with the sorts of creatures who prey on humans. We do not know much about them."

edited 8th Mar '18 12:18:04 PM by math792d

Alexander'

Alexander frowned, taking another sip of Vodka, hoping Alain would follow suit. He was beginning to think the man might be smarter than your average criminal enforcer. It was always easy to underestimate big men. Just because Alain could probably crush him between his pectorals didn't mean that he couldn't also play a mean game of chess. Or checkers.

Come to think of it, Alex wouldn't have minded getting a better look at those pecs.

Goddammit. Why did he have to be horny right now?

He cleared his throat, quickly putting his brain back on track.

"Speaking of...how did Sofie come to your attention in the first place?" He asked.

edited 8th Mar '18 12:19:45 PM by DrTentacles

Tim sighed. "Look, we have enough issues. If we can try to get Proteau into not being one of them, we should make the effort. Only a fool fights a war on two fronts." He said then stared at Jarl. "No Napoleon jokes."

Jarl

"Only an idiot would fight a war on two fronts. Only the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Idiots would fight a war on twelve fronts." Jarl grumbled, imitating a vaguely-defined European accent as conceived by an American. Very meta.

"...You said no Napoleon references."

"....How have you never watched Star Wars but can quote Babylon 5" Tim asked, not sure he wanted an answer.

Jarl

"I have good taste in science fiction?" Jarl shrugged, still scratching Tjalfe behind the ears.

"Anyway, the church is pressing, but if we go in there, we'll need to be ready, and I'll need to not have my hands in bandages that makes spellcasting really difficult." He put his fingers beneath his chin in thought. "In the meantime, I think our best option is going to be the jazz club. It's at least the one where we'll attract the least attention, especially when it's crowded."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

T&A

"Because of the same organizations." Alain shrugged. "Overconfidence, I suppose. Thinking that strength in numbers was going to be enough. We thought we had studied her work through Europe thoroughly enough, and she never seemed to have backup." He gestured to Terry and Alex. "Shows what we know, eh?"

"Agreed." Tim nodded. "And if that Warrant comes through...I think it would be wise to keep you away from that."

Alexander

Alexander sat back, grinning.

"My involvement was a surprise to me as well." He replied. "Onward my questions go, however. Poisoners? Ring a bell? If not, tell me about Parisian secret societies."

edited 8th Mar '18 12:51:44 PM by DrTentacles

Jarl

Jarl shrugged. "He can try. I have good legal representation."

Tim gave Jarl a hard glance. "Maybe, but we don't have the time for a Court date. So you'll be diplomatic or not be there. Please."

Jarl

"Sure. Granted, if he's as pissed off as Leon made it sound, he'll probably be coming here, anyway."

"Then try to stay out of his eyes. We don't have time to spend on this mess."

Jarl

"Well, the best defense is Not Being Here, so I suggest jazz club as soon as it opens up."

________________________________________________________

T&A

"I can tell you about neither." Alain shrugged.

edited 8th Mar '18 3:01:52 PM by math792d

Tim sighed deeply, again. "Then I suggest we all get a bit of rest."

Alexander

Alexander stared at Alain, trying to tell if he was lying. Was there some sort of magic at work here? Or was Alain actually ignorant?

He's a Changeling. That means something, right?

"Drink more. It'll help with the pain. Now—you can't tell me, or you won't tell me?" Alexander asked.

edited 9th Mar '18 10:49:06 AM by DrTentacles

T&A

"Both. Which is quite convenient."

Alexander

It was a bit too early to start cursing at the prisoner, or making dire threats. Despite his mounting irritation, he still had some patience left. Keeping his hands very deliberately flat at his sides, Alexander thought for a moment about the information he'd gotten so far.

He's unable to speak about some things. Possibly stronger than a simple promise. Magically enforced?

Well. Time to start prodding at that.

"That's unfortunate. How is Samson ensuring your loyalty and silence? What are his terms?" He asked. Every man had a price. And if he couldn't buy him, perhaps he could find a loophole in whatever oath held his tongue.

edited 9th Mar '18 10:59:20 AM by DrTentacles

T&A

"We are old friends." Alain shrugged. "We took steps to ensure there were things I could and could not say."

Alexander

Alexander's hand curled into a fist by his side, mood suddenly soured. He'd been so hoping this would go well.

"That's also a shame. Two more questions, then." He asked, voice deceptively calm. "First, tell me anything you can about Samson's future plans..."

He stood, picking up the bottle of Vodka, and the shotglasses.

"Second, you have a loyal employee of your enemy as a prisoner, with fresh knowledge of your operations. What does Samson Ibn Khalid ask you to do with them?"

T&A

"He has a meeting some time tonight. That is all I know." Not all he could say, all that he knew.

Alain scratched his stubble. "It depends on who they work for. A rival gang? Might hand him back, in return for concession. Looking weak is better than making one of theirs a martyr." He raised an eyebrow at Alex. "Law enforcement? I do not know. Samson has other people for that."

Alexander

Alexander stopped, staring at Alain, hands still curled into fists. If he let the man go, he was just going to head straight back to Samson, and bring more trouble down. He might even give away the hotel's location. He'd been blindfolded and woozy most of the way...but fucking everything was monogrammed in here.

God, he wanted to kill him. Not just kill him, but feed—feel the rush of warmth and heat. It wouldn't leave a mess, unlike a gunshot or death by wolf, and he could probably find a way to get the body out safely. He'd feel so much better after.

Alexander glanced back at Terry. He was pretty sure the werewolf wouldn't see it his way.

Fuck it. That wasn't a conversation he wanted to have right now. He let out a sigh of frustration, uncurling his fists.

"Cuffs on, give me a number to contact Samson." He growled. "Play along, and don't pull any shit."

edited 9th Mar '18 1:27:38 PM by DrTentacles

T&A

"Surely, you mean 'number, then cuffs?' It is difficult to write with my hands bound." The big man grabbed a piece of paper and a notepad, scribbling some digits down for Alex.

"There. He will take this right away - it is only used by people like me." Underline: People he trusts.

Leon stared at Jarl, his teeth gritted, and his hands curled into fists. He took a deep breath and released it as Tim and Jarl bantered.

"I'm going to let this drop again, for the time being, with two last things. Proteau threatened to arrest and deport you on sight. And I told him if he arrests you I am doing nothing to inhibit that even if I won't stop working with you."

He opened his hands and leaned back in his seat, as he for the time being released the urge to punch Jarl in the face.

"How bad is the church ghost problem? If its likely to result in deaths while we're off at the club even if you can't help, Tim and I should be able to manage."