(Blue Octavo) Hawkish Discussions

[Arthur]

Confusion reigns as Arthur works out what Star was saying. "O shit that movie was a remake wasn't it? Never watched the show." Another sip of goodness and a thumbs up to July as the man makes a call.

"How do we know that the guy won't go batshit crazy on you if you ask about demons again? Assuming he did write that cryptic stuff how can we tell that he doesn't find your interest to be a bad thing? Maybe he thinks he sees demons in people and that's why he's killing? People can do scary shit when they believe, look at cults." The ramble flows as thoughts becomes words through the wonders of alcohol. Another sip, wonder if Space can make glasses hold more than it should. "Also how comfortable are we with a one on one if there is the chance of the guy going cray cray."

[Star]

"Stop that."

Blue eyes fixed on Arthur as long fingers raked through the mop.

"Look, I don't want to be a jerk? But this has been going on for nine months. Sitting around talking about what could go wrong is all super duper great fine and dandy but unless, like, there's a better plan, it's just pointless." Being Highly Effective requires having an effect. "So, we do the plan unless someone has a better plan."

Because Epopt. At least, until July or Zilker says they're Epopt.

"We know where he'll be." Eyes shifted to Faust. "He has those meetings."

"So, here's how it is. Option A, we walk out of here and start on the plan. Option B, someone puts out a better plan and we do that. Option C, there is no option C, because you need to let your nuts drop or leave."

As in, leave the building. The cabal.

"Someone else is going to get killed, soon, unless somebody does something. If I have to do it alone, fine."

Right, Omar?

[Arthur]

A hand raises up and palm out. Followed by Arthur nodding in consent and defeat, shame etched as he does. "I'll stick with July and help him get in and around the first scene." His voice mellowed. Eyes flick to Faust and Arthur only shrugs, someone else has the plan.

Could go Ermac while July is busy and make sure no one calls around about people in the house. Or maybe wait outside and watch for things that are off? No, that's horror movie stupid.

[Star]

"Ummmm."

Eyes closed.

"It was in Natomas."

Some people call it a Memory Palace. Others, a Method of Loci. At least one person called it a House of Cards. Not Underwood's House, but one taught to Guardians who kept forgetting details. A house made of cards that began with two in the shape of a 'T'; each edge crossed, and crossed again. A four of clubs here, a nine of diamonds there. Suits and values both matched to adjacent, relevant information, creating a map through the right angles, symbols, and denominations.

"At [address]."

Greenish eyes opened, and long fingers massaged the space between eyebrows.

"Yeah. That's where it was. Okay. Look, Arthur," the hand fell away, "I'm sorry. You know, that I popped like that. I'm just, like, frustrated." Or drained. "But, still. That wasn't cool. I'm sorry."

"Anyway. Ummmm. So, you two do that?" A finger waggled between July and Arthur. "Then, like, you?" You, as in Faust, according to the re-positioned finger. "Give me a call when you're read for backup or a stakeout or, you know, whatever."

"We cool?"

Because laundry To Do.

[Arthur]

"No worries man. This whole murderer thing was interesting and scary but having one of our own getting close." Mellow replaces shame as Arthur shakes his head. "Violence isn't my thing aaannnd, it scares me." A small smile twitches at the edges of the Arthur's mouth.

"I'll just focus on not flipping shit if things do get hairy." The smile shifts into a small grin. "Then I can avoid pissing you and July off."

"But ya, I'm good to go." The glass is put down and Arthur flexes his hand a bit, trying to figure out just how far down the rabbit hole he is.