Long Hours [Open Guard HQ Post]

[synthedick]

Who: OPEN - anyone visiting the Guard HQ throughout early November
What: This is an open post for the Guard HQ - feel free to tag Nick here, make your own top-levels, etc. for whatever your characters might be doing there! They don't have to be in the Guard, so long as you can come up for a reason for them to be there.
Where: Guard Headquarters
When: Early November
Warnings: TBA

It's been a busy few days at the Guard headquarters. It's no real surprise, given the current state of affairs: the Null have made contact again, putting targets on the backs of anyone who openly opposes them, all while throwing any peace the city might have had into question once more. Usually, it's the gods making trouble, and while most folks aren't happy with them either, at least they tend to follow a pattern, inciting specific emotions with brief, albeit tumultuous events. On the other hand, they know little about the Null and how they operate other than what they've been told.

Chances are they might not be able to trust much of that as it is. They might be more mechanical than living beings, viewing anything other than cold, hard logic as a disease to be wiped out, but that doesn't mean the Null can't lie, can't deceive. If they're operating on efficiency, then they'll do whatever they deem necessary to get the job done, even if that means cutting down anyone who gets in their way. Some would say it's for the greater good, sacrificing one for the sake of the many, but it isn't right. It isn't justice.

There has to be another way.

For as much as some would say otherwise, the Guard keeps busy. The patrols clear the streets of any creatures that might sneak in from the caves -- they protect new arrivals from monsters until they can get to safety. Even when not actively working, the Guard generally tries to keep a helping hand only a minute or so away at all times, just in case something goes awry -- from the gods, from the Null, or even from other residents of the city. It's a thankless job that has its ups and downs, and if the new notice on the door to the headquarters is any indication, it's about to get a whole lot bumpier.

For anyone entering the HQ, they are greeted with a sign tacked to the entrance, one at eye-level and scrawled in handwriting as clear as Nick could make it:

Looking for volunteers for extra patrols and assignments - see Nick

Comments

Nick Valentine [around the HQ - open]

[synthedick]

As for Nick Valentine himself, he can be found in two places these days. Most of the time, he's at his desk in the headquarters, that one off to the side along the wall as one enters the building. With the Null continuing to make promises and trying to attract people to their cause, he's been keeping himself busy: filing reports, going over the roster and map to rework the patrol routes for efficiency, taking notes and transcribing all that's going on over the network. He hasn't been home in two days himself, and while he's not human, he can get as worn down as anyone by the threat of what's to come, by the danger it poses to this place. It's as much of a home as he's going to get; someone has to protect it.

Their main problem is that they only have so many hands to handle the storm that's brewing among the people. The gods haven't exactly been helpful in most cases, even with the small compromises they've made -- for some, it's too little too late, especially with the Null's latest demands. They want a sacrifice to reveal their weapon, if there really is a weapon at all. They made it sound like it's in the city already, but where? And if it does exist, can they get a hold of it before everything goes to Hell in a blood-soaked handbasket?

It's war, as usual, with all the wrong people wrapped up in it whether they like it or not. War never changes. If there's something he can do to prevent Hadriel from going the way of the Commonwealth... well, Nick has to try. He has to do something for the people here, for those who have nowhere else to go, for his family... and hell, even for himself.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin is in fairly often anyway, and he is never slow to help with tasks such as sorting and filing when he's in the office. And when he sees the sign on the entrance, he comes to Nick's desk.

"How's it going?" he asks. "I can take some extra assignments."

[synthedick]

Nick glances at Curufin as he approaches, raising an eyebrow.

"You sure? You seem to have plenty going on as it is."

Given all the surveillance he does, he's seen the network -- frankly, everyone has probably seen the transmission in question by now.

[claritatis]

Ignis walks into the HQ early on the second day after the Null's message. He hasn't really been able to keep still, driven by a restless energy that would normally have been funnelled into protecting Noctis at times like these. When the focus of a life-long oath is removed from a person, there are few directions that can be taken from there, but Ignis is not someone who easily falls into despair when there are other things to be done.

Instantly, he recognises that he isn't alone. Nick Valentine isn't someone he's really sat down and spoken to as of yet (the appearance of the man can be a shock, but not too off-putting) but he is certain that there hasn't been a time in the last two days when he has walked in here and found that desk unoccupied. Ignis doesn't doubt that if he didn't require sleep and at least semi-regular meals he would have been doing exactly the same thing. The Null have always been a threat in the back of his mind, since the first message of theirs that he saw, but they have made sure that no one can dismiss them now.

"You ought to take a break, Nick," he says quietly, resting his fingertips against a small section of the desk not covered in paperwork. "For sanity's sake, if nothing else."

[synthedick]

Nick's eyes flick from his own writing to the fingers on his desk, then to the man they belong to. He hasn't gotten much of a chance to talk to Ignis since he joined the Guard -- not before, given Nick doesn't partake in any of the cooking Ignis has been roped into doing, and not now that the Null are back on the radar. He should change that.

Perhaps when there's less work to be done. "I appreciate the concern, but someone has to keep an eye on things. Might as well be the guy who doesn't need to sleep."

That doesn't mean he doesn't need to rest, and he knows it.

[braveoff]

Drake has really only dealt with Henry and Maketh thus far, but he knows who Nick is. Knows who to look for when he sees the posting on the door. He's already busy -- between Guard patrols and helping build the bunker and just watching over Ephemera in his current state he's wearing thin, but he wants to stay on top of this. Find out what's being organized and where the other members of the Guard stand. Maybe someone's planning something he can help with. The feelers he's put out so far haven't come up with anything.

"Nick?" He steps up to the desk, eyeing the spread of paperwork curiously. "What are the extra assignments?"

[synthedick]

Nick, similarly, knows Drake mostly by name and his patrol assignment; given how much time he spends patrolling himself, Nick tends to not know the various recruits as well as his bosses do. It's one of those things he always says he'll work on when he's got the time. Finding the time is the trick, even for a detective.

He levels his glowing eyes on Drake, staying his pen. "Extra patrols, and a few cases where we need certain areas watched more than others. The Null have a growing list of targets, and we can't be too careful."

[lifetothefullest]

Lance absolutely does not want to have this conversation, because he can only see it going badly. The only reason he's willing to try it is that he thinks the consequences for not doing so could be just as bad, and he's exhausted every option he has for handling things on his own.

He'd considered, for a short time, whether he'd wanted to speak with Nick or Henry first, and had decided on the former for a few reasons. One is that his past conversations with Nick had gone better, overall, although recently he and Henry have been getting along fine; another, more importantly, is that he thinks Nick might be more objective. He wouldn't blame Henry for taking the side of someone he cares a great deal for, but that potential does make Lance wary of trying to discuss this with him.

So for those reasons, as well as a few others, it's Nick that Lance decides to seek out; he approaches him at the guard headquarters cautiously, after making sure the place is relatively deserted for the moment.

"Hello Nick. Can I speak with you?"

As much as he's trying not to make it obvious, it's probably still clear that he's tense and apprehensive about this; exhaustion and stress from the last few days aren't helping with that either.

[synthedick]

Given he's pretty sure he's the only one in the headquarters at the moment, Nick glances toward the door when he hears it open -- he can't say he expected to see Dr. Sweets coming through it, but he keeps the surprise from his expression for now, giving the man a nod as he heads over. From the sound of it, he's not looking to volunteer for patrols. Doesn't seem like the type anyway, given his general demeanor when it comes to the Guard.

"Doctor," Nick greets. He can tell there's something wearing on Lance, but there's a lot wearing on everyone these days. "Sure, we can talk. Is here okay, or...?"

He cocks his head toward the back, picking up on the uncertainty in the doctor's tone. Others might miss it, but he's a detective -- it's in his nature.

slinks in

[nonscriptum]

Nate isn't good at this "being a responsible person" thing. It should be evidenced in the way he handled his lake-diving extravaganza, and how he responded to the Null's hit list. It isn't that he doesn't think of better means to deal with situations, it's that he tends to go with his gut, and his gut is impulsive.

However, it's also very rarely wrong (or maybe that's just his luck).

Elena wanted him to go about this in a safer way, and that involves stretching himself beyond the limits of his comfort zone to be in what is effectively a police headquarters as a man with a lengthy criminal record. Just standing inside makes his skin itch.

"So, uh."

Having shiftily made his way over to the desk, Nate chews on discomfort and feels as though he's standing in front of the headmaster back at St. Francis Boys Home.

"...what exactly do you guys do here?"

The Good Boy

[synthedick]

Given what Nick knows about Nate -- that he's more likely to be either looking for trouble or in trouble than he is to be reporting it to the Guard -- he's not someone the detective expected to see walk in. He's not about to complain, though -- he could use a distraction from the papers covering his desk, whether he admits it or not. Nate looks about as comfortable as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs as he steps in front of the desk, but the synth gives him a polite smile all the same.

"What we do in the city is exactly what our name entails. We protect those who need it whenever we can. Not always an easy job, given how things usually go around here."

And how uncooperative folks tend to be regarding the Guard, considering how many people outright accuse them of trying to be the police. Nate wouldn't be the first to think that, and he won't be the last.

"As for what we do here," he continues, gesturing to the files and maps all over his desk, "it's paperwork."

Rey. | Open

[circumitus]

As far as her involvement with the Guard go, Rey has been fairly discreet. Her time spent at the HQ has been minimal, usually relying on Nick to deal with the paperwork and filing. Not that Rey minds -- reports at her least favorite thing, and there's only so many doodles and scribbles she can turn in before her patience with the desk pushing part of the job wears thin.

With Sato gone, it would almost seem safe for Rey to return to her regular relationship with the Guard. Drop the pretenses. But as time has gone on, she's found herself more comfortable living the way she has been. Keeping the Guard at a distance, and prioritizing the Speakeasy. At this point, she considers herself to be more of a member by association than anything else.

After all, her girlfriend and the synthetic who might as well be her father work here.

In light of recent events, however, Rey has been dropping notes here and there throughout the city. A little graffiti here and a sign there. Maybe a symbol on a table or a card in a book. Things that might seem like little leftovers of boredom.

Unlike Nick's more blunt form of drawing attention to the Guard, Rey's is a little more underhanded. She knows a thing or two about subterfuge, laying low -- discretion. And while she wants to believe that the people here are trustworthy not to send them all to a gruesome fate at the hands of homicidal machines, she has seen those complicit to the Null's request. Some of them might be sincere, others might be playing their cards like herself.

Either way, she has to be sure.

Having brokered a (sort of) deal with Rose and Law alike, Rey might be growing confident in her plans. But if something goes wrong, or there is another way, she sure as hell would like to hear it. Safety in numbers and all that.

So one can find her lingering about at the HQ, sporting a vest bearing a patch with the symbol that has been prevalent in her codes and messages throughout the underground city.

If anything, one can look at it as a treasure hunt -- if the treasure at the end of the hunt is disappointment and bad life choices.

[ooc: This is supposed to ICly kickstart the plan against the Null that Rey has been plotting! If you want your character involved, throw in their two cents, or just give Rey crap for yanking their chain, then look no further.]

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin comes in quietly to drop off some paperwork and check in. He finds Rey there, and he smiles in greeting. They do see one another fairly often, since he plays his music regularly at the Speakeasy -- not to mention, he drinks there. But she doesn't come so often to Guard HQ anymore.

His eyes pause as he spies the symbol on her vest. This isn't the only place he's seen it recently. It seems to pop up everywhere.

He speaks softly. "You're wearing the sigil of your kind, are you not? I have been seeing it around. I think there is a message in it, or in the frequency of its occurrences -- perhaps something like this: Contact Rey if you would like to hear something of great significance to you and to us all."

[circumitus]

When it's Curufin that Rey sees come in, she can't help but be reminded of that conversation with the Null. Like Nick, it did not go over her notice when people were making open acts of defiance and deals with the enemy. Some she was certain were acting with the same motive in mind as herself, others...

Others were unsurprisingly kosher with the idea of murdering their fellows.

Either way, she does not hold the actions of someone else on Curufin. Not when he was also so openly against the suggestion. While it could have been a ploy, something in her gut says otherwise. She'll find out one way or another.

"Wha...?" She almost laughs at that. Her kind. "No, it's not a sigil -- it's a signature. But that is more or less the gist of it."

She's been very remiss to open communications over the network, and who might heed the meaning.

[nonscriptum]

[Nate isn't known for being the best at making friends, nor is he known for working well in a team. He is, however, incensed that the Null have put children on a hit list and doesn't give half a shit about his own name on there when there are greater problems. Literal children. Jesus.

He slinks into the HQ, a strange place to see him for a number of reasons: 1.) he never goes here because 2.) he dislikes authority figures and has a criminal record, plus 3.) Johnny Law never appealed to him much. But Nate trusts one of the more well-known figures who also happens to work here, and sees Rey loitering off to the side when he enters.

Yeah, like he hasn't already seen that symbol around Hadriel.]

Hey.

[He glances at the lizard, then back to her.]

Your handiwork?

[circumitus]

[Rude. Salamanders are amphibians, not lizards. Not that it's obvious just by looking at the symbol.

[Luckily she doesn't hear that flavor text when Nate walks in. She casts a look his way, and then quickly realizes what he's referring to.] Ah, yes.

Didn't want to be too conspicuous. For the amount of people that are clear in where they stand, there are still others to be accounted for. Plus a spy.

[That one really worries her. Rey doesn't even like the fact that she's hanging around the Guard right now, herself. For one who does not openly advertises herself as a member, she has her own issues with authority, being a soldier who was more oft to make her own decisions and go solo than follow orders all the time. There's a reason why she never sought to rise in the ranks.]

[puzzlingly]

There is something that Atem hasn't let go of for the past days, something that has gone unpunished as far as he knows. Who killed Yukari and why? Why would Atem even worry about the murderer of the person who tried to kill him to begin with? Was it only because that someone took justice into their hands and took Atem's chance for payback away? Well, he wasn't going to lie, part of him still held a grudge that it wasn't him who would punish Yukari for his sins. But one thing was sure, he wouldn't have killed him, not if he could help it. Death here meant nothing after all, it would do nothing , if anyone here thought death was the ultimate price to pay for someone's crimes, they'd be wrong.

As bitter as the outcome had left Atem, Yukari was already paying for what he had done. But what about his killer? Had justice been brought upon them already? But to know if they had been dealt with he needs to actually ask, and he can no longer trust the network for that.

The young Pharaoh enters the Guard Headquarters as if he already knew the place, yet under the confidence it's somewhat obvious that he restraining his movements, as loose as they usually are, they are stiff and too controlled, not that an stranger would know it, but the reasons are far more obvious if that bandaged right hand is taken into account, as well as the ones showing over his left shoulder under his sleeveless shirt, and from the few bruises on his arms and other exposed areas. But he doesn't seem to mind that much to show them or the fact that they exists, he needs to get moving, cannot stay home forever.

"Hey," He sets eyes on the woman wearing the curious symbol he's actually seen around, he approaches, and gives her a small wave of sorts. "You in charge here?"

[circumitus]

Unfortunately, Rey doesn't keep up with the reports around here. She barely even bothers with the paperwork, often leaving it up to Nick to give her the rundown on the going-ons here. Otherwise, if it hasn't been reported or spread via word of mouth, then Rey has other concerns.

And there is a lot to be concerned about, between the Null and the threat of people turning against each other. She has already heard of a few incidents already, though details are a little unclear, since it's not like she's made this her official job or anything.

She's sitting in one of the wheely chairs, one foot up on a desk and the other leg stretching out over the floor when Atem walks in. Her eyes veer towards the sound of the front door opening, tearing her attention from her phone's screen.

Oh. This kid. Rey doesn't know him, but she pays enough attention to the network to commit faces and names to memory. It's especially hard to forget with such a ridiculous mop over his head.

"What?" She sits upright in her seat, giving Atem a look. "Fuck no. Just here on unofficial business."

The thought of being in charge of anything like this place is unnerving to her.

Guard announcement; backdated to Nov 11th; closed to the Guard

[hotspurred]

The day begins with a message sent out to all guardsmen: Gather at headquarters in an hour hence. We must have a meeting.

Henry waits there at the appointed time, and once everyone — save for the conspiciously absent Maketh — is gathered there, addresses all guardsmen, his expression sombre but resolved.

“Henceforth, Maketh Tua is no longer part of the Guard. You will report only to myself and Nick Valentine.

Of late we have been brought troubling concerns about Maketh's judgement from both civilians and guardsmen. Alone they would not be cause enough for such drastic punishment, but it has come to light that she made an arrangement with Hux in which she would not intervene as he murdered those on the Null's list of victims in order to obtain from him a god killer.

She has forsworn our public oath to defend the people of this city as the threat of the Null looms over us. We have faced unwarranted accusations of tyranny for some time, and she would have them made true by her secret actions. The integrity of the Guard and each one of us would be forfeit if her arrangement was known.

I believe that the Guard makes a difference. I am certain that you would not be here if you did not believe the same. I will not see our work destroyed by one terrible decision.

There exists a moral line that we must not cross. We must hold ourselves to a certain standard of behaviour.”

Henry shakes his head and sets his hands on his hips.

“To that end, should you ever have concerns regarding my judgement, hesitate not to speak Nick. Likewise, should you have concerns of Nick's judgement, then I ask that you speak to me. We shall heed you with utmost sincerity.

Have you any questions, I will tarry here to answer what I can. Let this not break us.”

And that is that.

“You are free to leave.”

OTA guardsmen; will match format

[hotspurred]

As per his word, following his announcement Henry remains in Guard HQ, prepared to answer any questions that arise.

In truth, he expects them; few know Maketh's history of transgressions as well as himself, Nick and Rey.

He wishes there had been another choice, unfortunately they were left with none.

A frown seems permanently etched on his face, but as unhappy as he is with what has occurred and the fallout of their decision, he knows that it was right.

[synthedick]

Nick waits until after the rest of the Guardsmen have left before making his way over to Henry himself, his eyes cast away as he tries not to let the events that led to this announcement weigh him down too much. He's only partially successful, dourness coloring into his tone.

"Well... guess that's that."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufn tarries for a bit, too. He knows that this must have been a very hard decision for Henry.

He speaks softly. "I am very sorry to hear this. I respected Maketh and we got along well. But I've felt for a while that something was amiss. I just wish it hadn't turned out to be this."

Guardsmen, OTA

[synthedick]

As the announcement comes to an end, Nick makes his way toward the head of the room to field any questions that might be coming his way, just in case anyone does happen to want to ask him something rather than Henry. Try as he might, he can't fully mask the weariness etched into his features, the knot in his brow a heavy one. This was a heavy decision with heavy consequences; however, like his superior, he believes it was the right decision, both for the city and for Maketh.

No, superior isn't right, he supposes. He's a part of the main leadership of the organization now. He should start trying to think like one, as quietly uncomfortable as it may make him. He has a hard enough time dealing with his own identity, piecing together where the real Nick ends and he begins -- how is he supposed to lead people? How can he be trusted with such a responsibility when he's let others down before? When he let her down?

That'd be the real Nick talking, he chides inwardly, sifting through his pockets for a cigarette. It's not much, but it's something to occupy his attention.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin waits until Nick takes his place at the front to answer questions. The Elf doesn't have a question, he just wants to make a quiet statement.

"Nick, I just want you to know that you have my support. I believe that Henry and you will lead the Guard well in the future -- whatever that future may bring."

OTA Guardsmen.

[circumitus]

When the meeting starts, Rey isn't anywhere to be seen -- but that doesn't mean she isn't there. She lingers outside of the headquarters, waiting inches from the doorframe. Her hearing is good enough that she catches every word. Listening for those who might speak out in argument or otherwise. Surprisingly, there isn't.

Her arms tighten, folded over her chest as she stands alone in silence. She takes no pride in what had to be done, and only carries guilt and regret that it had to be her in the first place. What Maketh saw as betrayal was them looking out for her and the people of the city, even if Maketh herself wouldn't see it that way.

At least, that's what Rey hopes. Did they do the right thing? Did she? Or has her actions merely cost her someone she loves? What else was she supposed to do?

Once it's over, she exhales a heavy breath, yet still feels as though she's choking. She needs to get out of here now. Away from people. Find distraction elsewhere that isn't here.

Maybe there will be peace, and this whole thing will blow over. Rey can't stand the thought of this horrible feeling being forever.

Wiping the mist clouding her vision, she leaves without another word. To drown herself in work and drink.