Scene #9104: Thumb War

Owner	Pose
Angela	The assault from Merelisa, dubbed the Star of the City 'Lambent Dragon' by the Hana Association, has done a number on The Middle's assets and they have withdrawn from District 12 backstreets almost entirely. There's even some relief amongst the citizens. Cautious relief. For some, the Devil They Knew was better than an uncertain future and there's still plenty of Syndicates still around. Such as The Thumb. It's from Aeng Du that the news comes. The Thumb is sending a representative to talk to The Watch and the Blade Lineage that is surviving thanks to its support. So far, The Thumb has not meddled in any 'Outsider' affairs or even the Blade Lineage, so it's odds are that Merelisa's actions have moved The Thumb as well. Meanwhile, the Blade Lineage has hit a stumbling block in its own goals of fighting corruption and creating a more just society. Namely, it doesn't sell and Bamboo Hatted Kim has a certain ''kind'' of charisma, certainly, but he is a guy who murmurs poems and koans and while he draws a particular kind of crowd real easy--he can't reach the kind of crowd needed for systemic change. Aeng Du was out looking for allies, that's why she was out and about in the first place! That isn't to say that The Wach's support was ineffective. The Blade Lineage nearly doubled in size and is considerably more stable than before, readily fending off the Kurokumo Clan. For now, at least. Similarly, through their and Berislav's efforts, they now have a place to call home.
Angela	The Faded Print was once a local news bureau before it became a hostel and before it became a Watchtower and may indeed have been affiliated with The Thumb itself. No more. The Faded Print is one of the oldest buildings in the neighborhood and is composed of a brick exterior and there's a kitchen and bar downstairs, cordoned off by a waist high fence. It's been picked clean for a long time, but thanks to The Watch it has a new lease on life even though the boarded windows would normally suggest it's seen its last days. The roof still holds weight, probably, and can serve as a balcony. The Blade Lineage has 'found' some chairs that they have brought up there for lookouts and just 'hanging out'. The bar and kitchen are still fully functional, though it still utilizes Smoke rather than Enkephalin--spoiler alert, that may be a blessing in disguise in a few months, particularly since Berislav jury-rigged them to run off of more multiversal power, though the fridge is still a bit finnicky (sometimes it doesn't entirely close the first time). The barstools are mismatched and there's even some liquor stored behind the bar. There's a room for private meetings in the back where the old presses used to be stored. The hardwood floors creak but seem stable enough.
Angela	The Blade Lineage, after Aeng Du's warning, has sent away its newer members on jobs across The City--largely to protect their identities from whichever Thumb representative ends up showing up. Bamboo Hatted Kim has set up a small chair and table for The Thumb--he does not care for or respect The Thumb but a war against The Thumb right now would be a disaster. He has informed Berislav that The Thumb prides itself on maintaining proper order and discipline amongst their ranks and while they leave some leniency for those outside of their group, they expect similar decorum. Those of a higher 'rank' are free to speak, those who are lower must be granted permission. How much Berislav and The Watch want to play into their philosophy is up to them but soon, a man with slicked back hair wearing sunglasses wearing a black suit with a vibrant red jacket steps into The Faded Print alongside two similarly dressed individuals--one a purple haired woman with glasses and another a green-eyed 4'9 man with long brown hair who is carrying a bayonet across his chest. The woman has a bayonet of her own on her back but three grenades on a belt around her chest. Neither of them speak up. Except for Boris, who is also unarmed. "Hey, name's Boris, I'm authorized to speak for the Sottocapo of the Thumb." He says. "Who's authorized to speak for you?"
Odette Raskins	As the self-assigned medic for the Watch's interests in manners involving both the Blade Lineage and the Trideag Association, it's probably not a huge surprise to see Odette here among those at the meeting. She's dressed in her Company-assigned EMT uniform rather than her Trideag colors today, trying to keep her work with the two broader groups separate instead of letting it all bleed together. It probably has something to do with what Olivier said, and about having a too-obvious connection to the Watch. She can't just give the Company a reason to can her, after all. Thanks to Bamboo Hat Kim's advance notice, Odette's even taken up a spot off to the side of the Central meeting arrangement. She's still easily visible and addressed from where the Thumb's representative would be sitting, but just off to the side enough that it wouldn't be too awkward to avoid direct eye contact. Plus... She's pretty sure she wouldn't be considered a high-ranking person compared to everyone else here. No sense taking up a prime seat that way. When the reps arrive, the EMT does take a moment to just size the three of them up. Red Jacket and Purple Grenades are certainly intimidating enough already, but Brown Bayonet is a whole other story since she's pretty sure he could stab her at this distance. Despite this, she notices something... Off. She glances at her table and, noticing that there's no water, takes that as a convenient excuse to get up. She nonchalantly glances towards Brown Bayonet as she does, especially as she heads towards the kitchen. "Ah... Anyone need water?" She murmurs in passing quietly, trying not to make it too obvious she's looking at the top of Brown Bayonet's head.
Father Berislav	EARLIER "I can't stress enough that a war with these people is something which will cost us dearly," says Berislav to the Watchmen who have gathered for the meeting. "So we need to take precautions to ensure that they feel it's neither warranted nor feasible to do. At the moment," he says, wiping down the bar's countertop, "We're in a good place to do the former only, despite the success we've had." "So, we need to put our efforts as wholly towards that as we're able to. Especially given the slight that I paid them in the first place," he frowns. "I won't ask you to internalize any of their ways as true, but it's very much in our interest to make sure they don't see us as disorganized rabble. When we're meeting with them, give me, Kim or Liza some sort of sign that you want to speak and we'll recognize you." "I believe in all of you and I know you'll do the Watch proud." -- NOW Who's authorized to speak for you? "Thank you, Odette," the priest asides to her, before turning his attention to Boris fully. "I am," says Berislav. "Father Waters Berislav. Liza Grier and Bamboo Hatted Kim are also authorized, though with much respect to our colleague, you'll probably find that Liza and I can answer your questions in a more material, less philosophical sense."
Gaonoir	Gaonoir and Erika weren't here to do the talking. Actually they had been here to help make sure the electronics and communications set up for use were in proper order. And being properly encrypted of course. But that also meant the duo were present to serve as an extra bit of security, just in case. It was always good to cover 'just in case' in this situations. So for now they remained off to the side to just monitor the exchange of the meeting, Erika with her computer tablet in hand, while Gaonoir stood next to her with forelimbs crossed and the usual dour expression across his canid features. Meetings like this were boring and mostly not his thing, but they were important so he'd endure. And hope the things he is good at won't be needed.
Dysnomia	Adapting the place to multiversal power sources was Berislav's idea, but Dysnomia supported it every step of the way. "We want to create a system that cannot be blocked down from the outside. That can't be interrupted by deliberate power cuts. That way, they can't just lay seige to you, cut the power and wait for you to starve." It's the first step Dysnomia would have taken to quash their rebellion, after all. She wouldn't admit it, but there was a certain pleasure to working within these constraints, at times. There was a joy that came from putting together some overengineered ship, with all the bells and whistles, but out here it just wasn't practical. Incricate, complicated circuitry requiring intricate, complicated parts that would need a running warpgate or a steady supply from a Nest to keep humming...And that was a luxury that they simply couldn't afford. Not to say that her touch wasn't visible. She'd set up a hidden compartment and a bolthole into the alley behind for an emergency. The fanciest thing that Dysnomia had installed in the place was the emergency power core--a salvaged fusion battery that was hidden in a closet behind a mop and some detergent, with a post-it note on it with IN CASE OF POWER OUTAGE. "This'll hold up pretty well, I think." She murmured, of the hideout. "Well enough, at least. What are your thoughts, Berislav? What needs more work?" ~-~-~ By now, Dysnomia had become accomstomed playing the role of a background thug, leaning against the wall, an ominous fixture threatening to become a problem if Things Went Wrong. She doubted they'd pay her much mind. She preferred that. When the Thumb stormed in, Dysnomia scanned the bodyguards, then Boris. Unarmed. Show of trust? No. Show of power. Statement. 'You can't hurt me.' Even in your headquarters. Arrogance. He didn't know what he was dealing with. He'd learn. But maybe not today. Who's authorized to speak for you? She appraised Boris with glowing, pupilless eyes. She pointed a thumb, silently, toward Berislav, Liza, Kim. She did not blink.
Hibiki Tachibana	Truthfully, Hibiki would rather be out there helping out the newer Blade Lineage members on their odd jobs rather than being at the Faded Print right now. For starters, having her around to deal with an important and massive Syndicate that prioritizes decorum, respect, knowing when you're permitted to speak, and refined discipline is a world-class disaster waiting to happen if she's involved. You barely have to know her to intuit that if she feels like she has to, she'll run her mouth. On the other hand, by some brand of definition when it comes to the Watch's unique sort of organization, she fits the bill of 'higher rank'. Sort of. Kind of. She never really feels like she does, and this is Berislav's show more than anyone's in her opinion - but she /probably/ should at least passively be here, especially given her mission of learning about and trying to make nice with various facets of the city, from Syndicates to Fixer Offices to otherwise. Whenever she can get pulled away from home, anyway, which is much less often than it used to be at current for a few reasons. Exhausting reasons, and it shows on her face. "Open war sure sounds like somethin' we /all/ should be doing our best to avoid," Hibiki murmurs during the lead-up, experimenting on new and exciting ways to try and get the finnicky fridge to shut, mainly in the vein of 'closing it very hard and seeing if it sticks'. She's meeting mixed success. ... By the time Boris and his entourage enter, she's taken over Berislav's former job of wiping down the countertop, along with a few other spots in the kitchen. It keeps her hands busy. She side-eyes Boris in particular; noting how he's entirely unarmed, while the two with him are sporting firearms and explosives. ...That means he's probably not someone you want to get into a brawl with. If she's learned a few things about the City at this point, it's that people in high positions are generally there for decent reasons. The rag she's been using is set aside, and she leans against the side of the refridgerator and folds her arms to quietly watch the ongoings.
Liza Grier	Though she is best known to turning buildings into free-floating ions, Liza 'Kazynski' Grier's prior work was keeping a space station in working order slash running the bar. She hasn't been an uncommon sight around Watchtowers, bringing in hauls of whatever junk was salvageable from her last op and she had no need for on her ship (practically a Watchtower in its own right), applying her interrogation skills on a call-by-call basis, trading hand-tooled ammo and refurbished parts for grey market meds, and donating distressing numbers of blood packs in all different types. The fact she's never seen getting stitches from a local surgeon does nothing to discourage the rumours. And so it goes here, where she arrives in her jumpsuit ensemble, with a crate carried by cargo webbing in each hand. She's less free about expending telecrystals here than elsewhere, for some reason, opening the containers up manually to start unloading bioprint locks, door plates and bolt tools, rolls of bulleptroof glass paning, welding tools, a stack of trauma kits, a medical sterilization emitter, two portable generators and gasoline cans, several hilariously illegal folding-stock shotguns with homemade bioterror rounds, and an entire care pack of booze and frozen food. She's behind the bar counter before she even removes her ballistic gloves, as fast as she can put aside a certain box that is labelled [DON'T TOUCH. YOU WILL FUCKING DIE.] She'd be nearly domestic, without the Syndicate wrist PDA, e-shield bracelet, combat knife, e-sword hilt, and modified stechkin. 'We're in a good place to do the former only, despite the success we've had.' "Yeah. It's a gang versus a syndicate. I know the difference in scale." Liza answers, half-paying attention. "If we have to discourage them later, you won't have to call me." 'Who's authorized to speak for you?' Berislav has it covered, so Liza spends a little while longer staring at the three with an uncomfortable intensity. The more unusual aspect of it is that she can find everything at the counter without looking. "Pick your poison." she says, delivering the infamously shady bartender line as if it were on a DMV form.
Angela	Boris does seem pretty relaxed and a guy with that kind of drip does kind of inherently express arrogance, but his posture is more relaxed than aggressive. Maybe he's just so accustomed to a certain way of doing things that he doesn't suspect anything could go out of the norm. Most organizations wouldn't WANT to start a fight with The Thumb without being an Association or one of the other Fingers so he might expect the same thing here. Bamboo Hatted Kim is quiet through introductons at first. He is a guy who thinks before he speaks, and sometimes thinks too long before speaking. Boris glances to Odette as she stands up. Boris's two bodyguards tense up until Odette asks if anyone wants water. Confusion flicks across the shorter man's face. "Easy Katriel, Denis. We're messengers. Sorry for the rudeness." He looks to Berislav as she asks, "Is it alright for us to accept water from your...medic waitress?" There's a flicker of confusion in his brow for a moment but he sets it aside. If Berislav gives his acquiescence, he'll ask for three waters. Otherwise he'll refuse. ''I can answer your questions in a more material, less philisophical sense.'' "I dig it. Maybe we can discuss philosophy sometime, but I'm not here as 'Boris' so I'll have to pass for today." Boris says to Bamboo Hatted Kim, who is eyeing him warily under his hat. "Father Berislav. Appreciate the polite tone." Boris says. "You took out one of our girls. Fair's fair on that, we all know the Rules of the Backstreets. And this isn't even about your ongoing push against the Kurokumo, not directly." His gaze flicks towards Dysnomia, visible only by his eyebrows moving. Is he sensing hostile intent? His gaze moves over to Liza. He's definitely at least picking up on the intensity. He doesn't know Liza tends to turn buildings into ions, but he sees the combat knife, the box, he strange hilt. He chuckles at the infamous shady bartender line. It's a thing here too, after all. "Alright, I'll get right to the point. L Corp isn't long for this world. Too many of its secrets spilled out and it's only a matter of time before it falls and with The Middle pushed out, it's only a matter of time before Syndicates move in to take over. The quicker it goes, the better yeah? So I'm authorized to make a deal." He draws out a cigarette from his jacket and twirls it around his fingers but seems unwilling to smoke it while speaking on behalf of the Sottocapo. "We forgive your hits on the Kurokumo, we call off the feud against your samurai buddies. We don't include you in our target list. In exchange, you help us take over The District when the time comes and work with The Thumb in managing the Backstreets." "You'd have us collect your taxes?" Bamboo Hatted Kim asks. "Can't exactly manage a District for free. 'Course you'd get a cut yourselves."
Gaonoir	For the time being all they are doing is documenting the meeting as it progresses. Erika plik-pliks at her tablet to record the important details, like what Boris is offering on the Thumb's behalf, and the responses made. But says nothing herself, keeping to the 'structured behavoir' their guests would prefer to see. And giving Gaonoir a light, barely noticable nudge with her elbow to remind him to do the same. He chuffs softly but does so, staying at her side. Honestly he isn't really even paying notice to the exchanges specifically. He's here for safety, so his attention is focused more on the situation as a whole. Ready to act if need be, while both are hoping it won't be necessary.
Father Berislav	Is it alright for us to accept water from your...medic waitress? "Of course," says Berislav with a little conciliatory nod. You took out one of our girls. Fair's fair on that, we all know the Rules of the Backstreets. And this isn't even about your ongoing push against the Kurokumo, not directly. The priest bows his head, indicating an intent to listen as he takes a seat. The quicker it goes, the better yeah? So I'm authorized to make a deal. With his hands clasped on the table, Berislav lifts his brow with polite interest. We forgive your hits on the Kurokumo, we call off the feud against your samurai buddies. We don't include you in our target list. In exchange, you help us take over The District when the time comes and work with The Thumb in managing the Backstreets. "Well, that certainly would take a lot off of our plate at the moment. I'm intrigued by the Thumb's offer, as I'm sure my colleagues are." A little nod of his head. "It's fair to tell me if I'm asking too much of a spokesperson, but I'd like to ask for more details on what managing the Backstreets would look like, before we say one way or the other whether it's what's best for the Thumb and the Blade Lineage." "For example," he begins, lifting one hand to gesture with a gentle sweep towards Kim, "These taxes--would there be much concern over how they were rendered, so long as your bottom line is met? Our methods for something like that may be different than what the Thumb would do in our place."
Liza Grier	'Is it alright for us to accept water from your...medic waitress?' "Waitress." Liza confirms, with absolute confidence. The gun-pressed-to-head 'I dare you. Pull the trigger.' kind of confidence. She struggles with other kinds. She reciprocates with something distantly related to a smirk when Boris laughs first. "Two black russians and one white." she says, without much indication of why, achieving frightening speed with three different bottles she has to open on the spot, without taking her eyes off the conversation. One, two, three drinks slide over the counter, towards Odette, who is now nominated waitress, whilst a fourth goes to Liza herself. Slamming it back in one go is unprofessionally indulgent, but also a great way of showing it isn't poisoned. Well, if it were, she'd get away with it, given her medical implants and all; but she didn't this time. 'L Corp isn't long for this world. Too many of its secrets spilled out and it's only a matter of time before it falls' "Okay. Hold on." says Liza. Rubbing the back of her head, she stares at the ceiling rafters a moment, then slides her glass away by letting go of it three inches above the bar counter. "I understand the premise. When it collapses, it's going to be anarchy, and you know there's gonna be a bloody turf war over it; so if you move in first, you don't have to fight over it." She looks back down, and scans the other two. "And there's gonna be blood in the crossfire, and you figure we're the kind who'll do anything to avoid that. Yeah?" "So setting that aside." Liza says, clipping her sentence rather than properly pausing for emphasis. "All of that follows naturally from a big leap. Don't mind my asking that you reel it back a little, because I don't know enough yet to see the big picture where L corp implodes just like that. You have a source? Prior comparison? Something I that can stab between a thumbtack and a corkboard."
Odette Raskins	Odette actually takes a bit of comfort in the instructions Berislav gave earlier, knowing that he and Liza are on the ball about this meeting. She's certainly not keen to speak up during a tense meeting like this, especially knowing that a gang war could start if she so much as says something the wrong way. Best to leave it to the experts. Nodding lightly to him in passing, she slows to a mid-step stop as Boris' bodyguards seem to be even tenser than she is, and she blinks slowly at the pair in clueless confusion of her own. Once he makes it clear that they're actually on guard against her, though, she has to turn her head away briefly as she gets hit with both a swell of pride and giggles from being called a medic waitress by Boris, then straight up waitress by Liza. It's kind of a nostalgic feeling, even if it's almost nothing like home. Odette does manage to keep it together, though, and she resists the urge to say 'comin' right up' just like in the old days as she joins Liza at the counter. Despite that intensity radiating off of Liza, however, Odette actually looks... Relaxed? She's even watching her with quiet, wide-eyed awe in that curious-creature way rather than the (probably expected) nervous-wreck-expecting-injuries kind of way. Balancing the glasses deftly in splayed out fingers, she brings them to the Thumb rep's table without missing a beat, arranging them just so that the black russians end up in front of Boris and Katriel while the white russian ends up in front of Denis. It's not clear if she did that on purpose or not with how casually she places them in front of the trio, but she won't leave them hanging if any of them happen to not be into liquor. That's why she gives the visitors a quick nod before heading back towards the fridge. The short man gets another glance in passing, though, and she seems to be smiling just a bit more by the time she joins Hibiki at the fridge. "Psst. Have you tried it from the bottom?" She asks quietly while gesturing at the bottom of the door, slipping a hand in first to get some appropriately cold-enough water. As the negotiations commence, Odette keeps herself busy pouring that water for everyone that wants it. She's definitely someone that's done this before, too, pouring from fairly high and raising/tilting the pitcher to stop the flow without spilling so much as a drop on the outer rim of the glass before she's already moving on to the next one. The only sign of discomfort comes from hearing the actual negotiations themselves, and especially at the notion of having to collect taxes. Suppressing that discomforted reaction mostly involves retreating to the counter, awaiting further orders and drink distribution direction.
Hibiki Tachibana	You'd have us collect your taxes? Can't exactly manage a District for free. Hibiki's eyes narrow. The original altercation between the Blade Lineage and the Thumb-employed Kurokumo Clan that they intervened on... was because the two groups were entirely opposed when it came to ideologies. Of course, having them in the same area was never going to result in anything less than crossed swords. It's not news that the latter ran rackets on those under their protection, with violent results for those who couldn't pay. What Boris is suggesting, and Kim's stated ideal of rendering the City a less cruel place... while the Blade Lineage, if somehow put into the same position, would definitely be less heavy-handed about it... ... ...It'd sure /feel/ a lot like doing the same thing as the Kurokumo have been doing. Hibiki finishes her thought 'vocally' back to Dysnomia - which is to say, thinking it intentionally. Though she would be able to pick up on the general intent of what was on her mind before, anyway. Still leaning back against the fridge silently, her focus briefly casts over to the man in the bamboo hat. I'm sure Kim already has his misgivings. ...He's fighting for an ideal and a goal he's perfectly fine not living to see, as long as it happens. Even if it's a deal most would take, it's not a nice spot for him to be in, having the Thumb bearing down like this... The only audible sound she makes is an exhale, waiting and seeing the results of Berislav already inquiring deeper on what cooperation would actually look like. At least until Odette rolls around, and she blinks at what gets whispered her way. "...Huh? Wait..." Murmuring under her breath to herself, she tries closing it back up from the bottom. Now she feels stupid for trying to brute force it all those times.
Angela	Boris is actually surprised that Berislav seems amenable to negotiation. He's glad he's wearing sunglasses so he's not tipping his hand there. Bamboo Hatted Kim tips his hat so it covers his face. "I'd have to confirm it with the Sottocapo, but I don't see why we'd be particular about how our bottom line's met. Particulars about precise numbers aren't my forte, but if it's just a matter of numbers, I imagine he'd be agreeable. We didn't figure we'd come to an agreement with one conversation but we're willing to end hostilities until an agreement's made--or rejected. Only reasonable." ''Waitress.'' Boris gives a nod of appreciation to Liza. Knowing exactly where people are is important ideologically for him. A place for everyone to be repected. He doesn't ask if Liza is a bartender though it's never a great idea to piss off the one pouring the drinks. ''You figure we're the kind of who'll do anything to avoid that, Yeah?'' "Nah..." Boris glances to Berislav notably. "We figure you're the kind of people who'll be decisive in their bloodshed. To prevent more bloodshed. Father kinda ruined the impression of a peaceful group of pacifistic do-gooders real quick." But there's still the matter of the ''big leap''. "Prior comparision. When the LAST L Corp's dirty laundry went public, it went down fast after. And there's reports of their branch offices struggling, shutting down, losing comms...Now maybe it won't happen again, but the way we see it--if it never falls, we're the ones paying the price--not you. You can still work the Backstreets with our support--we don't get as much a payout, but you get just about everything we're offering. Not a bad deal either way." If there's more information it's either above his paygrade or he's unwilling to share sources. "Hell, the Head might even send an Arbiter in if half of what was in that video was real." Technically, they already did well before now! But he seems ignorant of this. ''The corner of Dysnomia's mouth'' This time it's Katriel looking at her. She's noticed. When drinks are offered, Boris actually takes his last. Neither of them start drinking. Are they waiting for permission? They MIGHT be. Kim remains silent. Hibiki has read him well, though. The other Blade Lineage members seem nervous but Kim hasn't started swinging his sword at the negotiator just yet--and he isn't exactly the type NOT to. A sign of how much he's grown to trust The Watch. He's always been the type to be the Second, not the First, besides.
Dysnomia	Even if it's a deal most would take, it's not a nice spot for him to be in, having the Thumb bearing down like this... ...And if it weren't for us backing him, he'd be smart to take it. Whatever he wants to do, he can't do it while he's dead. Which makes the fact it isn't suspicious. Two fingers of Dysnomia's hands tapped, once, at her side. When we're no longer operating by his playbook, it means we're fools. Or we're more than he thinks we are. Either way, the Thumb won't think twice about trying to crush them. Her eyes hadn't wavered, but Hibiki could feel her attention...Focus?...Briefly shifting to Berislav, then Liza. They don't know just what opposing the Watch could really mean. She still hadn't blinked.
Gaonoir	''Prior comparision. When the LAST L Corp's dirty laundry went public, it went down fast after.'' "So this isn't the first time this has happened," Gaonoir utters under his breath softly enough that it's only Erika next to him (or anyone with superhuman hearing of some kind) that hears him. He's trying to remain respectfully in the background at least, and contrary to appearances does know how to be subtle. When appropriate. Erika just gives a soft "mmhmm" in response. Taps a few things on her tablet. At this point they're likely thinking the same thing: if this has happened before, and L-Corp managed to build itself back into power like this, steps are going to be needed to ensure history doesn't repeat itself. If the Watch agrees to the matter, of course. They're right that it will likely not be done in one meeting. But if the matter proves amiable to continue towards an agreement it's something that's going to need be considered. Maybe 'Outsiders' is what it would take to make it go differently. Only time would tell...
Father Berislav	Maybe the best thing is to... Buy time. Berislav leans forward in his seat. Particulars about precise numbers aren't my forte, but if it's just a matter of numbers, I imagine he'd be agreeable. "It's a matter of numbers, yes, but also methods," says Berislav. "We want the City to be kinder, especially to its most vulnerable. There are certain things that an advocate can't do, and still be called an advocate." Father kinda ruined the impression of a peaceful group of pacifistic do-gooders real quick. Berislav smiles wanly. The kind of smile that says he's sorry that it happened, but not sorry to have done it. "I answer to whom I believe to be the highest authority in all existence. When I act, it's as an extension of His will, against affronts to that authority." "I'm sure you understand, even if you don't recognize Him, the need to act swiftly and decisively when the authority you've pledged your life to is challenged. In a sense, that's why you and I are here now, isn't it?" He straightens in his seat. "I'm digressing, forgive me," he says with a little bow of his head. "What I mean to say is that, if, after discussing the matter, we agree to assist you, the Thumb should understand that assistance will be rendered as the Watch and as the Blade Lineage--our ways aren't the Thumb's, the Kurokumo's, or any other Syndicate's." "We won't squeeze blood from a stone--we will err loftier, rather than lower, in those from whom we seek taxes, what cut we're offered will be put back into the Backstreets, one way or another. I know very well what the Thumb thinks of order and decorum. What about change? The Thumb may find that these streets are unrecognizable, in a few years' time."
Hibiki Tachibana	They don't know just what opposing the Watch could really mean. And for right now, at least, it'd be better if it /stayed/ that way. The Watch needs a lot more time and connections in the City before they can go making an enemy of one of the Fingers. Like Berislav said, right now we can make them think fighting isn't 'warranted'. 'Feasible' is another story. ...I'd like to minimize how much fighting happens, period. If worst comes to worst and Liza and Berislav have to start making swings at them, it's people who're working with us like Kim and the others who'll come under fire, too. Did she get surprisingly level-headed when nobody was looking? Or, maybe not so differently from Kim, she just understands that this is a long game and trusting your allies is important - despite the various differences she's had with Liza and Berislav both. Either way, as long as Kim doesn't see fit to start swinging on Boris and the others, she'll restrain herself as well and let Berislav handle the negotiations. Now that she's deduced the secrets of the refridgerator thanks to Odette's timely advice, she can ensure their water remains crisp and cold. Also, she can stop using her foot to keep it shut while she leans against the side of it. She gives a belated, small crinkle of her nose to Boris' mention of 'pacifistic do-gooders', though. Exposed.
Odette Raskins	Hearing more about L Corp's potential futures turns out to be a lot more interesting to Odette than she would have expected. How much of it is tied to this business with the Thumb is unclear, but she can't help but start to wonder how deep it all runs. Does Angela know? Does Petra know? What about that happy couple whose names she's struggling to remember because one of the bodyguards here is even shorter than she is? At least things seem to be moving in a peaceful, if not necessarily good direction. Berislav has his eyes on the ball, so she's not particularly worried about the negotiation turning out badly for their side. "There are certain things that an advocate can't do, and still be called an advocate." Hearing that in particular puts her mind at ease, too, and it's hard not to see the slight uptilt in Odette's posture even as she continues pouring water for everyone that wants it. She still has to remind herself not to speak her thoughts out loud about how the conversation's going, but the occasional uptilt in her eyes at what Berislav says about acting as the Watch rather than the Thumb, or about not going after the poorest in the City makes it quite obvious that she's liking what he's saying. Kim's calm during all of this is rather reassuring, too, and he might see her briefly shift her hand into a quick thumbs-up in passing. She circles back around to the relative safety of Hibiki and the fridge before long, though, weighing whether or not to risk screwing the fridge up by putting that pitcher back in or letting it return to room temperature by jsut holding onto it. She ends up just holding onto it, in case there's anyone that doesn't like cold water.
Dysnomia	"Prior comparision. When the LAST L Corp's dirty laundry went public, it went down fast after. And there's reports of their branch offices struggling, shutting down, losing comms..." He's right. But he's wrong about why. Dysnomia forced her mouth into a humorless line in an attempt to pinch off any other faces from fight through. L-Corp is a machine built to accomplish a particular task. Once it's finished, there won't be any need for it anymore. They have no idea that this is going to be so much more of a blow to the City than they realize. It's just a corporation failing, to them...We can use this.
Liza Grier	'To prevent more bloodshed. Father kinda ruined the impression of a peaceful group of pacifistic do-gooders real quick.' "Good man." Liza says, with a rare twist of approval. "And I don't exactly envy your position. You're having to negotiate with a group that has bleeding hearts who'll do anything to help rubbing shoulders with psychopaths who'll sacrifice any number of people for justice." says the psychopath. "Ballsy to try negotiating at this stage. But you're the first ones who tried, so that's at least worth listening to what you have to say." 'Now maybe it won't happen again, but the way we see it--if it never falls, we're the ones paying the price--not you.' "Mm." Liza trudges over to the latch gate at the end of the counter, then comes all the way back around again. "I believe you about the last L Corp. But that ther . . . that's being a little sneaky, isn't it?" she says. "You're not really 'paying a price'. Not any more than the Middle was running ops here before they got nuked. Right? They were making a profit, and L Corp hasn't fallen yet, so it stands to reason you would too, if you took over and things stayed exactly the same. If you move right in to District Twelve, your options are that you make a lot or you make even more." She glance sidelong, fixing a sharp look on the others. "Not a fan of coffee?" she says, testily. 'We won't squeeze blood from a stone--we will err loftier, rather than lower, in those from whom we seek taxes, what cut we're offered will be put back into the Backstreets, one way or another.' Marching through the gathering, Liza stops to put her hand on Berislav's shoulder; firm enough to get his attention, though not hard enough to interrupt him. "Not that I'm contradicting you, but let's look at the obvious. From the Syndicate angle." she says, Syndicate member-ly. "The Middle will be reeling, but there are three other Fingers that should want a piece of this too. Either they're going to make us offers pretty shortly, or they don't care at all what we think. And if it's the latter case, why would they respect yours with us? There should be a turf war over District Twelve either way; are you saying they'll politely step aside if you tell them that we said you could have it?"
Angela	Berislav speaks of change and kindness. Boris's expression is tough to read with those shades of his. "Well I don't know anybody who has made it their goal to go against kindness, but it doesn't always go that way and I can't help but be a little nervous when people speak of change. Cause how often does anything really change? I ain't just talkin' 'bout the City, there. ''People'' like what's comfortable." "Water may wear away a mountain, but it seeks stillness." Bamboo Hatted Kim murmurs. "Yeah you get me. When I hear 'change', well, I think of the current L Corp. It promised a better future but it doesn't run things much differently than the old L Corp. Paves progress with blood just fine." Katriel gives Boris a look and he rubs at his neck. "Aw geeze, you got me all philosophizin' too, Father. I'll give ya that you're an interesting guy. Certainly can't imagine The Thumb makes a good look for those that want to change things on behalf of ''kindness'', though. You know how we do things too. But yeah, I getcha. In some ways we're not too different, though I figure my cause is more humble." He lets his hand drop. "If your methods work, it works. Squeezing stones isn't our philosophy in of itself. It sounds like you're willin' to consider it, so..." Katriel narrows her eyes at Hibiki as she wrinkles her nose. She opens her mouth, apparently more hot tempered than the other two but Denis hurriedly squeezes her arm and shakes his head, jerking his head towards Boris. Katriel takes in a steady breath and lets it out slowly. Whatever she was going to say is left unsaid. Even their own members sometimes struggle with their philosophy it seems. ''Liza Grier makes the Watch sound like a terrifying contradiction.'' Boris whistles. "Well I imagine anyone'd be suspicious if everyone in The Watch felt the same as everyone else in the Watch." The fact that Berislav has labeled this seemingly unassuming lady as able to speak with the same authority of his own despite him being the one clearly taking point on this venture indicates a great degree of trust to Boris. The Thumb doesn't just let anybody act as a spokesperson either. And it might explain his own caution--if he makes the Sottocapo look bad, he'll be the one to pay.
Angela	''Your options are that you make a lot, or you make even more.'' "Can't blame a guy for trying, eh?" Boris says. "See why the Father wanted you to speak." The accusation of not being a fan of coffee encourages the team to drink their beverages. That's not exactly an invitation but it functions as one. Even Boris drinks, though he only has a quick sip because he has to say more. "The Pinky and the Ring are already fighting each other. Unless that changes fast, they won't be moving in on District 12 anytime soon." Boris says. "As for the Index ... They might try to negotiate but I wouldn't make a deal with them. I know it's not exactly shocking to hear me say that, but they have their own rules and they aren't compatible with kindness. Only madness. ... We know they are making excursions out into the multiverse, so they'll definitely be moving in too. And they aren't gonna accept our claim." He seems to consider how exactly to explain The Index for a moment, frowning and twirling that cigarette between his fingers. "They're a cult that acts only according to their scripts. Sometimes they make sense, sometimes they're bloody impossible... asking you to rip out your own heart. And if you work with the Index, they'll expect you to follow the scripts--even if it's ''just'' those scripts. If you care about kindness, you wouldn't exactly want them to take over either. So yeah, you might have to fight off a cult with us. But they're completely unpredictable. You'd have to fight 'em anyway, even if we weren't in the picture." He tips his head. "I'll letcha discuss amongst yourselves. If you want to accept the deal or negotiate with the Sottocapo... Call that number." He sets the card down on the table. "We'll give you till the end of the year to figure it out. Oherwise, well, we'll assume you don't care for us. With your leave." Once The Thumb departs, Bamboo Hatted Kim murmurs, "If they speak true of this war, we need allies. Even with a kind position now, they'll seek us to put more under themselves in time. And I know how I've been holding you back. My nature is not suitable for this position." He leans forward into his hands when Aeng Du finally speaks up. "We...There is at leas one other group unsatisfied with The City as it is. They say that they just talk theory all the time, but even if they're not fighters... We could try talking to ''The Saint''." "...The Saint is patient like a mountain, people are water." And he already said what water does to mountains. He turns to Berislav, then to Liza. "If you believe a partnership with the Thumb for now is the right plan, I will not argue. But in the meantime... Perhaps this Saint can help strengthen our position lest we be helpless before the coming violence."
Dysnomia	It's not until they finally leave that Dysnomia finally closes her eyes, exhaling a faint plumb of mist. "Prickly bunch, aren't they." "Now that we're among friends, I have intel I can share." Dysnomia meandered over the bar, pulling out a seek to fall into. "...I've spent long enough around L-Corp I can confirm that much, at least. That place is going down. They're planning for it inside. Hoping for it, even. And it's close to happening." "If they speak true of this war, we need allies. Even with a kind position now, they'll seek us to put more under themselves in time." "Copy. Kim's got this right. This here was an attempt to acquire an organizational asset. Got all the hallmarks of it. Even if you took the deal, you'd still be submitting to their authority. At that point, they can either try to seed the asset with loyalists or put down any dissidents in a way they can safetly disavow." "...And they'll keep doing it, 'til you're just another part of the Thumb. Like any other." Her eye wandered toward Berislav, and she smiled. "But I'll bet you knew that." "We say no here, we spit in their eye? And they can start getting ready to do what they want. My opinion? Every day we can buy time is a little closer to a win." But then again, the Thumb knew that too, didn't they. She spoke aloud, "They need to think you're not a threat, to give you the freedom to move--the freedom to muster. If you go under a Thumb, well, we'd better navigate you a way OUT, too. Might be you'll have to work with them, if we can't find a better angle. But don't trust them, and always keep something they can't anticipate." "...Perhaps this Saint can help strengthen our position..." "Then we'd better find them fast." Dysnomia said, clapping an arm on the side of the bar. "Before year's end, so we can be absolutely sure whether or not you can stand alone."
Father Berislav	People like what's comfortable. Water may wear away a mountain, but it seeks stillness. It promised a better future but it doesn't run things much differently than the old L Corp. Paves progress with blood just fine. "Comfort is the enemy of change," agrees Berislav. "But it's not insurmountable." Berislav takes the number as it's offered with a grateful nod. "Be well," he says to Boris as he and his entourage depart. --- And I know how I've been holding you back. My nature is not suitable for this position. "You've done nothing of the sort," assures Berislav. "When I saw your people, fighting uphill with nothing to gain and everything to lose, I knew who it was that would help us save this City from darkness. It was you who kept them together, even haggard as they were, and you've been a constant companion in this time of regrowth." "It's one thing to recognize where your talents are best applied--but I really can't agree with any notion of you 'holding us back.'" If you believe a partnership with the Thumb for now is the right plan, I will not argue. "I think we'd be wise to consider it, if for no other reason than for the immediate safety of the Backstreets we depend upon to act." More broadly, to the others--in whose faces he'd noticed reservations: "We should meet with the Saint and see if we can't consolidate resources, before anything else. We do have the benefit of time, however scant it is." "Regardless of what we decide, I'd like you all to know that I didn't go to all this trouble just to have us acting as glorified legbreakers. Even if we end up working with them, please keep that close to your hearts, and trust that we will find a way forward."
Gaonoir	Once The Thumb departs Gaonoir lets out a huff and slumps back against the wall behind him. "I don't think I've stood that stiffly since my days under the Royal Knights." Which gets a brief giggle out of Erika. "You didn't need to take it that literally." It's a brief moment of humor that quickly shifts back to seriousness as usual for the digi-dog. "The typical sticky pickle for this kind of situation. Trying to balance between the fact that we're going to need allies, but not getting dragged in under said allies either." Gaonoir recrosses his arms. "Pursuing other options like this 'Saint' would be smart."
Hibiki Tachibana	Hibiki is happy to welcome Odette into the Safety At Risk Of Being Violently Punched At corner for as long as she likes to stay, and generally remains pretty quiet until the Thumb trio decides to shuffle out - though not before furrowing her brow at Katriel, who gets stopped before anything comes of it. "...She looked like she had something to say," she finally murmurs a little lowly once it's just them there, before shaking her head and glancing to Kim. "What Berislav said. Trust me, I'm in the same boat as you; I'm not really cut out for this kind of business either. But I know there wouldn't be a Blade Lineage without you." Despite his own readiness to make any sacrifice for his cause, she means that. It's hard to imagine anyone else in the organization having the steadying presence he does. She inhales and exhales, pushing off from her position at the fridge's side. "I'm not sure I've heard about this 'Saint' yet... but let us know everything you do about them, and we'll see if we can't talk to them sooner rather than later," she says in agreement with Berislav. On the subject of working with the Thumb, she places her hands into her jacket pockets and closes her eyes. "...Like I told Dysnomia. The sooner we have more people and groups we can count on here, the sooner we won't have to cut these sort of deals." If it were anything other than the 'kind position' the Thumb is taking on this, she might have different thoughts. But there's little doubt that if - or maybe when - that changes down the line, she'll probably not have so much restraint. She doesn't doubt Kim will if he feels like he has to, either.
Odette Raskins	"You're having to negotiate with a group that has bleeding hearts who'll do anything to help rubbing shoulders with psychopaths who'll sacrifice any number of people for justice." That's not true, is it? Odette looks over at Hibiki, then at Berislav and Liza, and then she presses a hand to her chin in thought. Maybe... It could be a little true. "From the Syndicate angle." Or maybe very true, if Liza's willing to go to bat so openly from that of all angles. A lot of it makes sense, too, and Odette can't really find any reasons not to worry about that in addition to everything else she's already worried about. How long would they even have to prepare against attacks from the Fingers if this situation with the Thumb isn't resolved sooner rather than later? Can it even be resolved in a timely way? With the Thumb leaving, there's more room to breathe and actually make sounds again. ODette lets out a relieved sigh, but the situation between the other Fingers according to Boris still has her feeling a little troubled. "If there's that much infighting between the Fingers... N-no wonder things are like this even with us coming in. It's like they're just... Used to things being this messed up right from the start." She looks over at the card on the table, then at Kim and chuckles a little anxiously. "Ah, d-don't worry about that, Mister Kim. That's.. You're not the only one." Talking about 'The Saint' does get her attention, though, and Odette hrrms thoughtfully for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yeah, it couldn't hurt. I mean, it could, but... I-I don't think it will? Not with someone with that kind of title. And it's definitely better than..." "Regardless of what we decide, I'd like you all to know that I didn't go to all this trouble just to have us acting as glorified legbreakers." "Y-yes, that. We're... I mean, we're here to heal the City, not break it. And between you and Miss Liza-" The EMT swallows lightly, seemingly building confidence as she says that complete with a light fist pump. "We'll... We'll move forward the right way, for sure!"
Angela	''I've spent long enough around L-Corp I can confirm that much, at least.'' "W...what? L-Corp WANTS to fall? That's insane." Aeng-du says. "Why would they ''want'' to be destroyed?" "Mm. It may matter less the ''why'' and more that it is. At least for us. Those who hope to be destroyed will eventually find a way." Kim reflects aloud, resting his head in his hands. "I thank all of you for your patience, standing still and staying silent is not easy in the face of this, but following their rules may be why we have this time we have now. I hope we do not get used to them." "They've gotta have a ''reason''. Are they just happy with all the money they siphoned off and are abandoning their duty?#-1 FUNCTION (ANSIS) NOT FOUND Aeng-du can't think of a reason to ''not'' be horrified. ''You've done nothing of the sort. ... It's one thing to recognize whre your talents are best applied.'' "...I am sorry. My grief sometimes takes the form of a distorted mirror." ''We should meet with the Saint and see if we can't consolidate resources.'' "I agree. We have the time to do so and this Saint may fill a role--a talent--that we have ned of." He judges largely from the name but of course even a name like 'The Saint' doesn't neccessarily mean kindness. There's only one way to know what kind of person they are. Who they are. Kim takes hold of Odette's hand for a moment. "Steady heart, friend. You are not walking alone. Rely on us." ''She looked like she had something to say.'' "If she spoke out without permission, she would've been punished severely." Aeng-du says. "...Don't worry. I'll share whatt I know. It isn't that much just yet--most of what people say is they are what they appear to be. People looking to bring prosperity to the people--but not in a way that challenges existing power structures. Whether they intend to at a later time or not, I do not know." She can't read the Saint's mind, especially before meeting them. Or any of the Yurodiviye. The idea of not having to cut deals, to tarnish their ideals for the sake of continuing their dreams is a strong one but they wouldn't be the first group to dream big and then fall to the various obstacles in their way before they truly got to soar.