Five Years Later...

[undergroundmods]

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A lot can change in five years. Students who were at Redbright have now started their careers. People have moved out, moved in, started a new life together or apart. Some move on from the city while others return to it. But while the lives of its residents continue to grow and change, London remains as it has ever been: a focal point for magical power.

A tentative peace
The last five years have not been without conflict, both internal and external. The vampires have played with the politics of in-fighting and backstabbing. The werewolves have overthrown their leader and chosen a new alpha. The witches have suffered one scandal after another. And the fae have quietly engineered a small change here, a personal revenge there, until finally with Redbright and Hillingdon acting as neutral parties a peace agreement was reached between Circle Daybreak, the Islington Nest and the East End Pack. Their territories are still beholden to the same rules (e.g. vampires are still forbidden to enter East End territory and vice versa) but they are no longer in open conflict. Small steps, perhaps, but positive ones.

A delicate balance
The year is 2022. The balance of power in the city is now evenly split between the East End Pack, Islington Nest and Circle Daybreak, thanks largely to the rise of the werewolves and the new President Laura Roslin who simultaneously holds the post of Werewolf Representative.

Samantha Okeke lost her position as Witch Representative following allegations of corruption, and has been replaced by Diphylleia "Dee" Absin, a much more co-operative member of the Night Council. While Samantha has retained her title of Mother of Witches, there are rumours that she lost her powers during a confrontation with a powerful fae. Circle Daybreak firmly denies all such speculation.

The connections between the Redbright Institute and the Hillingdon Clan have grown stronger since the former is now perceived to be a more neutral force rather than tied to the Night Council, although Hillingdon certainly still has the less clean-cut image of the two.

Meanwhile, the Seelie and Unseelie Court have largely withdrawn from public life in the mortal realm except in isolated corners, though they claim the right to go where they please throughout the city. Consequently, there are no barriers preventing travel between the realms, which seems for now to be an acceptable compromise.

And after all, politics is the art of compromise.

Looking ahead
All in all, the vampire and fae presence in the city has reduced as the vampires move around and the fae decide that if they're invited it can't be that great a party anyway. The number of witches has recovered thanks to an amnesty allowing those who were once members of Circle Midnight to return (though the faction itself has not reappeared).

The biggest change that has been noticed first by staff at the Redbright Institute however is the increasing number of meta humans, in particular young meta humans, being discovered in the city. Often these are humans with no knowledge of the supernatural developing their powers for the first time. The reason why has yet to be discovered...

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Arthur | Ex-Hillingdon/Unaffiliated | Human

[specifiercity]

HILLINGDON/OPEN

He's back here at least once every few months at this point. He quit hunting a few years back and quit the leadership ladder at Hillingdon along with it, freeing himself of any obligation to be loyal during those times when he didn't necessarily agree with the direction that the faction was going. He's okay with it as it is now, while it's relatively peaceful, which means his semi-regular visits are quite pleasant.

He doesn't just come to catch up. Usually when he arrives it's to update Faolan or another one of the higher-ups about materials or bounties or something equally relevant. Getting wooden bullets made in specific calibers is not an easy trick but Arthur has a line on all the suppliers and he can usually forecast this particular market months in advance. So despite the fact that he hasn't taken a bounty in years he still serves as one of the middlemen making sure Hillingdon is well equipped to keep doing what it's doing.

Sometimes he can be found in the kitchen grabbing some coffee as payment for his services.

FOR FAOLAN

He often finds himself at Faolan's office whenever he visits. He still kind of likes the guy even after all these years. It helps that he's not a Guardian anymore, but ultimately there's something about his nature that Arthur just gets. So it's nice to sit down with him for a few minutes every time he comes by the House just to catch up.

Today he appears in Faolan's doorway with a soft knock on the door having just caught up with a former colleague about selling some leftover bullets.

"Hey," he says genially, "you got a minute?"

FOR EAMES

It makes sense that when you're centuries old you stop caring about your birthday to the point that you may not even remember it at all. Arthur suspects many fae don't remember the day they're born unless it aligns with some magical day and even then maybe only for a little while. Certainly not for as long as Eames has been alive. Regardless, Arthur pushed for a general idea - a month or a season at least - so that he could do his part and make the gift-giving in this relationship feel a little less one-sided.

Sure, a book and a fancy bottle of wine don't compare to a week-long vacation in Greece, but Arthur's doing what he can and he's not even going to try and compete with Eames' idea of a gift. He has no chance against an immortal with countless and mysterious sources of revenue. He thinks he's got this vague-birthday-month present nailed down pretty well though, so when he comes home with the wrapped book tucked under his arm and the bottle of wine in hand he calls out for Eames to get this started right away.

WILDCARD IT/OPEN

Arthur's living a pretty normal life. He still takes the odd security detail job once in a while and he offers his services to anyone who needs them. He still frequents a few bars that serve primarily supernatural guests but it's more often than not for fun rather than for intel. He still has a part-time day job to fill the gaps but it leaves plenty of time to sit at cafes reading the news on his laptop or wander the supermarket trying to find interesting ingredients for Eames to cook into dinner. He's an overall less stress and happier person now than five years ago.

wildcard. awkward meeting.

[stauncherhearted]

Over the past few years, Nancy's faded into the background. She's stopped reaching out to friends, finding herself slipping further and further into isolation. Most seemed to accept it. They'd heard one thing or another, and that she was with a new bloke and that was that. How much Arthur had heard of the truth from Eames, Nancy had no idea.

She also had no idea that Arthur was even at the cafe when she came bursting in, looking for a quick cover. A man had found his wallet stolen and had given chase and Nancy turned into the first place she spotted. Pulling her hood up over her long red hair, she took a quick moment to look around the cafe for a place to sit and pretend she was doing absolutely nothing out of the ordinary.

So imagine when to her surprise she noticed Arthur. Of all people.

Nancy glanced around the room again- the seat across from his was the only open one and she needed a cover. He'd go along with it, she had to believe. Without another word, Nancy dashed into the seat across from Arthur. "Quick- pretend we're in the midst of an important conversation. Don't look around."

[specifiercity]

Arthur frowns but obeys, looking only at Nancy and not around for whoever she's being chased by. It's been a long time and it's a little jarring to see her in this context - he'd kind of resigned himself to never seeing her again after Eames told him everything, not until or if she ever reached out for help to get out of whatever situation she's in. Still none of this shows on his face which settles into a displeased frown with a tinge of concern.

"What's going on?" he asks, only slightly suspicious, not at all demanding.

[falsify]

Eames has spent the bulk of his day on the phone, organising and moving things around for later in the week. He's up in his office with Boxer napping under the desk when he hears Arthur call out, and he doesn't respond straight away.

He comes out to the top of the stairs when he responds with an "up here" and peers down to see where Arthur's at.

[specifiercity]

"Come downstairs, I bought that wine you like," Arthur says, heading into the kitchen now that he's made contact. He wants wine ASAP so he's putting down the gift on the table and going for a couple wine glasses so he can pour.

Thomas Raith | Ex Islington | Vampire

[loveconquersdinosaurs]

Thomas had been gone for a little over five years, and a lot had changed since he left. For him, and for the city as well, he would assume. One of his 'sisters', fellow progeny of his sire, had permanently removed that thorn from both of their sides when his sire tried to sacrifice Thomas in a ritual with the help of three witches. His brother, his real, biological brother, had helped in that, too. Because he was in contact with his biological family now, and that was amazing.

And now Thomas was doing his brother a favor. Back in Chicago, things were a bit messy between witches and vampires, and neither Thomas or Harry thought it would be a good idea for word to get out that Harry's brother was a vampire. Harry also needed some ancient books that were apparently in London to solve some mystical problem that was going on, and since he was needed in Chicago for 'magic stuff', it made sense to send Thomas to fetch the books. That, of course, also had the added bonus of getting Thomas out of the crossfire, and keeping people from wondering why Harry was spending so much time around a vampire.

Of course, he would stop by and check in with the Islington Nest, pay his proper respects as well as saying 'hi' to people he knew. When he's not catching up with old friends, however, he can be found in magic shops and mystical libraries, taking an unusual interest in magic tomes for a vampire who can't cast spells.

The Artful Dodger

[knowntohisfriends]

It's been a busy five years for the Dodger, even though he'd deny that any sort of effort went into anything. He's aware of his heritage now and... well, he finds that information bloody annoying if he's honest. Just one more reason to add to the encyclopedia of why he off'd Fagin.

Well, okay, he didn't kill the old fae personally, but he was involved in it and, well, that feeling never stopped being odd. It broke up the den, and the Dodger hadn't seen a lot of them in years. He'd seen Nancy, though, a few times.

She was back with Sikes. That... wasn't good. How was he going to sort that one?

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy had lost track of so many people in the last few years. She'd faded from a fixture at fancy parties to a girl that hid in the shadows once more. One of the people that she kept in contact with, however, would always be the Artful Dodger. He was older now, as was she, but she couldn't help but feel a swell of pride whenever she spent time with him. He was becoming an incredibly handsome, capable young man.

Now how much of that was his magic, Nancy would never know.

It's the two of them tonight, back in Bill's place. He's out for the evening, taking the dog with him, leaving just Dodger and Nancy alone once more.

"You have dinner, Dodge?"

[knowntohisfriends]

"Grabbed some chips earlier," he responded then frowned. "Reckon that was a whle ago though so probably not." He shrugged. It was easy to forget to eat when you lived their life - they never had much food to begin with in the first place.

He had to admit, as much as he didn't like Nancy being at all those fancy parties years ago - the old git had been very vocal about the secrets he'd reveal to spoil her going - it was worse to see her back in the dark, beside Sikes.

Nancy | Witch | crap I think she's East End Pack by now maybe?

[stauncherhearted]

GEN

Nancy could not be further from the girl she was five years ago. Five years ago, she’d had a boyfriend that never dreamed of laying a hand on her, a disposable income, a beautiful flat, and some powerful allies. Now, Nancy still has a boyfriend, but Bill Sikes is far worse than Cooper could ever be. With Bill’s return came leaving the lavish lifestyle that Cooper was able to indulge in. It had been a near impossible choice, but what she had with Bill always would be the most important thing in her life. What they had was… well, it was magic.

Suffice to say, Nancy’s grown increasingly quiet in most of her circles of friends, eventually fading out entirely. Though Fagin’s death has done great things for her, there are other bad forces in her life, and there always would be. If Nancy’s spotted, it’s usually late at night in some down-trodden bar or alley, and if you’ve kept in touch, it’s probably all due to you.

Still, however long it has been, Nancy will try her best to make some time to chat.

FOR COOPER. BREAKUP.

Nancy had put it off for far too long. They’d always known their relationship had an expiration date. It just happened that today was it. Tomorrow was the day Bill was getting out of jail. Eames had told her, counseled her. But Nancy knew what she had to do, as she’d always known it. She and Bill were meant to be together. There was something deep and magnetic, ancient and primitive that drove the two of them to each other. Nancy was the only one who could keep Bill on a metaphorical leash. He listened to her. He listened to her as a wolf. That meant something.

The last time she’d seen him had been so long ago. She’d just been a girl, never thought anything was going to happen when she’d kissed him before running off to get to work. He’d been arrested that very night, caught red-fanged. Nancy’d come home to solemn faces in the den, telling her the news: Bill wasn’t coming home.

That had been five years ago, and now, now he was finally being released. Things were going to go back to normal now. She’d be at his side, they’d get married, have children, everything she couldn’t have with Cooper. Everything she’d always wanted.

But in order for that to happen, she had to break up with Cooper.

This time, it’s Nancy waiting for him, when he comes home. She’s had too much to drink, it’s clear in her eyes, in her face, in the way she can’t look at him.

“Cooper- John,” his first name, reserved only for special occasions. “You- you know I love you.” Her voice was already starting to crack. This wasn’t going to be good. This wasn’t going to be good at all. She couldn’t handle the tears, the emotions. She should have done this weeks ago.

She should have done a lot of things.

FOR COOPER. AWKWARD RUN-IN.

Honestly, Nancy’s exhausted. It’s clear from the circles under her eyes, visible only under layers of foundation and magic, illusions keeping her face in place. It’s a lot of hard work, being her. She’s up at all hours of the night with Bill, work is hell, and she’s been drinking even more. So much so to the point that she’s sure her blood is more gin than actual blood at this point.

There are a few good things about Bill’s return. Perhaps the only one is that, though he’d turned her back to the streets, she was no longer in the business of blood. Bill wouldn’t have it- he’d been furious to find out about her ex-lovers, raking his claws over their scars, making them his own. It had been romantic, she’d decided. Bill was erasing the mistakes and pain, replacing it with himself, right?

There’s a noise at the end of the darkened street, the low gunning of a motorcycle, and Nancy looks up from where she’s just sent a text to Bill, telling him when she’ll be home. Her eyes are wide when to her surprise, she recognizes the engine. There’s nothing else that sounds like that in all of London.

That’s Cooper’s bike.

Without waiting for him to recognize her, she breaks into a run.

FOR EAMES. ALSO BREAKUP.

Nancy was a good girl. The best, Bill had said. Which was why she did what she was told, if she wanted to or not. And she did not want to have this conversation with Eames.

Ever since Bill returned, Eames had made it very very clear he hated the man and what he did and represented, and undoubtedly the abuse he visited on Nancy. And Bill had made it very very clear that he hated the fae and what he did and represented and didn’t trust him for an instant. He didn’t like the relationship Nancy had with her older friend, and it was easy to guess where it went from there.

Honestly, Nancy had just hoped to fade away into the background. Become a stranger to the people she cared about most. It worked on most people, when Bill came back, when she started spending all her time with him. But Eames was not most people.

So today, when he stopped by the small flat Bill owned in the East End, Nancy was waiting for him, drink in hand, a thick envelope in the other.

—
[hmu if you want something specific! I will do so many threads.]

[falsify]

To be strictly fair, it's not that Eames hates what Bill does per se. The man's a brute and a theif but it'd be hypocritical of Eames to judge him for that. And a personality clash he can live with. The things he can't stand about Bill run much deeper. The way he's the sole architect of his own misery, refusing to grow, to see things for what they are. Pulling Nancy back into squalor and putting her on the streets so he can control her because he doesn't trust her.

And that's to say nothing of the physical abuse. Eames had been fucking livid the first time he saw the claw marks, the bruises. And Nancy's protests only made him angrier — as if love made this okay.

So, no. He can't stand Bill. And he's well aware the feeling's mutual, but Eames also can't find it in himself to give a single shit about the wolf's feelings.

When he visits, it's to see Nancy. Largely to make sure she's still alive at this point. It's disappointing to watch her fall back to this when she'd grown so much. That she'd let him drag her back into the muck that she'd hated so much.

But fine. He can't force her to do anything, Eames has always been adamant about not forcing Nancy to do anything, even if he knows well it's best for her. But he can check up on her, and that's why he's here.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy opened the door when the knock came, not bothering to put on any illusions. She knew by now that Eames could see right through them, see her situation for what it really was. A few silver hairs catch in the light as Nancy takes a drink of her straight gin.

"Gin or whiskey?" She asks, not even moving in to hug him. She can't hug him. She has to keep a distance from him or she won't be able to do this. She knows herself. And even if she could hug him, her ribs were bruised and he would feel the way she would flinch away from the warmth when she was usually so eager. She'd wanted to keep that away from him, much the same way she'd wanted to keep all of the details of her relationship away from him.

There had been a reason for the illusions, after all.

Girl | East End | Wolf

[thelastjoy]

Bar in Wolf Territory

Time hasn't changed Girl much physically; she's still small, still delicate looking. But she walks with more ease than she used to and talks with a confidence she never was as a teenager. It helps, now that she's serving at a bar near the edge of East End's territory. The fights don't scare her anymore and she knows how to flirt a customer into spending half their pay check. She's sure of herself now, no longer holding herself back.

Girl doesn't mind the accusations that she plays favorites at the bar. Mostly because it's true. Whenever a familiar face walks in, she always greets them with a glass of something free and avoids work until she's had the chance to catch up. She doesn't care as much about job security as she does about enjoying herself, a lesson that's held over from the company she keeps.

She can be found at the bar most weekends, trying to break up minor scuffles on the floor or slacking off at one of the tables with some amused patrons.

Re: Girl | East End | Wolf

[outofthemanor]

"The usual."

Wednesday frequented this bar often, largely because Girl works there. After all, she's an honorary Addams by now. She did not make friends often, and those she did became as important as family. Besides which, there's a sense of peace in this bar - she thinks perhaps it's the fights.

[cabins]

It has been an honor to watch Girl grow up and change. Laura's always had a soft spot for the young woman, happy to speak to her whenever she was in the Den. Which, despite being president, was quite often. Not her fault she also happened to be the Alpha.

Whoops.

"Girl!" Laura says warmly the second she sees her at the bar. Most people here don't see why this is a big deal. Just some weird American greeting the bartender in a probably rude way. Good thing Laura doesn't give a shit.

Gosh, she was proud of Girl. She was proud of all her students. Students, and her pack.

[knowntohisfriends]

Of course the Dodger comes in, leaning over the bar with a cheeky smirk.

"So, what time you knocking off?"

He was a bit of a flirt now. Never with the intention of doing so, it just seemed to be the attitude.

Wednesday Addams | Witch | Night Council

[outofthemanor]

Wednesday Addams had not returned home on completing her degree, having found a new home in London. Well, part of a new home - the Manor would always be calling her, often literally. Still, it couldn't be denied that the damp, thick air of London had done her pallor well. She had gained friends - a rare feat - and had managed to get her way on to the Night Council. Oh, a relatively minor position, but it was still something.

She bent her policies towards fairer treatment for all supernatural beings, including an end to the policies that protected herself and fellow witches and made them almost untouchable. She would never forget the burnings that had happened - many family were lost - but where was the fun in doing some heinous if there was no thrill of repercussions?

She didn't expect to be popular, but who did, in politics?

Eames || Unseelie Court || Fae

[falsify]

Since Samantha’s slow erosion of power, Eames’ life has calmed down significantly. Things have gotten less tense for the fae with an impotent leader at the helm of Daybreak, which means there's been a lot less pressure from both sides. He'd been more than happy to give up their territory once freedom of movement was assured, and a general lack of interest in the mortal realm resurged.

He still hates his Lordship and he probably always will, but at least it's not an active pain right now.

Besides that, the mysterious death of an old friend has really been a boon for business. It takes a little more creativity these days to get around the lack of anonymity, but whatever. It means if you've got some stolen goods or goods that need stealing or information to trade; he's your man.

Also if you just wanna hook up with a hot dude (or hot lady, sometimes.) He's got his wonderful dog and excellent boyfriend who lives with him, but, you know. What's a monogamy.

[hmu if you want to do something a little more specific!]

Dinner! - Arthur/Lancelot/Faolan

[falsify]

Eames isn't super keen on the idea of having these two over if he's completely honest, but it'll be fine. Lancelot is nice enough at least, and he has excellent dogs.

He's put out the dining table, the kitchen is spacious enough for it, and the door to the garden is slightly ajar for Boxer to go in and out as he pleases. (The door to the hallway, however, is staying closed. Just in case someone decides to be a messy boy.)

There's a fancy little appetiser ready to go (stuffed mushrooms and an onion soup,) and some fancy lamb chops that Eames will deal with when the time seems right. Bottles of red wine and a case of beer. Eames is trying to straddle the casual-formal boundary with this whole thing, like a casual hangout with fancy food and clothes.

Though honestly he'd be happy enough just using the nook by the windows.

3am on a cold rainy night

[stauncherhearted]

Everything was a blur. The fists and curses, insults hurled and a plate broken. The door had slammed and she was left with Bill's threats ringing in her ears. Nancy had thrown herself bodily against the door, tried to unlock the door both by magic and with a lock pick, but his strength was more than enough to keep her out.

Outside the thunder rolled, and if you asked her, Nancy wasn't sure how she'd gotten to Eames' neighborhood, drenched from head to toe. Fresh bruises obscured her eyesight with swelling, her makeup running from tears or rain. She was stupid to come here, but she had nowhere else to go. Fagin was dead, she couldn't go there. She couldn't burden the remaining boys. Cooper was in America, Lydia was going to be a disaster, so that left Eames.

The irony is, as she knocks on Eames' door, sniffling, is that she was in this same position for Norrell. But now... Now all of this was real.

It's time to leave Bill. For real. Hopefully. Tomorrow.

[stauncherhearted]

Nancy had woken up that morning feeling absolutely sick to her stomach. Bill had already gone to work for the morning, something she found herself surprisingly thankful for when she'd hunched over the toilet.

A few flushes and a lot of teeth brushing later, Nancy began pouring over her potion books between sips of whiskey-laced coffee. It didn't take her too long to come across the potion she wanted, and half an hour later, a vial of clear liquid stood before her. Frowning at it, she lifted the vial to her lips and spit into it. Immediately, the liquid turned a bright blue.

Nancy's knees all but gave out as she dropped the vial on to the floor. She could hardly hear it over her tears as she leaned against the counter for support. "Fuck," she whispered to herself, over and over again. "Fuck, fuck, fuck."

Forgetting the coffee, Nancy took a long swig straight from the bottle of whiskey. As the liquid cleared her throat, she realized exactly what she needed to do.

Taking the bottle with her, she began the trek over to Eames' home.

It was early afternoon by the time she arrived, knocking on the door. Hopefully, he'd be in. Hopefully. Because if she didn't do this now- if he didn't answer the door- she was never going to be able to come back here. Never going to be able to leave him.

But she couldn't bring a child into this world, not if she was going to stay with Bill. And this could be her last chance to make her dream of motherhood come true.

remember that time Nancy tried to talk to Bill?

[stauncherhearted]

Well, it didn't work. She'd been so good, staying away from him, but she needed to go speak to him. She had to go talk to him. It wasn't right to leave him for so long without telling him. She'd had her phone off for two days, unable to speak to him.

She'd wanted to. God she had wanted to. She'd spent two days staying at the Angelo, drinking and weighing her choices between appointments at the spa. She had to do this, for the life of their child. She knew what would happen if she went back to him. He'd be furious he left, furious he kept the child from her...

But it was the New Moon, she realized. He was his most docile then, unable to transform. Perhaps she could talk to him that way, she'd thought. So that night she'd gone back to their flat.

The next day, Nancy woke for the second time to find herself in a hospital bed, her eyes barely able to open. Every bone in her body ached- they said she'd had several ribs broken, her collar bone, cheekbone, nose. Her jaw had been spared, but there was heavy bruising around her neck and head that kept her off-center and unable to fully speak. They'd done their best to save her- and they had, all but sure she'd been a gonner when she was dropped off at A&E.

But Nancy survived, though she remained in intensive care. Her child... That was another story.

Roddy Geiger | Hillingdon | Shapeshifter

[roddy_reinigen]

Roddy was doing well for himself. He was now a violinist in an orchestra, making his dreams of playing music for a living a reality. He even got to play for a version of the Nutcracker. He also might still help Dodger with a few criminal activities from time to time, but it was no longer about needing the cash, and more about helping a friend out. He'd also learned to fight with the help of Ghoul, and while his role in Hillingdon never became too involved, he was able to help out competently from time to time if things started to get too crazy in London.

Overall, life was good.

He could be found in various parts of London, especially in territories owned by the East End pack or Hillingdon, but he could really be found anywhere, especially if there was a music store nearby.

Natasha Romanoff | MCU | OTA

[outstandingbalance]

For the past five years, Natasha has been in London. Which is longer than she expected to be alive really, let alone in one place. That's not to say that echoes of her past haven't popped up, vampires from the old country or even hunters, but nothing she couldn't handle. Nothing that's interfered with her ability to have a life here.

And she's done okay with it. Since she started drinking human blood again she never entirely stopped, though it was a slow process learning to be moderate. Not without some slip ups, but nothing with tragic results. Good enough.

Her relationship with Evie lasted a while, and while it wasn't forever (or even a few years), she doesn't regret it. The pair of them are still friends, and Natasha would like to believe they both look at their time together fondly.

She's still with the Guardians and still working with Redbright, quietly using what influence she has to further the goals of integration within the supernatural community and secrecy from the larger society. As a rule, she doesn't seek out the spotlight and she doesn't make her stances public, but behind doors she makes friends, she trades favors, she does her best to do her job and earn the respect that she can parley later on into influence.

It's not so bad.

And she's not so unhappy with how it's gone.

[falsify]

Meeting Natasha at a bar or other has become almost a ritual at this point, their equivalent of meeting at a cafe to catch up over lunch. It's a blessing and a curse that it takes a literally inhuman amount of alcohol to get either of them drunk — there's been a lot of expensive bar tabs over the years, but on the other hand it's nice to enjoy a drink with someone and not have to worry about them getting drunk before you even get to feel a bit of a buzz.

Eames is taking his time with a beer when he sees her enter the pub, doesn't bother waving or anything to grab her attention; he knows well enough by now she's observant enough to spot him quickly. He just waits until she approaches the table to push a drink toward her with a lopsided smile.

"Next round's yours." Hey, Nat.