I'VE BEEN A RAMBLER ALL MY LIFE (NOV CATCH-ALL)

[reticence]

A. COME AWAY, O HUMAN CHILD - CLOSED TO LANCELOT & RINGER
As soon as there is placed a bounty on a rogue fae kidnapping children into the Other Realm, Faolan knows several things for certain. One, that they must be stopped no matter what the cost, because children are innocents, and having had his own childhood taken from him, knowing others who have had their own taken from them as well, the sooner this is put an end to the less people there will be out there developing complexes around such things. For another, he knows that he's bound to get support when he asks around for help. He's certainly not going to be the only one after the reward, with a bounty like that placed on it. But it's not just the money he's after.

So he manages to rope a few people in to aid him on this. Ringer, from Hillingdon, who like him bristles when she hears that it's children who are being affected. And Lancelot, of course, for who better to aid in such an affair than a man who was once stolen away by the fae to the Other Realm when he was a child himself. He calls them individually, arranges for them to meet him in a cafe near where the latest child went missing, and lets them know that there will be company besides just himself on the job. He does not give names, figuring introductions can be made in the cafe itself.

He orders a coffee while he waits for them. He'd look suspicious not to, and to be honest even in the most dire of situations Faolan would rarely turn down a coffee. Sitting in the back of the establishment, his back against the wall so that he can watch who might be entering and approaching him, he sips at it and flicks through his mobile, making certain he'd told both of them the right time and place.

B. UNDER COVER WORK - SEMI-OPEN TO THE SHADOW COVEN
Faolan has been doing his best despite his new rise in the ranks back at Hillingdon to maintain his anonymity as 'Dubhan' as he does work for Kenzi, but everything has him more on edge now. As Leader of the Hillingdon Clan, even there he's still been keeping it a secret for the most part, his involvement with the Night Council as a Guardian, and here he has to keep double the secrets, not only the involvement with the Night Council (obviously), but also any and all mention of involvement with Hillingdon. As asking around about a 'Dubhan' there is going to bring an investigator up with next to nothing, but conveniently might lead straight into the fact that he's been lying to Kenzi about who he is and what he does for a living this whole time.

So he does his best to keep his mouth shut and keep his head down. Whenever she needs him, he's there. Whenever there's the need for someone to look imposing, Faolan steps up to the job. or rather, 'Dubhan' does. Looks imposing where and when he's needed, makes sure that Kenzi and her friends make their way home safe more than a few nights and generally plays his role of dutiful bodyguard. No one need know that he's there to collect information on them at the same time. It'll be his little secret.

C. HILLINGDON HOUSE - SEMI-OPEN TO HILLINGDON
Faolan doesn't really understand what he's done right (or wrong, for that matter) to find himself in this position. It's true, he's been with Hillingdon Clan for close to 10 years now. But he'd never imagined himself its top ranking officer. He knows that it has something to do with the fact that he's been doing good work for a good while and that he's finally being recognized for it. But honestly, isn't there someone higher than him? Someone more deserving of the job? Someone who isn't, say, spying on the clan for the Night Council? Not that he had much of a choice one way or the other, but that is neither here nor there.

He tries to make himself available for those within the clan itself to meet with, however. Most of his undercover work is done at nights, so the majority of his days are spent at Hillingdon House. He recognizes that there is a distinct lack of leadership here in the Hillingdon Clan, and that there has been for some time now. The best solution of course is not to blunder in and start installing himself willy-nilly. No, another approach must be made. So Faolan makes himself available. For the most senior members and the newest. He doesn't know that he's the best choice for this position. But he's willing to give it a try...

D. THE COFFEE FIX - OPEN TO ALL
Of course, Faolan's day would hardly be complete with at least one visit to some coffee shop or another. If he were to stop and think about exactly how much caffeine he put in his body on any given day he would probably wonder how he had any blood left running through his veins at all. And god help the day where someone tells him to give it up or cut back on the stuff.

He sits at a table in the back of the store with a pastry in front of him and a coffee gripped between both of his hands, soaking in the warmth of it. It's early still, he doesn't have any specific plans for the day other than to eventually get into Hillingdon and to answer his call from Kenzi if and when one comes that evening. Which means it's the perfect time to stop and take a breath and enjoy a good cup of coffee.

Comments

[specifiercity]

"Arthur," he says as he takes Faolan's hand politely, not at all offended that he doesn't know who he is. Arthur's not the kind of man who stands out, and that's by design.

"I'm a hunter," he explains further. "I thought I'd introduce myself, now that you seem to be in charge of us here."

[reticence]

Faolan hadn't been the kind to stand out himself, before all of this. He hadn't been one to really go out of his way to get to know names either, though he'd been changing that since. He hopes that the other man can forgive him for it, although it seems as he shakes his hand that he doesn't seem to mind all that much.

He quirks something of a smile at the other man's words. "I seem to, indeed," he says, in his usually drawling, Irish sort of way. "For better or worse, I suppose. It's good to meet you. I'm sorry I hadn't sooner, I'm still working on trying to settle in. Only started to catch everyone's names recently." Which is more than he can say for the last round of heads, all things considered.

[specifiercity]

Arthur shrugs one shoulder before he replies, "I wouldn't worry about it too much. Most people around here prefer to stay unknown."

"But I don't think they'd underestimate the benefit of a bit of organization." Arthur gestures to the paperwork on the table between them before he slips his hand back into his pocket. His shoulders are relaxed but his back is straight - no one ever seems surprised when they find out he's ex-military.

[reticence]

No one would ever accuse Faolan of being military himself, with the way he slouches around at times. But he's tried his hand at nearly everything besides, some of them less than legal, so he's got his fair share of world experience under his belt otherwise. And that means that, although he doesn't have military to fall back on, he's got other reasons to be organized.

"I hope not," he says, with the quirk of a smile, as he looks down at the paperwork between them. "They have some time to get used to the idea, anyway. I'm still getting used to the idea myself."

[specifiercity]

It's an opening for a segue, at least. It might not be an entirely subtle one, but time is of the essence for Arthur. He doesn't have a month to get to know this man and casually bring any of this up in conversation. It has to happen today.

Still, it's important to be casual. He raises an eyebrow and tilts his head. "You mind if I ask what your plans might be? I realize you only just recently assumed your position, but a man doesn't ascend ranks accidentally."

my apologies for the wait!

[reticence]

Faolan raises his eyebrows at the other man. It isn't very subtle, no, and he has to wonder if there's something he wants to be getting at, with questions like those. Still, as a member of Hillingdon, he has a right to know that Faolan's not sweeping in and pulling the carpet from under their feet, as it were. He sits back in his chair, wishing that he had a coffee right about now, despite the time of day.

"A man doesn't ascend the ranks accidentally, no. But sometimes it feels that way," he counters, keeping his eyebrows raised at the other man for a moment longer. "I didn't crawl my way to the top because I had a plan that I wanted put into place, if that's what you mean. Truth be told, I didn't really intend to crawl my way to the top, period." He shrugs. "I suppose that after enough good decision-making, the position found me, you could say." He tips his head to the side slightly himself. "That isn't to say that I do not have my own ideas for Hillingdon, having found myself here, however. You really want to hear about that?" Might as well confirm before he launches straight in. Better have the other man take a seat if he does as well, for that matter.

[specifiercity]

"Please," Arthur says, gesturing for Faolan to go on as he pulls out the chair across from him. Better to have him speak first, so Arthur can gauge how open he'll be to the thought of opposing the vampires. If he sees no way to convince Faolan, he'll drop it for now, but it's worth a shot and he has a better one if he has more information.

Still, he can't be transparent. "I've always thought we could use a little more direction, and I want to help if I can."

[reticence]

Faolan gives him a long look, quietly assessing as the other man takes a seat, determining how much he should say and how much he should keep to himself, trying to decide how much a good leader would share before he crosses his arms and leans forward across the desk.

"I'd like to build a community," Faolan says. "I'm not asking for everyone to hold hands and sing songs. But our members have a lot to offer each other. Knowledge and experience. Abilities. Weapons training. And as it stands, we're a faction of lone wolves. The only thing that holds us together is this house," he says, gesturing to the structure around them. "Suppose one of those other groups got it into their heads that we were some sort of threat? Not only do we have no allies outside these walls, but we've hardly got any within them besides."

[specifiercity]

Arthur tilts his head forward to watch Faolan carefully as he speaks, trying to determine if the man is holding anything back as he keeps his expression steady to do the same. He nods along while Faolan talks about sharing skills and knowledge - he's always felt that that was the best way to use the house and the faction allegiance, and it's not like he'd be obligated to share everything. When Faolan mentions enemies and allies, that's when Arthur averts his gaze just for a moment. Now to steer the conversation toward the conflict in Lewisham.

"Do you think we should be considered a threat? Is that the goal, to have some political sway once we get a little more cohesion?"

It's true Arthur's looking to encourage Faolan to get involved in something that's only a few days away, but if Faolan already wants to go down that road perhaps Arthur can expedite the process.

[reticence]

"A threat to who?" Faolan asks, his gaze meeting the other man's coolly, the expression in his eyes near unreadable. Faolan is good at hiding his true emotion when he truly needs to -- it's half the reason he's such a good choice for a spy for Sylvia. And he wants to understand this man and his goals. Wants to understand what his incentives are, in asking such things.

"The moment we set foot in their political landscape, we will draw their eyes and ears to us. The question is both where do we stand, and how do we stand there. We must have our feet firm on the ground before we think of taking any such steps forward." He raises an eyebrow at Arthur, inviting him to comment further. He obviously has some sort of opinion on the matter, although whether it is the same as his or not he cannot yet say.

[specifiercity]

Arthur gives him a slight nod, his gaze falling downward for a moment. This doesn't seem like the kind of man who would want to get involved in a dispute this week, and Arthur doesn't want to show so much of his hand so early. It's smart, and Arthur would be the same way, which is equally frustrating and reassuring.

"I agree," he says, acquiescing with a small wave of his hand. "There's no use charging in if you don't have a leg to stand on." He glances away, around the room briefly before he looks back at Faolan with a thoughtful frown. "But maybe where we stand is a question we have to answer along the way. Internally at least. Unless you aren't interested in a decision made by committee."

[reticence]

Faolan is nothing if not a thinker. It's perhaps a blessing as well as a curse. But he's not about to go into anything without thinking it through, especially not launching himself as well as the entirety of the Hillingdon clan, into the politics of the underground supernatural world in the city. He knows that they have very little ground to stand on, and if they do want to get involved and take those steps, there are things that they need to do first before.

He shakes his head. "I'm not about to come in and make decisions for the lot of us based on my own personal opinions, if that's what you're implying," he says. It sounds harsh but there isn't really anything behind it but fact. "I know what I think I know, but it would be good to get an idea of what the faction truly thinks besides." He raises an eyebrow. "If that's what you're suggesting."

[specifiercity]

Arthur thinks that he was implying first was far more harsh, but he flashes a quick smile and a nod. "That's all I was suggesting," he says, turning his palms up for a moment, like he's dropping his cards on the table. "I just wanted to know that we're being led by someone who won't make rash decisions, or act on our behalf without knowing what the rest of us actually want."

[reticence]

Faolan takes in the look of the other man, wondering if that's really all that he'd come to talk to him about, but after a moment he nods, shrugging slightly. "If the whole faction goes to shit, I'm well aware where the fingers will be pointing the blame. I think you can rest assured that I'm not going to jump into anything without thinking it through. Painstakingly. It's a wonder that I'll get any sleep at all."

It's a little unclear as to whether Faolan is taking the shit a little or not, with his delivery. Though he is perhaps overdoing it a little on purpose because he is tired and under a lot of stress. He bites his lip, realizing he's perhaps gone too far, and heaves out a sigh. "Look, you know where to find me if you've got any concerns, yeah? My door's always open. I promise you that much."

[specifiercity]

Arthur nods, letting the conversation end there. He pauses a moment, as if he's trying to decide whether he wants to say anything else, but then he just pulls out his wallet.

"Well, I'm not so easy to find," he says, finding a slip of paper and tearing off a small piece before he pulls out a pen. "But I don't want inaccessibility to be what keeps me out of any developments. I'm here often enough, but just in case..." He scrawls 'Arthur' on the paper and a phone number underneath that, then pushes it across the table as he stands to go. "That's what I use for work. It's always on."

Arthur slips his wallet and his pen back into his pockets and then flashes Faolan another quick smile. "I look forward to seeing what Hillingdon can do. I'll see you around."

[reticence]

Faolan glances down at the paper and the number that Arthur has written on it, nodding slightly. He'll put it in his phone, and then he'll shred that paper, but for now, he puts a folder down on top of it, and slips a card out of his breast pocket to hand to Arthur in turn. It's just a simple white business card, with his name and phone number on it as well, in black ink. He'd had them done when he'd been a PI, but hadn't customized them so that he could use them on a scene. Or for situations like now, he supposes.

"Here," he says. "And now we'll be able to find each other, no matter what." He tips his head at the other man, no need to keep him further if he's got other business to attend to. "I'll be seeing you, Arthur," Faolan retorts, and turns back to the paperwork laid out in front of him.