[CLOSED TO EAMES] [DEC 2ND]

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick has been standing outside Eames' door for approximately twenty seven minutes. He's trying very hard to look calm and composed, staring at the opposite wall of the hallway with his jaw set stubbornly and his arms crossed across his chest.]

[The reason he's here will become abundantly obvious when Eames comes back home. It took Finnick a couple days to start piecing it together; he didn't have enough information at first, but he finally heard rumours about some sort of hand-off was going to be happening next week this morning and he has to confirm it. He has to know if this man he met in Lewisham would be so stupid, so naive... to think that handing over territory to lawless witches would be a good idea.]

[But he's just here to talk. Really.]

Comments

[falsify]

[Well, Eames was expecting company tonight, but Finnick isn't it. Shopping bag full of ingredients for a lovely dinner and a bottle of wine, he stops and sighs heavily when he gets to his door - it's not exactly difficult to guess what's brought Finnick here, and he doesn't exactly seem like the kind of person who'll leave without getting to say his piece. Looks like Eames is just gonna have to cancel.]

I suppose you're my date for tonight then. [Said very much with the tone of someone who is entirely displeased with this. Not that he expects Finnick to care. He doesn't seem to know anyone who would.] Come in.

[He doesn't make any effort to be a welcoming host at all, just walks into the kitchen and sets the shopping out on the counter so he can take a photo of it all. Sending it along with a text making his apologies, that an emergency's come up. Can they reschedule? Almost absently while he's writing the text, he asks:] Hungry?

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick is certainly not anyone's date, and he's not going to accept any food while he's here either. He doesn't intend this to be a long visit, but he does hope it'll be an informative one. Trying not to look suspicious as he glances around Eames' apartment, he follows him through to the kitchen and keeps a respectful distance but there's not going to be any beating around the bush.]

I've come about Croydon.

[falsify]

I thought as much.

[Still a little absent as he puts his phone down and starts packing away the shopping. He really hopes he'll use this stuff before it goes bad. Otherwise what a waste.]

You've come to complain about my giving it to the witches, correct?

[thelittlemerman]

So you are giving it to them.

[His mouth twitches as it does when he's trying very hard to keep his composure despite being livid. He looks down at the floor and the back up at Eames, and it's a struggle to keep his tone even.]

I had hoped it was some awful rumour.

[falsify]

It's all quite true.

[Eames pauses to inspect a pepper before he shoves it in the fridge, with the last of the shopping. Casually, as though he doesn't have an angry young fae in his home, Eames gets a wine glass from the cupboard. It seems as though he'll need a drink to make the conversation tolerable.]

State your issues then.

[thelittlemerman]

Well they're witches for one thing.

[He says it very sternly, though he's still trying very hard to remain calm.]

How are we supposed to walk freely there once you've handed it over? And why - on a whim? What are you trading it for?

[falsify]

It's not on a whim, I've been thinking it over for quite some time.

[He leans on the counter with his wine when he finally gives Finnick his attention. Expression tired, as though he's had this talk 100 times already.] And I traded it for the understanding that they wouldn't interfere with the comings and goings of the fae, nor would they make a move on any of our holdings.

[thelittlemerman]

And...? There must have been something else. As much as the courts don't seem to care, they don't understand what's happening, that we could be cut off from London completely.

[Finnick could not care less about Eames' exhaustion on the topic. He needs answers if he's not going to go fight with the courts himself over this.]

What happens if they go back to their Mother, hm? Where's your guarantee?

[falsify]

[Eames laughs into his glass. If there's one thing he's certain of in all this, it's that the animosity between the two circles is far too severe for them take this to Sylvia.]

Taking Croydon is an implicit move against Redbright's hold on the city. Taking territory she wants back via a deal with the likes of us? She'd never have them.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick doesn't appreciate being laughed at, and his temper almost flares. He looks away, and instead of heated his tone is cold and quiet.]

You can't trust them. They always take more than they need. They'll find some way to take advantage of this.

[falsify]

I'd expect nothing less, but as it stands? The greatest threat to us right now is Daybreak and the Night Council. And the greatest threat to them is Circle Midnight.

[He sighs and tops up his wine. Where did the rest of it go? Keeping his patience fed.]

Witches are always going to be a problem. But their problems with eachother can be spun to our advantage.

[thelittlemerman]

[It's clear Eames won't draw the line where Finnick sees fit, and it doesn't appear that there's much he can do to change his mind on the matter. However, Finnick doesn't give up that easily.]

And what happened to showing them our teeth? What about showing them that we belong here rather than relying on the kindness of these... mortals.

[falsify]

Make no mistake, I fully intend to reduce Ms Redbright's little... Empire to nothing. And when the ashes of her power slip through her fingers, she'll be painfully cognizant of the fact that she picked a fight she couldn't possibly hope to win.

[There's that glint of something dangerous in Eames' eyes - that cold, calculating anger that characterises his court. He plays it off like nothing, but this is a situation that has a constant bead of anger sitting in his chest. But it's gone barely a moment later as he swills his glass almost dismissively.]

Unfortunately, it's just not as simple as a sleeping curse and stealing a few newborns anymore.

[thelittlemerman]

No, it doesn't.

[It's a tad defensive, too quick of a reaction. Eames' anger is not lost on Finnick but he can't figure out how to convince him this isn't the way.]

We have to speak their language now. Play their games and show them we're better than them no matter what they do.

[falsify]

Exactly. [He tilts his glass toward Finnick in a toasting motion.] Use their politics against them in order to destroy them.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick sighs, and it's becoming harder to show how impatient he is about this.]

You can't do that by just giving away our territory. Even if it's to mortals who you clearly think could be our allies.

[There is something obvious in his voice to show how he feels about it, again, but he's not looking to pick that fight back up.]

We need to have land to have influence. That's how they see things.

[falsify]

Thank you ever so much for coming into my home and speaking to me like I'm an idiot.

[Of course he knows it's not that simple. If he thought it was, he would've given away everything. He wrinkles his nose in distaste at the idea of taking more territory, but Finnick does have a point. He just worries the man's too rash to think about things on any grand scale.]

If we intend to take and keep land here? Then allies are more important than you seem to think. Or would you rather have the vampires take yet another borough from us? Or better yet-- the wolves.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick takes a step toward him before her reels himself in a little, but his voice is deadly serious. He has no intention to do harm, which may be obvious by the lack of sharp objects on his person.]

I wouldn't have to come into your home if you hadn't acted so selfishly. There are fae who won't take a step into Croydon after this is done - I won't take a step into Croydon unless I have to once you give it to the witches.

[falsify]

You think this is selfish?

[Eames could laugh again; he's sticking his neck out on behalf of the courts, and this is the shit he gets for it? No wonder he never bothered before.]

Don't presume my intentions based on your paranoia.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick snaps back, raising his voice:] It is not paranoia!

[His restraint is visible in the moment between the step he takes toward Eames and when he turns away to collect himself. He hates losing control, it's like giving away one’s emotional position, and Finnick prefers to keep his true emotions to himself. He takes a deep breath and decides that it's time to move forward, not dwell on this decision Eames has made. He isn't haughty when he speaks - in fact it seems like this is taking a lot of effort for him.]

I'm sorry. If your intention truly is to strengthen our hold in this realm, then I can… tolerate an alliance with the Midnight witches if it means I can help.

[falsify]

[Eames takes a breath, pulling his temper back before it gets the better of him. He nods, acknowledging (and appreciating) the apology and the acquiescence. It's a big ask, he knows.]

You're right, however. This isn't close to enough.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick gives himself another moment to make sure he's still calm when he speaks.]

I can help. If we're giving away one, we can take another. Nothing too ambitious of course… surely there are boroughs in this city that aren't equipped to defend against even a small takeover.

[falsify]

[Eames gives that some thought before he puts his glass down, gesturing for Finnick to wait a moment before he leaves the kitchen. When he comes back, it's with a map he spreads out on the counter - all the boroughs outlined and labelled.]

No one's stuck a flag in Havering.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick crosses his arms and frowns down at the map when Eames lays it out. Havering would be accessible, and if no one’s laid a claim to it then no one will be there to defend it. Finnick doesn't spill blood unless he has to, so a more peaceful takeover appeals to him.]

We should take it soon, and quietly. We’ll catch the attention of Daybreak or Islington if we're not subtle about it.

[falsify]

[He takes a sip of his wine and sighs, looking at the map.]

The handover to Midnight's scheduled for the 8th. That'll take Daybreak's attention away from any takeovers.

[thelittlemerman]

[Finnick nods and then looks up at Eames, almost hesitant.]

Are you okay with this?

[falsify]

[He clenches his jaw briefly - it's hard to let go of how much he dislikes taking this kind of control on the mortal realm, but this isn't a short-sighted grab for a whisper of freedom.]

[He looks at Finnick and nods, expression tight and resolute.]

It's the best way forward.

[thelittlemerman]

Then I'll do it. I'll lead it while you do your business with the witches.

[He sighs, as if he's steadying himself in preparation. Then he steps away, heading for the door.]

If you need me, I'm not hard to find.