fatherswatch: (Default)
Illya Nikovitch Kuryakin ([personal profile] fatherswatch) wrote in [community profile] undergrounds2016-01-08 11:33 pm

The Newcomer Affair

i) The security
Redbright Institute, early January

Overall, he had no strong opinion of the woman in charge of the Redbright Institute. He had been sent to observe and carefully decide what he thought of everything. That was what he was to report to UNCLE. So superficial meetings? Weren't important. In a few months, he'd be more certain.

The school was interesting. Russia had their own, but they tended to be more segmented. After his father had been arrested, he'd attended one that could closely be called a military school. Still, it seemed like a proper way to educate young people able the abilities they were born with.

His job in and of itself was uneventful. He basically only had to stand in the hallways and make eye contact with the obvious troublemakers. Everyone else understood not to even try. With his fellow staff, he was just as quiet, but he didn't look at them like he was daring them to attempt making trouble. If anything, at times, he ignored them more often than not.


ii) The scout
Enfield, early January

Part of his real job was to monitor the situation in London as a whole. Which was why he found his way to the borough claimed by Circle Midnight.

On the outside, it looked no different than anything else in London. The supernatural community kept their heads down, and he approved.

Magic wasn't something he could sense, so he could do nothing but walk the streets, casually sipping a cup of coffee. It would take some time to gain access to the varying groups, but it was what he needed to do.

However, it had been easy enough to follow a trail of paperwork. Not that it hadn't been well done, plenty of proxies and the like. But with a computer and time (both of which he had and knew how to properly use), it could be traced.

Which was how he came to the Seven Sisters. A cute little psychic shop that was a front for the Shadow Coven. The outside was entirely unassuming, and he looked at it like a proper sceptic. Which was why it was easy enough to glance to the side, where someone else was.

"Have you ever been here?"


iii) The renter
Ealing, mid January

"I'm sorry, sir," the girl at the counter said. "That card isn't working."

Even though he knew that it was likely Waverly who had figured the budget incorrectly, Illya's first inclination was to blame Solo. To be sure it was the thief who'd somehow 'changed' where his funds were.

"Do you have another form of payment?"

"No," he replied, a bit more sharply than he meant to. "I'm sorry."

Even if he didn't sound like he meant it, he did.

But he stepped out of line and some distance away before he began texting on his phone, swearing under his breath in Russian.


iv) The observant
Westminster, mid January

The Night Council headquarters had a small, somewhat expensive little deli across from them. It was there that Illya sat, enjoying his light lunch. A bit of soup to keep the chill out, and a sandwich to fortify the meal further. For a drink, he had only ice water.

From his seat inside, he could see the building across the way. He watched the people come and go, made mental notes of who he saw talking to whom, and who seemed to be intentionally avoiding people. The game was ancient, but London was a different board, and he had little information about the players. Whatever files UNCLE could provide were useless for really knowing someone.

After all, there had been a lot his files hand't said about Miss Teller and Mister Solo.

All he could do now was watch and learn. His presence at the Institute would help, he thought. Establish him and let him learn about all of these people.


v) The watchful
Croydon, late January

Fae were disinclined to ignore insults. And from what he'd heard of the matters in this borough? The fae were no doubt thoroughly insulted. Which made the small victory gained recently an indication of danger to come. At least to him.

So, he walked the streets after dark with only a few days until the full moon. His nerves were frayed, and his senses were sharpened. Every corner threatened to have something dangerous around it. Of course, he also knew he was probably just as threatening to quite a few people.

But he heard something. A little hint of noise that certainly didn't come from a car or the like.

"Who's there? Show yourself."
stauncherhearted: (I usually set aside sunday nights)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-12 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
A Russian girl that would mention a place like this. Nancy knew long ago that the world was too small to believe in coincidences. She raised her chin. "Let me guess, my height, half my size, Canadian?" She loved you, Kenzi. Really.

But he didn't want to be convinced.
stauncherhearted: (talk to me)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-12 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
You know what? She believed it.

"Well, good thing you ran into me. I happen to know what she's had her eye on." Nancy beckons him a bit closer. "And I'd be more than happy to show you."
stauncherhearted: (smile)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-13 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"It depends," she said, glancing around the shop quickly. "If you were thinking jewelry or a trinket... There's this ornate box here, that's perfect size for some of her tarot cards." Nothing silver, just a beautifully carved box with mother-of-pearl inlay.
stauncherhearted: (talk to me)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-16 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
"Otherwise, I'm sure you know the girl loves her jewelry. There's this gorgeous necklace I've seen her eyeing." She gestures to another one. "Really, with her, I don't think you can go wrong."
stauncherhearted: (sure)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-18 04:55 am (UTC)(link)
"Perfect!" She wasn't going to question it at all. "I'm sure the shop girl'll be around shortly..." Nancy trailed off, looking towards the back room.
stauncherhearted: (Default)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-21 05:31 am (UTC)(link)
she nodded. "You're welcome. I'll leave you to it." Nancy turned towards the door only to pause and look back at him. "If I see you around again- 'm Nancy."
stauncherhearted: (blush)

[personal profile] stauncherhearted 2016-01-21 05:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course," she says. "And you know what- I just may buy that necklace." But she turns all the same, exiting the door of the shop. Kenzi had a very cute cousin.