tushanshu | 006 video;

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006 video;

[50% encryption to Nilin]

We should talk. Think I may have actually found something useful for once.

[50% encryption to Skulduggery]

Maker I hate this thing. Skul, Akito and I came across something of interest. Did you go into that library?

[End encryptions]

Let's keep this simple so I don't have to play with this thing much longer. Who here visited the library on the island?

[He pauses for a moment.]

And someone tell Evandau to clear his schedule. I need to talk to him.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

At best guess I'd say they're names. Why they're listed though? I have no idea.

[Nilin sighs and reaches to take the book back.]

We have too many questions and not enough answers.

Maybe we track them down and find out?

[Hawke hands over the book as he wonders what they're next move should be.]

You know there are days I really wish it was the other way around.

[Most of them actually.]

There's an idea. But where to start? Asking about these names might draw more fire than we need.

[That and they're not even sure they're names. Nilin sighs and rubs her temple lightly.]

Is there anything else you've found out?

Maybe we start by asking our own? Could be one of the foreigners here heard the names at some point.

[Honestly Hawke is just grasping at straws right now.]

Right, I think that Mally has a lot more influence here than we first thought. As long as there have been people in the city it's been here and its position here has only grown since the last emperor died.

I think it's got its claws in some very important people in this city.

Anyone in particular?

[Because shit. That does not sound good at all.]

Seems like there's corruption no matter where I go.

My first thought is Evandau or his pets, someone who can influence him.

[Hawke offers her a small grin.]

You too? Seems like we're both good at falling into a mess.

At least we're in good company.

[Nilin nudges him playfully with her elbow.]

So basically, we can't trust anyone from up top. I wish I could say I'm surprised.

[His grin widens as she nudges him.]

I know. Wonderfully cliche isn't it?

[Nilin chuckles lightly and rests her head on his shoulder.]

Is there anyone else that you trust with this information?

[Who else can they call an ally in this mess?]

[The sudden closeness of her head on his shoulder surprises him for a moment, but he doesn't at all dislike it. In fact, after a moment Hawke tilts his head to rest against hers.]

River and Mike along with Akito and Skulduggery.

[He knows those four can be counted on at the very least.]

To be honest though, I plan on telling as many people as possible. We all need to stand together on this one.

[It might burn them, but they need all they can get for this.]

Mike I know. He's a good man. And River was part of the team when we restored communications.

[Skul, she's never met. And Akito was a brief encounter.]

I know a few who are loyal to the cause. Annabeth, Bucky and Sharon were with me on the mission I found my information on. I can talk to them, if you'd like.

[For now though she's just going to keep leaning on him and not be distracted by how nice it all is.]

She's never quite all there but I've never met anyone more insightful than her. She has this terrible habit of being right all the time.

[As they talk, Hawke relaxes more. It feels good to be this close to someone again.]

Go ahead. I trust you.

She's a genius, from all I've seen and heard.

[Definitely someone good to have on their side.]

Right is something we need to be at the moment anyway.

I'm not sure if genius even begins to describe it. She's just a kid though.

[Which worries him. Sometimes it feels like he's dragging her toward disaster.]

She's still old enough to make her own choices.

[Nilin lifts her head to look at him.]

I'm willing to bet you weren't helpless at that age either. We'll be there to watch her back no matter what goes on.

No, I was a little bastard at that age.

[People informed him of this on multiple occasions. Hawke turns his head to catch her gaze, his smiling returning.]

I need to grow a second head so I can keep an eye on yours at the same time.

And I was scaling buildings and stealing thoughts from people's heads for a rebel unit.

[Nilin smirks. There's still a lot of holes in her memory and she's aware that some of that will never return, but what she has she holds onto.]

I'll be honest, I'm not sure two heads is quite the right look for you.

[She rather likes the one he's got.]

[He raises an eyebrow and looks at her a moment before chuckling.]

You had a for more interesting childhood than I did.

[Then he looks thoughtful, running his hand down his beard.]

Maybe you're right. That would be too much beard for anyone to handle.

[She sobers a little and that and shakes her head.]

Sometimes I wish it were a little more normal. What I remember of it had it's moments though. Jax for one.

[The panda waves from across the room before it resumes it's own little adventure.]

As for your beard, you'd have too much of a challenge getting the two of them to match.

But if you were normal you may never have found yourself here.

[And they never would have met. Hawke doesn't particularly like the thought of that.]

What this?

[He motions to his beard.]

It does this all on its own.

Touche.

[When he motions to his beard, shakes her head and chuckles.]

No effort at all, hm? Well, aren't you lucky.

It's just a gift. There a men out there who would kill for a beard like this.

[They have strayed so far off topic at this point but he doesn't even care.]

[Neither does she. Well, mostly. There's serious conversation to be had but she's not bothered at all that it is where it is.]

That would explain why the gangs don't like you. It's not the business we run, it's obviously the beard.

[Hawke nods his head sagely.]

Why else would they come at me with shears? They obviously want to cut it off and stick it to their face.

[Another chuckle. Nilin shakes her head and falls quiet. For all their banter, there's a lot on her mind.]

Say, do you think the gangs might be involved with our M friend?

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