That Secret Side of Me

[tellmejohn]

Who: OPEN TOWN MEETING
What: Discussing how to deal with the Malnosso's Ultimatum
When: 10AM Wednesday the 13th
Where: The Barracks
Summary: Law put up a LucetiLocked Summons for people. Come attend yo.
Rating: Variable

[A Town Meeting for how to handle the situation. No doubt people will come and speak up about things in turn. Despite the fact that I'm posting with Scorpius he's obviously not the one organizing it. There's an OOC Plotting Post here.

This post will have two subthreads mostly for quick and easy organizational purposes - one to put aside the proposing of ideas or questions, ICly (if you want to not write out the whole thing ICly you could just put up an OOC description of what they're doing. and then a second for mingling which isn't necessarily publicly proposing some big idea or question

As it's a mass log feel free to tag in whatever format you please]

Comments

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin arrives early to the meeting that morning, the meeting with Law and the others weighing heavily on his mind. Though he's as clean-cut and poised as always, those who know him will be able to tell that it's a front; he hasn't slept all night, his mind is whirling with the possibilities.

Those who know him well will be able to tell that he's armed with more than just his Walther P-38. The gift from Luke Skywalker from the night before, his Bryar pistol from his false but clearly remembered lifetime, is also hidden underneath his green suit jacket.]

[greatinspector]

[Zenigata immediately notices his rival and walks over, inclining his hat]

Some mess we're in, eh, Lupin?

[redjacketthief]

[Lupin manages a small smile at the old Inspector and nods, flicking his cigarette away. All he had was smokes and coffee. Again. But, he was trying to keep appearances.]

It's a huge mess, but it's the most interesting thing I've seen here so far.

Interesting isn't always good though, Pops.

[greatinspector]

Nope. It's not. Still, I was wonderin' when something would happen. Maybe we'll get a shot at...I dunno...somethin'. These Malnosso freaks need ta learn a think or two.

[redjacketthief]

They need to learn a lot of things, Pops. Like how resourceful we can be.

[doubleppk]

[Leans in a little extra near him. She just knows he's going to play the hero despite all the others around, and it makes her extra nervous. For all of their equal bravado, the Malnosso really are a whole other level than everything they're used to fighting or dealing with. Mad scientists, yes. But with magic and superpowers that made Oz or all the others they've met before, even Pycal, seem like children at play.]

[redjacketthief]

[She knows him too well, although Lupin knows better than to speak of any of this in an open forum. With a somber smile he sneaks an arm around her waist, taking comfort in her presence. This was mad. He was mad. But...what other choices did they have?]

Fujiko... It's good to see you, babe. What do you make of all of this?

[doubleppk]

[Plays her fingers on his cheek.]

Well, I agree that giving him back is stupid. [So is defying them with such a marginal chance of survival. She sighs heavily though. Lupin was going to do something crazy and that really did scare her. Oh well, cocky face for now.] What about you? Decided what you're going to do yet?

[She knew he had some plan in mind, though whether he'd full formed it in his head or started putting pieces into play, that she couldn't tell. Yet.]

[redjacketthief]

I have.

[He pulls her closer, and presses a kiss against her hair. Of all of the people in Luceti, Fujiko was the one person he couldn't allow to see him nervous. The touch lingers for a moment, two, before he leans down to her ear.]

But not here. Tonight sounds like a good time for a trip to the beach, doesn't it? We can look at the moon and be in peace for a little while.

[doubleppk]

[Nods and takes hold of his hand, giving it a small squeeze.]

I'd tell you not to get hurt, but I have a feeling you won't have much choice in that.

[redjacketthief]

...I'll explain it at the beach.

[He squeezes back, a silent promise that he would be true to his word this time. For sure.]

[doubleppk]

[She just nods quietly, softly biting her bottom lip. It's a lot more truth than she wants to give away, part of her just wants to beat Lupin up and tie him down so he can't do whatever crazy thing he's planning... but she already knows he'd escape and do it with even more abandon then. Stupid thieves. Stupid gentlemen who insist on following their stupid hearts and stupid pride and not realizing they're in danger. And stupid her for even letting herself care.]

[redjacketthief]

Thanks for understanding, babe.

[Interactions like these were how he knew that he could rely on her when the tables flipped and bullets started flying. Though her concern was obvious, she was smart and strong--one of the best people to have in the foxhole next to him, at the end of the day.

He resisted the urge to kiss her worried lips, knowing full well that it wouldn't help any right now.]

I'll see you tonight then. Bring a blanket; I'll bring the Sauternes.

[Yes. It was a date.]

[tellmejohn]

[But can Scorpius see his lack of sleep in the thermal read??

Either way, he's going to try to get up behind Lupin to put a hand on his shoulder]

[redjacketthief]

[He can; Lupin's a master liar, but he can't consciously control his body temperature. His decision only hours before rattled him more than he was willing to reveal.

Lupin starts at Scorpius' touch, and casts him a sharp look from over his shoulder.]

Not now, Scorpy. There's too many eyes around to have a proper Standoff.

[tellmejohn]

[He retracts the hand... So Lupin was up later, is nervous, and... on edge. Well. That doesn't tell him anything, but he tilts his head lightly to the side] I merely wished to show some neighborly concern for your plans no doubt being put... awry by this turn of events.

[redjacketthief]

Your plans too, with your cave and your generator. [He bristles at the cool tone, feeling once more in his gut that there was something off about the man.]

Your concern is noted, and I thank you for it. Fortunately, I can adapt. How will your plans fare?

[tellmejohn]

[Lupin knows it's a generator? Well, he had gotten it working to some extent, he probably just saw Scorpius working appliances in it so far]

A setback. Possibly ruined, given the state of things.

[redjacketthief]

Man, that's too bad~

[There's a hint of his lazy nonchalance there as he settles into his usual pattern.] Perhaps you could learn a little about adapting too.

[tellmejohn]

Perhaps a shall. Though, given the circumstances, I very much doubt I will need that generator.

[redjacketthief]

Oh, really now?

[Trap. It was his first thought--the man in the bizarre suit was too slick to give up on valuable tech like that under these circumstances. The generator was too valuable an asset, especially since his cave behind Community House 5 was slowly being transformed into something more glorified than a pit in the dirt.

Lupin kept his expression mild and his tone light, though his secondary temptation to just grab it and run while he could was making itself known. It was too useful, and having it opened many more options for the plans that were hatched the night before.

Tired and rattled as he was, Lupin collects himself enough to be almost as cool as he was trying to appear. His moral dilemma made it almost impossible for him to be able to do more that morning.]

That's a pity; I'm sure there are many in the village right now that would envy that little asset of yours.

[tellmejohn]

Yes, I imagine there are. And perhaps in the future I will have use for it, at which time I will no doubt have it on hand. [So he'll reclaim it if anyone takes it]

[redjacketthief]

Oh, no doubt. [Polite, kind smile.] The people here are too nice and too honest to borrow anything without asking permission first.

[tellmejohn]

I've taken note of this - in fact, I'd considered removing the automatic defenses in put up in my den from the power grid. They're quit... power consuming. And I doubt they would do much to those kindapping droids.

[redjacketthief]

That's a very frugal and very smart mindset to have under the circumstances, especially since we don't know how valuable those resources will be in the future. If the power grid ends up like ammunition currently is? That's a rare commodity.