"not here right now.
leave a message. will get back to you soon.
probably."
TEXT
CALL
VIDEO
NOTE: As of 12/2016, Rey has adopted the alias "Fiona Stransky" when working with the Guard. Something to keep in mind, as Rey maintains a low profile with her involvement in the group. Other than what is mentioned in the Guard records, there is no trace of a "Fiona" identified on the network.
[More important would be a light way of putting it in Nick's eyes. Rey might be an ocean away, out in a storm somewhere, but he's glad to hear her voice, especially given how rattled he is.
And it's hard to rattle Nick Valentine.]
You remember that other synth you saw in my head? That... brother I had?
[Forgive him for that uncharacteristic pause there, Rey. He's had a hell of a day.]
[Rey shouldn't be surprised, it's not like no one from Nick's world has never shown up before, and people have been known to arrive from the same worlds but at different timelines. She has a lot of things she wants to ask, but first and foremost...]
[Shit. And here she is, on a different part of the damn world. Rey can't help but feel guilty that she can't be there for Nick like he was with Undine... That just reminds her:]
He isn't... actually there, is he? You don't think this is just another stunt that the gods are pulling to fuck with us again?
[Rey doesn't know what all happened back on the islands yet; Atem was remiss to say anything and Rey hasn't really checked the calendar to realize what day it is.]
[Given the circumstances, Rey doesn't take Nick's snap response personally. She'd be the same way if she were in his shoes... even more so because this had to happen while she's gone.
[Dammit, they need to get back to the city like yesterday.]
In that case, it's... possible.
[At least that would mean that maybe she could have a chance at figuring out what to do when they return. If she gets back before the gods make any quick moving decisions, that is. She doesn't yet want to worry Nick about their encounter with the Null last week, not wanting to add more worry onto his plate when he already sounds distressed about the real possibility of contending with his own fractured past.]
We should be home soon, okay? Then we'll be able to deal with this together.
[She might be half the planet away, but Rey's reassurance doesn't fall on deaf ears. No matter how he feels about the situation, he doesn't have to deal with this alone. She's got his back, and whether it's ghosts from her past or his, they handle things together. That's what family does.
So his voice is just a hair lighter as he replies.]
You couldn't have known this would happen. Hell, he could've shown up here anytime, whether you were at sea or not. Just happens to be when there's a lot going on, what with the fragments and the storms... and the recent disappearances.
[Which is generally how the gods run things, but Nick still thinks this might just be an instance of terrible timing.]
[He's right, she couldn't have possibly known. But it still doesn't make it feel any better, being all the way over here.]
Recent disappear...
[And then she remembers.]
Oh, right. Shit. Um, Atem called me. About Henry. [And other things, but that's neither here nor there.]
How are you going to be handling that?
[With Nick as the second-in-command and the head gone, the responsibility now falls on him, doesn't it? A responsibility he probably didn't ask for, but is going to take on nevertheless, because that's who Nick is. He won't stop doing what he can to protect people.]
[Thank goodness for Atem. One less things he has to explain from the mess he's currently surrounded by.]
I haven't figured that out yet. There's a lot I'm still sorting through, making sure folks are still around and that his shifts are covered. He did a lot more than most people realize.
[Which sums up the Guard in general, but Henry especially. He was the Guard in Nick's eyes, a paragon of the city.]
I'm glad he's back home where he belongs, but I can't say he didn't leave some big shoes to fill... ones I'm not sure I can.
[Nick does a lot more than he gets credit for, even though it's painfully obvious that the recognition was never a concern for him. It'd be nice if people actually realized that, though.]
Of course you can, Nick. You're just as good a person as he is. [Even better, if we're going with Rey's most biased opinion.]
[Yeah, better cut that thought off right there. He knows how Rey feels about his personhood, even if he doubts it himself at times. There's an audible sigh on his end.]
I need to figure out some kind of hierarchy. Who takes over if something happens to me.
[There are a few guesses for how Nick was about to continue that sentence, and none of them ending in a very constructive discussion. So Rey's glad that he drops it before that can begin again.
[She winces at that last part, though. Much as she'd like to tell him that he's just being paranoid, he isn't unwise to consider his options.]
Any ideas? Can probably help you work something out... when I'm back, that is.
No clear ideas yet. Needs to be someone who can take charge in a pinch, and has their heart in the right place. We've got several who are around when you need 'em, but that's about it.
[And a couple of others who are more willing to help, but Nick isn't sure he'd ever want them in charge of the Guard proper.]
[If Atem had a say in it, Rey probably would have been a high candidate for that "someone" Nick is looking for. As it is, she isn't sure she wants to take on that sort of responsibility so openly when she is more comfortable with her more private role in the Guard. Still, there has to be something she can do for him. Just has to think of what.]
Maybe you could put up a "job posting" of sorts. Let the city at least know you're looking for more bodies, and make sure people know what the Guard's actually about.
[Since they have so many issues with misconceptions from day one.]
Would have more fun banging my head against a brick wall than having that conversation for the umpteeth time.
[It would also be more productive, too, all things considered. Some she knows has come around eventually, but... there's some kinds of stupid you just can't fix.]
Sounds good. Think offering feedback is still up my alley. [Even if being an official part of the Guard no longer isn't, but that's been for the best for everyone.]
[He says that immediately; she might not be on the Guard in an official capacity, but she knows him just about as well as he knows himself these days. He might take some of her more pragmatic suggestions with a grain of salt, but when it comes to doing the right thing, he knows he can put his faith in Rey.]
We'll talk when you're back in town. That and... this brother situation. For now, you take care out there. I need you to come back to me.
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And it's hard to rattle Nick Valentine.]
You remember that other synth you saw in my head? That... brother I had?
[Forgive him for that uncharacteristic pause there, Rey. He's had a hell of a day.]
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Yeah. Why you bringing this up now?
[Did the gods do something again?
[Dammit, she won't be back for another week or so, either.]
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[That much is certain, despite how uncertain Nick feels about the prospect.]
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[Rey shouldn't be surprised, it's not like no one from Nick's world has never shown up before, and people have been known to arrive from the same worlds but at different timelines. She has a lot of things she wants to ask, but first and foremost...]
Are you okay?
[That's more important.]
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I don't know. I don't know how I feel about this. I haven't spoken to him yet, but from the way he talked in the message he left me, he knows me.
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He isn't... actually there, is he? You don't think this is just another stunt that the gods are pulling to fuck with us again?
[Rey doesn't know what all happened back on the islands yet; Atem was remiss to say anything and Rey hasn't really checked the calendar to realize what day it is.]
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[That one was more forceful than it ought to be, and he knows it. He's already considered this could be a new stunt of the gods, but—]
It's about time for the Door to bring in new folks. Could be a coincidence, could be the gods. I just... don't know, Rey.
[The conflict is so painfully evident in his voice that even Nick hears it. He cycles a breath through him, trying to get a handle on it.]
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[Dammit, they need to get back to the city like yesterday.]
In that case, it's... possible.
[At least that would mean that maybe she could have a chance at figuring out what to do when they return. If she gets back before the gods make any quick moving decisions, that is. She doesn't yet want to worry Nick about their encounter with the Null last week, not wanting to add more worry onto his plate when he already sounds distressed about the real possibility of contending with his own fractured past.]
We should be home soon, okay? Then we'll be able to deal with this together.
[Pause.]
Sorry, Nick. I should be there.
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So his voice is just a hair lighter as he replies.]
You couldn't have known this would happen. Hell, he could've shown up here anytime, whether you were at sea or not. Just happens to be when there's a lot going on, what with the fragments and the storms... and the recent disappearances.
[Which is generally how the gods run things, but Nick still thinks this might just be an instance of terrible timing.]
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Recent disappear...
[And then she remembers.]
Oh, right. Shit. Um, Atem called me. About Henry. [And other things, but that's neither here nor there.]
How are you going to be handling that?
[With Nick as the second-in-command and the head gone, the responsibility now falls on him, doesn't it? A responsibility he probably didn't ask for, but is going to take on nevertheless, because that's who Nick is. He won't stop doing what he can to protect people.]
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I haven't figured that out yet. There's a lot I'm still sorting through, making sure folks are still around and that his shifts are covered. He did a lot more than most people realize.
[Which sums up the Guard in general, but Henry especially. He was the Guard in Nick's eyes, a paragon of the city.]
I'm glad he's back home where he belongs, but I can't say he didn't leave some big shoes to fill... ones I'm not sure I can.
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[Nick does a lot more than he gets credit for, even though it's painfully obvious that the recognition was never a concern for him. It'd be nice if people actually realized that, though.]
Of course you can, Nick. You're just as good a person as he is. [Even better, if we're going with Rey's most biased opinion.]
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[Yeah, better cut that thought off right there. He knows how Rey feels about his personhood, even if he doubts it himself at times. There's an audible sigh on his end.]
I need to figure out some kind of hierarchy. Who takes over if something happens to me.
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[She winces at that last part, though. Much as she'd like to tell him that he's just being paranoid, he isn't unwise to consider his options.]
Any ideas? Can probably help you work something out... when I'm back, that is.
[Obviously.]
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[And a couple of others who are more willing to help, but Nick isn't sure he'd ever want them in charge of the Guard proper.]
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Maybe you could put up a "job posting" of sorts. Let the city at least know you're looking for more bodies, and make sure people know what the Guard's actually about.
[Since they have so many issues with misconceptions from day one.]
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[But he gets what she's saying.]
Not a bad idea, though. I'll see what I can come up with for now, maybe run it past you when you get back.
[Among other things.]
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[It would also be more productive, too, all things considered. Some she knows has come around eventually, but... there's some kinds of stupid you just can't fix.]
Sounds good. Think offering feedback is still up my alley. [Even if being an official part of the Guard no longer isn't, but that's been for the best for everyone.]
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[He says that immediately; she might not be on the Guard in an official capacity, but she knows him just about as well as he knows himself these days. He might take some of her more pragmatic suggestions with a grain of salt, but when it comes to doing the right thing, he knows he can put his faith in Rey.]
We'll talk when you're back in town. That and... this brother situation. For now, you take care out there. I need you to come back to me.