”I don’t think you were part of the offer,” Nace says. ”But is there something you know about him?”
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”Heh. It sounds like there will be more where that came from. He has work for us. And regular pay.” Nace goes over the highlights of the discussion.
Nace parks in the lot and gets out of the car. He sees Miren speaking with Coyote. ”Well, that was eventful. Miren, we have a lot to discuss.”
Nace nods at Sabrina. ”Text us the details, then.” As he heads back to his car, he says to Miyuku, ”We should see how things are going with Miren.” He seems deep in thought on the drive back to the inn as this new development in his life turns over in his mind. These jobs could help him understand more of this unseen world - understanding he deeply yearns for. But is there a risk this knowledge could corrupt him - make him more like his ancestors? Coyote and Miren see his SUV pull into the parking lot.
Nace feels uncomfortable hanging out at Jonathan’s place for longer than he has to. ”We should be checking back with Miren, I think.” If Miyuku doesn’t object, he moves to go. ”Sabrina - I assume we should expect a call if you all have something that you need us for?”
Nace looks pensive. He has had so many questions these past few years - about himself, his heritage, the world around him. He knows he will not find those answers in Bridgeport. This could be his opportunity. ”Fine by me. Do you have any jobs you’re looking for us to get into now - or just wait to hear?”
Nace is a little less subtle. ”Sounds very official. Benefits? 401(k)? Officially, what is our role in this… company, apparently?”
”What kind of work we talking about? Is there hazard pay involved? Things got dicey by that pond.”
Nace nods to Miyuku. ”Yes, we would need to know more of what this entails.”
Since he doesn’t see any alarming reactions or obvious signs of duplicity, Nace proceeds to share everything that the party experienced around the pond and campground.
Nace looks at Miyuku as if considering how to proceed. After a moment’s consideration he begins an honest account of their exploration of the historic site.
Nace is slightly taken aback by Sabrina's current occupation and demeanor. "Looks like they do a good lunch around here."[b] He looks for something a little less elaborate, taking a few finger sandwiches on a plate. He takes a seat. [b]"Is this a regular thing?"
Nace tells Miyuku of the appointment. ”So how do we want to approach this? Seems straightforward, but we should be careful.”
”We have an update for him. He knows what this is regarding,” Nace replies.
”This is Nace Bishop, looking for Mr. Thatcher,” Nace says.
Nace pulls out his phone and dials the number he was given.
”Should we give him a call - set something up?” Nace suggests.
”He seems resourceful - useful to know, probably dangerous to cross. Are we ready?”
”Well, we have a meeting with our employer. The whole thing makes me uneasy, but we did what he asked us to do, and we have no reason to doubt him. Do you think he’s just a collector of these kind of relics?” Nace wonders.
Meanwhile, Nace goes back into the inn to prepare. He showers and shaves; for some reason he feels compelled to look at least somewhat presentable for this meeting. He dons a collared shirt and his least ratty jeans. Satisfied, he seeks out Miyuku and Miren.
”Fair enough,” Nace says, taking his leave to get ready.
”Probably.” Nace pulls out his iPhone. He starts to Google for a library. ”Actually - you have contact info? I can text you later.”
"You sure? You're welcome to come in... take a load off... take a shower... you know..." Nace does his best not to imply anything with that last bit.
Nace approaches the inn. ”This is the place. I’ll let Miyuku and Miren know you’re here. I just gotta shower before I go, but you could hang back here until we come back.”
”We’ve seen a lot of crazy s&!& here, so I maybe this little postcard town attracts them somehow.” Nace looks deep in thought as he rounds a corner and the inn comes into view. ”Have you dealt with a lot of these things before? You know, fought them?”
Nace skips a step at this remark. ”I shouldn’t be surprised that vampires are a thing. What makes them psychic?”
Nace starts walking back toward the inn. He begins to feel the cold as his sweat cools and his heart rate lowers, but he tries not to show it. ”What do you mean? Something you saw?” ”And yeah, the three of us have to see about the guy who hired us to find that ring.”
Nace tries not to grimace at the sandwich. ”No thank you.” He looks pensive for a moment. ”You seem to know a lot about… things. Depending on how this meeting goes, we might want to get your thoughts on what’s been going on. I think we were gonna catch up later, but do you want to head back with me now?”
As with the day before, Nace wakes up early. He falls into his morning routine, donning his familiar UConn hoodie and heading out for a run. The air is cold, but he warms up quickly with the exertion and his warm attire. He takes in the early morning sights - the town is quiet. It’s almost like he can imagine the place is deserted, but for the occasional sight of a fellow early riser. He is deep in thought when he turns a corner and spots Coyote. He slows up. ”I didn’t peg you for an early riser,” he says with a slight grin.
Nace tries not to roll his eyes at Coyote's question. He does not address it. "It's been a long day. I think we," he indicates Miren and Miyuku, "have an appointment in the morning. I just want to crash for a bit."
Nace declines to order anything and waits for the waiter to depart before continuing. ”I don’t know anything more than we see here. Miren, I’m not sure if you have any sense of it…”
”I guess I wanted to get a sense of the thing - see why somebody might want it.” Nace says. ”If it’s… I dunno… evil… then I’d want to be careful about who’s paying for it and why. But if it’s like a protective charm or something, it shouldn’t be too harmful.”
Hearing the others’ salutes as they take their shots, Nace considers his own. He holds up his glass and considers a moment. ”F&!$ why not?” He throws it back and grimaces at the taste of the well liquor. He nods at Coyote. ”You know what you’re looking at? Knowing a dead language or two probably helps.”
”Or - more to the point - when is a ring not a ring? That gold band was tied to… something… back at the pond. But what does that mean?”
”Good thing I’m not Secret Service,” Nace mutters.
”A dollar bill,” Nace says, playing along. He looks around. ”Kinda rough crowd - and I don’t even mean at this table.”
Nace levels a look across the table. ”Don't let me stop you. But I just saw the undead crawl out of a pond, so it’ll take a lot to amaze me today.”
Nace appears to make a mental note. ”Fine by me. I’m sure they’ll have their amps tuned up so loud we won’t be able to hear ourselves think by the bar.” He slides into a booth, making sure to leave a spot across from him that backs up to the wall. He orders an IPA.
”After this day? Yeah, probably,” Nace says. He heads for the entrance.
Nace looks at the Spoon and then the bar across the street. ”I’m thinking that’s our best bet. Hopefully our new friend thinks to look for us there.”
Nace looks in the direction Coyote was headed. "Well this just keeps getting weirder. Come on, we should go." He packs up his gear and heads toward the car.
Nace tucks his sword away and grabs his bag. He looks at Coyote. ”You know The Spoon? Meet there?” He peers over Miren’s shoulder at the ring.
Nace quickly lifts the lid on the well, now that the lock has been opened. "We've gotta move fast." He looks in, shining a flashlight down the well.
Nace uses his position to swing at Daniel again.
Nace steps to flank the creature and cuts at it with his sword.
”I miss the time in my life when I would have thought that was a strange question. But no, not dead…”
"If you've got something, I wouldn't complain," Nace says. He steps beside Miyuku and stands with his sword ready.
Nace looks out over the water. ”You took quite a hit, Miyuku. If I may…” Nace extends his hand. Assuming Miyuku accepts, his eyes blaze with fire as he passes energy to her. It is healing energy, but it feels a little… off.. somehow.
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