you're no protagonist

[pushtheboundaries]

Characters: Krei, Callaghan, & Anton
Date: Marchish, following this TDM thread which we are taking as canon because Reasons.
Location: The Hotel
Situation: Callaghan drags Krei to the Hotel after dragging him out of trouble with some Kedan and finishing the mugging they started. Hi Anton, have his best frenemy, please help keep him out of further trouble.
Warnings/Rating: None except for repressed homicidal thoughts?

---

By the time they reach the Hotel's entrance, Callaghan is relatively certain he's made clear the need for Krei to behave; intimidation is not something he particularly likes, but he reasons it's necessary, here. And even if Krei did talk- who would believe him? Robert's already been here long enough to feel that people would at least doubt, but he doesn't want any sort of rumor undermining what he's begun.

He's barely started to accept he has to make a life here, and now Krei's threatening it all with his mere presence.

But true to his words, he's brought him to safety. Pushing open the doors to the lobby, Callaghan takes a look around, then makes a gesture towards the sitting area.

"Stay there. I'll find Anton and explain."

Comments

[kreitech]

And Krei's been behaving as well as he can, spurred on by fear and the ever-deepening knowledge that he's so, so far out of his league it's not even funny. Callaghan's been here for months. He knows where he's going, he knows people. People who evidently haven't discovered just how badly cracked Callaghan is, or don't care. Either option is cause for more than a little bit of worry on Krei's part--he doesn't know if Callaghan has the mask or the microbots here, isn't sure if he really wants to know.

He knows that Callaghan is still angry enough to threaten to smash his face, and that's enough for Krei.

He nods silently, hands in the pockets of his slacks now that the blood's stopped seeping from his busted lip, and wanders over in the general direction indicated by the other man. The place isn't half bad looking, honestly. A bit rustic for his tastes, but beggars can't be choosers. Isn't that what they say?

It's hard to remember that one. He's never been a beggar before.

[pushtheboundaries]

Only when they're alone. Callaghan is well aware that if he does ever act, he's going to need the mask. Thankfully, there are very, very few people here who know of it, or even the microbots.

If it gets to the point where he has to act, he should be able to. And this time, he won't waste time.

For now, though, his focus is on more current needs. Thankfully, Anton doesn't take long to find, and he hopes he can be forgiven for getting straight to the point;

"I need a favor."

[gistful]

It's usually a good bet that if Anton isn't in the lobby he's in his office or the kitchen--usually the kitchen. That was the case now, doing some washing-up that had been neglected in spite of the signs requesting patrons do their own dishes.

"Certainly," Anton answered with a lifted eyebrow, reaching for a towel to dry his hands. Callaghan was significantly more ... focussed, in a way, and yet distracted in another. It was most unlike his usual demeanour, which even when focussed was not usually filled with such tension. How strange. "What is the trouble?"

[pushtheboundaries]

"Alistair Krei." He only pauses for a beat, because he knows that name won't mean much to Anton; he's only opened so much about his past, here, to anyone. He's certainly avoided subjects that cause tension, and if anyone gets his blood pressure up... "He's from my world, and he's the kind of businessman who knows just enough about what he's doing to get others in trouble. I don't think he can, here, but he still needs a place to stay until I figure things out."

He's not outright asking for Anton to help keep an eye on him, but he's aware that he can't completely ignore Krei. As much as he'd like to, say, find a hole to throw him in.

"You can put him to work doing whatever you want," he continues, "but I wouldn't trust him with anything you can't go without."

A glance over his shoulder, towards the lobby- he can't see him from there, but he can only hope Alistair's still overwhelmed enough by everything to not go wandering off.

[gistful]

"I see," Anton said slowly, considering Callaghan, his expression and his body language and what he wasn't saying. Anton was no detective--but he still knew at the very least rage when he saw it. "Certainly, he may have a room here; however, if you are asking that I inform you of his activities you know that that would contravene his right to privacy as the Hotel's patron."

It was a reminder, stated simply and without accusation. The parts about Krei not being trustworthy were comments Anton chose not to remark upon; Callaghan clearly had some sort of bias, and while it could very well be legitimate Anton would discover that for himself once Krei had spent enough time at the Hotel. "He is in the lobby, I presume?"

[pushtheboundaries]

Callaghan himself would have happily gone the rest of his life without seeing Krei again, but he would like to think he's doing a good job of keeping back his fury. About as well as he did at the showcase, anyway. But there is an undeniable threat, here, and if this buys him time to think of a proper plan...

"As long as you know he has the potential to be trouble." It's flat, matter of fact, and warning in itself. But he doesn't plan to press, instead moving on to the question. "He should be. I ran in to him-" well, the other way around "-while he was trying to outrun some thugs. I imagine he could use some rest."

[gistful]

"Everyone has the potential to be trouble," said Anton simply. "That is why the Midnight Hotel exists; to minimise the trouble for all in at least one location, regardless of when it began. Shall we?" He hung up the towel turned to stride toward the lobby without picking up his coat. In spite of that, even with his rolled-up sleeves, with his tie and waistcoat he still managed to look like a funeral director.

[kreitech]

Callaghan's not far off the mark. After meandering slowly through the room for a minute or two, Krei drops unceremoniously into a chair and sits there with one arm propped up on the arm of the chair, cradling his forehead. He's still too wired from the events of the day to doze off, but it's the first bit of peace he's had since crashing into Robert in that alley. It's just enough time to look back on the events of the last several hours with a growing sense of dismay.

At the eventual sound of footsteps he pushes himself back to his feet, re-buttoning the front of his suit jacket. He spares a quick glance at the unfamiliar man accompanying Callaghan, but he's going to stay quiet until proper introductions are made. It's the polite thing to do, and Alistair Krei is rarely anything but polite.

He'll even try to keep the anxiety from his face when he looks back over at Callaghan. Which may or may not succeed. He's not exactly bringing his A-game today.

[pushtheboundaries]

All that gets is an unhappy 'mmm'; as much as he wants to further stress it, what will it do? He's said his piece, and even that involved an admission that Alistair might not be at high risk from trouble here and now. But who knows?

The sooner he can step back from this and think, the better.

He follows Anton back in to the lobby, frown only deepening as Krei returns into sight. At least he stayed in place, and that is what he'd ask-demanded...

"Anton- Alistair Krei. Alistair- this is Anton Shudder, the proprietor of the hotel."

There's the urge to add something along the lines of while you're here, you do as he says- but the look in his face will have to speak for that.

[gistful]

The tension was practically palpable, and Callaghan's words almost clipped as if he was withholding something at the end. If Anton had had any doubts of there being bad blood here, they would have been gone; but at the same time, it was curious. Alistair Krei, from his nervous movements, wasn't a soldier. In the public arena in some fashion, but hardly a fighter. And the anxious glance he gave to Callaghan? That was the look of a frightened man.

Anton had a nagging and unwelcome suspicion that it wasn't Krei he'd have to watch, at least when these two were in the room together.

"Mister Krei," he said, offering his hand to the newcomer with a gentle smile. "How much has the professor informed you of this establishment?" Anton was striking primarily in his impassivity. In spite of the genuineness of the smile, the man presented as someone impossible to ruffle--primarily because he was impossible to ruffle.

[kreitech]

The offered hand might have been enough to put Krei at ease were Callaghan not standing right there. Handshakes are normal. He's used to handshakes. As it is, it helps, but there's still that lingering feeling of dread. Any friend of Callaghan's....

Nevertheless he takes the hand, offering a smile of his own. He normally has a very charming smile, although it's a little smaller than usual today--he's trying not to start his busted lip bleeding again. Probably wouldn't do to go bleeding all over the hotel. "A pleasure."

At the question he glances over at Callaghan. It could almost be called a glare. Almost. One eyebrow raises just slightly. "Not at all, to be honest."

[pushtheboundaries]

But Krei, Callaghan is keeping his hands to himself. They're at his pockets, and he looks only so different than he did at the showcase. That's not threatening at all.

(He couldn't set the hotel on fire if he tried.)

"I told him it was safe, and that he could stay here while he got his bearings," he informs Anton with a sideways look. Maybe not word for word, but close enough to such. I doubt even you can get in trouble. "I haven't touched on the magic, if that's what you're wondering."

His gaze may be trailing back towards Alistair, if only to see what his reaction to the m-word is.

[gistful]

"I see," said Anton, catching the trailing glance. It was a testing glance, and he recalled Callaghan's disbelief about magic. Krei was likely not aware of the potential, either. Anton inclined his head toward Krei. "If you'll follow me to the desk--" He nodded toward it, turning with his arm extended to guide Krei in its direction. "--I shall tend your injury and explain the details. You are not familiar with magic or magical theory, correct?"

A few days after the above thread

[gistful]

Anton took a few days to observe Krei, how he interacted with the other Hotel patrons, and come to his own conclusions about the man. Although he was clearly unused to poverty (Anton didn't miss the occasional expression when Krei looked at the Hotel's furniture and utilities) and with a special type of corresponding arrogance to go with it, Krei was generally amiable. A businessman, yes, and it was possible he was far more manipulative than was visible in a handful of days, but Anton had known a number of very manipulative people in his time. Three of them, in fact, were in Keeliai with him. He doubted Krei was one such man.

Regardless, Callaghan quite obviously had issues with the man and in light of that fact Anton went to pay a visit a few days after Krei's arrival at the Hotel. He turned up at Callaghan's door and knocked. He was carrying a thermos of pre-made coffee, a jar of coffee-beans and several boxes of takeaway-style foods (some Japanese, some not).

[pushtheboundaries]

These are a very frustrating set of days.

Callaghan wouldn't go so far as to say it's the worst set he's ever had, but he's tired, he's grumpy, and he's brooding. Burying himself in projects offers some relief, and patiently working with the metal coils he's obtained as he tries to work the wires small enough for actual conduction...

The knock jars his concentration. He grimaces at first, then sighs, then tucks the materials away in the desk's drawer. A few moments later and he's at the door, face clouded at first- and then the clouds part to show surprise.

"Anton?"

Of all people...

[gistful]

"Professor." Anton inclined his head and lifted the bag. "I have food, in the event you have been finding it difficult to make meals--" Code for 'brooding overly much'. Anton was familiar with the type. "--and I have coffee in the event you've none left and cannot make it to the Hotel in the near future. May I come in?"

The best way to address anger and anxieties, Anton had found, was simply to continue forward as though they were objects which were fully capable of being addressed and resolved. Which they were. It was just difficult to see while in the midst of them.

[pushtheboundaries]

Robert Callaghan does not brood overly much, he broods exactly enough. Possibly. Maybe. With the addition of a certain Hamada, though, it's suddenly all the more engrossing. If there almost seems to be a few more stressed lines in his face, well...

...surely, that's just a matter of imagination. It does seem to take another moment for everything to process, though, his eyes wandering from the bag to Anton before he moves aside, realizing his hesitation and rudeness.

"Yes, of course- sorry. It's a little messy in here," he adds ruefully, "I've had a few things on my mind."

Callaghan's place is rather small and spartan, so there isn't much to keep clean. Sparse furniture, a few dividing pieces, and the work table that clearly sees the most use.

[gistful]

"I've no judgements to make," Anton said simply and entered to place the bags on the nearest clean surface. He went ahead with unpacking it, resulting in a stack of containers in Callaghan's kitchen--as well as a thermos of hot coffee. Judgement or no, Anton's gaze took in the surroundings, or at least the sparseness of them. The fact that Callaghan was the sort to dive into work at the cost of all else would not have surprised him. "When did you eat last?"

[pushtheboundaries]

When the work allowed him to clear his head? Definitely. To be fair, it's not cleared, but it did offer some relief from certain other thoughts running through it. Nonetheless, he seemed attentive enough here, watching Anton unpack with a small furrow in his brow before moving to the pantry and pulling out a few dishes.

"It hasn't been too long. I had something this morning." It was water, and it's past noon now. That moment when you were as bad as your old students, and deliberately ignoring acknowledging such. At least his limits tend to come up sooner than theirs, when it comes to sustenance. "Though now you've got me curious as to the occasion."

[gistful]

"You are my friend and you are troubled," said Anton, folding up the bag, "and I supposed you might need or desire the opportunity to speak your mind properly. I need no occasion other than that. Coffee?"

He uncapped the thermos. He'd brought the beans, of course, but no point in using them up when he could just as easily bring some of his own already ready to drink. All they needed was an extra mug.

[pushtheboundaries]

Those weren't words he'd heard often, if at all, and for a moment it showed; there was a flicker of bemusement across his face before it passed, dropping in to a more neutral expression. "You might be disappointed- there's only so much to talk about," he noted, setting down that second mug on the table.

Only so much he could think of, at least. Well, there was the obvious, but...he was trying not to think about that, to be quite honest.

[gistful]

"You may be surprised." Anton poured the coffee and handed the mug to Callaghan, opting to keep the thermos lid for himself. "I had a friend, a long time ago. He was one of the holiest men I've ever seen--a psychologist before psychology was invented. He always said it isn't the length of the conversation which holds greatest importance, it's the feeling in it."

Of course, Hopeless had also been a mind-reader. That little detail made it very easy to understand people and very difficult to maintain his sense of self. Either way, Anton had heard that very same line directed Hopeless's way far too often to lend it much credence, usually spoken by one or another of the unit. It was a denial more than a truth.

[pushtheboundaries]

Accepting it with a nod, Callaghan mulled over the words as he took a single sip. Another brief flicker in his expression, this one in reaction to the taste, and then it moved back in to pensive.

"So- what feeling were you looking for in this one?"

It's the most polite way he could think of to say say 'get to the point'. Not that he didn't appreciate the gesture and visit, but suspicion only meant so much.

[gistful]

"I haven't the faintest," Anton said easily. "I am no psychologist. But it was rather impossible to miss the tension between you and Mister Krei--" Especially since Callaghan had come to him directly to warn him. "--and I had thought you may appreciate the opportunity to tell me about him in more detail, now we're in private."

Which, Hopeless would say, was just a means to get Callaghan talking and determine the feeling himself.

[pushtheboundaries]

And there it was. Robert took another sip of the coffee, this time to steady himself as he considered just how much to share. What could he say, though? He'd warned him against him, that he wasn't to be trusted, and...wasn't quite dismissed, but he could tell that he'd only been heeded so much. And now Anton came to hear more?

He closed his eyes for a long moment.

"...We were involved in a project, some time ago. It went wrong, and his choices made it worse. Someone...innocent...paid for those, and to this day he considers it all nothing more than a setback."

His tone was flat, tight, and with the way his throat closed off at the end- it all suggested this was not a particularly welcome subject.