( In playing catch up, he now realizes Donna knows Rusty DeBrande - and that The Ivory Tower is back in play. )
Buffy loved that.
( Not. He probably put a target on everyone's backs. And Buffy has friends. And while she's mellowed out, much like Klaus in different ways, she still holds a hell of a grudge. )
The Riverboat is where the ... rowdier members of the Tower spend their time. They run the business to funnel in people to feed on, and it's just ... a swinging good time.
[Not Donna's speed, obviously. She knows how to have fun but that's too much fun.]
Wallace and Corsair tend to spend their time there.
["I wasn't sure how we were going to get aboard, but fortunately some vampires who have ties to the Tower are willing to help us, as they're looking for a little vengeance themselves."
Donna raises an eyebrow, but Rusty shakes his head. "Better you don't know until after it's done."]
Just paying forward a warning. We'll have plenty of manpower for this one.
[And after a pause, he turns to Harvey.]
After this, the Gauntlet is likely going to escalate. Ezra is probably going to be recalled back to the Colony. He's valuable, and they likely don't want him getting damaged in the process. I'll be reaching out to him myself but ... we're moving into the end game. Whatever next moves you make, be careful. I would fly under the radar if possible.
[Rusty nods, before stepping away. He's intruded on their evening enough. "Stay safe." And with that, he'll head out the door and disappear around the corner.
Once he's gone, Donna sags some, letting some of shields down because if it's just Harvey, he's proved he can handle it.]
This is bad, Harvey. Brannigan ... he isn't no one. Moves are going to be made based on this.
It sounds like he made a move of his own, Donna. And it backfired. Besides, if there are no survivors, nobody knows just yet. Let's focus on our clients' safety.
( He realizes this could also destabilize the The Tower, but she's always kept him separate. )
[She nods and heads off to make calls, that will pick up in the Underground threads! But for now we will jump back out to the front where Carroll has arrived, eyeing the two actual attorneys who are chatting and a teenage girl she doesn't know.
And also his brother at the bar. Sigh.
But he'll make his way over and give the group a wave.]
( His brother resents that sigh, but he's not surprised by it. Yes, the job keeps his eyes on his younger brother (he has older brothers with their eyes on him), but, everyone has to eat, Carr, and he contributes to rent and to cooking. He's not Barrie Jr., but he can hold his own. And this way, it's not just repurposed ramen. Not that he doesn't do a mean ramen.
As Cormac refills another lawyer's red wine, he glances in his brother's direction, smirks, and winks. Hey buddy.
Connor and the group have commandeered Gretchen's desk because it's just out of earshot of the other associates, and so they don't have to hold their glasses the entire time.
Connor is not a Thanksgiving person. There was a time he liked all the holidays with his big, loud midwestern family, but then he became a member of the Keating 5, a national news headline, and a colossal disappointment. His mother and father try. But, they have their opinions. And continue to disparage Ollie any time he manages to get them on the phone.
They need to realize, it's over. It's not a trick. He's moving on. He has a respectable job at a prodigious firm.
And right now that respectable job scores him and his new friends an open bar. )
Happy Thanksgiving. ( The alcohol and the company is enough to wash the stain of his decisions off of this holiday. His family is back home as he speaks. Maybe he'll go back for Christmas.
Carroll is an interesting one. He's lithe, long limbs and great hair, but he mostly keeps to himself. He does the work in a record amount of time but delivers it with very little fanfare. Most paralegals like to take the credit (like they should), but he seems disinterested. ) Maude, this is Carroll. He's a paralegal, and one of our best, but don't call him that to his face, or else he'll deny it. He's also very Irish. Welcome to American thanksgiving, lawyer-style. There's a buffet, an open bar, and a hot bartender, but I don't think he plays for our team. I didn't see him on Humpr.
( What a waste of an accent. Or, right, sympathetic and apologetic feelings kicking in... now. )
Oh. Sorry. I'd never imply -- ( He'd be surprised how much incest came up in Annalise's clinic, and then trial. Not something he needed to think back to, or accidentally implicate. ) I'll downgrade him to cute.
( For Carroll. Because, deep down and quietly, he has his own designs. And the old Connor wouldn't be stopped by someone playing for the other team. Not really. But, he's no longer pursuing dead ends. Because everything feels like a dead end. At least until he joined the firm. )
Or, nobody gangs up on anyone. And we just have a great time, and change the subject. Like, Carroll. Welcome to the dark side. Nice to finally see you at one of these things.
[He's kidding. It's nice bonding with his coworkers, or knowing that his presence is enjoyed. Especially since he doesn't feel as though he's made much of an impression beyond being a very good paralegal.]
[Carroll nods, before taking a breath and turning to head over to where his brother is hanging behind the bar. He leans on the bar, scanning the bottles, before giving a shrug.]
Surprise me.
[There are too many drink options locked in his mind somewhere and he doesn't feel like going to retrieve them to decide what he wants best. He trusts his brother not to poison him.]
( Connor deliberately keeps his attention on Robin and his sister, despite wants to watch Carroll walk over to the makeshift bar. And, yes, the brother beyond. He's hot. He's over it. Everyone's over it. Stop bringing it up!
Cormac throws away a dead bottle of vodka before untwisting another and sticking a pour spout on top. )
Look what the cat dragged in. ( He smirks, leaning forward. If he didn't have a bar between them, he'd pull him in for a big, Ford hug. But, he's being professional. And his brother wouldn't want that, would he? ) Is that any way to greet your brother who's providing you libations on this fine American holiday? ( Enough of giving his brother shit. ) Dangerous, asking a bartender to surprise you. ( But he knows his brother. He has a wide palette, much like their older brothers, so it's just about what's appropriate in the here and now. And with a plastic cup. ) Think ya' need a dirty martini, but in lieu of a martini glass, I think I'll pour you a nice gin fizz.
( Might wake him up.
Also, in all of that is an implied: "Thank you for recommending me for this job." )
[Connor may be pointedly not looking, but Robin's done enough not looking in his life to recognize it when he sees it (19). He won't call him out on it though. Just makes a note for later.
Carroll looks up at his brother and rolls his eyes.]
I trust you not to kill me. You already tried that when I was seven.
[And he didn't succeed. Then again, they were the brothers with the most unfortunate powers, so maybe that's why they band together. Cormac always knows when you're trying to hide something, and Carroll never forgets a slight.]
Since you haven't tried since, I figure we're square.
( It's equal opportunity, okay? It's the foot he put in his mouth and the quiet enigma that is Carroll. But it'll be a long time before he even does anything because he doesn't want anything from him and that's when he operates best. It will take a lot to let his guard down. Or, maybe that's what he tells himself. )
Well, I tried selling you, but no one would buy, not even old lady Crandle. ( a box with a bairne. a good price! that his brother couldn't breathe in there, well, he discovered it in time! ) We've come a long way.
( And don't even try to kill each other as roommates.
He pours soda to top his brother's drink and sticks a straw inside setting it down before him. )
( A double nod to that, slainte, he says, lifting his own concoction he's been sipping from. )
Careful around that one.
( But, it's as playful as his brother makes it. They seem to be good people, least when they order a drink. )
Really scratching that itch?
( He's not clear what itch it should be scratching, but of all his siblings, Carroll seems to know the least about what he wants. Don't get Cormac, wrong, he's still without a direction himself. He makes money to make money and stay out from under his father and mother's thumb. But, he knows deep down what he wants. Enough, anyway.
As snarky as he is, he likes honesty and integrity best. Honor. Hard not to with his ability. )
[Carroll shrugs in response to that question because he can't say he's sure either way. It isn't so much as him not knowing what to do with his life, but more not really sure where he would be successful with his ... limitations. Staying in the moment, being proactive? Not really one of his strong suits unless there's a life-or-death situation on the line.
And he doesn't think he'd be a good first responder. Not with what he would gravitate towards.
He likes the law - or at least likes archiving it. He likes reading through the reasoned arguments and applying them to the cases needed here. He doesn't think he would be a good lawyer, though, so where does he go from paralegal?
( He doubts that, because the law sounds boring, but he's not about to yuck his brother's yum. He likes seeing him focused on something. And not too focused as he's forced to be. He likes when he plays fast and loose with his decisions, settles in, lets himself be. None of his brothers or him are the careful sort, really. Maybe Barrie with his girls. But, Carroll moves through the world a little differently. )
Well, good on ya'. Finding somewhere. Finding your people. Or, a people. ( He gives a look around. ) I like it in here. You can see everything. All the glass. People can't hide. Lawyers have it right.
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everyonelives2025-03-12 08:39 pm
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Buffy loved that.
( Not. He probably put a target on everyone's backs. And Buffy has friends. And while she's mellowed out, much like Klaus in different ways, she still holds a hell of a grudge. )
There's a Riverboat?
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[Not Donna's speed, obviously. She knows how to have fun but that's too much fun.]
Wallace and Corsair tend to spend their time there.
["I wasn't sure how we were going to get aboard, but fortunately some vampires who have ties to the Tower are willing to help us, as they're looking for a little vengeance themselves."
Donna raises an eyebrow, but Rusty shakes his head. "Better you don't know until after it's done."]
Fair enough.
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( Or, was this just about information? )
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[And after a pause, he turns to Harvey.]
After this, the Gauntlet is likely going to escalate. Ezra is probably going to be recalled back to the Colony. He's valuable, and they likely don't want him getting damaged in the process. I'll be reaching out to him myself but ... we're moving into the end game. Whatever next moves you make, be careful. I would fly under the radar if possible.
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We'll reach out to our other witch clients. Get them to go to ground.
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[Rusty nods, before stepping away. He's intruded on their evening enough. "Stay safe." And with that, he'll head out the door and disappear around the corner.
Once he's gone, Donna sags some, letting some of shields down because if it's just Harvey, he's proved he can handle it.]
This is bad, Harvey. Brannigan ... he isn't no one. Moves are going to be made based on this.
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( He realizes this could also destabilize the The Tower, but she's always kept him separate. )
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I'll head back to my office to make some calls. I'll be back out in a bit.
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( the associates )
When it dies down, I'll join you. If you have to leave a voicemail be vague. We just want to touch base. It's gonna' be okay.
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And also his brother at the bar. Sigh.
But he'll make his way over and give the group a wave.]
Happy Thanksgiving.
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As Cormac refills another lawyer's red wine, he glances in his brother's direction, smirks, and winks. Hey buddy.
Connor and the group have commandeered Gretchen's desk because it's just out of earshot of the other associates, and so they don't have to hold their glasses the entire time.
Connor is not a Thanksgiving person. There was a time he liked all the holidays with his big, loud midwestern family, but then he became a member of the Keating 5, a national news headline, and a colossal disappointment. His mother and father try. But, they have their opinions. And continue to disparage Ollie any time he manages to get them on the phone.
They need to realize, it's over. It's not a trick. He's moving on. He has a respectable job at a prodigious firm.
And right now that respectable job scores him and his new friends an open bar. )
Happy Thanksgiving. ( The alcohol and the company is enough to wash the stain of his decisions off of this holiday. His family is back home as he speaks. Maybe he'll go back for Christmas.
Carroll is an interesting one. He's lithe, long limbs and great hair, but he mostly keeps to himself. He does the work in a record amount of time but delivers it with very little fanfare. Most paralegals like to take the credit (like they should), but he seems disinterested. ) Maude, this is Carroll. He's a paralegal, and one of our best, but don't call him that to his face, or else he'll deny it. He's also very Irish. Welcome to American thanksgiving, lawyer-style. There's a buffet, an open bar, and a hot bartender, but I don't think he plays for our team. I didn't see him on Humpr.
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Carroll flashes her a smile.]
I won't hold it against you that you're English then.
[She laughs. "I appreciate it. Much better to gang up on the Americans instead."
He grins, before nodding at Connor's assessment.]
You're right, he doesn't. Sorry to disappoint.
[He will not be giving more context about how he knows that unless you ask. He probably should, but he's not thinking that far ahead.]
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( He missed it because of research for a case, but heard stories. Apparently, the bartender runs very hot and cold. But, to Connor, that's hot.
He sips from his cup, disappointed, but over it for the time being.
Hey, what a minute! )
Does the American get a vote?
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That's my brother.
[So no, he hasn't tried. That would be gross. And illegal. Robin smirks as he takes another sip of his drink.
"Well, you did fight a revolution for it. Would be a shame if we didn't give it to him."
Maude shakes her head at her brother. "Don't bring up revolutions. They might realize they have reason to band together against us."]
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Oh. Sorry. I'd never imply -- ( He'd be surprised how much incest came up in Annalise's clinic, and then trial. Not something he needed to think back to, or accidentally implicate. ) I'll downgrade him to cute.
( For Carroll. Because, deep down and quietly, he has his own designs. And the old Connor wouldn't be stopped by someone playing for the other team. Not really. But, he's no longer pursuing dead ends. Because everything feels like a dead end. At least until he joined the firm. )
Or, nobody gangs up on anyone. And we just have a great time, and change the subject. Like, Carroll. Welcome to the dark side. Nice to finally see you at one of these things.
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Figured there wasn't much else to do today.
[He's kidding. It's nice bonding with his coworkers, or knowing that his presence is enjoyed. Especially since he doesn't feel as though he's made much of an impression beyond being a very good paralegal.]
Plus who says no to free food and booze?
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( No, no, he doesn't care about the hot brother. )
Order something, join us, and then help raid the buffet. I hear there's turkey and ham.
( And it actually makes it feel like home just a bit more than it could. Also, Carroll needs to get on their level, like yesterday. )
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Surprise me.
[There are too many drink options locked in his mind somewhere and he doesn't feel like going to retrieve them to decide what he wants best. He trusts his brother not to poison him.]
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Cormac throws away a dead bottle of vodka before untwisting another and sticking a pour spout on top. )
Look what the cat dragged in. ( He smirks, leaning forward. If he didn't have a bar between them, he'd pull him in for a big, Ford hug. But, he's being professional. And his brother wouldn't want that, would he? ) Is that any way to greet your brother who's providing you libations on this fine American holiday? ( Enough of giving his brother shit. ) Dangerous, asking a bartender to surprise you. ( But he knows his brother. He has a wide palette, much like their older brothers, so it's just about what's appropriate in the here and now. And with a plastic cup. ) Think ya' need a dirty martini, but in lieu of a martini glass, I think I'll pour you a nice gin fizz.
( Might wake him up.
Also, in all of that is an implied: "Thank you for recommending me for this job." )
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Carroll looks up at his brother and rolls his eyes.]
I trust you not to kill me. You already tried that when I was seven.
[And he didn't succeed. Then again, they were the brothers with the most unfortunate powers, so maybe that's why they band together. Cormac always knows when you're trying to hide something, and Carroll never forgets a slight.]
Since you haven't tried since, I figure we're square.
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Well, I tried selling you, but no one would buy, not even old lady Crandle. ( a box with a bairne. a good price! that his brother couldn't breathe in there, well, he discovered it in time! ) We've come a long way.
( And don't even try to kill each other as roommates.
He pours soda to top his brother's drink and sticks a straw inside setting it down before him. )
Those your lawyer friends?
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They're good people. Even Robin, despite the fact that he's English.
[He will let that joke die one day, but English vs. Irish is always going to be a thing. He picks up the drink and takes a sip with a pleased noise.]
It's not been too bad working here.
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Careful around that one.
( But, it's as playful as his brother makes it. They seem to be good people, least when they order a drink. )
Really scratching that itch?
( He's not clear what itch it should be scratching, but of all his siblings, Carroll seems to know the least about what he wants. Don't get Cormac, wrong, he's still without a direction himself. He makes money to make money and stay out from under his father and mother's thumb. But, he knows deep down what he wants. Enough, anyway.
As snarky as he is, he likes honesty and integrity best. Honor. Hard not to with his ability. )
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And he doesn't think he'd be a good first responder. Not with what he would gravitate towards.
He likes the law - or at least likes archiving it. He likes reading through the reasoned arguments and applying them to the cases needed here. He doesn't think he would be a good lawyer, though, so where does he go from paralegal?
That's a question for another time.]
It's definitely not boring.
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Well, good on ya'. Finding somewhere. Finding your people. Or, a people. ( He gives a look around. ) I like it in here. You can see everything. All the glass. People can't hide. Lawyers have it right.
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