Mid-September 2012: Featherhead, South Dakota, Regent Office Building; The Warehouse

[damncompass]

Joshua pulled into Featherhead about an hour later than expected, running up the stairs, and into a room occupied by two other people.

"Sorry I'm late, guys. Got out of Minneapolis late, and everything spiralled from there."

Comments

[k39zzz]

"Good. He did seem to have the best shot at fitting in with the group we currently have."
And it seemed like he needed the community the Warehouse can give its people.

[firstprotector]

"Yes. And with this confirmation, we can move on to other pressing matters." He leans back in his chair for a moment, thoughtful, but does not go on.

[damncompass]

"Yeah, like how I am failing miserably with talking to Artie about anything at all." Joshua sighs, shaking his head. "I'm trying, but every time I open my mouth, he cuts me off and won't let me say anything."

[k39zzz]

"He's not used to having to justify himself, and probably doesn't think you'll answer his questions in kind, if he asks them. I wouldn't be surprised if he's also assuming you and Claudia have teamed up against him, but your sister's too sensible to do that."

[firstprotector]

"You do have the authority to overrule him, Joshua." He raises an eyebrow at the other man. "And perhaps this is the moment to do so. I believe Agent Wells has been a little stir-crazy of late."

[damncompass]

"She has." Joshua winces. "I'll see what I can do. Claud did mention before I left that there was a small ping in California." He chews his lip for a moment, thoughtful. "She probably could just use a damn break too."

[k39zzz]

"Better that we give her something to do before she finds herself a project, definitely."
Especially since she's pretty sure Helena could make Joshua's dissertation into something viable.

[firstprotector]

"Quite. I am certain that she has been working on something, best stop her before she does more." He pauses. "Also, Joshua, please keep an eye out for things in Denver. I believe that Myka will be ready to return soon. She needs us more than she realizes."

[damncompass]

"Will do. I was kinda watching, but I'll have Claud put a more firm ping on Denver." He nods, and pulls out a notepad, writing himself a note.

After a few more minutes of light conversation, Joshua gets up, makes his excuses and goes back to the Warehouse.

Once he gets there, he lets Claud know about Denver, and then goes off to find Helena on the Warehouse floor.

[timelessinventor]

Helena is dong inventory, and getting really bloody sick of it. Given that, Joshua makes for a welcome distraction. "Hello, darling."

[damncompass]

"Hey, you." He kisses her on the cheek, and holds out a file he stole from Claud's desk. "Got something for you."

[timelessinventor]

...Is that a case file? She grabs it before it can vanish in a puff of smoke. "Oh, thank god." She flips through the file; something relevant to their interests is going up for auction. "Well, that looks simple enough. Thank you."

[damncompass]

"Take some time off, Helena." He smiles, reaching out and taking her hand. "You need to get out of here for a while. Take the weekend, and just... do something. Go crazy. It's not as if anyone really pays attention to your credit card bill anyway."

[timelessinventor]

"Not anyone who would protest, anyway. I'd gladly have you along, but given how soon the new recruit's meant to be here, it may not be wise." Helena hugs Joshua. "Thank you, darling, this will do me a world of good."

And with that, she heads off to see about getting herself packed and ready to go.

[damncompass]

"Don't forget to call, love." He watches her go with a smile, then picks up the clipboard she left on the shelf and finishes the bit of inventory himself.

When he finishes, he takes the clipboard up to the office and lays it on Artie's desk.

[claudiometer]

"What - what's this?"

Claudia rolls her eyes. "An inventory clipboard, Artie. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept."

"I thought Helena was doing inventory."

"And... I thought she just headed out to go on a ping?"

Artie splutters some more, and Claudia sighs. Really? No really seriously.

[damncompass]

"She was, Artie. I sent her to California to pick up Tesla's tool set. It's a simple enough snag, even with all of the Tesla fanatics out there." He shrugs. "She left mid-sheet, so I finished her inventory for her."

[claudiometer]

"Why isn't someone going with her?"

Claudia sighs again. "We're all busy, you're too butthurt to work with her and there's a noob on his way in so maybe Joshua thinks he should be here for--"

"Wait, what?" Artie turns to face Joshua. "There's a new - why didn't you think to mention this?"

[damncompass]

"Artie, she's a fully-trained Warehouse Agent with a badge. I think she can at least pick something up at an auction." He pauses, and a horrified look crosses his face.

"You... you didn't know? Artie, I swear, I thought you did."

[claudiometer]

"And how did she know? Why are you giving Claudia special treatment?"

"Oh, for godsakes, Artie, it's not special treatment! I just ask questions and let him finish a sentence afterward. Bet he thought his boss told you and his boss thought he told you, or something. Besides, we were sharing a hotel room when he had to go help read the new guy in."
She didn't so much ask where Joshua had been as 'so that was the noob?', but that's beside the point.

[damncompass]

"What she said, Artie. I'm not giving her any special treatment. She just asks questions and listens to the answers. Hold on a sec." He goes and rummages in his bag, returning with a file. "His name is Agent Steve Jinks, and he's from the ATF."

[claudiometer]

Artie snatches the file and stalks off, muttering under his breath.

Claudia facepalms. "Well, that went well."

[damncompass]

"Fuck. Just... fuck." Joshua grabs his bag and starts to the office door. "Can't fucking do anything right."

[claudiometer]

"Hey, none of that, Artie's butthurt is his problem, not yours."

[damncompass]

He hears Claudia, but doesn't really react. He's already out the door and going down the stairs.