Participants:
| Scene Title | Uncertain Actions |
|---|---|
| Synopsis | Aric shares a discovery he made in Harlem with Niki. |
| Date | September 13, 2010 |
Redbird Security - Main Lobby
There's a sharp, professional feel to the main lobby of the building. The carpet is a deep maroon underfoot, the walls an off-white cream that doesn't glare too brightly beneath the recessed lighting in the ceiling. Half a dozen chairs upholstered in a sandy light brown sit against one wall beneath a painting, a print of a Thomas Brill that shows the ruins of Midtown covered in vines and greenery as seen from the rooftop of the Deveaux building. The receptionist's station takes up almost an entire wall on the right side of the lobby, guarding the hallway that leads back into the building's offices. Behind and above the desk, the logo for Redbird Security Solutions hangs on the wall in glossy black.
The central hall continues the same carpet and wall colors to a number of doors. There are four offices, a restroom done in shades of blue and pale sand tones, and a comfortable employee lounge with attached kitchenette. An open doorway in the main lobby reveals a flight of upward stairs, and there's a locked door at he end of the central hall that guards the basement steps.
It is close to curfew, yet Aric does not care at this point at the possible importance of the matter. After having spent the day in Harlem, Aric came straight to the Redbird building. He makes his way into the lobby and pauses to allow for his eyes to adjust. His left hand closed in a fist as if he was holding something.
He is currently clad in a pair of board shorts, a t-shirt of a puppet skeleton in a turban yelling in large red letters, "I kill you!" Aric nearly trips on his sandal as he grabs the wall to slide his foot in for better traction.
Every pencil has been sharpened and laid in a straight row. Every surface has been dusted. The windows have even been Windex'd. Niki sits back in the chair at the reception desk, staring at the ceiling. How does Peyton do it? When she hears the front doors swing open, the blonde is quick to right herself, putting on a congenial smile and ready to be The Face of Redbird Security.
The smile becomes a little more genuine when she sees who it is that's come to call. "Oh, hey Aric." Niki rises from her seat smoothly and comes around to the other side of the desk, resting back against it. Her black suit is sharp, professional, contrasted by a red camisole that peeks out beneath the jacket. "I was just thinking about closing up for the night, or I'm gonna end up having to sleep upstairs. What's up?"
Aric makes his way towards Niki and smiles softly. Thank God she is not a telepath. If I wasn't gay she might be able to turn me straight. She could give Jessica Alba a run for her money. He runs a hand through his long locks explains, "With me leaving tomorrow for Boston, I thought I should stop by and bring what I found today. I am not sure if I was meant to find it or if it is a fluke. I hear Liz was looking for these puzzle pieces that people are getting and well…I found one in an alley in Harlem while shopping today. Have you seen Liz around? I know Cardinal is out and all."
Aric lifts hand hand up and opens it to reveal a puzzle piece that reads, "Actions."
Niki's brows furrow, her smile fading slightly as Aric explains what's brought him in. "Liz is out for the night," she explains. "But I can make sure she gets it in the morning." She holds out her hand, palm up. "May I see it?" She doesn't presume to reach out and simply pluck it from his own hand. "I didn't receive one myself, but I think… a lot of people have been. I saw an ad in the paper about them, even."
Aric nods slowly, "Yeah I am not sure I would give anything to anyone with the peaches to place an ad in the paper." Aric takes the piece and places it in Niki's hand and asks, "I knew Liz was looking out for anyone who might get one…yet with all this…well stuff I have been hearing with timelines. I am wondering…was I meant to find this one? And what is the importance of "Actions" and me finding it. Ya know?"
Niki takes the piece from her palm between the opposite thumb and forefinger delicately. She studies first the minuscule picture fragment on the front, and then turns it over to read the writing on the back. "Actions," she repeats thoughtfully.
The blonde turns her focus back to Aric, tucking the piece carefully into her pocket. "I don't know what to make of any of it, either. But I'll make sure Liz gets it. I… Sometimes it seems like there's no such thing as coincidence in this city. Like everything is connected somehow, but… I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. If somebody put a puzzle like this out there, they want it solved. We'll have our answers eventually, I think."
Aric nods and asks, "Have you gotten a piece or known any one who has?" Aric leans against the counter crossing his arms over his chest.
Niki shakes her head. "I didn't. I'm not sure who has, but I know Liz has a collection of them. I don't know if she found them, like you did, or if they were actually sent to her or people she knows." She shrugs kind of helplessly. "How long will you be in Boston?"
"I am looking at a week. I am speaking on meditation and I am taking a few classes for myself to help quite my mind better. I still have days where I can't keep my thoughts to myself. Speaking of that….do you know an Abigail?" Aric cocks his head to the side curiously.
"I know an Abigail Beauchamp," Niki responds with a quizzical quirk to her brow. "Why?"
Aric hmmms, "I do not know if I got her last name…she refers to herself as Richard's Medic." He cocks an eyebrow curiously.
"That'd be the one," Niki murmurs with a bit of a smirk. "What about her?"
"How is she doing? I ummm…well got the pleasure of meeting her by chance…or well maybe fate. She came into the bookstore and nearly burnt me down…by accident of course." He chuckles softly, "She felt horrid and I just wanted to make sure she is cool. I felt kind of bad for her." He begins to laugh, "And I think she did not like the fact I studied the Occult…she called me a witch." He snickers softly.
Niki rubs at the bridge of her nose with something approaching - but not quite - annoyance. "Abby's… very particular about her beliefs. I wouldn't let her get to you, though. Once she gets to know you, she'll lighten up." Amusement creeps into her tone as she asks, "Did she really call you a witch?"
Aric chuckles softly, "She more or less asked me "Your a witch?". I did not want to upset her more. I barely got the fire out in the bathroom. She seems to mean well…store will be closed while I am gone. The damage is being repaired and I am gonna dedicate it to her…well not in so many words but it is being painted in all fire red."
"Niiice." Niki chuckles and checks the watch around her wrist. "We'd better get a move on before we get picked up for curfew violations. Do you need a ride?" She crosses around the desk again to retrieve a set of keys from the top drawer.
Aric blinks and nods, "I didn't even see the time. That would be awesome if you don't mind." Aric looks down at the puzzle piece, "If I can help with that…let Liz know. I will keep an eye out for any more yet I doubt I am that lucky." Aric begins to walk towards the door and holds it open for Niki.
"I'll be sure to tell Liz." Niki flicks off the lights as she goes, leaving the logo behind the desk illuminated impressively. She steps out with a gracious smile and waits for the door to swing shut behind Aric before she locks up. "I like to ride with the top down. Hope you don't mind."
Aric smirks, "Nothing like the wind in my hair. Sounds like fun…"