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[takeatrip]

[Text. Action.]

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[restingstitchface]

[Too bored. Too tired. Too exhausted to complain.]

I am aware of that. But today we are talking about one in particular.

[takeatrip]

You're making comparisons.

[Which means they're talking about all of them, but he just leaves that part implied. Besides, he cares less about being right than about his next question--]

It seems like you favor the Free Cities over the Fey; why is that?

[He's genuinely curious if there's some specific reason for it or not.]

[restingstitchface]

They offer a fertile environment: for business, education and research. My opportunities are greater. My chances for progression are higher. And I am living among people with an interest in science.

[Why conduct business with five thousand when you can trade with five hundred thousand?]

But most importantly they do not impose restrictions based on past association.

[Cough cough BLAKE.]

[takeatrip]

[That makes sense overall, for day to day life, but Jayden can't help feeling it's a very optimistic view on the situation overall.]

That's all true, but for how long? The Free Cities haven't exactly been subtle that they'd really like us to join their military.

[Though Jayden wonder if literally any Summoned have ever done so. Still, it's clear that's what they would like, considering Summoned are told 'good luck, you're on your own, UNLESS...' when they don't.]

[restingstitchface]

Well, they're asking we contribute. Considering this is where we make our home, I would say it's important we get along.

[That is not to say he doesn't understand why most in their community are worried.]

[takeatrip]

Get along, sure, I'm not suggesting we cause problems unless we have to. But we don't owe them anything for bringing us here.

[None of them asked for this, and being expected to 'contribute' in return for being abducted sure is audacious.]

[restingstitchface]

Well, I will have to disagree: but at this point arguing about semantics is unproductive. I would advise you to play along.

[takeatrip]

[He almost makes a quip about how touching it is that Crane cares, but decides not to be antagonistic about it.]

I don't intend to make enemies with any of the factions' leadership.

[Which is both a neutral statement and an honest one. He doesn't intend to cause problems unless he has no other choice; he knows what governments are like, considering he works for one.]

[restingstitchface]

[The reasons for his apparent gratitude are entirely personal and private.]

Well, doing so would be counterproductive for a man interested in keeping things on the level.

[takeatrip]

[Jayden would argue that doing so would be counterproductive for most people, but that really would be pedantic, so he keeps it to himself. Instead, he offers a more casual--]

I was never really one for politics anyway.

[restingstitchface]

Neither was I. But it found my anyway.

[Playground brawling. Student relationships. Workplace politics. Petitioning for funding at social events at dusk, escaping from office parties at night.]

[takeatrip]

Office politics or politics-politics?

[Because they're different, but also in so many ways the same.]

[restingstitchface]

[Honestly? His experience is a bit from one, a bit from the other.]

Is there a difference?

[Of course there is: he's joking and his tone makes that clear.]

[takeatrip]

Only how prepared you are.

[At least in politics-politics you go into it willingly; office politics aren't actually necessary and that makes them worse.]

[restingstitchface]

Now, this is probably unsurprising to you, but I do make a habit of being prepared.

[He just sometimes - you know - makes bold decisions.]

[takeatrip]

So do I, but every so often you end up in a really weird office.

[He hates working with police; sometimes the individual officers are okay, but police departments overall are just so strange and the one he'd dealt with recently had been a great example of that.]

[restingstitchface]

And sometimes you end up in jail.

[Life is a game! But what's the meaning of playing if you can't have a little bit of fun?]

Or not. We are discussing politics, after all.

[takeatrip]

Politicians, criminals, usually the same thing.

[Although he does have to add--]

I can say I've never personally seen office politics lead to jail time. Unfortunately.

[Because there's definitely on instance he's thinking that should have, but overall that is an outlier.]

[restingstitchface]

[There is something pleasant about this conversation - to have someone hanging on his words without trying to provoke him. It gives his lilt a bit of patter.]

Well, I have. There was a bitter dispute about exchanging shifts so amazingly I resolved it by denying each their holiday. What is that saying? Work is like prison?

[takeatrip]

Something like that.

[Especially with Crane in charge, it seems, though ultimately the anecdote isn't exactly that serious. Besides, as far as bad bosses go--]

Sure felt like it at the last police station I worked a case with, which is fitting, I guess.

[restingstitchface]

[Oh? Interesting.]

Ah, well it would have to be, wouldn't it?

[Cause, you know, police stations have jail cells, eyyyy.]

[takeatrip]

Yeah, but the office part's supposed to be okay, though this one was in Philadelphia.

[So really, what can you expect?]

[restingstitchface]

[Entertainment?]

Well, nobody likes Philadelphia.

[takeatrip]

With good reason. I was only there for four days and you couldn't pay me enough to go back.

[He will bitch about Philadelphia as long as he can get away with it.]

[restingstitchface]

Continue denouncing the place and I might exile you there. Won't even charge you a dime.

[Can he exile Blake to Philadelphia?]