xp_logs | Nathan and Shinobi, Sunday evening

Immediately after his session with Paul in the Danger Room, Nathan runs into Shinobi in the locker room. He takes the opportunity to get Shinobi's opinion and advice on yesterday's tactical blunder with Manuel's father. The two of them agree that yes, it could potentially be a very bad one.

Nathan was putting his uniform away - Pete's complaining aside, it was decent as body armor, or so his session with Paul had demonstrated - when Shinobi came in. "The Danger Room's free," he said to the younger man, smiling faintly. "Not even a lineup, this afternoon..."

"Guess that means there's nobody to con into a co-session," Shinobi replied with a mock-pout, then chuckled as he moved towards his own locker. He liked these sweats, but not enough to let the Danger Room mutilate them - uniform time. "Technically an improvement, though, I suppose."

"I'd offer, but Paul and I just went a couple of rounds." Nathan rubbed at his bandaged wrist, eyeing Shinobi speculatively as he opened his locker. "Actually, funny that you and I should run into each other. I was considering coming looking for you a little later."

"Don't want to overwork you," Shinobi agreed, looking over his shoulder to flash a grin at the older man. "Moira'd have my head. What were you going to come looking for me for?" He tilted his head curiously, turning his attention more fully to Nathan. The uniform wasn't going anywhere.

Nathan smiled humorlessly. "I think I made a very bad mistake yesterday, speaking to Manuel's father," he said. Shinobi merely waited for him to elaborate. "In my defense, Askani took it upon herself to join the conversation, but I went along with it."

Shinobi's expression sobered in short order, to a grim, thoughtful frown. "That probably wasn't very good," he agreed, lightly scratching at his chin. "Do I dare ask what happened?"

"Fuck, what didn't happen?" Nathan said heavily, not quite managing to suppress a sigh. "I'll spare you details on the first half of the conversation - suffice to say it did not go well, and the fact that there isn't a de la Rocha sized hole in the sunroom room should prove that I'm getting a little less twitchy." He shook his head. "I tried to get the conversation back under control. Told him I was worried about Manuel, too, because I was helping with his empathy instruction. Alphonso wanted to know how it was going, and next thing I know, Askani's in the room playing coy."

"That must have gone fabulously," Shinobi groaned, burying his face in a hand. "I'm impressed with your restraint, though. I've met Alphonso more often then I'd have cared to. It's like my father had a much more openly obnoxious clone made and sent to Spain in his youth, I swear."

Nathan sighed. "Actually, they were getting along just fine until Galin joined the conversation. Which I faciliated. I'm not sure whether I actually thought they were just going to discuss Manuel's progress..." He stopped, grimacing. "Or didn't think at all. They were furious, Shinobi. The Askani, I mean. Partly because of what Alphonso was saying to me, I think, but on Manuel's behalf, as well." He stared a bit grimly at the locker in front of him. "Didn't even strike me how stupid I was being at the time."

"It rarely occurs to us at the time, if it's any consolation," Shinobi observed, before casting a look towards the ceiling. "Word will be brought back to the Black Court, of course," he murmured thoughtfully, loosely folding his arms across his chest. "I know you've dealt with my father, but have you ever had the chance to deal with Selene?"

"Not personally," Nathan said, his voice low. "I count myself fairly fortunate in that, actually." He closed his locker, turning back to face Shinobi. "Alphonso accused me of creating telepathic hallucinations to play with him. I think he might have gone with that idea if Askani and Galin hadn't made it quite clear to him that they knew precisely what he'd had done to Manuel." He smiled thinly. "Is your father likely to believe that the mercenary who made a nuisance of himself a few years ago somehow picked up a couple of million dead mental visitors from the future?"

"My father has a very open mind," Shinobi replied with a grim smile. "As well a paranoid one. He'd want to investigate, try to find out if it was actually true or not, I suspect.. he'd probably find it.. very interesting." He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Think, think, think.. "You're very fortunate, on the former count, for the record. She is.. inhuman. On many, many levels." He paused a moment, and quietly cursed. "If father wouldn't be interested, Selene sure as hell would be. Have you told Emma or the Professor about this yet? You should."

"I reported the whole conversation to Charles," Nathan said. "More because I was concerned that Alphonso might try wheedling the information he was looking for out of someone else, but I didn't leave anything out." He was silent for a long moment, a number of unpleasant possibilities running through his mind. "I've managed to stay out of your father's way for the last five years, but that was when I was a moving target. And I don't think I like the idea of what a psychic vampire might think, presented with the Askani."

"It isn't a pleasant idea," he agreed solemnly, leaning back against the lockers. "I sincerely doubt father would make a move on the school itself, even for Selene, in order to get to you. If he was willing to move on the school, he wouldn't have tried to get Cain to deliver Emma and I to him, and would have just come and done it his own damn self." He hesitated a moment, then offered, "I could ask a friend I have at his estate to keep her ears open and warn us if she catches wind of anything, if you like..? Tessa likes me." Or, she did, as recently as the last party.. but that was before the big throwdown right and Alex's rescue. "It's worth a shot."

"I'd appreciate that." Nathan sighed, mustering a faint smile. "I may be borrowing trouble, but I'm feeling a bit on the persecuted side lately. Trying not to overdo the paranoia, but..."

"I'll make sure Charles doesn't think it's a bad idea, and I'll give her a buzz if I get an all-clear," Shinobi nodded, mirroring the smile. "I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. In the meantime, consider talking to Emma. She knows Selene better than I do. Probably knows my father better, too."

Murmuring in the back of his mind, murmuring that sounded definitely irrritated, and Nathan shook his head. "I think they're under the impression that they're immortal," he muttered. "You'd think they'd have figured out by now that I'm not. And I'm the weak link, after all."