2020-08-20 - This Means War. Finally.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (The phone rings. Byron's more of a caller than a texter)

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : byron=Alexander's voice holds some confusion. "Thorne? What's wrong?"

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (It's hard for Byron to hide the ire in his voice, though he tries to keep it sounding level) Lilith and I were chased through town by some thugs right as we were going to deliver to the console to Machinae. The incident near Oak on the news? That was it.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : There's a pause, and some sort of background noise shuts off. Sounds like music. "Were either of you hurt? Or the console?"

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Nothing major. The car's totaled though. And I believe the console was destroyed.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Son of a bitch. But at least you're okay. Wait. Which car?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Two cars chased us all the way to Oak from the Black Bear. One of the two was actually my security detail. From what I'd learned, my security guy was being forced to run us down by gunpoint. Then Officer Harvey Liu shows up, that fuck. He's the one who blew out my trunk.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Christ, Byron.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : This is getting out of hand.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I'd like to pay Officer Liu a visit.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Yes. It's not wise. But if you need backup, I am available.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I have a feeling that he doesn't really want to do this. But that doesn't put him in the clear for what he did. I'm also curious whether we won with the console being destroyed or if that was their intention all along. Now, we'll never know. Unless we get Liu to talk.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : But yes, if you're game, I may be in need of your services.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : It's likely that he doesn't know why the console is important, but it's possible that he knows enough to put us on the right path. And of course.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Where is de la Vega? Do you know? He didn't answer our call yesterday.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : I don't know.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (After a thoughtful silent moment) We pay a visit with Liu at his home. And soon. (This is followed by an exasperated sigh) But after this birthday brunch. Lilith insists on holding it for whatever reason. So to oblige her, knowing that she's been through the same shit that I have, I'm allowing her to go through with it all. You're showing up?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : She wants you to have a good birthday. It's nice. And...yes. If that's okay.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Of course, it's okay. And I know that that's what she wants, but there's something bigger and more important that we're dealing with here.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (He then hurriedly adds) Anyway, try to dig up anything on Liu that you can that may be useful when we pay him a visit.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Just be thankful that you probably won't have Kelly jumping out of a cake at you. And I will.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (While his tone had been flat and direct this entire time, it softens to a laugh when Alexander brings up Joey) No, you're right. But who knows whether Lilith will try to top that. (Returning to the main topic, there's only a subtle hardening in his tone, but it revert back to the probably annoyed one which he'd been using this entire time) Get back to me with what you find. What's worse is that some people still think I'm dead. Not only that, when they say me, they think that I'm an imposter. This town has really gone to shit.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : (Pause) How's Bella?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : "She went over there, to figure out why everything's twisted up and wrong. She has some news to share, but I haven't nailed her down, yet. So. It's the Veil's fault. I've been teaching at the high school." Alexander's voice turns strained and a little desperate. "Today was the last day. Not even Kelly can make me go back."

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : You what? Can anyone just show up and start teaching? And what does Kelly have to do with this?

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : And most importantly, Isabella DID WHAT?

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Everyone thinks I'm their fucking favorite social studies teacher from middle school. They didn't even ask me for a license to sub in. And they think Kelly's the gym teacher! He's...actually pretty good, even if everyone thinks he's mean. And she went over there. Because they think SHE is a kindergarten teacher.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : Wait. Because people think that Bella was their kindergarten teacher, she just... decided to go to the other side? (In a quiet, muttered aside) Jesus Christ. ( Back to a regular volume) So she's back now? Good.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Alexander's voice turns very dry. "There was yelling. A lot of yelling. Mostly me yelling. I don't think it made much of an impact. You know that she's going to do what she's gonna do."

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I can't say I envy you in that regard, but now you've got me curious in what she found out. I'll try to reach out to her soon. It's just this weeks gone to shit.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I'll keep in contact, regarding the Liu visit.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Yeah. It hasn't been great. Be careful, Byron. I don't think, at this point, you can assume that your security detail can't be breached. So try not to draw too much attention.

(TXT to Alexander) Byron : I know. I've also had a word with them. Though without console maybe things won't matter. But after the fuck up that happened, I want to help put an end to this once and for all.

(TXT to Byron) Alexander : Yeah. I think we need to start pushing back. Particularly on the corrupt cops. It gives them too much of an advantage.