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[specifications]

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[specifications]

[ Arthur finds himself smiling for a whole other reason as he listens to Charles talk. The excitement, while low key, is a bit contagious. Hands on his hips, he nods. ]

You're not wrong. On either account.

[ He looks back to the closed door, ]

They keep expecting us to be... what? An army?

[ He looks back to Charles, ]

That isn't going to happen right now. Everyone spends too much time in their own head, thinking they are more right than everyone else.

[ Arthur included. But at least he can see how much of a disadvantage that is to the overall goal. Maybe they are used to that in their own world (which still sounds crazy) but this place isn't the world any of them know. ]

[congenitally]

A team at any rate. There has to be a reason for the training and close quarters living arrangements. It's...not so different from home in that way at least.

[ But home both includes amenities like heating, and refrigerators, and the neighborhood watch-like phone trees. Or town halls.

They need their town hall. ]

But no, I don't think it is either. Athenian democracy may have had its problems, but modern "democratic" governments cite it as a foundation for a reason, right? Get people involved in their own government, give them a reason to care about it for themselves, and the community emphasis will come around.

[ Hopefully. ]

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Pretty sure it's an army if there's to be a war.

[ But he agrees overall. So far, just forcing them to live closely together doesn't seem to doing much but making people more irritable. ]

You're placing a lot of faith in strangers getting along just because we make them sit together and talk.

[ Which will be a whole other issue if Charles really does plan to do this. They can't make everyone participate in this. ]

You know it's going to be guarded, right?

[congenitally]

I have faith in people. Everyone has the capacity to be better; they only need the opportunity.

[ And he leaves it at that. Outliers aren't what society should be judged on as a whole, only how that society treats its outliers.

And he laughs, leaning in to grasp Arthur by the shoulder. ]

Thus why I need help.

[ And a particular set of skills. ]

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[ He gives a flat look at that first part. That kind of idealism has no place here, sir. No matter how much a part of Arthur wishes he could believe it.

But he sighs through his nose again, nodding. ]

Alright. If I do this for you, can I ask for a favor in return?

[congenitally]

[ He looks suddenly far too hopeful at even the mention of assistance. He nods, and tone entirely trusting: ]

Of course, that's only fair. What?

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[ Arthur hesitates for a moment because he's only really mentioned this in passing to "Adam" before now. ]

I'm trying to make notebooks for keeping important information in. About the Titans, research. And I want to try and use them for the clinic some guy in my house is starting. But I need more supplies for that.

[ He misses his Moleskine, okay? ]

[congenitally]

[ Charles nods along with what sounds like a reasonable enough request. He's hankered for a writing medium that wasn't as malleable as wax himself. ]

Do you want me to get you supplies or money or--?

[ He could do with a little less of this house bleeding him out, but at least there's a tangible reason to pay out over this, if it comes to it.

He doesn't say no. ]

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[ Arthur shrugs, ]

Whichever. I gotta go shopping again soon for more supplies.

Before then, I need to scope out the senate building.

[ Try to get an idea of how many guards are around, the schedule. But he makes sure to add, pointedly to Charles. ]

Alone.

[congenitally]

[ He does look a little surprised at the insistence, and his first instinct is to take offense. But he bites back the immediate response that threatens to follow and nods.

He'd come to Arthur for a reason; this is not his area of expertise (nor had it been, it seems, of the man he'd asked in the first place), and if he could have done this on his own, he would have. ]

Alright. [ And there's an awkward pause before he turns to leave. ] Thank you.

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[ The only he reason he says that, aside from being used to doing research on his own, was that it would be less suspicious for just one guy walking around the building. Two and someone will wonder what's up. A lone vagrant doesn't draw the same attention in this kind of city.

Arthur gives him a nod. ]

Don't thank me yet.

[ He hasn't gotten him in yet. ]

And don't let that other guy know we spoke. Don't talk about this to anyone. It's just between us right now.

[ It may not have needed to be said but it bears saying all the same. Just so they are both at an understanding. ]

[congenitally]

Even an attempt is worth acknowledgment.

[ Deal with it, Arthur. But he nods toward the last as well. ]

I'm not positive I want to make a habit of conversation [ (Would any of it be true?) ], but mum's the word, as it were.

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[ He gives a shake of his head, ]

Only when the job is done.

[ Because who knows how successful it will even be? He's learned not to assume smooth sailing after the last few years with Dom. ]