Cecilia paused as she prepared to turn off most systems for the night. "Hawkins?"
"Yes?" - Said Hawkins as he prepared as well.
"Do you think Lucas will succeed?"
"Hard to tell." - Said Hawkins - "But I think she's got plans in case the countries 'disobey' her on this matter. Just for one example, she could shame them to the whole media now. And I did make sure my contacts will keep the, shall we say, less nice of our people in check. The other contacts I gave her are trustworthy as well. Whether that keeps countries from acting like, well, countries, this is another matter, but her move does make it that much harder for countries to sponsor the kind of oppression she alluded to."
"I did some cross-referencing with her name and looks. She was born in 1981. That's close to the end of the Brazilian dictatorship. She shouldn't be that focused on these things, by all rights. No data came out on any member of her family suffering or any such events."
Hawkins shrugged. "Read the discourse. How many times has she spoken words related to 'freedom' or some such in our conversations?"
"Twenty-seven if we count 'free-lance'." - Said Cecilia.
"There you go. I'm no psychologist, but I would think she cares a bit about it. She also seemed intent on going to the media about it for very little visible gain. So it's not only about personal or general freedom. It's also about rubbing it in. Laughing at her enemies. Visibly messing up the plans of, and infuriating, those she sees as, to borrow her own words, Lawful Evil."
"That's from D&D.; The tyrant alignment, so to speak. Think Darth Vader."
Hawkins chuckled. "So, our angel girl is a Han Solo wannabe. Or just wants to annoy the less savory big-leaguers in international politics. Or both. Take your pick."
"Aren't her plans a bit... dangerous regarding international politics? What countries do isn't always pretty, but many would argue it's necessary, 'for the greater good' and all. And I may not agree, but I'm not sure I disagree with them either."
Hawkins shrugged. "I think she'd be genuinely offended at the notion that it's 'necessary', and I don't think she'd care if she believed it is. At any rate, I helped her for, mainly, four reasons. One, I do sorta agree with her on this issue, if not necessarily with her methods. Two, it may make our job actually easier in the future. Three, she would likely be attacked if she had gone to the media about it, and I didn't join the agency to let people suffer by my omissions. Four, she'd go to the media about it the moment any deals fell through if I misled her anyways."
"I see. Well, here's hoping neither she and Miss Wilkins nor us come to regret it."
"Oh, I doubt we will. One, because I do think Lucas and Miss Wilkins have at least some more cards up their sleeves, and that's not mentioning the media thing. Two, because we both know we do have some cards up our sleeves. And three, because that assumes other people know about it. And we can make sure people don't."
"Point." - Said Cecilia.
"Hello?" - Said Cass.
"Hello, Miss Wilkins?" - Said Nadine.
"Oh, hi, Nadine. Did you get my message?"
"Well, yes." - Said Nadine - "And I thank you. I... Will see that hindu man. Sridar, right? But... I'm calling you about something else. I... felt your presence and someone else's. And, well... These supposed new 'deities', like me, have their own ways to tell each other about interesting events..."
"Oh." - Said Cass, sweatdropping - "I suppose you know about me and Lucas, er... Visiting other places?"
"I wasn't informed about it until about an hour ago... But... Why did you do this? Isn't it dangerous?" - The transformation had added to Nadine a 'wise' and a 'motherly' streak, and it showed.
"Well, uhm, it was all okay in the end, and we did get a few perks..." - Cass blushed. It was odd how she could be defensive over this, as if she weren't older than Nadine - and yet, by the talk she had had with Selene, the fact was that Nadine could be much older than her now.
"I suppose." - Said Nadine - "Congratulations on it, by the way. I may not agree with Miss Andrews on many issues, but she is a kind soul. And your, er, companion seems to have found what she looked for. But you still risked yourselves too much. Even though I understand why. And I am told you obtained two areas each, right? For you to do as you see fit."
"How do you know so much?" - Said Cass, by now fearful that Nadine might know about their plans.
"The one that calls herself Venus told me, as well as your plans for the areas." - Said Nadine, as if guessing Cass's thoughts - "You do not need to worry. She swore me to secrecy, and only told me to watch over you. I will do my best to protect you and your companion, but do not be so reckless in the future..."
Cass blushed. She remembered the old Nadine, a student that respected her only barely due to their conflicting views. Nadine was now treating her like a mother would treat a child, and this was very weird. "Uhm... Thanks. But, you know, you don't need to..."
"I understand how awkward this is to you, Miss Wilkins." - Said Nadine - "And I need to understand more about myself as well. But while you're my teacher at school, nothing prevents me from trying to help you in my own ways outside it. Not to mention I am doing this as a personal favor for a friend."
"You are friends with Venus?" - Said Cass.
"I learned this past month that you do not swat away a helping hand only because it does not belong to a believer." - Said Nadine - "And you can also see it as thanks for treating me fairly in my past life, even knowing I condemned your behavior..."
"Uhm... Thanks..." - Said Cass - "Anyways, I think our adventuring days are over..." - Cass giggled.
"I'd not count on it." - Said Nadine, smiling. Her tone was still motherly, a kind of tone that meant 'I know you mischievous kids will keep worrying me'. - "Anyways. I shall visit Sridar tomorrow after class."
"Yeah, uhm, you do that..." - Cass blushed. Nadine's tone seemed oddly comfortable, but this whole situation was just too weird. She knew she owed Nadine no explanations, yet she felt like she did owe her some.
"Thank you. I will see you tomorrow." - Said Nadine, gently.
"Er, see ya..." - Said Cass, uneasily at both the comfort and the awkwardness of the conversation. They hung up and Cass kept correcting her tests, munching on a plate of warm homemade chocolate chip cookies she wasn't sure was there before the call.
