ArchivedLogs:Thorough and Safe

Thorough and Safe
Dramatis Personae Nox, Claire
In Absentia	2013-03-17 Nox calls Claire for legal advice. WARNING: I am not a lawyer. This is not actual legal advice.
Location ???
Claire's phone rings. The caller display shows a number from Greenwich Village! Claire immediately picks up. An instant afterward, the following sounds are heard, in this order: "{Booger, get /down/!}" (spoken in fluent French!) *CRASH* *clatter* *meow!* *SIGH* "...Hello?" Nox's first greeting probably went unheard, due to crashing. The second one might also go unheard because she is whispering into the receiver of a payphone and there is street-style background noise. "Ms. Basil? I am not sure that you would remember me. My name is Nox, we met in the park? I was...I am the shadowy one. From the news." Claire continues: "{Booger I swear to all that is holy I shall END you.}" *SPRITZ* Then: "Oh, yes. Pardon. Naughty kitten. Nox? Nox, from the park. Yes, yes, I rememb-- oh, goodness. I saw the news. So happy to hear this absurd business has been cleared up -- what can I do to help, dear?" There is a soft hum following the sound of a squirt bottle. "It is perfectly all right, ma'am. I have known many cats, they are irrepressible." Nox is quiet after that, no doubt rearranging her thoughts. A truck honks in the background. "It is good to no longer be a suspect but they still wish to speak with me. Would you be willing to perhaps...go with me, when I speak with them?" Claire shuffles on the other line a moment, settling down in what sounds to be a chair... and then: "Eh? They wish to -- oh, /God/ no, dear. You're -- look, listen -- mmmn. Listen," she repeats, as if this is extra-important: "/Never/ speak to the police. This creature -- I read in the news, the murderer is dead, yes? Everyone is now safe? There is nothing for you to clear up. The matter is closed. Let /them/ figure out the details. It is neither your job nor your responsibility to answer their questions." Nox can't really be /heard/ frowning but the sense of it is there. "But if they continue to advertise that I am a person of interest, then it becomes very complicated for me, Ms. Basil. I wish...it is not so simple as me returning below and remaining there, as before," she murmurs, troubled. "I have nothing to hide from them and I wish to have it settled." She pauses for a beat. "A friend suggested perhaps a teleconference." Claire grumbles, oh how she /grumbles/! "They will never stop advertising you as a person of interest! You will /always/ be a person of interest. You are a mutant -- you are known to them -- they will always... alright, look. This is what we can do. We can meet. You can tell me /everything/. And we will sort over what they need to know and what they do not. Then /I/ will contact them, and speak with them, and see what they need to know. But under no circumstances," she adds, with words that carry an unshakeable sense of command, "should you /ever/ talk with them. Dear, you're a /mutant/. As far as most of them are concerned, you are already a criminal; they just haven't figured out which crime to pin on you yet." Another horn sounds in the background. This time, it must be dueling taxis. Nox waits until the commotion fades to allow her soft words to be heard. "I know that there are others who will be looking for me. I would like to limit the number of organizations with a more specific interest in my person," she tells the lawyer, attempting levity and falling well short. "If you believe that is the best course of action, you contacting them on my behalf, then we shall do that. I...I am not very familiar with the ways of the world. In this instance." Claire's voice becomes a little softer as well, now: "I... understand, dear. That's what lawyers are for. We navigate this world for you, so you don't have to. The simple fact is that the police aren't going to stop paying attention to you just because you've answered a few questions. And every question you answer -- you're giving them /ammunition/, dear. I understand you want to do what is right, and I understand you don't want to anger them, but the truth is... the best case scenario here is you answer their questions and help them finish some paperwork. The worst case scenario? You give them whatever excuse they need to arrest you." A pause, again, before: "We should meet. Talk. Let me approach the police, see what you are wanted for. If necessary, I can act as your counsel. But under /no/ circumstances should you speak to the police yourself. If the police take you into custody, ask for a lawyer and say /nothing/ else." Nox sighs, a feathery little sound all but lost due to the crackly line. "I understand. Thank you, Ms. Basil. Would it be possible to set an appointment for this week? And...and if you could tell me how much your time is worth." Claire laughs, then. "Oh, dear, I do this for /fun/. I love defending mutants. It pisses people off /so/ much." She actually giggles. Maybe a little creepy. "I would help you pro bono -- free," she says, before adding: "But if you're facing criminal charges, you might be better off with another lawyer. I'm not offering to defend you in the court of law; I'm only offering to help you in this /particular/ matter, and ensure that nothing sneaky is going on. Would tomorrow be alright? I could meet you in Tompkins park -- or somewhere else, if you prefer. An interior might be nice." Nox seems to find the amusement inherent in the concept of defense for fun. She hums. "I will remember that. I believe it would not come to criminal charges. After all, I saved several people. It is difficult to crucify those perceived as heroic." Not that Nox necessarily views herself as such, to judge by the tone she uses--bemusement of a gentle sort lurks there. Claire ceases her giggling for a moment! And adds: "Yes, although from what I read, hardly anyone is going out of their /way/ to make you the heroes you were. But -- just be careful. You stopped a monster. Police consider that their job. They /loathe/ competition." Then: "I suspect you are right; there will probably be no criminal charges. But I never trust 'probably'. Not where the law is concerned. Let us be thorough, and keep you safe. Is there anything else I can do, dear?" And then, even softer! "You have some place to stay, yes?" "Thorough and safe is best," Nox agrees, with an audible smile. "I will meet you tomorrow evening at Evolve coffee house, are you familiar with it? They do not mind my presence there. You have done a great deal for me already, Ms. Basil, in easing my concerns. I will forever be grateful to you. Please, do not worry yourself too much. I have many places to stay." Claire pahs! "Worried? You killed a vampire and turn into a giant spider made of shadow -- if the footage is to be believed, at least. I am not worried. And yes, I am! I will be there," she tells Nox. "Stay safe," she adds. "And good night!" Nox begins to say, "That was actually--" before thinking better of it. She hums again. It's difficult to fight against exclamation marks. "Thank you, Ms. Basil. I will see you then."