Template:Featured Articles/52-2023

Moment of Awesome - Kevin Sydney/Changeling: Having spent time recuperating at the X-Ranch, Kevin hits up his old friend Stacy X for more. Kevin had disappeared at some point during that discussion, but she saw him now at dinner, talking intently with Stacy about something. She gave him a grin and wiggle of fingers as she caught his eye, settling at a table with a few of the other book club members, and was soon drawn into a lively conversation with everyone. Kevin gave her a short wave, but she seemed to be largely drawn into talking with the staff, which was alright. After a couple of days of rest and food, he felt like his old self, and that right back to work. And back to work in this case meant Stacy. "I'm not asking you to drop your business model. But... things are getting bad. This shop has gotten major upgrades over the last year, but I still need every advantage I can find." "That you can find? I swear, Syd, you are the least charming most charming person I know. How you made it work at the CIA I'll never know." She smirked at him. "Yeah, you do." "Fine, I do. But... this is my business. These are my people. You, of all people, understand what that loyalty involves." "I do. I'm not asking for any exposure... just... a little extra help." "Goddammit, it's my own place and I'm still not allowed to smoke inside." Stacy huffed. "A cigarette would help right now." As people finished dinner and dispersed, Darcy slipped over to the table Kevin and Stacy were at, fingers tapping a silent hello on her mentor's shoulder as she came to a stop quietly behind him and waited for a lull in the conversation. "You have your work face on, Boss. Everything okay?" "Just taking advantage of an old friend for more intel sources. The usual." Kevin said, so flatly that Stacy barked a laugh. "At least you're up front about it, you son of a bitch." Stacy shook her head. "I will think about it. My people need to be insulated... not just your word. I need to see real processes in place to make sure anything we pass along doesn't splash back on them. Or my place."