Celebration: 2019 January 26 storyline

NOTE: Only sticking these here until I decide on a real title.
==Planning==
"Logan, you'll be escorting Ms Natalie Barclay-Harvey." 
Logan groans. 
Jamie checks his mobile. "Says here Brass wants you to put out—" >omg<
Logan scoffs. 
"—because, if you do, Shinohara will knock twenty percent off the cost of the new flexor rams /Vulcan needs." 
"Brass can clip coupons." 
"Think of it as patriotic service. Lie back and think of Straya." >/jamie!; yeeeea, this was the moment I decided I was a genius this time<
"No." Logan crosses his arms. 
Jamie sighs, mumbles, "Told her it wouldn't work." >Jamie rests easy knowing Xiong /is infallible. if only a little.; just to be clear, this was Nate and Jamie's plan, Xiong is blissfully uninvolved in these particular machinations<
"What was that?" 
Jamie coughs. "Something caught in my throat." >nice recovery, walker<
Eyes roll.
==Australia Day==
===Lilies===
Jackson emits one of his dying whale sounds, ducks behind Nate and Logan. 
"What's—?" 
"Finally spotted the ex, ay?" >how would logan know she's here?; he saw her earlier in the evening and recognized her<
Andrea goes up on tiptoes. "Lily's here?" >LOL Andrea's curious!!!; Andrea's probably never seen her in person before, so, yea XD<
"Eight o'clock. Talking to the Kiwi with the sashes." 
"That would be New Zealand's Minister for the Environment," Nate says over her wine glass. 
Jackson whines. >is jackson still squeaking about Lily's presence?; yes, and he's feeling horribly inadequate, hence Nate's attempt to reassure him.<
Nate sighs. "Jones, honey, you're a /Ranger. You're much more important than a mere politician." Pats his arm. "Which is why you're at my table and Minister Tamahori is not." >I love you, Nate<
Andrea blinks. 
"Shinohara could buy his entire nation at this point." Smiles into her drink. "In fact, we may have to place a lien on a sizable portion of it, as they have yet to pay us for a number of building transport systems." >to be fair, I'm pretty sure they're broke. In any event, the scale of this deal is staggering; I'm pretty sure they are, too, Nate's being 'nice'<
"How big a chunk are you talking?" 
"At current valuation, I should think Wellington would do nicely—" 
Jackson chokes on his drink; even /Logan looks impressed. 
"—although we would probably settle for Christchurch. It wouldn't do to appear /greedy." >(i don't think that'll help, Nate, but good try!)< 
"Jesus Christ," breathes Jackson.
===Nate & Vanessa===
"I heard my little doppelgänger was in town. How was she?" 
"Doctor Lightcap hasn't been keeping you abreast?" 
"I felt it wouldn't be fair--to Officer Darling--to ask."
"Well, I heard from Ranger D'onofrio that she's had more good days than bad--in fact, she had a very good day clobbering Ranger Jones the Older." 
Vanessa smiles a laugh, sips wine. 
Nate leans close. "A path out of his field of vision may be prudent--it would be terribly cruel to confuse the poor thing."
Vanessa dabs quickly at her nose.
Category:Work in Progress
Category:Ficlet
Category:Scraps