The team returns from solving the haunting of the Spooner house, aware that things could have ended much worse. Even as is, Vanessa had nearly murdered a fellow agent and had lost part of her soul in the dark realm behind the mirrors. She only barely avoided becoming another victim of the house. And Nik knows well that had the house had succeeded in possessing or tricking him in their final confrontation they would both be dead. But they had been competent and lucky. Maybe they would be the next time as well; thinking about the alternative was distressing.
So they go back to their normal lives and try to live them. Nik focuses on learning more about art, hoping to sell the furniture they now owned for a good price and profit from their work for a change. He does enough digging to realize that the market for these particular antiques is fairly small, and selling the furniture would be somewhat time intensive. On the plus side, if he took the time and carefully sold them, they could be worth quite a lot. Enough for both him and Vanessa to comfortably split. He could probably take Debbie on a vacation and help their relationship. But he realizes actually learning how to sell the furniture by himself is a difficult process; worse, he neglects one of his parents and ends up harming his relationship with them. Nothing he could not smooth over later, hopefully.
Vanessa meanwhile tries to shake off the ennui she has felt for a few months now. She spends more time with Malcolm, improving their relationship from the dumps it had been in since she had seen how the unnatural could destroy an other wise healthy one. It's not as close as it had been in the past, and even now it feels slightly forced on her end, but it's a large improvement. But it's still a surprise when after dinner one night he gets down on one knee and proposes.
"I know your job is difficult honey, and it's been wearing at you lately. I've seen that struggle first hand. But I've never been happier than when I am with you,and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, for better and for worse." He waits for an answer.
OOC: In game whatever Vanessa decides here won't impact her bond rating, it just seemed like a good time to have him pop the question. Do what you think is best. |
McRay calls them into his office. "I've got new orders for you. A-Cell wants you down south. You've both been booked on the next available flight to Knoxville, Tennessee. A car will be waiting there to take you to the FBI office within the city. There you are to meet with our contact, Agent ROBERTS, who will have further instructions for you.I have no details on this one, but I've developed a good eye for reading these things, and the message seemed urgent. Be careful out there."