The Wolf in Sheriff's Clothing

"Heh. I see...I'm actually European myself, but I've been living in Manhattan for a very long time. "

He admitted, his eyes briefly glancing into memory before returning match Dany's gaze. "Very long time" was a bit of an understatement, of course. New York had still been the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam when the old wolf had settled here centuries ago.

Prior to that, it had been somewhere in Eastern Europe, and before even that, a place that was technically Europe, even if only in the minds of storytellers and their listeners. Bigby blinked away his memories of Black Forest, and returned his attention to Dany.

@kittiesnwine69: “Immoral is not sex.. immoral is.. ” Rev Rebecca Turner #takeroot14

From the slide behind Rev. Turner:

It is immoral to:

Shame women who are survivors of assault

Exert control over the health decisions of pregnant [people/women]

Force women to drive hundreds of miles to get said abortions

Pass public health policies that are based upon lies

Force all people to abide by the religious restrictions of some

Lie to young people about medical facts

Use religion as an excuse for bullying

Use religion as an excuse for denying human rights

Use religion as an excuse for oppressing women

"Bri! What the hell are you doing?"

She looked up as he spoke. “Dany.”

The stranger's grip was firm, but not unpleasantly so...though he certainly smelled off putting, the scent of cigarette smoke extremely pungent.

In response to the second question, he offered the book for the storekeeper to examine.

                    You brought it on yourself!”

"Impressive, Bigby, impressive. I’m sure yours freaks more people out than my own. Especially with that big and bad attitude of yours. Me? It’s just being a ‘demon’. Red eyes and all." 

She chuckled and shook her head ‘no.’ “Thanks but, I’m good. One usually cuts it, not that it does much for me. But, still thanks.” 

The elf smirked at the suggestion, “I think ya should. My kids part of it. And, don’t.. Don’t tell how it’s a bad thing. Kid’s got a knack for healing, and he’s pretty intimidating.. But, yeah Would be nice to have some new friends for the guys. I think Naz will like you..” 

She nodded at the thought. It wasn’t often that they could let people into their little circle. But, given the fact that she wanted to stay on equal ground she figured knowing the crew would keep it that way. She knew this community of fables existed, and now he knew she had her own crew. 

Her smirk  faded when she thought about it. “You numb it out. Fill the void with putting your life on the line every minute that you can. Getting shot a few times stops phasing you, and you kind of wish they shot you in the head instead of the chest. But.. You try to remember them. As much as you can. My little boy died in my arms, Bigby.. I watched him die.. And the damn humans had the nerve to lie to me,” her last words came out like a growl, her nails digging into her palm, “Even if he’s alive..It wasn’t an illusion.. I wish that it was. But I know it wasn’t.. But.. I’m sorry you thought you lost someone. Even a short time can pain you.”

Letting out a heavy sigh, she relaxed her hands and brushed a tear away. She ran her hand through her hair, tugging at it to pull herself out of her memories. “He’s back. And that’s all I know. How or why, I don’t care. He’s alive,” Evelyn smiled the best she could, crossing her arms and shifting her hips.

She looked him over, taking in smaller details. It took her mind off of things. Easier to relax when you could come up with possibilities to how many times he’s broken his knuckles, or how much he smokes. But more importantly, she noted how his eyes widened for a moment. Just enough to tell he had a thought. One of those important thoughts. And the question that followed gave it away.

"Depends on what you want. Depends on the job, how long it takes. Depends on the people too.. As for what I do. Like I said, information broker. But.. Getting information, infiltrating mobs, gangs and groups. Why?" She tilted her head, an amused smile planted firmly on her lips, "Got a job for me, Bigby? Pretty sure I can do whatever ya want. Even erase a memory, or plant some." 

She smiled softly, nodding, “Yeah, that’d be pretty fantastic. I’d enjoy that. And, anytime’s alright. I mean, I do have a day job. Eight to four. But, I don’t sleep, nor really need to, So I’ll be up for anything.” 

Stepping a bit closer, she looked into his eyes and took in the small little details. Quickly, she reached out and tapped his nose. 

"My best friends are mortals. My last fiancé was mortal. It is like dating a young person. The only thing that reminds me that they’re not so young is watching them age. For us they’re so young.. But for them.. Ah.. It’s worse when they die unexpectedly." She sighed softly as she thought about it. 

He explained, before taking another long drag. He gazed at her appreciatively.

"Red's always been color I'm comfortable with. I wouldn't mind seeing it on you."

He challenged, curious to see her appearance. It wasn't though he expected to find it off putting. He was a wolf, after all. Sometimes he was amazed he found humanoid women as attractive as he did.

"Naz eh? What's that short for?"

He asked, curious to know who she believed would take to him so easily. It would be nice, he thought, to simply talk to people who wouldn't be overly distracted by events that had taken centuries ago.

Bigby's thoughts quieted, as the memory of grief brushed across Evelyn's features like a cold wind. There was anger as well...but Bigby knew what powered it.

"Thanks. I'm glad your boy's alright too. I don't have any children, but I did have a good mother, and in that respect, you two aren't tha different. I'm sure that pup of yours knows that. Or at least he should, if he's got any sense about him."

Bigby stated, confident in his assessment. A warrior and a parent could be one of the fiercest things he'd ever seen in a battlefield, and Evelyn emanated the strength a of a refined steel blade. He nearly pitied the fool who'd thought to threaten her boy now, after she'd already lost him once.

A more neutral look settled on Bigby's features, even as his eyes lit up at the possibilities.

"I can think of a few tasks you'd be well suited too, though I'd like to see you in action before I commit you or your allies to anything. Plus run it by a few people to see where you'd be best put to good use. I can assure you though, if I did hire you, I'd pay you well for it, and the assignments wold require absolute precision on your part. A mercenary with your talents would be invaluable, due to your skills, and the fact that the people I'd sent you against wouldn't know you...most likely."

He amended, frowning at the prospect of the Adversary having access intelligence of that nature. Bigby doubted that was the case...but the arch nemesis of Fabletown wasn't to be underestimated. Whole worlds were bound in chains in testament of that fact.

Then she touched him on the nose.

The Wolf blinked, rapidly caught off guard by the simple gesture. He almost reached out to catch her intruding finger, but relented after a moment. She hadn't meant harm, he was sure. Human noses weren't nearly as sensitive as his, after all.

"I don't have anything against the locals, believe me. I'm just reluctant to form any sort of serious relationship with them. Barring any sort of odd circumstance, I'd have to keep lying to them everyday to maintain secrecy. It's not healthy to have any sort of relationship with such a weak foundation. In your case, clearly you were honest enough with them."

He took another puff, a contemplative look on his face.

"I'll have to disagree with you on one point though. The worst part aout being friends with a mundy isn't that death comes suddenly. Death can come for anyone suddenly, that's Her right. The worst thing is seeing them age right in front of you. I made several friends during WWII. Only one of them is alive right now. He's a good man who's kept my secret, and it's not easy seeing him wither away. Aren't you reluctant to become friends with people you'll know you'll outlive?"

He asked, somewhat reluctantly. It was something of a sore subject with more than a few Fables, himself included.

He shrugged a moment later. "No idea where Charming is now. Probably in Europe, mooching after some poor woman who was at the wrong place or time. I make a habit of ruining his day whenever he's in Manhattan, but the fucker's a sleaze who can oil his way out of anything. You find, him feel free to do as you please."

He murmured, eager to move on to another subject. A moment later a thought occurred to him, and he flashed Evelyn a wolfish smile.