roadrunnermuses | open } { mistletoe meme

[He pours them both a glass of wine, and Neal watches as Mozzie goes to make his approach from behind her. He sees Anna and stops, slowly making a show of starting to turn around and go the other way, as though he might get Anna's cop cooties on him.]

So - how're things? I assume that people are continuing to commit terrible crimes, and you're not out of a job yet?

[ Anna's brow quirks curiously as Neal looks past her, clearly watching something. It could be any number of things, and she's highly tempted to turn around, but she resists and instead simply accepts the glass from him with an appreciative nod. ]

Well, it's the holidays so crime is up and I'm on mandatory overtime, so you could say business is boomin'. To not bein' out of a job anytime soon... [ She quips a little darkly, lifting her glass in a toast. ]

[He smirks as he takes a sip of his own drink.]

I knew a grifter once who loved the holidays because it brought out the worst in everyone. She liked to watch families from afar to mine material for her identities.

[She always called them "parts" but she was always an actress at heart.]

But I don't know. When you never really had hallmark-esque holiday, it's can be disappointing to hear that other families are just as dysfunctional as yours.

That's... kind of brilliant, actually.

[ She'll admit that a bit begrudgingly, because while she's not a fan of the grifter part, she can at least give credit where it's due for a brilliant idea. Being an unofficial profiler and being a grifter could be considered two sides of the same coin. ]

Or sadly reassuring. [ Yeah, she's just going to sip her wine instead of opening that particular can of worms. What? She's got no illusions about the 'magic of the holidays' or 'Christmas miracles'. ]

[Neal smirks a bit as he watches her sip her wine.]

Ahh, I see you also grew up with the slightly awkward Christmas experience?

[In Neal's case it was a mother broken by his father's actions and an adoptive mother who was just trying to do the best she could. But he doesn't like airing his mother's dirty laundry.

Even if he hasn't spoken to her in years, she's still his mother and she did the best she could.]

[ Her brows raise slightly as she takes another long sip of wine in response to his question. It's none of his business, but it wouldn't be the first time he's gotten something personal out of her. ]

Depends on whether we're talking pre- or post-divorce. [ Though not necessarily by much. It was the same sort of Christmas for her, only her siblings got two. ]

[He winces.]

Divorce is rough. And unfortunately not an uncommon situation in this day and age.

[ She shrugs nonchalantly enough, doing a quick scan of the room. ]

It's not as big a deal when you're eighteen. My siblings were more traumatized by it; I just thought it was about damn time.

I didn't meet my dad until I was in my thirties.

[Well, that's not actually true, but at least in a way he remembers.]

And my mom never really recovered from the circumstances of losing him, so it made Christmas a little inconsistent.

I'm not sure which is worse. Not knowin' him until you're in your thirties, or having him around the first 18 years of your life and dealin' with the constant narcissism and neglect because you're not American enough. You might have lucked out.

[ The words are muttered sourly, until she realizes what she's said and she freezes. Way to go, dumbass. ]

Shit, I'm sorry...

[He shakes his head.]

No, I definitely lucked out. You think I annoy you now, I would have been much worse under my father's influence.

[Sam Bennet didn't do anyone any favors as a parent.]

He came into my life to make it worse, and then he left before he could suffer the consequences.

You annoy me a lot less than you used to, Caffrey.

[ His words do bring a sober look to her face as she finishes off her glass of wine. She sets it down on the bar and reaches out to gently place her hand on his shoulder because Christmas makes her nicer? Don't ask. ]

I'm so sorry. You deserved better. [ Is that a hint of tenderness in the way she's looking at him? ]

[Careful, Morasca. You might actually get him thinking you like him.]

It is what it is. But it answered a lot of questions I had so it wasn't a complete waste.

[ Oh, yes, we can't have that, now, can we? Anna has a reputation to uphold, of course. Her hand lingers for a minute on his shoulder before she pulls it back and shifts to lean against the bar. ]

I'm glad something good came out of it for you. It brought you here, so it's not all bad, right? [ A rare moment of optimism. Man, the holiday is making her soft. ]

I like to think so.

[And Mozzie finally caves because they're hanging out by the bar, so naturally Neal is blockading his access to the wine. He slides up to the bar and rests a hand on it gently. "Neal." He pauses, then acknowledges Anna. "Detective."]

Mr. Havisham.

Fancy meetin' you here, Mr. Havisham. [ Anna says with a nod at the man who has just joined them at the bar before taking a step back to shift against the bar and get herself another glass of wine. ]

Merry Christmas and all that, if you celebrate.

["Who doesn't love a good winter holiday? But I prefer to be nondenominational."

Neal pours Mozzie a glass of wine, and places it on the bar in front of him.]

Even Saturnalia?

["Always best to cover your bases."]

[ Anna chuckles a little at the exchange and fidgets lightly with her empty wine glass. ]

Covering your bases is always a safe bet, even if it's only in regard to winter holidays.

["Some of the old gods are vengeful ones. Never hurts to be careful."

Neal nods in agreement.]

Especially when you're paying tribute to Demeter. She can be vengeful, that's for sure.

You both know your mythology. Is that part of dealin' in antiquities and art? [ Color her curious, absolutely no ulterior motive to it. Nope, not like she's trying to feel out if Mr. Havisham is Mozzie or anything... ]

When dealing with fine art, it's important to have a healthy classics education.

[It makes you sound like a professional.

"Also it makes you sound worldly, which is good for a mark who thinks he's smarter than he is." Mozzie is aware that she's aware that there are thieves around, but to cover his bases. "If you're in to that sort of thing that is."]

That makes sense.

[ That comment from 'Mr. Havisham' piques Anna's interest and she arches a slender brow as she tilts her head and looks over at him. She's definitely studying him. ] Are you into that sort of thing, Mr. Havisham?

["Isn't everyone here? Law enforcement is it's own kind of con, in a way." Mozzie's willing to play the game, and manages to keep a fairly neutral face at the question.]

A trial is definitely a con. At least in my experience.

[ Anna chuckles at that, shrugging a little. She can't argue with that.

She offers her empty glass to Neal for a refill - maybe she'll indulge a little. It's Christmas after all. ]

Neither of you are wrong. I suppose reading people and being quick on my feet makes me good at my job, as it would a con artist.

[Neal will give her that refill - she's an adult, and he's not one to refuse anyone wine.]

That it would. Predicting your marks moods helps sell the con. And you need to pivot, if a variable comes in you aren't prepared for.

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Sorry this took forever T.T

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