(A/N: [Text in brackets] denotes dialogue spoken in another language. It's one good way to stop people nosing in on your mostly-work conversations...)
['Hey, Harmony. What's up?']
['We're not the only ones watching Miles.']
['What? Who else is, then?']
['I don't know who this guy is. I thought I'd seen him a couple of times, but now I know he's definitely following him. He tailed Miles to work.']
['Well shit, has he seen you?']
['No. I've stayed well-hidden.']
['Good. You've no idea who he is? What does he look like?']
['He's Asian-']
['Wow, helpful.']
['Well, if you wouldn't interrupt...']
['I'm just saying, Asian isn't a very specific descriptor. Asia's a big fucking place.]'
['No shit, Sherlock. I wasn't exactly gonna go up to him and ask where he's from, am I?']
['No, 'cos that'd look pretty racist, even though we are too.']
['And also maybe for the purpose of not getting caught.']
['That too.']
['Anyway, he looks east Asian, but maybe he's mixed or something, 'cos he had kind of a big nose.']
['Asian with a big nose. I'll put that one in the report, that's sure to catch him.']
['You're an asshole, Anstine.']
['I know.']
['He had long hair in a plait and a neck tattoo. Probably in his forties? So maybe that'll help identify him, if anyone knows who he is.']
['Yeah, cos I can't think of anyone who looks like that. Might have to ask around. That's really interesting, though. I wonder what that guy wants with Miles?']
['No idea, but with two different parties watching him now, he sure is popular.']
['Probably for the first time in his life.']
['Haha, I just bet. Other than that, though, there's nothing to report. He hasn't acted out of the ordinary.']
['Good, that's what I wanna hear. Thanks for this, Harmony. You're doing a great job.']
['Sure beats risking having your face ripped off. I don't mind the boring jobs.']
['Yeah, honestly, me neither. This wedding's already a riot, though. So, get this. That Abraxas brought his heavily-pregnant wife. Like, ready to pop pregnant.']
['I don't think pregnant women pop, Anstine.']
['Okay, but you know what I mean. Anyway, as well as her, his mistress came too! And she's pregnant as well!']
['Oh, wow! That's a bold move!']
['No kidding! Actually, there's loads of pregnant women here. There's four. And two of them have had Abraxas inside them.']
['Fifty percent. I hope that's just fifty percent of the pregnant guests, and not fifty percent of the guests in general.']
['Well, a load of them are men, and some are related to him, so that'll be a no.']
['I imagine the men among you are glad of that, at least, if what you said about his dick is true.']
['Tell me about it. Even when you're just laughing at it, it's still horrifying. I've only ever come across one like that once in real life, and believe me, I insisted on topping.']
['Great, I was just about to order some food. Now I've got that charming mental image.']
['Sorry.']
['I'd better go, anyway. Enjoy the rest of your wedding. It sounds like some really juicy drama.']
['I'll update you on the gossip later.']
['Awesome. See you, Anstine.']
'You alright?’
'Oh, hi… I’m fine. I needed a bit of room.’
'Should I leave you alone for a bit then?’
'No… It’s okay. I was just thinking about… about someone who couldn’t be here today.’
'Sounds kinda heavy.'
'It’s my mother. I wish I’d mentioned her in my speech, but I was struggling to remember everything I wanted to say, and it was a bit overwhelming… Sorry. I’m pathetic, I know.’
'Hey, it’s not pathetic. I know what it’s like to miss someone. And big occasions can really make it hit home. I get it.’
'Yeah, that’s it… I wish she could’ve seen it. She should’ve.’
'I dunno what you believe about life after death or anything like that, but depending on what you do… maybe she did?’
'Hmm, you’re right. Maybe she did. I’d like to think so.’
'Yeah. Your mum and my uncle, wherever they are, watching like “fuck yeah, those kids tied the knot”.’
'That would be nice. Although “kid” might not be accurate in my case. I turn forty next year, believe it or not…’
'Yeah, but we’re still kids to the older relatives who love us, I bet. Hobbling around when you’re seventy, Richard still like “my baby”.’
'He’d be over a hundred by that point! If he lived to that age, I think I’d let him do what he wanted. ...I think Mother would’ve liked you a lot. She was very kind.’
'Oh good, I’d like to make a good impression on someone.'
'A few years ago there were more younger people who went to the gatherings, but… A lot ended up leaving, for one reason or another. People you would’ve gotten along with, anyway.’
'Huh, what happened? They decide it wasn’t their scene or something?’
'Well, Jameson and his wife got a divorce, of the Baileys’ sons one went to prison and the other can’t stand them any more, and the last one… It’s a story too long to tell right now.’
'Oh shit, Jameson was married? Lemme guess, Ophelia stuck her oar in one too many times?’
'Oh God. You’re right, that was the reason.'
'Man. She might not be the worst person I’ve ever encountered, but she’s still pretty fucking high up there. No wonder Jameson gets blazed!’
'Blazed…?’
'Yeah, y’know, stoned.'
'Oh, right. Of course. It won’t just be him, tonight… I ought to get back in there, actually. Make sure Father is okay.’
‘Yeah, good idea. Look, I totally understand why you’re worried, but chances are they’re gonna be totally fine. We’ll just have to keep him in a good mood, make sure nobody takes any more and have other, non weed stuff to eat around instead. Basically, what Jameson said earlier was pretty fucking spot on.’
'Okay. I trust you both.'
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