[color=9e0b0f][h1][center]Nina[/center][/h1][/color]

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[sup][@Hekazu][/sup]
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Nina watched as Croaks approached the checkpoint, silently hoping that everything would go as well as she had planned. Nina was a bit worried at first, seeing how Croaks had a small misunderstanding with a couple just outside of the checkpoint before he came in, but he was surprisingly well behaved. Going as far as to keep his hands off his pocket as he approached the checkpoint. All that changed though when he opened his mouth, asking Nina if Eric was her output and belittling him. It didn't stop just with that though. Croaks continued as he started to explain to him that Nina was an information broken and that she needed to go to 'seedier' parts of the town, ending with even offering him his card, mentioning even that if he wanted someone to dive the rivers in search for contraband.

In part, Nina agreed with Croaks. She was an info broker and she certainly needed to put her nose in pretty messy places to get where she wanted to but he didn't need to return fire to Eric. Again, she understood why he did it after being treated like that, but in that situation, returning the sharp words and stares he received would only get things even worse.

Nina could see Eric's face go red with anger after Croaks word. Things were even worse due to him not being able to retaliate because he was technically still on his post doing his job. In one side, he wouldn't be able to interfere with the check due to personal motives, but in the other side, if Croaks met him while he was not working, things would definitely go bad.

[color=ed1c24]"Eric, stop."[/color] Nina said, with a harsh and piercing stare to the guard the moment he saw his reaction.

[color=ed1c24]"He contracted me and he is one of my contacts. I'm working with something that might be big."[/color] Nina continued, being incredibly clear on her intentions and being clear that she wouldn't tolerate intrusions on her own work. She knew very well what she was doing and how to protect herself. It was undeniable that Eric had a big brother complex, but Nina knew what she was doing and didn't need to have someone to take care of her.

Despite Eric's burning face, the check went fine. Ending with only a 'hmpf' by Eric as Croaks walked away. Eric and his brother were a handful at times and it was definitely annoying to deal with them constantly flirting with her, but they still had their uses to Nina.

Finally walking away from the checkpoint, Nina sighed heavily after they were far enough to not see Eric or the guards anymore.

[color=ed1c24]"If you thought Eric was irritating and annoying, you should see Marcus, his brother. I'm really thankful he wasn't around today."[/color] she said.

[color=ed1c24]"Eric is a good guy once you get to know him better. Pretty chill guy, good to hang around with and drink. Has a bit of an 'older brother complex' but he's pretty decent otherwise. His brother though... Marcus is a fucking annoyance. Has a gigantic crush on me and thinks I'm a small, defenseless girl."[/color] she finished, sighing again.

[color=ed1c24]"Oh, Eric is married by the way. Differently from his brother."[/color] Nina said, laughing.

[color=ed1c24]"First time I ever seen Eric red like that though..."[/color] Nina said, laughing again as she looked to Croaks.

[color=ed1c24]"Honestly, you two would really like each other if you guys stopped to drink together sometime. Eric seems like that when working, but he really enjoys a bar brawl when drinking."[/color] Nina said, with a chuckle.

[color=ed1c24]"Well, we're arriving on the storehouse I mentioned soon enough. It would be interesting for you to get to know the owner as well. If you manage to be friends with Eric enough to earn a free pass through the checkpoint, you could go there to buy some pretty interesting items or even sell some stuff, who knows."[/color] she finished.