Cal just gave his brother a bit of a Look.

"Come on, Nik, do you really think there's anyone else out there who can keep up with us?" he asked. "Hell, or could deal with us even if they could?"

Nik was silent for a moment. No, there wasn't really anyone else around.

Except...

"You said that new bartender mentioned hunting."

Cal blinked.

"The new girl?" he asked. He snorted. "She's really into that sword."

"Which means she probably knows how to use it." Nik watched him, waiting for it to sink in.

Cal just looked at him.

"And you think this is a good idea?" he asked. "C'mon, Nik, really?"

"This has to be dealt with," Nik said, grimacing as he shifted his leg. "And I can't go. You can't go by yourself. Unless you'd rather try to drag Robin with you?"

Cal snorted.

"I'd have better luck trying to fly to the moon," he muttered. He scrubbed his face briefly with his hands. "Fine. I'll see what I can do."

Nik nodded. That was really all he could ask, after all.

"Just let me know how it goes."

"One way or another, you'll know," Cal said, getting up. He heaved a sigh. "I'll be back."

Nik nodded and leaned back into the couch, just relaxing for the moment.

Cal made a bit of a face, but grabbed his jacket again and headed for the door.

"I'll keep you updated," he promised his brother just before he left. Time to go see if he could find someone to watch his back on a hunt.

Maggie was at the bar working, as usual. Dani was also off working, which meant she was honestly rather bored.

Cal walked in, habitually glaring at a Wolf who growled at him as he passed that table, and went up to the bar.

"You any good with that sword of yours?" he asked Maggie, getting right down to business. He just wanted this job over so he could go back to keeping an eye on his brother.

"Yes," Maggie said, raising an eyebrow at him. "Why? I already told Ish I wouldn't stab customers unless they're really bad."

Cal growled inwardly at having to ask what he was about to ask.

"A job came up and Nik can't go on this one," he said. "And it's not a job I particularly want to take on myself."

Maggie looked at him for a few moments before she nodded, accepting his words.

"Tell me more about this job," she said rather than agreeing right away.

Cal pulled up the text from Robin and showed it to her.

"That kind of job," he said, making a bit of a face.

Maggie read through the job and nodded. "Not something that should be taken on by one person," she agreed. "I thought you and your brother normally handled jobs, though?" She quirked an eyebrow at him.

"We do," Cal replied. "Nik's not going on this one. Which is why I'm here in the first place."

Maggie looked at him for a moment. "So your brother isn't going, and you want me to go with you instead." She considered for a moment before she shrugged. "Sure, why not."

Cal blinked. That was quick.

"Then tell Ish so he can get someone to cover, because this job can't wait," he said, not wanting to give her a chance to back out.

"Don't be in such a rush," Maggie said, pouring one last drink and setting it on the bar for him. "Just give me a few minutes."

"The faster we get out of here, the faster the job's done," Cal pointed out. He wasn't going admit it aloud, but he really didn't want to leave Niko on his own for too long, not in the state his brother was in.

Maggie flapped a hand. "Patience," she reminded him. "Relax. You'll get your stress relief soon." She sent a text to Ish, to one of the other peri, and then sent one to Dani.

Got a job hunting, I'll be off for a few days.

Have fun, be careful, kill it dead, Dani replied as she touched up her makeup before heading to work.

"That's not what I'm in a rush for," Cal retorted, texting Robin to let the puck know they were on the job. He sent another text, almost as an afterthought, for Robin to keep an eye on Niko.