We Sons Of Daley [Manhattan Blues]

Stay underground. Consider options for empathic manipulation.

Well, the first step would probably be reducing some of his frustration. Done gradually, it would be a lot less noticeable.

First contact could make a huge difference in our future interactions with the local powers. If we send the messenger back the right way, it could make the future infinitely easier.
Wait for the messenger to approach. When he gets near, have Alice go up to speak, while Arlington monitors the messenger's thoughts out of sight.

"Alice, someone from the Councilman's coming, you want to take this one?"

"Wait, someone from the councilman, why?"

"Messenger. Wants to talk to us."

"... Huh." She nods. "All right."

Aw man, looks like I'm too late to suggest that you practice your juggling.

Nah, you go ahead and do that with some harmless objects while you're waiting for the messenger to get here.

Luckily, Alice has some actual composure, unlike you, so when the messenger arrives she just walks up to your barricade that you set some time to improving on.

"Yo! Is the shadow-walker here!?" This would be so much easier if we had a gender or a name.

>_