#a_room_at_firnost

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She arrives a short while later, and gives a soft rap on the door. Knock-kno-kno-knock knock, knock. (to the tune of, 'Tie the Kangaroo Down'...)

(Sharp ears will hear the whispered) "Come on in..."

The door is opened and she slides through, pushing the door shut with a foot behind her. One hand is holding a piece of pizza, and the other holds a small metal prep bowl from the kitchen. Another piece of pizza hangs from her teeth. "Mmmph-rhh-hmmmph."

(It is dim in here, only a lamp providing light. He has taken to the bed, sitting with his back to the headboard, and listening to an old mp3 player with one earbud in, knees drawn up and arms wrapped around. Once again in the Near Dreaming, for the most part, he is again blind, and can't see the reason for her mmm'phing) "Art thou well, Lady?"

Chewing, swallowing, and making short work of the slice, she steps over and sets the bowl on the end table next to the bed, next to the lamp. "Got you a snack." The smell of... less than fresh mushrooms from the bowl. "So, how's the place treating you?"

"Mmn. Nae complaints about the room service, thus far," (A ghost of a smile, reaching to feel for the bowl that he can smell. His fingers find it, pausing* "May I?"

"Yeah, I had mine already." The smell of cheese and bread, and chewing again as she works on her second slice. "Don't worry, it wasn't delivery. Ain't that dumb, eh?" She paces a bit around the room, then pulls up a chair next to the bed. "So, we're here. I know you don't want t'talk about it. But... what now?"

(He picks up the bowl with two fingers and brings it to his lap. Touching over the mushrooms, and selecting one to lift and gum, slowly, as he thinks. Also slowly) "The Lady Thirteen, did say....the Lady Gates, was the best option, to....minimize risk, an' I am recalling correctly."

She leans on the end table, flicking absently at the lamp cord as she ponders on this. "I... guess. But didn't you say she, y'know. Was... unfond of you, like?"

"Aye. But it has been ten years. Mayhaps she hath move'd past resentments." (His sigh is reedy) "The Lady Cogsbury, did not make it sound, so. But....there are nae others there, that are at risk....does she grant asylum."

"And she is of sufficiently high place....that she can decline, do they come, I warrant. For a time, at least."

She picks at the last of her pizza, pulling off the cheese and eating it first. "Mmmph." Chewing. "Still think we need to nip this in the arse while the getting is good. They're hurting. Ain't gonna get a better chance than now to try to come to some sorta, y'know. Settlement. Tell them we can stop the voodoo and fuckery from our end, they stop fuckin' with you, everyone wins." Taking a sharp bite out of the crust and chewing angrily. "Otherwise, if your Gatekeeper says no? Or if she says yes, but then the offer expires? Then you're back to Square one."

(He shakes his head, a little too vehemently) "We cannot win." (He pauses, trying to think through the fog) "Wert thou a....a sidhe, Gwydion, mayhaps. And did a redcap better thee....and then threaten to make it known, unless thou didst bend to HIS will. What would happen?"

"Nay, make a motley of Gwydion, who did despise redcaps. Would not....thine own pride, not allow thee to bend? Would it not, redouble....thy convictions?"

She snorts. "It's pride, is it? Well, how about this for their pride? They don't agree to stop this fuckin' thing, then I go and find me that sidhe, what did the song about Locksmith? And, dig me up a tale-teller or two, have them spread it all over Concordia. Ballad of how a mouse and a goat bested Prince V's personal guard, what? Where's their pride then? In the shitter, I tell you."

"Aye, and do they believe it a bluff, what then? It is done, and they have naught.....naught more, to lose."

"Why would we bluff? What the hell do -I- have to lose, spreading around a hilarious song?" A snort, shaking her head. "We can go see your Gatekeeper. But if it's a miss, we gotta look at the big picture, eh?"

"Methinks, Lady....it shall but worsen matters. Refrain from contact, and they may yet give up. But poke a sidhe hive, threaten them....and they may do as Ailil, and redouble hunting others, of my kin....in their area."

(A murmur, picking through the mushrooms, not eating any more) "Such as Ailil would do."

"If they give up, so do I." A frown, and she sets her crust aside. "Ailil can be useful. Just the same, I'm glad to be clear of the one I know."

"Aye."

"Your lady. What motivates her, like? How you gonna sweeten the deal, make it so she sees a point in takin' you in? Unless it's the kindness of her heart." Her tone, dubious at best.

"That may be all we have, to rely upon." (Another reedy sigh, plucking up a mushroom, and nibbling its edges)

"Until after....I rather hope, the....the surgery. Works."

"She got any hobbies? Collect anything? Little glass flamingos, or, shit, I dunno, beanie animals? Souvenier shot glasses? Pets? Big Mucky-mucks, should take a present when you go asking."

(He lowers head, thinking, the mushroom held pinched between fingers forgotten for the moment) "Aught....mayhaps I have aught she may desire. She is Eiluned, aught rare and of value in cantrips....a useful Treasure, or mayhaps....I make potions. Aught she may be able to use. I warrant....that could be my use, albeit....without....full use of thy hands, it is difficult to practice alchemy."

"But I have potions."

"One, I was commission'ed to do. Mr....Sir Ward, chided me, for taking it."

She looks thoughtful for a moment. "If you knew someone with steady hands, you could tell 'em how to mix your cocktails, eh? I might know someone to help. If the price was right."

"Aye, Lady, I warrant so. An' they can follow directions with....delicacy."

"Would have to be someone you trusted not to steal your secret family recipe. Like, if they didn't give a shit to learn for themself."

"Could you bottle up a wisp, pour it out and tell it where to go, without needing someone on hand to direct it? Or a shadow, a one-use dealy thing?"

(He is silent, thoughtful)

She munches on the last of the crust again now - having paused and set it aside at the talk of Ailil (such can even rob the Maus of appetite), but now finishing it thoughtfully.

"Or mebbe she needs a spy. Someone who can bluff their way into just about anywhere." Said blandly - much as she might remark that the weather is nice today, Mm.

"I am not so skill'ed, with such, as Sir Ward is. My....area of focus, was....poisons, potions, and....various toxic effects." (A soft murmur) "It would take time, trial and error."

"She had a spy, oncely."

An audible grit of teeth as he mentions Sir Ward a second time. "Well, then send HIM to ask. He owes you, neh?"

"Nay. He does not." (His whisper quiets at her teeth-gritting, and he falls silent)

She sighs, and digs in her pockets - the sound of faint crinkling, then the scent of chocolate, peanuts, caramel. Hungry? Why wait? Several bites into the candy bar, and she responds once more. "I never mentioned it, then." Swallowing. "What happened to 'em? The old spy."

(A wintry smile that doesn't stay long) "Thou art looking at him, Milady."

A few moments, and her head tilts. Then, an amused snort. "I can do better than THAT guy on his best day. And at half the price."

"That is the trick of the Lady. Thou wilt end up paying more, than thou art being paid." (Another Mona-Lisa-seque smile curves the edges of black lips) "Do I recall correctly. She had talent...of scoffing at what was offer'ed, and driving up the price, thusly. Knowing, when one was willing to pay more."

"Is it...rather naiive of me....to suggest, going in, not caring whither the offer is accepted, or nay?"

"The potions, should be the only barter."

"Then go in and low-ball it, but set a budget before you go. Let her dicker and think she got the better of it."