#a_room_at_firnost

"He knows my answer." (He finally works to remove the top, struggling a bit. A frown creasing between his brows) "He lacks not for courage, methinks. Mayhaps, it is because....he believes, thou wilt have better luck." (He blows out a breath, that stirs his hair) "Tell me, Lady. Why DOST thou advocate for this? Sooth."

"Because sir, it is not fun to see one you care for suffer." Said simply, though with a bit of a pause as she takes a deep breath. "He has to watch Miss Zara in her sorrow and in her worry." Her eyes meet his for once. "He might also have something to prove, as all young men tend to do. Pardon." She appears thoughtful. "I advocate for it, because he will find a way to do it anyhow. It is how he is. How the dreaming has built him. But perhaps with us, and the people he has recruited, he will have a much better chance of not making the mistakes you are worried about."

(Her eyes meet his glasses, blank polished lens that reflect nothing but her own face back. It makes his own expression difficult to read. He has given up attempting to open the thermos, trying to think through her words)

"Who else?"

"I told him, it would be wise, did he leave her. Another piece of advice, dismiss'ed." (sighing)

"A troll, Earl, I do believe he seeks the attentions of Miss Zara, A Liam August by name, Make that two Liam, Tanner being the other both Sidhe, The eshu Panther perhaps..for they are always tempted by danger and Miss Zara. Two of my spiders also, so I may keep up with them as I wish."

"Panther?" (His slowed attention fixed on this) "Panther works for the....the Ailil Baron. Kelheydryl. Dost thou know...whither he did offer....or was ask'ed?"

"I do not know sir, perhaps when Ice talks with you, he can tell you more."

"I needs speak, to the Baron," (A murmur) "For a favour.....mayhaps, he can have the Eshu, look after him, for us." (A ghost of a smile, sad, amending) "For me."

She reaches out and opens the thermos without a word or second thought, and sets out the pieces of banana bread within reach. "That sounds like a good idea sir."

(He looks down, remembering the thermos only when she opens it. He accepts it back with a murmur of thanks. A pause) "I do not desire, to lose another, Lady."

"He is mine only remaining."

"I would go, an' I could."

"I know you do not desire to lose another." Said almost gently. "That is why I am going to help all I can." She ponders for a long moment. "Perhaps, if you build him a guardian, it could work to protect him over all others? Perhaps Miss Zara too...if you had mind. As we are all family in a way. .."

"Aye." (A pause) "I should ask Mr. Brolin.....to do an Omen. I am too close, to....to see clearly, aye? But I can send a Guardian. And, mayhaps. Luck." (He hesitates) "Luck to them all, as it would protect him. And her. Do they...all succeed, aye?"

"Yes sir, I admit, I did think of the others as a shield for the two of them." She states slowly. "It made me more comfortable to know..there would be others."

"Knowing him, he sees them the same way." (Unsmiling) "Is it unkind of me....to find that a relief, of sorts?"

"Or merely a hypocrisy?" (He finally reaches for a slice of the banana bread, stale and vegan)

"No sir. I think others would think the same." A thought. "Well you be in need of glamour or help for the guardian?"

"I may." (After a long pause) "I hesitate to ask, Lady, but....all helps, sooth."

"Twa, three cantrips. Four, an' necessary. It shall be wearying."

"I have some dross sir, I was saving it for a rainy day."

"Is it raining?" (vaguely, remembering his tea, and lifting it to sip at last)

(Realizing belatedly he forgot to pour, and looking abashed at his poor manners)

"It is alright sir, I have my own." She lifts her lemon water thermos. "And I think it is raining enough. " She clicks lightly and several spiders appear, some of her larger ones. Carrying oddly enough, a few bits of popcorn and some tiny rocks. Five items total, each one containing a point of glamour."

"Very well. I shall endeavor to repay it, when I can." (He rubs a hand clumsily over his face, sighing) "Dost thou know....does his Lady Mother know?"

"Ah...Lady Cogsbury, I mean, pardon."

"I do not know sir. But they do seem to be close. Another thing to ask him I would imagine."

"Aye." (He seems tired, taking another sip of his tea, and murmuring) "Canst thou pass my pills, please? I may need an extra on the morrow. Lest I murder him, and save the sidhe the trouble."

"But that would be rather poor manners, whilst he is a guest herein."

She hands over the pills and gives a little sigh. "Do try and finish your bread sir." Then she starts to move. "I shall leave you, so you can get some rest." The spiders pile the dross on the little table.

"Lady?"

"He was wise, to ask thee. I warrant...that speaks well of him, to know the best tool for the task he wishes to accomplish." (He inclines head to her, resignedly) "Thank thee... for the pleasure, of thy company, nonetheless."

(And then he does dip the bread into the tea, slowly, to lean back and nibble)

"I do want to take care of you both sir. Know this." She gives a smile. A fleeting one, an expression she seems to only share with him. "And he is rather clever." And she leaps from her perch to the wall, crawling her way to the door.

(He returns the ghost of one in response to hers. 'Watching' her go, while he sets up the pills on the nightstand....then resumes his methodical working-through of the remaining banana bread slice) (Endscene?)

-end scene-

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"Kel's Morgue, you stab 'em, we slab 'em..."

If that was the answer, it would be quite opposite. Kel answers the phone after three rings. Hello. The voice does not sound pleased, but... when DOES he sound pleased?

(A voice. A familiar one) "Professor." (A hint of weary humor) "A bad time?"

No. It is not. It is a busy time of the year. Political change always brings people who are... disgruntled. How can I help you? His voice is no more pleasant, but he's not more unpleasant than normal. Maybe there is a slight upturn of his voice, of mere recognition.

"Ah. I had wondered, if you had time this evening." (If it is still evening) "To speak. Phone works, otherwise, but, ah,"

There is a palpable pause, making Jeremy perhaps think he has disconnected. You wish to speak in person?

"For this. I think it....I think it might be best. Yeah. Yes."

Again, that palpable pause. There is a tea shop. Near the Freehold. I cannot meet within those walls right now.

"I am not certain I..." (He hesitates)

(A deep breath in, then another) "Which tea shop?"

T'is about a block away. Not far. If you should need assistance getting there, I can meet you outside.