#anywhere

"Good" She takes his hand and they head on.

....discreetly avoiding notice by the secret police, something William has been doing for quite a while.

And they get to their hotel of sorts ..putting their masks on first

Once in their room, William unmasks and encourage Callidora to clean up first.

She does.

Soon the hot shower going.

and.. a phone call for his room.

A faint frown. He waits for it to go to a message.

The message clicks on ..to mortals it sounds like white noise, to changelings though '_ Attention all Kithain, By Order of Duke Sunstone, Withdraw from the protests. The threat to the right of ignorance has grown too strong. Those defying will be detained not by mortal authorties, but by His Grace's thanes. This casting is ringing on all phones near kithain. So there is no excuse. You have been instructed and must comply- for the greater good. Long Live the Duke_

"BAH!" a snarl.

The message doesn't seemed to have targeted him per se. No doubt some nocker device mixed with a cantrip to send it out.

CC comes out, wearing two towels, one wrapped skillfully about her hair. The other about her torso "WHat's wrong?"

He punches the voicemail again to let her hear it.

She hears it, though it is softer the second time. NO doubt repeat listenings will cause it to fade entirely as a safety precaution.

"That asshole" She snorts

He seeths; just being told what to do (or not do) frustrates him.

"He's going to breed more resentment" She observes "Not just from us"

"Hmph." He huffs. "To put this right I would need a year of on-site work."

"Nooo no no, we have a hold, a small hold.. but still... and I would be very sulky if I didn't see you for a year. Surely we can just let others know about it? Your old net work?"

An eyebrow. "Do you think they are not aware? And here?"

"Well, all taken care of then"

Dimples

"Mmph." He plops down on the bed, arms folded.

She slides next to him and strokes him "So do we head home tomorrow morning? "

"Yes. I suppose so." He takes her hands in his and kisses them. "Let me clean up first, I wouldn't like to contaminate the bed." A small smirk.

"Ha" A nod

He rises and hustles off to shower.

He cleans off, trying not to think of what will happen. Somewhere, some kithian will defy tonight... and then, be made an example of.

Or maybe they won't even defy. Maybe they honestly won't hear about it.. but then it will be too late

As he rinses off, he vacillates between despair and an urgent impulse to find SOME way.... call someone, send a message....

and he comes in, and sees CC ,she has changed into a very sexy nightie, but she sees his face "Come on, honey. I'll try to take your mind off.. well, everything"

Even in the face of his mood, he can't help a small sparkle and smile. "If anyone can, Dearest...." He goes to her.

"ooo a challenge.." she purrs and... to his surprise... he actually does make her forget.. for a time.

(End Scene)

(❤️ 🦑 )