#ccsemberclub

(Continued from PBEM)

A snort, delicate but also slightly insulted. "Really, what how? Darling, just because I'm not as good as you are when it comes to a web of contacts and information doesn't mean I'm not very very good at what I do. Someone saw you, I don't claim to know who...and that someone told someone else, and that someone let it slip to me." A tap of her hoof, "The darn thing's device blew up later... in the basement. Did you think that wouldn't at least get talked about?"

After a sullen moment, now NOT looking at her. "I thought those mentally challenged, emotionally stunted nockers would -FIND- the damn thing. Good grief."

"And I was not trying to keep it secret! I simply didn't think it needed to be noised about."

"Well, someone noised about for you," She says, "And if you weren't trying to keep it secret why were you so surprised I knew?"

"Dearest, I'm staggered -anyone- knew. I would have thought the sluagh would keep it a secret .... oh. Oh. I see. Well Played. " A disgruntled huff.

"oh? The slaugh played you?" Surprised

"I cannot think otherwise. The room was empty except for the goblin, and I." Pondering. "There is a sluagh who might enjoy casting me... differently. For his own perverse enjoyment, perhaps even for mischief."

"If you mean ICE, it's too subtle for him, but I honestly don't know who tipped the Gwydion off."

"No, not Ice, he's as subtle as an ice pick to the temple. Another. What Gwydion is this?"

"And how do you know all this when, and I mind your habits, you are not at Firnost as much as...... Furry No." He gives her a sour look.

"Morthwyl, who works to fight the Thallian is not subtle and he patrols..." She shrugs "I have arts that allow me to bypass the boon, not that i need it with him. " At the sour look she does have the decency to look a bit sheepish "Hugh got me talking. Pooka really are quite rude sometime."

That just seems to put an extra burr under his saddle blanket. "Hugh. NOT such a good boy. And... Morthwyl?" Disdainfully. "By what right and authority, not that it matters?"

"By the right of the Escheat...technically he's not doing anything we couldn't do or any commoner couldn't do. Thallian are not protected by the Escheat, and lately they've been ravaging heavily, and even attacking Kithain. The man has no authority IN Firnost, but outside of it? I guess he's a knight. And..."A raised brow, "Are you going to tell me you didn't have plans to make certain goblins pay? By what' right and authority' beyond they endangered the woman you adore?"

Steaming quietly. "I have very certain plans, yes. And that is all the right and authority -I- need, but a Gwydion? In a Dougal Kingdom? What is at play there, I wonder? Aside from the fact that they control Freeholds and Balefire and let the common Kiths starve unless they...." He stops, bites it off.

"How do you know all this, and I do not, Callidora?"

She takes her hands and puts them on his, "I talked to him."

"I know I should make it sound like I'm a master at clever deceit, and I can be, but sometimes it really is that simple. He saw me, informed me of the Thallian situation, which I already had heard of... thanks to Miriam ap Dougal's little watch program... and I pumped him for information."

"Miriam....??" He really looks lost. "What watch?"

"Pardon me, not a Dougal, Liam... and apparently the thallian have been so bad some in Firnost are organizing a bit of a watch program. I can't say it's gotten far. but I thought it wise to keep abreast. Sidhe offend you even more than I, so I thought I'd take on the odious task of interacting."

He darkens (further?) and shoves the invoices at her.... then thinks, and shoves them in a pocket. "Dearest, I must excuse myself just a bit."

"William?" her mouth falls open, "William, did I do something wrong?"

"No. No, no, Dearest." Instantly conciliatory. "I may have... not been as much a part of the fabric of Fae life here as I should be, for all this to ... be beyond my notice. I should tend to that. That is all. And, I really -do- have to speak with this vendor."

"Wiliam, we are PARTNERS... that's why I'm telling you..well, that and you'd find out anyway, and why I thought you'd be okay with me having feelers of my own. This is not a failing on your part...please don't make it into one."

"Callidora, I am .... " Pauses. "Partners." A flicker of a grin crosses his face before he continues "I.... Thank you, Callidora. Of course I'm -happy- you have source I don't. But... it's not something I'm used to. Being.... outside, like this. Outside the pulse, the information."

"Well, that maybe my fault, I should have filled you in days ago .. I need to get used to the idea that you need to be in the loop more quickly, not just because of how you feel about it, but because you have a right to it and it's more efficient." SHe strokes his cheek. "i'm sorry I didn't think to tell you sooner. We have both been used to handling things ourselves so much we might be slow to realize what advantages we have in each other."

His eye flutters closed at her touch to his cheek, and he opens it again still concerned. "Yes. We're both still... getting used to this. But for me, for what I am, to be outside such gossip? I -need- to devote some time to this, Dearest. And -I- need to make it clear, to anyone... anyTHING... that you, and anything you wish, are Off Limits."

"As long as you understand, I am not some hapless damsel who needs a man to shelter me every step of the way, I .. love playing the damsel now and then, darling, but frankly it could be a bit insulting if it goes beyond play. That said..."A frown and sigh, "if you NEED this...then I will try to be understanding. But don't leave me out of things, okay? I think clearly that leads to mistakes like the one I just made."

He exhales, amused, and draws her close. "Dearest Callidora. Once I am settled, and confident, with a plan and information... please, tell me you didn't think I wouldn't include you? I love to watch you work. It is a masterpiece, every stroke. You leave me in awe. How could I not want that with every fiber of my being?"

"We have the club," She reminds, and plays a liittle with his chest, finger tips dancing, "And most of the time that's enough for me, but I can tell you enjoy when I put on my Mrs. Peel outfit so.. to humor you and help you both and because I don't want to be left out, I'll be your three angels in one if need be, Charlie." A kiss on his lips, then "Now go handle your paper work and do what you feel you must. You trollishly protective boggan you."

He kisses her back, firmly, and then rolls his eyes. "Yes, Dearest." And he's off to give a vendor what might be the last thing he hears, before going to to be.... very Fae, and very... him.

she sighs, "he's going to be the death of me."

"From stress." A chuckle

(End Scene)