#earthrunes

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For Coradel it's been hectic and busy. But of course, with Christmas coming up, her mortal family has to be visited.

Oh, and of course, there are gifts to be arranged, including for the mortal family. Delores made sure she knew that would be expected. And so she visits home with appropriate packages in tow.

Your mother fusses, "Where is she? Humphh how I am I supposed to fetch my own drinks?" Then then her mother sees her, "Babycakes. how are you?"

"Oh, I'm fine, Mother. Really, I'm doing wonderfully. You look...fantastic." Of course, she doesn't believe that last part, but it's likely to smooth things a bit.

She hugs her, "Don't I? The swelling should be down from the surgery, the lips look good huh? But hun, did you give Delores the Day off?"

Delores doesn't appear to be here. Nor all her things done.

"I...ah...I don't think so. I can check where she is. Hold on." And she texts Delores's number on her phone.

And the phone rings. Delores, or at least her phone.

She picks up. "Delores? Where are you?"

A voice speaks, one she does not recognized, muffled "Coradel ap Fiona. Listen carefully. Alert the baron or any other fae, and we will slit your friend's throat. Say Yes if you understand."

She glares momentarily, but then puts on a smile and says, "Yes, of course!" as if she'd just remembered something.

"Excellent. Whatever you're doing. Make excuses to be free of it. You have fifteen minutes to be at convenience store near the I-random number exit. You'll get another call then. Do not call anyone else. You're being tattle taled as we speak"

She scowls. "Oh, honestly, Delores! Fine, yes...fifteen minutes. And then we're going to have to have a talk." She clicks off and turns to Mrs. Dubois. "Delores's car broke down. That woman has had nothing but difficulty with cars lately. But she was picking up some things for me, so I really do need to get them. Can you loan me the keys to one of the cars?"

"Oh, very well. Try the mustang. Your father rants about muscle car classics but they're too...testerone prone for my tastes." SHe hands the keys

"Mustang. Perfect. Thank you, Mother. Such a chore!" She gives the woman the customary air kiss, and hurries to get the car.

Oh yeah, that's a lot of car!

She gets in...and realizes it looks different from the inside of Shalimar's Kia Soul, but still...how hard could this be? She turns the key, and the car jumps to life. Another jump when she puts it in gear, and before long she's spitting gravel on the long driveway and is heading towards her destination.

It's not a pretty sight.

She may have to pick that prius out of her grill later, but no animals were harmed

None other than the Mustang itself, perhaps. Upon reflection, maybe taking an actual horse would have been better, but...she's getting there. And she's Not Happy.

She arrives at the sort of stop and rob she wouldn't be caught dead in. The phone rings again

She answers it. "Show yourself."

"I said we'd call, not be stupid. There's a black van with a mortal in it, enchanted and well paid. Tell him you're the package, and let him put you in the back. He'll take you the rest of the way."

"Prove to me you've got Delores first, and that she's unharmed."

"Second." And then Delores voice comes on "Lady? Is that you? Don't come, it's a trap! They plan get you out of the barony ...five Thallian they want to twist you to.. " SHe cries out and whimpers as she's hit and knocked away from the phone. The voice from before comes on, "We warned her not to say anything but that she was fine. So 'harmed' is on her. You want her DEAD? We can do that"

She was outraged before...but now she's MAD. "You are going to be very, very sorry you did that." She clicks off the phone again, exits the parked Mustang, slams the door with a vengeance, then stalks to the van. That enchanted mortal is getting an eyeful of Fiona Ire.

The guy pales "Christ... think of the money, Leonard, think of the money" not realizing he's chanting to himself. "You...you the package?"

She glares at him. "I am, it seems, 'the package.' Are you the fool who took a job from people who are likely to kill you once you've finished it?"

"They say I won't even remember this, and I believe it. All I know is their money is real. So ...let's get you in the back." He moves to open up the back of the van, but he squirms. Her rage and sidhe birthright combine to make her difficult to approach

She doesn't make it easy for him, staring accusatorily at him the entire time. "I think you'll remember enough to wish you didn't remember anything." A beat, and then she gets into the van with unhurried athletic grace. She scans the interior...anything can be a weapon is a lesson she's heard uncountable times, so she's looking to see what's at hand beyond her own resources.

This place looks like it has carried animals in the back.

Though now it's mostly empty. She does notice something though, a small line where there might be a compartment that holds something?

The doors close on her, and soon the van is starting up

She waits until those doors are closed to investigate that small line.

Huh, first aid, and? tools? There's a wrench and screwdriver in here

She takes things out, sees if there's anything stored underneath, then investigates what she found more closely. She slips both tools into her belt, just in case.

Mmm paper, instructions for replacing a battery? really?

She begins to wonder about the validity of that claim that anything can be a weapon.

The Vehicle drives towards rattling and bumping hard.

Any ceiling vent or panel?

Yeah, sort of, but it's screwed tight

She tries to unscrew it with the screwdriver, see where they're going.

She pokes it enough to see they are heading away from Jefferson City, outside of the Baron's domain. Something about the Baron's 'workings' makes her wonder if that's a bad thing.

She doesn't wonder long. According to Delores, she's headed for Thallain, so it's not likely this is going to be a good thing in any way.

She has a good idea of which turns they're taking. They're off the main highway and taking side roads... a sign behind her indicates she's approaching a junk yard? ugh. It clatters and clambers...and he stops to open some gates. She's locked in here. But hears him "Geez she's gorgeous, and scary. I'm almost feeling bad, but a thousand dollars is the most money I ever made for anyjob in my life"

Any pass through between the cargo area and the cab?

Nope. Good kidnap vehicle in that regard.

She checks how much mortal money she's got in her wallet.

Huh, Platinum Card, 500 bucks in 'petty change'.