#earthrunes

Magnus is waiting a drink in his hand.

Coradel smiles and moves to him quickly. "Magnus. Good. One accounted for."

"One? what's going on?" He hugs her one armed "They told me you were in need? Claire and I were house hunting and... well, it sounded grim even in Text."

She returns the hug, then pulls him to a place where they can sit. "Magnus, Delores was abducted, and they called me to lure me in to get her. She's safe, but they also had one of Deryn's five, uncrysalized."

"It was a child, who is now missing."

"Oh sweet Dreaming. No wonder you need me."

"Well, yes...but Magnus, if they're luring me out by threatening the people I care about, I want the people I care about close. Can you stay here at EarthRunes for a time? At least until the saining?"

"What? Are you kidding? I'm a detective, an investigator. I should be looking for the Chrystalid."

She sighs. "I had a feeling you would say that. And I would feel the same way, were I in your shoes. But you know they can use you against me, if they capture you."

"Coradel, what you're feeling is normal, natural, and very in keeping with those of our house. But you're talking to a man who has had guns at his head as part of his 9 to 5. And there's the right of rescue involved. "

"I know. I am telling you what I wish. I have no way to enforce my wishes." She looks resentful and stubborn.

"You're almost as bad as August."

"I'm going to choose to take that as a compliment. And tell me you wouldn't be equally concerned about Claire if you were in my position?"

"Of course I would. I'm Fiona. Fear is..well, it's one of the times we can feel it, and it ..we don't like it. " He says "But what I was told when I tried to keep Claire safe that she was a grown woman capable of taking care of herself. So, Coradel, I'm a grown man, capable of taking care of myself." reminds

Her jaw tightens and she glares at him...then the expression softens. "Yes. Okay. You're right."

"But if it will help? I can ask for Claire to come with me? If the Baron doesn't mind ?"

A tone of compromise.

"It would, yes. I think that's called a...a buddy system?"

"Right, or a partner or 'backup' if you prefer. I... I don't remember much from my last Dreaming quest, but I remember being irritated with August. something bout him taking all the prices or trying to. I didn't let him. I actually worry that plus what the Baron said... well, it discouraged him. Made him withdraw. "

"Yes. Oh, Magnus...he was miserable. I tried to say the right things, but of course nothing was the right thing."

He sighs "Damn."

"I've called him, but he hasn't called back yet. The Baron scried, and saw that he's safe but...dimmed." A worried expression.

"Wonderful, mmm do you have anything of his?"

A bit of a grin. "Do gifts count?"

"Somewhat. " he smiles ,"I'm thinking that if I need to track him I can."

Then her expression goes serious. "Actually...I have the perfect thing. Come with me." And she rises and leads him to her room.

He follows "Well, first I was going to seek that girl, so holding whatever it is in reserve is fine."

She stops. "Yes. Of course, that makes sense." She seems a bit distracted.

"You want him now" Sympathetic.

She nods, then looks at Magnus. "I want him safe, at least. And...the Baron has seen that he is, for now. So...so yes." A deep breath. "Yes. The girl is the priority."

"No problem," He pulls out his phone, "I'll text him that folks tried to abduct you last night and I believe you were injured. That should get him coming right?"

She puts a hand on his arm. "Don't, Magnus. He still needs to focus. And...I should be the one to tell him, anyway."

"You sure?" he does stop.

An uncertain moment, then, "If he does not call me by tonight, then yes, you may."

"Okay. And.. I understand. You don't want to take advantage of his feelings. " A deep breath "uhm... maybe you can help me? Claire, she an I have lived together before but now we're getting a HOUSE...and she's been acting odd about it. And I've been feeling odd. it's not that different from an apartment is it?" Nervous

"You...you're asking me? I have no idea, Magnus. I've never had to arrange for either. I suppose...I suppose it's more of a committment? Perhaps?"

"Perhaps," He says "she keeps looking at it and mentions room for... growth."

"I mean, what does 'growth' even mean?" He paces, "I know what it sounds like but that's for grumps."

"Oh. Well...yes, that does sound..." She shakes her head. "I hardly think she means immediately, Magnus."

A deep breath, "Good good. Immediately is bad."

"Do you think...can you see that for yourself, in the future?"

"I.. actually it's a bit terrifying. I mean, stopping drug dealers is one thing, near death, but that's a big responsiblity."

"Not the near future. The future future."

"The future Future ? I .." A pause, and he blinks, "Okay, that's scary. the baby is hard to imagine, but whe nI do manage, and then there's 'the mother' it's Claire. Despite the 'future future' options

Her brow knits delicately. "Well...that's..." She trails off.

"Alittle frightening geez."

She nods and looks off.

"Copper for your thoughts?"

A slightly embarrassed look. "August."

"good or bad?"