#earthrunes

In the late night of Pennons, Coradel is preparing to go out. She has set August the task of scribing thank you notes for all the visiting nobles. She has a different task to see to.

Indeed... she has a duchess to meet.

And from there, a target.

She slips out as quietly as possible, then meets the Duchess as they'd discussed earlier. She feels a little hint of a thrill at the danger of going into banality.

The Liam Lady, less so. "I want you to understand something, Chloe," The Duchess abandons titles as it is the two of them about to go into the mortal world, her own chosen identity of Petunia probably not her real mortal name "That this lantern must not be lost. If it comes between losing one of us or it, it must be gotten back safely. We will have friends and the right of rescue to tend to us."

"It doesn't"

"Hm. If Bachdion were still as hearty as he once was, I'd have brought him along for a FlickerFlash backup. But I'd rather not get him involved. We can manage it."

"Sorry, I mean...Dion."

"It's okay, Chloe." The car is ready. Oswald was confused when asked if he knew one that could be borrowed, but he handed it over willingly. His cousin who is out of town.

"You want to drive, or shall I?"

"You drive." She says

She takes the keys and starts them off. She certainly is not the most cautious driver on the road, nor the most skilled...but she does have enthusiasm.

Complete with some energetic driving music as they go.

"You really live to get into the role don't you?" Petunia seems more like just another young woman now, less impressive here in the Autumn world in some ways.

"What? I shouldn't enjoy driving?"

"A fair point" She admits "But the music sounds like something the movies play in a car chase. HOpefully it wont' come to that" They head towards the very hospital Coradel once knew thanks to a car wreck

"Well, not tonight. At least, not unless necessary." She parks and then sneers up at the building. "This place is awful. Okay, so...you're sure this girl is close to passing? It's...her situation is bad?" A hesitation.

"The omen indicated just that yes" She says "But as for 'sure'" A shrug.

A nod. "Let's go, then."

They enter in... and almost immediately the world grows dim. Places are not, by the nature, banal, but so many people here lose hope, or are lost to routine, that it combines to bleach what this looks like to fae eyes.

Chloe draws herself up taller, as regal as she can manage. After all, won't a show of beauty give some people hope? she thinks.

The woman at the desk who glances up at them with tired eyes sends a light chill, "Can I help you two?"

Chloe blinks and beams. "Oh, yes. We've been sent to scout a story for broadcast, but I'm not sure of the name. We were told there was a girl behind a plastic wall or something?" She's seen enough TV to know the bubble-headed broadcast style.

"That would be our infection ward.. I thought the boy in the bubble stuff was 80s... Do you have a permit for this?"

"not for a boy, but the young woman" Petunia says

"Oh... her. Well, lovely.. first she talks suicide, then she gets the press? Whatever... Room 244"

"Thank you!" Chloe strides off without another glance at the woman and seeks an elevator. A glance to Petunia, and a nod.

"You okay? she was chilling"

And the muzak plays 'I will always love you' over and over again.. it's hell

"I'm fine!" Chloe says through a tight, practiced smile.

"If I were a Gwydion I fear my ear drums might pop" She mutters then says "Verywell"

Chloe sighs. "What good will it do to dwell on it when it surrounds us anyway? Just...power through." An impatient little kick at the elevator door. "How slow this thing is!"

It opens. And they slip out

A pause and a shudder....this floor is cold.

In more ways than one. The move on looking for 244.

Chloe doesn't look in the doors of the other rooms if she can help it. She tries not to smell the disinfectant, the plastic....tries not to hear the incessant beeping from everywhere.

Only at the last moment does she hear a voice "cracking down on visitors." and sees security heading this way. If he catches them, he'll interogate them... and waiting here for the 'interview' could have their stuff searched.. and the lantern among them.

A quick sidestep into a doorway, hopefully a closet, pulling Petunia with her.

Startled, but complying... they go in and..wait.

a sleeping patient nearby, but other than that. Just them

Chloe looks around....this wouldn't happen to be the room they're looking for, would it?

Not unless the ideal specimen is 48, male, and obese.

She suspects the Danaan would not be okay with that, no.

Chloe listens at the door, then peers out when it seems the guards have passed.

Footsteps fade

he's gone.

"Should it worry me you seem good at this sort of thing?" the Duchess asks

"We should find white coats," she whispers to Petunia. "I saw it in a movie...."

"Well, it's not worrying me, but feel free if you want."

"Come on." And she steps back out, walking as if she belongs there, keeping an eye out for the right room and, hopefully, any unattended lab coats.