#earthrunes

"But the responsibility for his actions would fall to me. I am not sure it's the right course of action. Even prying on his court...."

"Well, if you don't have access to the man himself...."

"Not short of going there myself!"

She gives him a look.

"I could go, but I wouldn't know what to look for in the man."

"I would not be able to tell if he's under an influence or not actually himself."

"Surely a loyal member of his court would have noticed by now."

"Although...well, I might just go, and demand what is going on in his head that he thinks to release such a threat."

"Coradel....."

"Well?"

"He.... ah..... he might want to know how you came to such a question. What prompted it, I mean. And you'd have to tell him about the quest."

"Well, I don't exactly know much that I could tell, do I? I know you know Tantalus is behind some human trafficking ring, and that you're going to try to stop it. You've pretty much stopped my involvement there," she says, and that pout returns somewhat.

He strokes the back of her hand with his thumb. "You said you wanted to know more....."

"I do. And the the more I know is that Jude is being ridiculous, then I want to act on that!"

"Let me tell you first? Yes, Tantalus is behind a human trafficking ring. It's enormous, running from Feathered Serpent through to the Duchy of Gardens. It runs through Grass, but not through here, thankfully. Mostly mortals involved, so the Fae involved can stay hidden. Countess Jessica King in Tijuana... she's the daughter of Sir Franklyn of Rivervale? She has defeated some of their efforts but there are many tentacles here."

"Magnus has names, locations, and has worked with mortal authorities to draw a net around them. Zara can find Tantalus, and the loose plan right now is to draw the net closer and closer until we can catch them all, or most of them. And stop Tantalus."

"Hm. For a moment I thought you were going to tell me this Houseless Countess were part of it. I'm glad she isn't, but do we know who is? Magnus has figured some of it out?"

August nods. "He has, and I would think he'll share more of that information with us as we get ready to strike. Enough so we can move smartly, but not so much as we could give information away."

Coradel is silent for a moment. "Find out from him if any of those on the list are our allies. If they are...I want a piece of them."

August tilts his head, then nods. "I will ask."

"Fine, then." A nod,

Then a bit more warmly, "Thank you." And she nuzzles it to reward him with a kiss.

Which is returned.....

And returned again....and again...and...well, perhaps a little distraction isn't completely unwelcome.....

((Fade))

Not at all.
((Fade))

-----------

In a tavern under the main part of the hold, a pub really, Siv sips her drink and waits watching the door with bright eyes.

Piper peers through the door, having found her way in towards the bar with little trouble. Well, except her sweater is tied around her waist rather than being worn, even though it's a bit chilly still for just a T-shirt. "Siv!" A bright grin. "Did I make it?"

At least this way, the large wet splash on her pants is less visible...

"Damn, you did... " She does not really sound upset, as she moves from her stool and gives the shorter girl a big hug, "Looking good, Piper. " A tilt "Did you do something to your hair, or are you polishing up your horns or something? It looks good, whatever it is, but I can't place it"

A surprised look, and a bit of a blush, but not displeased. "Nothing, really - I mean, my hair is growing out some, we're all saving bucks on haircuts these days." A little spin around. "I was worried I've put on the 'Quarantine 15'... or worse. the 'Covid 19....'" A grin. "You look good too! But you always do." A small squeeze on one of her arms. "You been working out? "

"More like I've been given a work out, but thanks yeeah, and if you are gaining fifteen it's going to the right places" Siv assures. "Oh, my manners. This is Jack." She gestures to an older satyr, a grump who is definitely more Bachus bod than Pan Bod... but seems solid "Jack, this is Piper. Mmm I now know THREE jacks."

"Common name in fae circles" Jack the Bartender says and nods to Piper "Kith cousin, have a seat. What'll it be?"

She slides onto a stool obligingly. "I've never met a Jack I didn't like." A grin over to him. "Do you have a specialty? Otherwise, I'll have what Siv's having."

"I got plenty of specialties, but Siv is having Spiced Rum. So if you want the same no trouble, if you want something different, I might suggest a new smoke mead... tastes better than it sounds"

"Being given a work out, huh?" Her eyes track over Siv, and she grins impishly. "Well, it looks like Fiona is agreeing with you. Though I can't say I don't miss you. The Lodge is a bit quieter without you around. The little Jack helps, but that's a differnt sort of energy."

"Mead - that's the one with honey, isn't it? Well, smoke makes me think of campfires, and that's a pleasant thought, so I'll give it a taste if you don't mind."

"You go it," He fashions it

Siv blushes "Not as much as you'd think in THAT department though Fiona's reputation is.. well earned, just not as narrow a focus as some think. And thanks, it's nice to be missed." she concedes

"That's a shame." A mock pout. "I don't claim to be some expert on the houses, but as they go, Fiona seem the easiest to get along with, from the common end of things. And it certainly SOUNDS like they know how to party, if you believe half of what is said."

"I recently did a queen of the hill game where I would kiss anyone who could knock me off the top" Siv says "That was the G version of the game. I won by the way" Pleased

"Was it a literal hill? Because if a kiss is the prize, I'll try my hooves at being a mountain goat, and see if I can't one-up the 'King of the Hill'." A grin!

"More like a wooden obstacle course that strongly resembles a hull less ship" a grin "Dueling is involved... so you'd have to fight your way to pushing me off. " Siv laughs "But I'm flattered youd' try. Hey, how's your uncle and aunt? I keep forgetting to visit them when I'm there or ask Zane!"

A grin. "Zane's been visiting? I thought he spent his time at the Farm doing chores that will secretly turn out to be magical training. Like a Mister Miyagi sort of thing, he feeds the cows then learns it was all cantrip training. Auntie and Uncle are doing well, they're really starting to come out of their grump-shells a bit with the new Satyr blood in town. Not that they were ever really banal, but they're feeling less old-folksy these days with a proper Tragos to party with."

"Oh no, I did see him last time I went to visit mom and da though" A grin "And hey, glad the A&U are getting their mojo going. You and Lyron still ah..hitting it off "Eyebrow waggle

She picks up the glass that Jack had brought and gives it a sip. "Oh, that's interesting. Complex, smokey yet sweet..." A grin. "Not too unlike Lyron. Oh, we've had a bit of fun. You should see him DANCE. That man's got more shake in his shack than the entire fast food chain."

"I've seen him walk, THAT looked promising" Wistful

"Yeah, he's definitely easy on the eyes, smooth as he moves..." Another sip, rolling the mead in her mouth a bit to taste it. "I heard that Adam visited here the other day. Did you see him when he came by?"

"Well, I uhm.. " A chuckle "he and Zane DID come through... they had Massage 101 lessons"