#earthrunes

A long suffering sigh from August.

"Oh, I will not mind knocking the Balor down a peg or two... and certainly not mind keeping them from regaining Fenix."

"So... Rathbone's lover, Paler's brother, and the satyr. Three foes in Tijuana."

"Mmm sidhe and a satyr... yes. the more I think abouti t, the more I think tantalus might be a literal scape goat if they get their way. Do you think he's cunning enough to realize it?"

"He... might not be. But I suspect he would be very upset were he to realize it."

Magnus frowns "Well, I don't know about you, but I don't want Tantalus off the hook just to get at hte two sidhe lords"

"Hardly."

"Cross and double cross?"

"I just wonder if a few dribbles of information could set them at odds, and make them easier to handle?"

"Perhaps?"

"It's not a bad plan"

"The question is how to get a bug in his ear..."

"Ah... just to, ah, understand our position... we are not concerned that Count Jude is missing, or under an influence, or being mislead by a member or members of his court?"

"He is hiring muscle. Could we.. ah.. slip in an agent?"

"Well, truthfully, August, it seems unlikely to me, but I can look into that" Then to Zara "I wonder if Siv might want THAT Job?"

"....Siv?"

"She's a shape shifter who I can't get a lock on with soothsay..." Magnus says "She seems qualified"

"Fair. Though she is scryable... just... oh, like catching a fish bare-handed."

"You managed to scry her? Ooo" Envious "I tried once, gave myself SUCH a headache"

"Mmm." Is that a smile?

"Captain Waveborn? Are you sure?" with regard to recruiting her for such a task.

"Truthfully, I'm surprised THAT is not where you send your sister..."

"She is Liam, nu?"

"Derynwydd is, yes, and we might -ask- her to go. Although it could place her in an awkward position vis a vie the Count..... on the other hand, she's more than likely to avoid asking in a way that would do so." A soft, proud smile.

"Ah, maybe I misunderstood... the task I was talking for was an agent to spy on the enemy. Not jude"

Magnus raises a brow at this pretty sure they just crossed their trains of thought

.... and collide.

"Ah - Siv to Tijuana? Aye! She would be well suited - would enjoy that, I think."

"Yes. And my apologies. I thought I had said I'd check on Jude and confirm things there. " A look to his father

"Ah, pardon.."

August nods acceptance.

"It's all right, glad we got that straigthened out. I'm not terribly concerned with Count Jude not being himself but I will double check" Assurances

"And as Siv is Jessica's sister, all the better - she'll want to help Jessica most directly, I'd think."

"True. Now, Miss Zara, August... i thinkk you should know that my plan was for me to handle the interactions with most authorities of MORTAL kind. Deal with the police and such? "

"Isn't that a danger for you? Banality-wise." Concerned.

"Autumn sidhe do tend to be more resilient..."

August nods. "Good point. I had forgotten. Of course, Magnus."

A LONG look at his dad, a bit worried in fact "Also... and I'm stunned if this is news to you- I'm a private investigator who works with the police and others for a living?"

"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm comfortable with it." August says seriously.

A look to Zara "Zara, just to be sure, and I'm not trying to block you... but am I to understand that, whatever happens, whatever orders are given, whatever the Count wants, you are going to put a Fatefire on Tantalus?"

August watches Zara gravely.

"Jude is not my master - nor, frankly, does he have jurisdiction. I frankly don't give a damn what Jude wishes."

"But to declaim, boldly, "whatever happens" I shall not deviate from what is currently my best plan? Nay, tis foolhardy. If a better solution appears, I am open to it."

"Fair enough, quite sensible all around" Magnus ssays "And I'm not trying to get you in a' gotcha'. I'm just trying to figure out how best to work amicably with you, father, Earl and.. .perhaps Caspian. You seem uncomfortable iwth me in charge, so I'm trying to decide if I should instead join father and suggest you be in charge.. on the fae side of things at least"

"I don't like giving up the lead in my investigation, but what i LIKE doesn't matter when mortal and fae souls alike need to be saved"

"Understand that we have mutual goals, and desist in the notion that I am subject to command."

"That you wish to develop tactics and organize action is fine."

"I see.. then are you comfortable an independent consultant? The expert brought in ?"

Magnus looks not amused, but thoughtful, as if some irony has struck him.

"...Aye."