#earthrunes

"What is he up to?"

"Well, he's pissed off at the Freedom Council. THey pushed for an early release on all prisoners... said it was 'commoner' oprression... but he's also pissed wisth himself so...naturally, he's infiltrating the chain AS a slave"

SIGH.

"How does that help?"

"To slip others out, get more intel himself.. and 'keep his hands in'" He says "me I think he should lead it to the professionals and is feeling guilty."

"Liams" He says with annoyance

Then coughs 'Present company excepted, of course"

"Yeah yeah. Okay, so we need to rescue our well-intentioned idiot friend, too."

"No.. not yet. " He assures

"the priority is freeing the slaves.. and getting Tantalus."

"And Jude is all right. I know ... don't ask how" A frown "But he IS in danger so..yay"

"Well, we fix this, we'll get him."

"But sometimes..." A sigh.

"Sometimes?" His turn for the brow, inquiring

"Jude is one of the smartest idiots I know."

That gets a laugh "Poor sis, you're the sane one left in the nuthouse .." Not said mockingly

"Okay, I'm going to go pack up. You, don't get shot in Tijuana."

"Claire would be miffed."

"That's putting it mildly, she's already furious we're not on the same team.. or 'the creampuff squad' as she calls us"

"And, thanks, sis"

"Well, at least Earl has his head on straight?"

"When he's not caught by the way the moonlight hits his beloved's hair... or crushed as she looks hurt. I swear he should just join House Fiona." A smile "But otherwise yes. Oh, he loves some of your new work by the way"

"Yeah?" Wing-lift, grin.

"He said something about your enhancement of colors by having them surrounded but never over come by the blackness about them was second to none...honestly it got a bit technical and I kind of nodded off but mostly I think he thinks your stuff has ah.. balance? I don't know."

She laughs. "Sounds about right. And given how he likes to wander in the darker end of the pool..."

"Honestly, for such a sweet guy..."

"Morbid as hell" a nod "I suppose that's one of the things Zara sees in him"

A smile "Anyway, let me know if there's anything else you need or how I can help? I think they're suggesting you take Sir Carowyn, he's that fellow who joined on after Parliment? "

"Oh, he seems promising! I will talk to the both of them..."

"I'll leave you to packing. Thanks, sister," He says "I need to chase my wife around the room aNd maybe fetch her chocolates"

"A good plan, brother-mine."

"She'll let me live, I know that. She always says if she kills me, I won't learn nothing" a tip of the hat, and out he goes.