#earthrunes

Then he frowns. "Or I just get in deeper for siccing you on her when her mind is made up."

She takes out her phone. "Oh, she'll forgive."

Tappity

A shrug. "Never said I was in this business to make friends."

TXT: Well. I did tell Symon word should get out to your cousins . I owe you. You calling it due?

He sips at the tea, trying not to fidget unduly.

"Could have called Mom to sic Jonas on her. But I never get credit for the things I didn't do." He whisper/mutters to himself.

TXT: I am. Allow some aid - will send 6, 9, 10 to you with Symon.

"Trolls are... well. Trolls."

TXT: Ugh. Can we have someone else besides Symon deliver it? He tried to use Gwydion boon against me. I have mother issues about that WITH GOOD REASON

"Helped the kid diagnose her poison when it would have been more interesting to watch it progress, and she'd have been saved anyways, just take a little longer. But noooo...."

Txt: No. You may discuss this with me later, if you so desire. But we must needs take advantage of skills he has.

"No curiosity. And, oh, touchy. Feh. If you have a Gwydion, it is smart to use them."

"Not against us, of course."

TXT: The ability to complain about chains then try to use one?

TXT: And I cannot scry you undercover. The ladies shall be adequate channels for contact and recon.

TXT: Fine. Fine. But only because you're a friend. I trust you. AND your cousins have a right

TXT: I am very concerned about this chain. And you know my past with that House.

"Oh, it seems you have stumbled against Mother issues."

He fidgets, and mutters. "Not like she'd believe me if I said I was sorry. Not sure I even am. But I should have tried smarter."

And, a wince. Oh, he knows THOSE.

"It happens. Fiona are like satyrs - she'll forgive."

He gums at his lip.

TXT: I do. Tell him to be careful. He's an ass, and I'm mad, but I don't want him hurt. he's of Rivervale

Txt: He is.

"Well, save the apologies until this business is done. No need to be sorry for wanting her not to be reckless, nor for using the tools you had available."

"Should I bring the fabric here? I... I'm not especially great at it. It's like the book said. The sidhe exist differently in time, somehow. But I can make it work. But maybe you could help. Or I could ask Zane, but I don't know if we really want to spread to more people. You know what they say about secrets - Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead." A grim smile. "Or sluagh, I'd add as a caveat."

And he scowls suddenly.

Brow.

"Just something else. Can you keep this between us for now?"

"I can. We may both be able to work with the fabric, methinks."

"It's something else entirely. There's this sidhe, Nadeen. She's Varich... but of Rivervale. But she was there, and heard about the chain. I don't think..." He hesitates, trying to figure out what HE does think.

Narrow eyes.

"I wouldn't trust her not to use a chain like that, if she had one. She used to have this sword that had anti-slug alarms. But... she stopped using it at the Lodge, when the Chief told her to. But she knows it exists now. And I don't know if she would tell other Varich. I would think... she'd look first to look after River Vale first. But I don't know where her loyalty to her house lies in that scale."

"Varich are dangerous."

He frowns. "I'm not trying to say I think she'd do anything. But... just more reason to get that chain. And make sure no one else knows the nature of how to make such a thing."

"Agreed. We must needs reclaim the chain, prevent others from using it against us. I may speak to other sluagh for aid."

He struggles a moment. Maybe somewhere along the last few years he has earned himself that single Empathy point he earlier lacked. Finally he says, "I just... don't want it to sound like I'm putting out a hit, or even a watchlist against her in particular. She's... whatever else she is, she's not Balor. And she would help Siv. And the other trolls. We kinda... have an understanding, I think."

He seems surprised at what he's saying. Perhaps even a touch aghast.

"It's like, if we were both on the edge of a cliff? Neither would be about to jump to save the other. But we're not SHOVING either?"

She nods.

"Sometimes life surprises us."

"It would not surprise me if the chain were a Varich treasure, truth."

"Maybe that's something I could help figure out." He nods, just having to actually get the stuff here now. He should have snagged a few threads earlier. Next time, he will.

Bronte flutters up and lays a book down

He glances over. "What's that, Smaugling?"

Zara looks at the title.