#earthrunes

He is respectful enough to not draw it out like a pooka might a prank, before the corpse's lips ask, "Will it pass? At least for long enough to get a spy's corpse tossed outside? And we hope he doesn't have a crematorium."

"That IS an impressive illusion..."

He draws the ring off to not waste any of it's power.

Lily says "I told he was cool"

"So. Symon to get the chain?"

"Between that, and a ring that shows that I've poisoned myself... almond powder, perhaps." Accepting Gluminski's offer with a nod.

"Or a hint of toxic scent. Mm. Maybe I'll ask Brogan."

"the young man should be paid when this is done" Harrowstep says "I could promise to not knight him? I think he'd find that a good prize"

A startled and fearful look at the Countess. "You wouldn't."

A raspy chuckle "No. But I might reward you in ways you'd prefer. What's the point of wealth and power if I cannot use it to help motivate?"

He almost had an asthma attack - a wheeze to his breath. "I guess I have no choice. And if I fail, at least we'll know more than we know now."

"I can place da'an in your favor - against the Balor, every precaution helps."

"And I can get you closer to the area" DeVere says "escort you much closer"

He looks to Zara. "Should we tell Siv? She might feel obliged to try to protect me. And endanger us both."

"Quatre..." She calls a spider. "We will tell Siv if we must, but not before. And the Sisters may communicate with each other."

"I guess I'm doing a speed lesson on Morse code."

Quatre bobs in a yes..and readies for the message

"I can study it on my phone on the way."

"Quatre can relay information to me, as well as the trio with Siv."

"Ah, handy."

"Once a week, she shall need a drop of your blood, but just a drop. Or, I suppose, the blood of an enemy."

NOW Madame Gray is nodding approvingly. Spiders are traditional allies

He strokes the cat and whispers to her. "There is deathmetal there, Lovey. I will not ask you to come. You can stay and keep Ann Marie busy if you will."

Somehow, trusting that these fellows will not laugh at his pet name.

For a hideous cat.

"Wise."

No one mocks. Lovecraft eyes him Don't die. a pause I will need more chicken

Zara's lips quirk into a tiny grey smile.

He mutters an explanation, "A Baron who might hesitate at violating the escheat and getting caught wouldn't pause to kill a dream. Sorry, Kitten. You're worth more here and alive."

A sigh. "Okay. Now I have to get there before anyone can stop me." Guilty images of Dagmar, Ann Marie, and the Chieftain in his vision.

DeVere rises "I will escort you then..as far as I may. Relax, Lad. I know trods even some Rovers never heard of"

Zara fetches a pot of ink and a pen. "Let me see your arm..."

He extends his arm, checking first that his tattoo is safely somewhere else and snoozing.

Zara inscribes a star made of two crossed squares, and writes something in hebrew around it.

He watches without flinching. "What does it say?"

"It's a blessing." And... Symon feels it, the magic settling in. The sigil flares with light, and disappears into his skin.

"No deposit, no return" Lilly suggests

"No takesy-backsies."

"Or maybe just stamp me return to sender."

He jests, hiding the nervousness setting in.

"If you need aid - I can come, I shall be watching you and Siv, both."

"I... have tangled with the Balor, before."

"I've just watched." His tone expressing that it was enough.

"Perhaps we should take one of his hairs" Madame Gray says "I confess to..some fondness"

He pulls out the tiny little knife Olgar loaned him long ago and cuts off a greasy lock. "You can all have one, if it helps me come back. But I think I'd be uglier bald."

"Fear not,, lad, time will wither your locks, dry them, or snap them off entire.. I promise you, " The hag says "Youth is temporary, it gets better"

Murmurs of agreement from the others.

Oh yes.

He looks a little baffled, then content. There is something to be said of a room of sluagh. It's... comfortable, in a way that other kith aren't. The expectations are high for etiquette, but he UNDERSTANDS the rules here.

Maybe he's been too long among trolls. Trying to act like one of them just angered them when he got it wrong.

Still. He glances at his phone, checking for any messages. Maybe he should leave the phone safely in someone's hands.