#elsewhere

August peels his tongue off the roof of his mouth where it adhered as he watched Coradel's approach in the mirror. He rolls down the window. "Hello." despite the current quandary, he lights up briefly at her presence. "Ah. May I?" he gestures to get out and explains as he does "It seems Dylan from the Key Club has left our company at the moment. I suspect he's gone to investigate closer, perhaps to let himself in. I could not risk it, myself, and so could not ask my people to do so either." he looks back at the McMansion with a frown.

“Ask? Or did they volunteer?” She peers in the car window at Temerity and Ivory. “Am I right that you’ve volunteered for action here?”

"They did volunteer, yes, at my request."

"I would not expose them to those magics associated with, ah, what's been described."

"Not what I mean. love. On hearing the conditions, have they volunteered to proceed? And truly, August, with your talent at withstanding temptations," she pauses with an amused look, "I think you, yourself, have little to fear."

"I would never risk breaking my Oath to you, Coradel." he says simply.

"I think the strength of our oath protects you more than you suspect. But in that case, let those who have volunteered and who have no such oath to risk do the work that needs doing." She gestures to the patient heroes still in the car.

August looks torn but nods. He turns to Temerity and Ivory. "You understand the danger?" he asks "I will not hold you in any different esteem if this is not for you."

"My lord, we swore to protect mortals, particularly their love" Ivory says

Coradel takes August's hand with a gentle squeeze. "If we arrive together, might we provide them with cover?" indicating the others.

August blinks. "If you were to join us, Coradel, that would shield me, as well."

"As if you need it," she smiles confidently at him. "Come on, then...let's go see this so-called 'sex cult.'"

August nods, looks at his knights, and leads them all up to the door. Keeping an eye out for Dylan as they go.

Well, the gate is in the way

but as they approach it, a guard comes up "Can I help you?"

"Ah. Yes. Ah.... we have an invitation."

Coradel smiles at the guard as August speaks, the kind of smile that makes most mortals' knees weak.

to her suprise, the man seems oddly unaffected "In..vitation?" thickly"Invitation to what?"

"To visit."

"They're expecting us," Coradel clarifies. "Inside."

"the goddess sent for you?" A look "All of you?"

"Clearly." August adds, and looks down his nose at the rent-a-cop.

(Or tries; deception isn't really his strong suit.)

"Of course She did."

"Wait here, please. I will ask" He moves to the house, but they hearr him mutter "the goddess didn't mention guests"

Coradel says, "Wait just a moment, I have it written here somewhere...."

"Come and see." August orders.

He turns about again and returns to the gate to see

She starts looking through the pockets of her jacket, giving August a pointed look.

"I had it right here...."

August frowns. "What is your name?" as he looks for a nametag or similar.

"Boris" the man says

"Well then, Boris...." August shoots his cuffs and straightens his tie (his own, not Boris's) "Take a good look and then open the gate, there's a good chap."

Coradel smiles a bit as August plays the leading man. She enjoys this view.

"Oh, you are worhy of the goddess" He says admirigg and opens the gate

Coradel reinforces it with, "You don't want to keep Her waiting."

"Yes , come in"

Coradel beckons Ivory and Temerity to enter close along with them.

And up to the house door they go, and he opens it for them "May we all bring the goddess joy, let rings be broken to her delight"

Coradel pauses. "Boris, dear, have you broken any rings for Her?"

August carefully doesn't frown.

"Oh yes," He says happy to please "I left my wife a year ago"

"So very long? Is she here, as well?"

"my wife?" A shrug "no, please, you must go in"

"Of course. Thank you, Boris, dear," she says with that beaming smile again. Her hand has never left August's.

August's grip is rather.... firm.

Turning away from Boris, Coradel whispers to August, "I think the other two should part from us as soon as we're inside, find back ways to spy."

Boris seems to focus on August "So like the goddess this one" and he returns to his post near the gate

The stunning young man walks away with his entourage.... and August nods to Coradel "My thoughts, too. Sir Ivory, Dame.... please work together and seek another point of entry. I feel that we are looking for a female Sidhe, unseelie, with powerful magics to inspire lust and deceive. Be careful. Take care of each other."

Coradel looks at the decor, trying to see if the color selections might indicate a particular noble house.