#elsewhere

"Look, maybe I can help you... this guy still after you or his goons? You got protection?"

"No." miserable "We were punished and banished. I... I have a gun." in a hushed whisper-voice

"guns. ... mmpH" He says "look, my love is hard ware but I tinker in a lot of things. Might be able to do better than that"

"Will we need a weapon?"

"I don't know, but you might want protection oene way or another. Taser or Vest"

"I don't think... those sound.... pricey."

"it should be.. I make quality... but I might discount on it."

"But somethings aren't about money"

"You must let me repay you, somehow." he insists "What do you need? Or... or how could I serve you?"

"I don't know your skills"

"I... I was an assistant wine steward."

"Oh.. right, the drink thing" He says "Well shit.. not sure WHAT you can do for me"

"Laundry? I mean, oenophilia isn't my only skill."

"Oenophila? Well.. don't ask don't tell" he shrugs "Sure I guess on the laundry.. mmph even the Local Lord needs laundry" A snort 'Nice suits have a mortal side"

"Would it be ... safe?"

"What? Laundry? "

"I meant, if I were to go to the lord seeking laundry work? Isn't that what you meant?"

"Oh.. mmm no, though you'd probably not have to worry. He doesn't handle that. You'd have to talk to his Steward"

"Oh. Well, still, I could take care of -yours-. And... meals? I can put together food."

A frown "You rEALLY hate feeling like you owe someone dontcha?"

"If you're going to protect us...."

"Oh that" He grumbles

Abner shifts his weight from foot to foot.

"Ah, if I thought you wouldn't screw it up I...nah"

(Perception plus Empathy)

/roll 6

The screw it up was not about his quality of laundry work. No, there was more there he was considering

"I understand." miserably "Once a screw up, always a screw up."

"No no.. just... using you to get back at our jackass baron seems unfair to you, too risky"

Abner is quiet a long moment "But... worth more to you than meals and laundry?"

"Feels like"

The little kithain screws his courage to the sticking place "You could give us protection, and information to make the work safe? Or...the safest it could be?"

"Well ah..." he scratches his head "I know a few things.. yeah"

He swallows. "Alright." in a tight voice "I'll do it."

"Look , let's go to a safer place to talk"

Abner nods and follows.

They actually get into a vehicle, a truck for repairs. He switches the radio on

It begins to play extra twangy country "Sorry about that. Only station that helps shield versus tattle tale"

"There's a radio station that does that?" amazed.

"NO you fluffhead! I built it..."

"Oh! Very clever, very -smart-."

""mm I try. Just seems to me if I wanted you to plant something in that hold.... well... that might be a good in"

"I'll do whatever you need."

"you think you could put a listening device shaped button into a coat?"

"Certainly. I'm not a tailor but I can sew a button."

"mm"

"Look, it's risky but I want dirt on this guy. If we could get you to laundry and replace a button on his coat..." he mmms again

Rapid nodding. "I could do it, I know I could."

"Yeah, we could furking do this"