#elsewhere

"She called and said she had a partner, and she thought her sold her out. K-Kray"

"Mm. Redcap, as I recall?"

"I think so" She nods

"Useful but... usually not nuanced. I suppose we could enact some vengeance."

"It's possible" She nods

"I could ask Phlan." he says, grudgingly.

"ISn't he pretending to hate your guts?"

"Mmph. Perhaps you can ask."

"I guess It better be me" She nods

"Thank you." muttered, still grouchy.

"Sorry, darling" She says "I apologize you're not having fun "

"No need for apology, Dearest. This isn't an outing, it's a mission and sometimes they are not for the purpose of fun. I'm frustrated I could not find more situations for the childlings; I know it puts you in a spot."

"Darling, I don't blame you. I blame this lord."

"Yes, well, I'm sure we both do." he pats her hand.

She squeezes his hand on the second pat

A deep inhale, an exhale. "Shall I take you by Phlan's? Or would you prefer to take yourself and I'll wait here?"

"I'll go myself, love. Don't worry, Cecily knows how to avoid trouble, the skittish thing"

"Be -very- careful, Callidora; we -are- being watched.

"I'm counting on it" A wink 'I do my best work with an audiance"

"Callidora...." warningly.

"Yes, dear," assuringly "I'll be careful"

"Thank you." softly.

A gentle peck, and she slips out

He watches her go from a window, behind the blinds.

And soon loses sight of her

He drops into a seat at the banquette and sulks.

His sulking is a powerful thing.

After a bit- he notices the Eshu is going after Cecily

He texts Callidora a warning.

She texts back a TEXT: Got it

As much as he'd like to text more... .he doesn't distract her.

Time passes

He drums his fingers. He cleans. He experiments with his materials, mixing and matching for the best effect when applied....

And then finally, CC returns

Her William is there at the door and anxious.

CC wipes her brow "That was fun. I put a fuge on her before she say me. I hide better than she does"

"Wonderful." he greets her after the door is shut with a kiss "Tell me everything."

"Phlan told me where I could find our traitor. She's at a pretty nice hotel right now. "

"Really? She has means?"

"I think the Lord has means and paid her off"

"Surprised she hasn't eaten it all yet."

"WHo is to say she hasn't?" Wry "Phlan says she's the Baron's creature"

He rubs his forehead. "So... in coordination with your lawyers we have May Maude released from jail while misdirecting the Lord and sowing chaos in his Freehold through his textiles and removing one childling of your choice from his hostage situation while removing the redcap from the board. Have I the scope correct?"

"Easy Peasy" She nods

He sighs.

"And if we can help throw off his power forever it's nice" She adds

"I'll add that as a stretch goal." he promises dryly.

"Wonderful" She claps "I have all faith in you"

"Have we any alcohol in the RV?"

"Brandy, Scotch, or you want a martini? I also have beer for that more country feel"