#elsewhere

Time passes

He listens intently, and his eyes burn holes in the ceiling of the RV.

(Perception plus Alertness)

/roll 8

"Your child..." "If I could just free her..." "And you came to me?" "She says you were kind. We..sliped her a cellphone"

He'd pace, if he dared; as it is, he doesn't dare so much as to drum his fingers.

FOrtunely , CC seems to have hardened her heart, and is playing the mliquetoast Cecily "Oh but I couldn't dare"

Dare what? as he listens.

"But if you could just leave the ward down..."

"Oh is THAT what that silly charm is for?" 'Cecily' acts clueless

"...works only against childlings, but the charm should lower it"

William casts back amongst his memories.... a Seer or Court magician? Skilled in the Arts?

As he considers, it occurs to him the 'lord' himself, who he didn't meet might have that abilty. The steward was praising him

But another possiblity was a seer who was not spoken of, save for 'that's the Seer's room. Keep clear of it'

Sounds of frustration. The Eshu mother begins to suspect Cecily is incompetent , cowardly, or both

Steady, Dearest.... he wills at her.

CC lets her, playing so clueless as to not take offense

William stays as quiet as a church mouse.

Finally, the Eshu woamn says "My feet keep leading me to you, but for once.. I think they must be wrong. Fine. Help my child's kidnapper"

And off she goes

CCwaves bye bye with a sad weak smile, timid

Then comes down and slips in and only now does she let her true emotions show

He has a glass of good bourbon waiting for her.

She takes it and downs it fast, then sayss "Did you know I'm a monster?"

"Nonsense, Dearest, -I- am the monster in this relationship."

"I.. I used to be that woman" She shudders "My child threatened to be taken by a noble.. only she din't run fast enough"

A sigh. He sips his own drink. "Is she willing to run again?"

"She'll run the hell out of here"

Another drink. "Can you get the child out? Safely?"

She ponders "I might, but I'm sure it will blow my cover"

"At the last moment, then, and leave it be if there is danger to your or your escape." he says firmly.

"May maude has to come first" She sighs "yes, last moment" A gulp "I feel like such a bitch"

"Dearest, we cannot trust anyone here. I know you feel her plight; of course you do. But to admit it and offer help is to give away all."

"I know" She grumbles, then sighs "I know. Don't worry, she knows Cecily has no spine. Near as I can tell it's just that Eshu Birthright in effect"

"Deucedly useful at times and a damnable nuisance the rest of it."

"It's one of those knacks that throws any carefully laid plan into the shredder"

"Or saves it." dryly "I've had both happen."

"Sadly they don't come with an instruction book"

"Indeed." he sighs "Do you think she is gone?"

"Oh yes. I made sure she was really departed"

He sighs. "Let's lock up and try getting some more sleep."

"So help me if we get a pooka on the roof I'm liable to launch"

"Dearest, if we are disturbed any further in our slumber, those that disturb us will be the ones launching." he promises as he leads her, drinks in hand, back to bed.

She cozies with him almost posessively as if daring the world to take her away from him again.

And thus, cuddled up, they try to sleep. Again.