#fenixtj

Adam is likewise out of the car, and pacing; when Piper reappears, his relief is visible. "Thank God." He takes the keys. "Dude, you sure you don't want us along?" This is NOT a nice neighborhood.

A hand reached over to lightly squeeze Adam's arm. "He's an Eshu - they thrive on danger and the unknown. Keeping them from it would be like, telling a Troll not to protect."

"Oh." Then a quick grin. "My kind of Dude!"

"She's right, there's a story here. Piper is doing me a favor"

"Ok!" Adam holds his hands up. "Rock on."

And he waves as the two grant get into the car and, hopefully, drive off

She watches Caspian until he turns a corner. "Let's get back to Fenix. I don't have the note, but I still have the bottle it was in. Maybe we can find someone to tell us more."

"Ok." Adam hops in and .... well, does he remember how to get back? Maybe get directions on his phone?

Well, the Eshu gave them some.. and even gave some basics on paper.

Then with Piper as a copilot, off they go!

They return to find Fenix bustling with activity! Music in the halls, folks who know that listening to practice is not unlike getting free music, or just curious about the travelers.

"Hey, if you want to go music I can take the bottle to someone and see what the deal is...."

She shakes her head. "I'm not passing the buck on this one, not when they targetted me..." Though, she looks a little unsure where to start, watching the bustle in the hallways. When in doubt, look for a troll, she decides, and peers around.

"Besides, my focus would be shot right now anyways."

A voice down the hall, an approaching singing "Coconut woman is calling out
And everyday you can hear her shout
Coconut woman is calling out
And everyday you can hear her shout
Get your coconut water, four for five
Man it's good for your daughter, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five"

"Right, so.... find that herald guy?"

Rich tones from the lady singing "A lady tell me the other day
No one can take her sweet man away
I ask her what was the mystery
She say coconut water and rice curry
You can cook it in a pot, four for five
You can serve it very hot, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five"

They DO see Sir Phobos down the hallway

He sure ain't the one singing

She tentatively approaches the redcap. "Uh, excuse me, sir?" A petite satyr, guitar on her back, clutching an empty glass bottle.

.... and followed by an Enchanted mortal.

"Yeah?" He says "How can I HELP You?" He looms

The dark skinned Selkie approaches. Finishing her song "Coconut woman says you'll agree
Coconut make very nice candy
The thing that's best if you're feelin' glum
Is coconut water with a little rum
It could make you very tipsy, four for five
Make you feel like a gypsy, four for five
Coco got a lotta iron, four for five
Make you strong like a lion, four for five"

She wilts slightly. "Uh, I was looking for... " Grasping for what it was she was looking for. "A... thane, maybe... someone... official? Um. For help?"

"That's me" he says "i'm the Champion and herald for the hold. What can I do to help you?" He says

Adam puts a comforting hand on Piper's shoulder.

"S... someone left a message for me. A, uh. Warning - or a threat. Or blackmail. Or would it be extortion? Said they would hurt folk if I didn't pay up in glamour..."

The dark skinned woman with webbed finger, a shaved head approaches, singing the last refrain...and letting it quiet as she realizes she is intruding.

"Someone hassling you?" The Redcap says "Yeah yeah.. might be. You know who?"

"Oh you poor girl," The selkie says

She shakes her head, curls bouncing. "Just that they left a message in a bottle - I found it at the beach, but it was addressed to me by name. Said to leave glamour in the note at this place over in a sketch part of town, and then vamoose or... or a life I value would be in danger. No, or that I would risk my own life and the one I wanted to save..." The hand on her shoulder helped, but she's getting upset again recounting it.

"Could be a scam, " he grunts "either way shady sounding shit. You got the note and bottle?"

She shakes her head, a bit red with embarrassment. "It said I had limited time.. so I paid it. I left the glam' on the note where it said to go. But I have the bottle..." She pauses, then adds, "And I'm sorry if that was wrong to do, negotiating with the bad guys and all that, but I didn't want them to hurt anyone!"

The Redcap looks at her "You hurt? Anyone else you know of hurt? Then maybe you were a sap, maybe not, but you didn't do anything wrong. Let me see the bottle"

She offers the bottle out. And gives a small nod to the Selkie, having noticed her, but been focused on the Redcap - almost like his presence commands attention... and adds, "Our new friend was going to keep an eye out watching the drop spot and let us know if he saw anyone come by..."

A sudden thought, then she shakes her head. "I don't think he was involved though. The DeBukes I've met are all on the up-and-up and he was a gentleman."

Adam gives the girl with webbed fingers a grin.

The redcap takes the bottle and says "Caspian's okay. ..for an eshu." Then shakes hte bottle violently and whispers harsh words in spanish... as if threatening to hunt down the beach the glass' sand came from and devour every grain if it doesn't answer some questions!

The Selkie 's liquid eyes were sympathetic, but as the satyr turns...theyre is a flash of recognition

Biting her lip, Piper is focused on the redcap holding the bottle...

The recap whispers "Who left you for Piper to find?"

"A carefully considered destiny" It whispers.

"I oughta smash you to pieces... who put the note in you?" Phobos says

"a servant who knew not what the note was"

"Was this for extortion or blackmail?" The redcap snaps ..but quietly

"No." Is the very short answer

And then Phobos holds up ONE finger (Not a rude one) to Piper, indicating he thinks he has one question left. And pehraps asking for a suggestion

"Why?" Adam suggests to Piper in a murmur.

She ponders a moment, and nods agreement, "Why was I chosen as the target?"

And she murmurs to herself the last bit of the note, which she had almost forgotten. "Something... no lost causes so long as we try to do right by others..." Her brow furrowing a bit.