#kc_necropolis

"True. But Miriam... she's.. I am glad of her, yes."

"So what harm in seeing him, if you can?" His black-eyed gaze is intent* "He let you know he's there. Now it seems like he's waiting to see how you do, how well you find him."

"If the Uncles know, and are keeping you in, they're already getting in your way."

A little frown, conflicted. "A test?"

"Sounds like one."

"He could have killed you, nu? If he's smart enough to know all this, he could have come back for you that night. He didn't."

"Aye."

"So he's seeing how well you do, I think. No proof, but." He rolls a shrug* "It's what I would do. Wouldn't you?"

"Might even be throwing you off. He knew you would Woo woo the box."

"Why else would he chicanery himself when nobody's around?"

*A grin, eyes gleaming* "A puzzle and a challenge for the curious moth."

"....aye..." less certain, caution at war with curiosity.

"What it is, Ghost?"

"I really don't know his motives..."

"I think he knows yours."

"Do you need to know?"

"No, I want to know. I want to know him, who he is... know that, but not.. not be exposed, either?"

"And I feel exposed. Like he has made a study of me, unawares."

"You said before, Balor disguise themselves as Dougal." *Eyes narrowed* "What if it IS someone that's been there all along?"

"A gauntleted arm with a hammer, but the arm was also a snake."

"They knew Miriam had you. They would have known where you were all along."

"The Uncles said they suspected a Balor spy, once."

"...but why would they want me? For bringing her home?"

"Maybe to see if you would be worthy of recruiting? I don't know, Ghost. Facts, not speculation." He rolls a shrug, eyes narrowed* "You can probably think of a dozen reasons, nu?"

"I do not want to be a Balor."

"They enslave."

"Yeah. but some join." The snake slicks out of his shirt collar, peering out of his tee shirt with lidless black eyes. A tongue flickers out, tasting the air*

His eyes are oddly similar to the snake's, seen side by side* "And I bet people who join willingly make better members."

"Likely."

"But no. You saw what they did to her. No. Some day, I will balance that."

"Balance it. You sound like a Gwydion sidhe, Ghost. Live your own life, not some other nocker's."

He pushes up, a sinuous movement* "You want to come stay at Dria's tonight? Can sneak you in the basement, like usual."

"Mmmm... Firnost?"

"Sure. Same room?"

She nods. "Been a while."

"Yeah. Miss it?" He absently pushes the snake back into his skin with one hand, like one might shove an unruly dog's muzzle away*

"Sometimes, aye."

He nods, gazing at her with lidded dark eyes, intense black* "Yeah. Sometimes."

"We should get you back before the white knight brigade comes to the rescue, nu?"

"Oy. Yes. Well, I have an escort." A faint sniff. "Like a proper damsel." A hint of resentment, faint, but a seed.

"We'll tell them I'm your escort, make them happy." A quick, hard grin* "We know better."

"Come on, Ghost, let's ride."

She picks up her helmet, nodding - but her expression is slightly distant as she turns over a complicated knot of thoughts.

He lets her wear his jacket, if she wants, and he'll put on his own helmet. Starting the motor, and driving her back to Firnost, fast when he can, proper speed limit when the highway patrol is around*

*Fade?*

******************************************

The short & stout man bounds up to the door of the house on Euclid street, carrying a backpack and a straw hamper. He whistles while he walks.

The insectile eye of a visible security camera watches the porch with an impassive stare from under the eaves*

*Another that is hidden watches from a different angle*