#kc_necropolis

"And I respect that" She says, "Hopefully it's more he's relying on contacts and such." CC considers, "Don't let my worrying get contagious mmm? Now," She eyes Zara, "I realize a lot depends on how what you learn, but how do you plan to take down Balor nobles?"

"I wish to concentrate on those directly involved with Miriam's theft. It... others were enslaved, we only freed her."

"I plan to learn who they are, so I may see them, and then... bring their due fate down upon their heads."

"Well, good lord, you have picked a very hard path to walk, and yet it is a brave one" A tilt of her head "Mind a little unasked for older woman advice?"

"I don't know if it is so brave - I am a soothsayer, it is not an art that is very direct. But.. I am a sluagh. We are not dreams of spun sugar and rewards."

"What advice? To avoid the Balor? That's what my uncles would wish."

She laughs, "Of course they do. They're your uncles, Kitten. They love you. They will always see you as the skinned kneed little girl glaring resentfully at the bike that betrayed you. " almost wistful, then "But we can't stay little girls, we must, ever, betray them in that. Kittens turn into cats, and your claws are getting longer. No. I'm not telling you to set aside your goals. I am saying, make sure you bring the positive along, that you mix with your crusade some of that spun sugar ..in moderation for yourself. Don't let it pull you away from the very people you wnt to protect. Don't let it consume you to the point where destroying the enemy is all you live for. Your mind, your heart? Would be wasted on fantacism"

She worries at her lower lip, nodding. "It would help if they would leave me and mine alone."

"Yes, it would" A nod, "And you will find a way to drive that lesson home" She steeples her fingers "For whati t's worth? I think you're taking the right tack learning all you can before finding the best place to strike"

"It would be foolish to declare war on the whole house, alone. I am not a fighter, my skills lie in magic and in watching. I am not a great manipulator, I doubt I could intimidate."

She nods

"And... da'an is a touchy thing. There is risk in tugging on its strings."

"But that is where my skills lie."

"So are you working on self improvement with other weapons? Other skilsl, arts and the like?"

"I've been working very hard on my arts. I... should work on combat, yes. Most of my progress has been in realms, truth."

Impressed, "That's actually pretty smart. Doesn't do you much good to be a mistress of the Da'an if you can only influence say a rock or guys named Joe with it. IT's a good focus, realms" SHe considers, "My own arts tend towards the less combat oriented . So I can hardly throw stones. But I do know a little self defense"

"I've been lucky, so far."

"In my head, I've plotted out how I am vulnerable - were I to be attacked, if I cannot swing fate fast enough, or if I am overwhelmed... Balor would not hesitate to use iron manacles, nu?"

"they would not" She says then pauses "But they might be.. I don't think they want you unenchanted.undone, they wouldn't make you such a focus other..." A tilt of her head, "Pardon, now I am prying too deep into things you are not ready to share. But you are right in that they are ruthless. "

"Well, I must know more of what happened then to decide how to proceed now. They took her, and left me. There must be a reason."

"Find out what they wanted then, what they want now, then use that against them, good satyr strategy" She considers, "And find out what supports them, what fuels them, and strip it away. their contacts are their eyes. You blind them with darkness or false hood. Their soldiers their claws, take them out ... or better, turn them on each other. " She seems to drift, "But a name... oh, a reputation, that can be even more crucial. For good or ill. "

She nods. "I think... I think if I can free the others, undo their works gained by exploitation.... I think that would satisfy."

"Balor know how to turn their weaknesses and flaws into their advantage. They will try to turn your advantages into flaws. Don't let them fool you into that"

"aye..."

"I have learned, I think, what I am. I am not trying to be what I am not."

"Wise" A sip, "is there anything I can do for you to help?"

She shrugs. "Mr. Stodgepole, I know, is adept at gathering rumors."

"He is, bogganshave their own ways"

"Exactly."

"Mmm do you have allies ready?"

She considers. "Some, not many, but ones I trust."

"Good. You'll need them. the Shadow Houses are each dark and dangerous... fortunately they're not always as buddy buddy as they pretend. Don't hestiatte to find some way to sic others on this balor ...not where it can be traced back to you, but one never knows when distractions on one flank cn't help your chances on another"

She nods.

"Frankly? If I thought it possible, I'd suggest you find a way to let a Gwydion hold know about your foe's location but you might feel bad about the fall out there."

"Mmmph. I don't want to run begging to nobles."

"AUgust... well, he's a sidhe, but he's my friend."

"August's a lamb" She says it kindly

"He is." A soft sigh. "Some things, he can't understand. Some things, he can't know... but.." A shrug.

CC nods, "Some men are so inherently decent, they don't always seem to grasp that the rest of the world doesn't share that quality. i hope he's doing well?"

"He is. Very much in love."

"Are you okay with that?" softer voiced

"I... yes. I don't much care for her. But..."

"But he makes her happy" She nods, "And he deserves happy. "

"He does. So..." She shrugs. "But I will certainly not bend knee to his girlfriend. Not even for a library."

"Good" She nods approvingly, "Some folks give up too much for things they can eventually get themselves anyway."

"They allow me to visit, and have not pushed about fealty. Which is good. I've never bent knee to any sidhe."

CC looks pleased, "Good, take it from a satyress, getting on your knees should be reserved for a lot more fun reasons than fealty"

She blushes and takes a hasty sip of tea to hide it.

"Sorry dear, I satyred" Apologetic sounding but mischief in her eyes "I will say Earl comes by the club and smiles a lot when he does"

A happy sigh. "I hope Earl is happy."