#odyssey

Symon heaves and pants. His breath having left him, he is a miserable wheezing thing. His prize wrapped about him. What if they scry it to find him? Wait... they SHOULD not know it's missing. If the plan worked. Well, the plan is already fucked. All for an attack of Ashthma

He would curse himself, curse his weak and pathetic mortal frame, and curse everything else he could think of, but he can't even get the breath to fill his lungs. A hand scrabbles for his pockets - did he remember the stupid, stupid inhaler?

This fucking sewer is frezzing. At least the banner is warm

The sluagh's skin crawls to have it wrapped around him, but it seems to help a little. The more warmth in his frame, the less he shivers, and the more effort he can pour into trying to calm his spasming lungs.

And then, there's a klunk, and a sniff. Something is down here with him. Shit

Shit. He flattens himself against the damp and cold concrete walls, narrowing his eyes and trying to catch a glimpse of whatever might be approaching. Eyes flick around, appraising - any nooks or crannies he can squirm through? A though goes to climbing the wall... but still struggling to catch his breath, the idea of getting up... then falling... erases that idea for the moment.

Others are down here.. And there's something...sounds of "Look out he's..." "Christ my arm my arm!" "Christ, my mouth my mmmffphgggargle"

Blessedly he finds the air is not catching as painfully in his chest any longer, and he creeps over to spy on the noisemakers. At least he can see in the dark...

And he sees Dirk and .. his enchanted Dad, and that female redcap what's her name?

Downing some hunting chimera and must be guards on the hunt.

"....." He wheezes, and swallows. Slapping a hand against the wall makes a noise though, and he waits for them to see him. Never did he imagine in earlier days that he would be HAPPY to see a Redcap while on the run... let alone two...

"Where the fuck is he?" Prissy snaps "The Beaumayn said he was here"

"He's here... he" A slappingg... and Dirk turns his head "this way"

Flicking on his phone, he turns on the light to illuminate his face. Lest they punch first and look later. "D... " Swallow. "Dirk. What are you doing down here? And.. Dad?"

"Saving you, Noodle." Dirk picks him up and lifts him "What the fuck is going on? "

"Had.. to get a thing. Fucked up and they chased me, but I dropped a decoy and slid down here. Lost my inhaler in the sludge..." He winces, embarrassed at being carted around like an invalid... but he is weak enough that he doesn't argue aloud.

"Son, I brought your spare inhaler" Lee moves forward and hands it gently to Symon

Trust the doctor to have a spare

Prissy says "You know, this was actually kind of fun. Symon should nearly die more often"

He takes it, muttering thanks and not making eye contact. Not ungrateful... or not intending to be. But it's hard to be practically a grown-ass adult and rescued by your pop. He takes a few puffs and sighs in relief.

"You don't know us yet, P. I almost die more than anyone else around."

"now that Symon is with us, new prioritiy, we get out of here... AND?" Dr. Lee arches a brow

He glances up at his dad, unsure what he's asking. The banner he had pulled around his shoulders he crumples and shoves inside his shirt for safekeeping.

"Fuck. I gotta find Dagmar. She didn't get pulled into a fight yet, did she?"

"Not as far as I know," Dr. Lee says

Dirk props his brother up and doesn't support AS much. "The AND is, mom NEVER finds out about this clusterfuck"

"Just so" Bruce says

"Never happened."

"Why is a ninja sluagh, a fucking kung fu dad, and another cap so scared of one Boggan?" Prissy says "I don't get it"

"Tell me about the boggan? Ma seemed to recognize the name and not in a friendly sewing circle way."

"I'm talking about your mom, Noodle" Pansy says

"Fear of God maybe the beginning of wisdom, making sure the women in your life happy is the mastery of it" Dr. Lee says simply "Let's move on . Sir Vali is risking his life now"

He scowls at Prissy, not appreciating the new nickname. "You got him all mixed up in this?" Frowning more. "He should be doing portents on the important things. The Chief, Dagmar..."

"You are important, Son" Dr. Lee says "Apparently they sense his House? SO he is.. offering himself up as a distraction. No doubt. As is the case with his kith, he faces the danger with stoicism"

Pansy is looting the wallets from the downed and out

Dirk looks at her "Damn, she'd loot the dead or near dead." Admiring

"Who're they?" He leans over to glance at the corpses-or inert forms, as it may be.

"From the people you robbed. Don't worry, they didn't see you they were just following a wisp .." Dirk says

"Pansy, you're smart enough not to die for greed young lady" Dr. Lee says

Pansy sighhhhs "Yes, Doc." And follows

And they make their way towards the exit

He looks at them taking in their faces... and yanks, non-too-gently, a bit of hair from each before following.

and out they go.

"Where to now?" He takes out his phone and checks as they get signal, emerging from the crypt...er... water treatment tunnels.

TXT: "Sry. Ran late. Am ok. Where at?"

And sends it to Dagmar.

And to Kenna... and Nadeen, if she gave her number, even reluctantly.

TXT: "Got it."

"This way" And they leap into the van that says 'Pest CNTRL ALT DELETE, Vermin extermination and Tech support services'

A bit surprised by the ride, but he climbs in and buckles up. "Where'd you get the panel van?"

TXT "RV"

"Found it" His dad says without meeting anyone's eyes

He doesn't question further. He asks Dirk, "New friend behaving?"