#odyssey

"I don't know" Gwen says "Could be the flu. I'ts.. not glowy"

"Wow, cool name." Vali grins "Sir Vali ap Beumayn, Mountain of Rivervale. And there is a need for assitance. Mine to yours. I need to ask you a few questions, get you to know the house, etc"

Frown! "Shouldn't we go help?"

"That's what i want to do too. I told him we'd hold out for 24 hours. He wanted 3 days" A groan

"I should text my mom..."

"Yeah" A nod

On one of the TVs in the airport lounge, a morning newscaster is speaking. This is an off hour, not the main important news, just the 'of interest'. "And in other news, Jefferson County North has reported an uptick in cases of A-H3N2. Experts report that the 2022 strain is especially hard hitting in both youth and the elderly, and fast spreading. If you must travel to upstate regions, please be sure to wear your mask, and get your flu shot. Now, over to Peabody with the weather..."

Gwen shoots the TV a HATEFUL Look

Art looks up at Vali. "I don't suppose you have foreseen a cure to the common cold?"

Thistle notices as her phone regains signal, that she has texts from mom!

The first one is worried, but after that,

"Miss you honey! Hope that Art Camp is fun! Can't wait to see you home again."

"Ah."

"Thanks Mom, sorry for no texting back, been busy! Will be home after museum trip!"

"I wish" Vali says "Introduce me to your friends? I've met Gwen"

"Oh, of course. Sir Vali, this is Thistlethwaite S. Fulcanelli, my boon companion. We shared a Chrysalis. The little glow-fly is Citrine. Thistle, this is Sir Vali... of house Beaumayn. I guess he is here to speak with me?"

"Mountain?" A whisper "What are you doing ehre?" Gwen says "And we're in public easy with the titles"

"Blue and purple. Nice."

Art winces a bit at the scolding, because she's right. He mouths "sorry!"

"Why do you think?" Vali says "You've got a mentor to Art tag along sort of."

"A mentor?" He looks surprised, then, a little downcast. "I suppose I must. My previous mentors are of the Sun and the Dragon. Perhaps I must seek learning under a different star."

Frown.

"No way" Gwen's jaw set "he's with the SW"

"Yeah!"

Vali says "The SW? You make it sound like I want to brand him like a bull at a ranch. Easy guys. I'm not intending to take him to the ole RV. "

"Shall we find out way out of common sight?" He asks, politely.

"Western Union first" Gwen says and moves with purpose "C'mon" A bit firmer but more so Vali doesn't think HE's in charge

Vali arches a brow and nods sagely

She makes the request at Western Union for the cards

Art accepts his. Gwen got a glimpse of the amount on each - it might shock her. Then again, she doesn't have to DISCLOSE it.

A choke but she turns and she hands them out and says "let's get somwhere private. Maybe the museum is good for that too?"

"Unless Thistle wanted to see her, uh. People."

Art looks over at Thistle. Up at Vali. He is taken aback by all of the rapid changes.

"Oh I'm just here as your orientation 101, Art. You three are in charge of you, not me" Vali says

"Should we set up a hotel?"

"Plus, that'd be private."

"Does everyone get a fairy godfather along with their name?" He asks, with a grin. "Not complaining, I DO have questions... but Gwen and Thistle might be overdue theirs.

"Hotel it is" Vali says "And " A smile at Art "You have a sense of humor?Oh thank god"

Gwen says "FIne. A hotel" A pause "nothing too fancy... gonna be expensive enough just being in New york city"

"Is that rare? It would just figure if I was unlike other Dark Stars and ostracized for that." He says.

"How much could a room cost? Fifty dollars?" A worried look. "Did they send enough? We'll be able to pay them back, right?"

"I have my emergency card from Dad..."

"He might have points."

"They sent enough" Gwen says simply

"Wonder if there's a cool.. y'know, shimmery hotel."

"Not sure how to google that, though."

Art decides to simply trust Gwen, and worry about it later. Then, "Ooooh." At Thistle's suggestion. "Perhaps, Knight's Heart? They have that here, no?"

"Point. Taxi drivers would know their shit."

Vali says "They do"

"Everwyr'ds currently sealed" He says low "or so I heard last"

"Mmm the Renwick maybe. Never been"

"You know a place? Cool. Otherwise, there's always the Hilton."

They've made their way outside, and a car screeches to a halt in front of them. Thistle recognizes the Checker Cab design, though this one is in far better shape than the one she inherited.

Art blinks. "But we didn't call for anyone yet?"

The door swings open, and a grinning Eshu face waves them in. "Hey, meter's running, in or out!"