#rivervale_lodge

"Yes, we don't want to hurt their talent" She sighs "But you did ask me for any outs ,and this is one"

"Anne Marie, with the way things are today... will this special skills thing work?"

"This is a good question. What counts, as it were?"

"It'll be harder, Sir Frank, much harder, but as a rule? Money talks. " She sorts thorugh things "Get recognition, and a judge on the side..and things can be fast tracked. I wish it werent' so, but the lines are hardly first come first serve. Some do jump"

Frank frowns, looking to Brekke. "Money."

"Money. Count Hemlock. I will appeal to him."

Frank looks uncomfortable, but nods.

"Now, illegally? there's much more we can do... " She says

"He may find some skills and talents more beneficial than others, but..."

"And I hate saying that"

An eyebrow. "Indeed?"

"I do not hate hearing it. Please explain."

"Well, with our abilities to veil and so on...getting them over the border to places where they can blend is not so hard. Certain Sanctuary cities make sure their police do not cooperate. The problem is that's a life time of looking over your shoulder. I've seen the effects it can have." the taps a pencil against her teeth "Yes,s muggling them isn't as hard as it might be, four or six at a time. Extra dross for those banal moments. Costly in its own way"

"The smuggling is not the concern. It is helping them at the destination."

"Honestly here I might defer to the Liams. their touches into ceertain religious institutions allow them to guide things" A look to Frank with a nod "though even that is getting cracked down on. There are always those who aid, but sorting them from the users and enslavers will be tricky. Which reminds me, is anyone going through the crowd to find the coyotes? "

"I think Jessica's keeping an eye on things, as much as she can. Her, and her people."

Frank thinks. "We could talk to Count Jude. Although I'm sure he's got people involved. Sir Jack and Father Vestebar at Fenix came from Ardent Harbor."

"It is a great burden to put on the House that is most abused. A burden they welcome, yes, but...I would wish to do more beyond that."

"Well, the fact is, some of the folks crossing, a MINORITY of them, will have deals with cartels and the like. A few folks offering to help smuggle them across borders ARE actually trying to enslave folks under false guise. We need to find ways of sorting out both, deny them the help whhile we assist the real folks who need us, which will be 99% of them, despite what some math impaired chetto head thinks"

Frank gives her a small smile.

"Gwydions to find the lies, then." A nod.

"Boggans to sort out whose seeing what as who as best we can" She says

She raises a brow "mm..oh dear."

"Yes?"

"Well, at times, Marriage to a US Citizen ccan be used to get into the country"

Frank blinks rapidly.

A blink. "Oh."

"I think...that may be a very unwise...." But she stops and sighs. "I do not know...."

"Wait...you are not suggesting that as a solution, but as an issue to be watched for and stopped."

"I'm a boggan, we're all yentas at heart, dear. Of course I think it might save one or two folks. but you have to create a bit of a mixer. See what sparks fly. "

"A... migrant mixer?"

"Jess hated that idea for herself but...."

"...but she might well approve for others. Especially under the circumstances."

"Let's see..yes, Prfessor Wayburton might have the resources..." She scratches "Not so obvious, Sir Franklin. But a group of young men and women from a college project...

gone down to help the caravan?"

A sigh. "A loveless marriage is unwise, but..."

"And they all come back married?"

"Jessica does have a priest in house."

"Sometimes the solution to mortals is more mortals" A look up, "Sir Frank, barring cantrips that would wear off.. .we can't get them all married. But we could see if even one couple arises out of it."

Frank nods reluctantly.

"One helped is one less that needs help." Brekke nods. "But...well..." A sigh and she shakes her head. "It is not a solution I think best, but for some it may work."

"True Love Conquers all IS as much part of the code as Death Before Dishonor" the boggan says "now, some mortals might be.. ah, morally flexible enough to marry then divorce to get someone in, thoug hthat's a dangerous game. I'm just considering all options. None of them will be perfect and..." A look at both "your Jessica knows we can't save all of them? We..probably can't even save most of them?"

"We would if we could, but that is not...." a pause, and a deep breath. "It is not likely that is within our power, no."

"Jess is going to damn well try." A frustrated mutter.

"I've been in the social worker game for a long time," Anne Marrie says "And some days it feels longer. I'm a boggan, and our need to help the needy is something of a punchline for some. But trust me when I say, when you do this, all of you, her too, you're going to have to brace to hurt, to bleed a bit, and to fail. You have to count the few glittering stars that are going to rise free from this, and treasure them- because if you focus instead on the black empty around it? you'll risk undoing yourself. " For a moment she seems almost more, tapping into the very core of her kith.

Brekke listens seriously, then nods slowly. "Well said. If you do not mind, we will pass those words along to Jessica."

"Please do, sometimes those who care ffor others don't see how much they need care themselves."

Frank sighs.

"oh dear," Anne Marie looks between them, "You two are.. Is Jessica okay?"

A quiet moment, a glance to Frank. "She...it is a difficult time."