#rivervale_lodge

At that Eden's confidence dims and she nods somberly

Brekke sighs. "I cannot promise I will not mention this to AnneMarie...but I wish you to undertake this as soon as possible, so it may not be until after you have left. Come, let me show you the location...." She takes up a roll of parchment, a rough map of the Lake Tappan area with the locations of the Lodge and the factory marked. "...and so you see that it is accessible easily by road or by water."

"By water? You got a raft... or a captain?" And he eyes the Kestrel. "Not especially subtle. But I can wade if I need to."

Eden says "Water and pipes.. yeah I see why you'd want Rover Olgar on this"

"I cannot send you in on the Kestrel. I need you to be more subtle. Approaching by road may be best. I merely point out the terrain."

Eden says "We can wrap our selves in delicate shear silk... then plunge through the muck while Rambo background music plays" Then "I might have a car"

"Is there a spot to hide a car nearby close enough to walk from?"

"This I do not know."

"I don't mind muck. As long as there is..." He considers. "Maybe an inch or so of air at the top, I can handle pipes about this narrow..." Showing with his hands the diameter he could slither- er, Squirm through to Eden.

Brekke nods as they begin to plan. "I need you to go soon. We plan to raid during the night, so we need to know their arrangement during the night, not the day. Can you do this within the next few days? I will provide you with dross for support."

"Tonight?" He looks to Eden. "The longer we wait, the longer they have to figure out something is up. I personally don't mind hedging bets in my favor where my own hide is concerned. Any chance of a fair fortune?"

Eden says "Geez you're desperate. I have a boyfriend" THen a nod "But I can slap you tonight sure... i might know a way to hide the wheelie mobiile"

"I do not have the ability to cast Fair Fortune," she frowns.

"Last thing. Do you have any backup plans if things fall through, or is the story that we're working alone - maybe just passers by, curious - and we're on our own? Is there a story you'd want us to have? Not that I PLAN on it. But... pessimists gotta know what to expect for any eventuality." He is straightforward, not expecting, nor judging.

"THis is where the tape blows up" Eden says

"Poison tabs hidden in a tooth, Dune style." Over to Eden - a joke, maybe.

Yep, there's that twitch of his lips. Maybe Only Dagmar can catch...

A smile at that

"Mm. I had not considered it." A pause. "Can you bring some spray paint? Say that you were looking for spaces to grafitti?"

"Yeah, they might expect that of unseelie trash and a pooka."

Eden says "Such fine upstanding youth as us do not know of this 'gra-fee-te'"

A barely audible snort at Eden - he's starting to be able to decode her.

A hint of a grin there. Then, "If you wish, I will tell Sir Vali to expect you. He may be able to provide the Fair Fortune at my request."

"Let us know what the check in should be, after. So you know if we're not there..." A shrug. "Something is up."

"Who else knows? Or rather, should we assume that we shouldn't talk to anyone else?"

"Send a message to Kerri when you are about to go in. If we do not hear from you in...five hours, I think. Then we will know there is a problem."

"Beyond the Mountain, the Hearth, and Sir Vali, please assume that you are not to speak to others until after you have reported back. I will advise you further then."

"Eden, you got that? If I take my phone, I'll set it to wipe after a certain time. Not taking the chance that they're tracking me home."

"Roger dodger... I know if I tell stories folks will believe me"

A brow. "This is something they can do? Track cell phones?"

Eden looks worried at Symon ..clearly older people don't know things

"If they have someone, they can make you face ID to open it, or a finger touch. Or there are ways to get someone to say what the code is. Use your imagination. Then they have your contacts.... photos... everything on your personal pocket computer."

"They can't make a sluagh scream, but there is a way to make anyone squeal if you're nasty enough."

Eden says "it's a brave new world full of yutzs"

"Hm." A scowl. "I have never liked those things...." she mutters about phones in general.

"Are the captors... that you know of... fae? Or mortals - or even autumn folk? I can ask Lovecraft to help, but if it puts her in danger of being snuffed, I ain't gonna."

"My best information is that they are primarily mortals but with fae support. However, my best information is far from thorough. Again...I trust you to use your best judgment."

He nods. "Eden, you think we can take it from here?"

He takes a picture of the map for reference.

"Now...I will inform Sir Vali to expect you today. Please speak to the Hearth about dross and supplies, if needed. I leave you to prepare." A pause. "Thank you for this service." Somber, and a respectful nod. Then she goes to climb down off the boat.

Eden says "You mean without a huge blue giant storming around ahead of us? It'll be rough..." Then a nod to the Chief, and she rallies her courage "We'll do what we can't. The impossible merely takes longer"

And Brekke returns to the Lodge to call Vali and notify Kerri. Kerri will have dross for them when they return, and will put together supply packs at their request.

............

Vali says "So.. Fair Fortune on you two huh?"

This is, of course later, the powers of the dreaming and plot having urged the two forth

He nods. "Can't hurt." ... "Can it?"

"Only if I screw this up and it goes horribly horribly wrong as the Dreaming punishes both of YOU for MY hubris" Vali says "otherwise, can't hurt"

He snorts. "If it does, I'll just haunt your ass. Fair's fair."

Eden says "And I will hex you with unnatural growth and blue skin"

"Fine fine.." Vali gestures to both of them, and says “The merit of all things lies in their difficulty.” then mimes throwing beads at them.