#rivervale_lodge

"Rachel." he nods grateful "Look... are you going to hurt yourself? Or someone else? Can I -call- someone for you?"

"Why the hell won't you leave?????" She comes close to a scream "Some whack job breaks in her, pushes all the way in... and acts crazy and you want to 'help me'...and think you have the right to tell me what's best for me? You won't even listen to me! "

"Oh.. very very bad" BLinkum observes

"You're right." Frank nods, keeping his hands in view "I'll go. Can I leave through that door?" he indicates the kitchen door with a nod of his head.

"Y.. yes"

he seems to have delayed her...long enough for that compulsion to dim. She still might take her life, but it won't be because of magic, rather the despair of loss

He nods and carefully makes his way to the door, opening it as he says "Rachael, I am very sorry for your loss."

She doesn't respond save to nod.

Blinkum says "You want want me to watch peek her ?"

"Yes." very softly as he makes his way to the street "Is she watching me?"

"No no... she curling in corner, tears sob"

"Ok." he takes a deep breath and gets a bit of distance before he goes to check the phone in his pocket, grumbling to himself about the tiny little buttons.

Blinkums stands 'watch' over Rachel

No calls for Frank or texts await

He checks Rachael's phone.

Ah, that phone

Not many recent calls there either. Voice mail that seems old. A few contacts. The names mean little to him. Nothing listed 'mom' or 'sis'

"Figures." he says with a sigh.

Frustrated, he makes his way to a coffee shop to wait a bit. He gets a straight black coffee.

The barista gives him his straight black as if he was a very odd person not to enjoy her artistry of mocha latte with designs.

A crowd far younger than him ssips their fancy stuff while looking at their phones and tablets

He uses the time to decompress after the embarassing performance he rendered.

It was not on him, Rachel was clearly deep in thrall, beaten, lacking the will to hope.

Of course, knowing thati n his head and knowing it in his heart varied

He must give it at least an hour. No less than 45 minutes. And check with Blinkums before he tries to return the phone. Maybe a day would be better. He wonders if Sir Carowyn is available.

Blinkums reports "She sleeping boss... I watching to make sure no bad dream nervous a come up. Just got r id of one"

"Thank you." He murmurs in the coffee shop, and sips his drink.

"BLinkum bad to not see this before fore. My fault. Could be better"

"It's a complicated situation, Blinkums. No one is to blame."

"Suppose pose not.." The little thing says "Still, sorry sorry it happend did?"

Sir Carowyn might be available. He wasn't with Sally Mae. He might be at work for Jaymes

Frank tries texting him. Carefully.

And he gets a response 'Frank?' surprised by the text no doubt

<Do you think might have time? Fraternity business.>

<Just got off shift here. So yes. Where should I met you?> He assumes Fraternity business isn't something you text about

Frank sends the address of the coffee shop.

<On way> he says

A high topped hybrid car soon pulls up.

And into the place Carowyn goes.

Frank nods greeting.

He nods. the Barista flirts with Carowyn to no avail

Then getting his coffee, the sidhe joins him

Frank sips from the tiny cup. "Thank you for coming. I didn't pull you away from anything, did I?"

"No, just finished at King's Convenience. Jaymes has it now"

Frank nods, takes a sip to brace himself, and calmly, without flinching confesses the mess he made.

He listens carefully

".... and my concern now is that Rachael will do harm to herself she cannot undo. She needs help, not punishment, at least not now."

"... sounds less like your screw up, and more like how far that thing fed on her ... " Carowyn says

"Maybe so. I just.... I didn't have my mojo, I guess." a deep breath "However, you may have an advantage. Can I ask you to take this on?"

"If you're sure?" He says "I worry you're being too hard on yourself, Sir. If it had been me, I suspect it would have gone the same way"