#rivervale_lodge

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Different day, or is it the same/

Siv comes in looking weary

More than weary, pissed

Kerri looks up from replenishing coffee mugs. "That's the face of somebody who needs a nap," she observes.

"Or revenge."

"Possibly both."

"Rikki's wounded. She got some healing." Siv says as she washes her hands "It's WHY she got wounded what worries me"

"AND Angers me"

Kerri follows her into the kitchen and gets Siv her favorite daytime drink before saying, "Tell me."

"Thanks" She says "Not sure if you know that Rikki was nice enough to let Piper and us swap appartment suites with her. We made the switch early. Now I am not a fan of Rikki, but Piper is her friend, and her space was larger so I shut my mouth and dealt with the fact that Rikki would probably be pranking us freely for awhile. What I didn't know was that when an Eshu assassin came after me, he'd go to our old spot, find Rikki there, and assume it was me in disguise" She swigs

"I'd heard about the apartment switch and figured that was a big load off your minds. Clearly not." She frowns. "How'd you get the interest of an assassin, Siv? And...I'm assuming your parents don't know about this yet."

"It's why I'm here to tell mom so she doesn't get mad at me. Sides his fate is hers to decide once the Spymaster gets done with questioning . Sides. It sounds like I was picked for a family matter as much as anything. The Eshu's employer was a sidhe noble called "Lady Highfeather"... she wore peacock designed ear rings"

"Lady Highfeather..." Kerri rolls the name around in her memory to see if it picks up anything.

"I suspect she's Leanhaun, possibly using a nome de Plume..but of relation to those who have plagued my father and family for awhile"

"Hmm. Yes, that sounds like it might be right. And I'm afraid I can't recall anything more specific about the name." An exhale and she taps her fingers on the counter. "That's a problem. But if she was going to go after you, I wonder why she'd choose now. You've been here for a while, after all."

"Well, not a true 'nome de plume'... that's a feather pun but an alias" She takes a smaller slower drink "Why now? Because it might hurt more? I don't know. Word is out that Piper is pregnant." The Fiona lets her mask of rage fade to show some true fear "Sweet Goddesses and gods alike, Piper is terrified. She's hiding it well but I.. I can't blame her. "

"Dammit." She frowns. "Do you and the family need to relocate for a while? Or even just her?"

"I don't know. I don't think so.... but ..." A breath "No, no. I think I know what to do. And I need to do it soon before dad or mom hairs off and tries to do it first"

Kerri can see the young woman is having a Fiona moment. Or maybe it's a King idea. Or a mix

Kerri definitely recognizes the look. "What is it, exactly?"

"I'll hunt her down first, take her out... remove her wealth, and she won't be able to pay anyone. The contracts if there are more of them, will lose their allure. No payments, no hired killers. " She nods "Yeah, it would work"

Seemingly more resolved, she finishes her drink

"So...'take her out' means financially. Nothing more...permanent." Checking to make sure she understands.

"Let's not tie me hands, but I'll observe the Escheat, of course. That was a mortal knife the man tried to kill Rikki with though so clearly she doesn't value the same"

A slow nod. "Escheat comes first, but I think I understand how you feel. All right, then...what resources are you going to use to go after her resources? You can't exactly stab a bank account."

"Best option is to masquerade AS her once I find out what she looks like. Get access to her identity, steal it, and bleed her assets dry. I may need a computer guy to help"

A blink. "Well, I agree with computer support, first. Not sure I agree with you playing dress-up to infiltrate...but then again, I guess that is what you've been successful at. In this case, though...isn't it a bit too personal to put yourself in that spot? I'd be concerned you'd get carried away, maybe."

"Aunt Kerri, since when has any Fiona ever gotten carried away?" Deadpan

Kerri folds her arms and gives Siv a look.

"I'm just saying...it seems to me that this is the kind of thing that you might be able to manage completely remotely, if you find the right person to do it."

"And...less chance of Piper losing you in the process."

"I don't have a right person. I've got me. I may work with a group of spies, but I don't run one. I've turned down Baron Kelean 3 times to join his organization officially because I prefer freelance and frankly if I swore to him, it might be a source of tension between he and mother. For that matter, I might also ire Baroness Coradel who would have a right to look askance. The spies I do know are already on other missions and likely wouldn't want a 'side job' at it. The ones I know who are for hire are just as likely to be bought out by Highfeather instead. Also I can't afford their rates. "

Kerri frowns at the logical argument. "Well...maybe we've got resources outside of the traditional spy trade? Maybe talent that could be tapped?"

"Who do have in mind? Symon's been impossible to get to talk to for more than 15 minutes at a time lately. I'm not going to endanger piper in on this and I want jonas to stay and protect her. You, mom, and Vali are elders of THIS lodge and cannot be risked in something shady for the good of the barony. "

"Wellll..." She ponders for a moment. "When I think people-with-access, I tend to think of AnneMarie. And...hm...SallyMae always seems to have surprising savvy, especially about financial doings."

"Fair. She'd make a fine advisor, but as a consultant only."

"And I mean Sally Mae. I don't wish gossip to get going about my plans and Anne Marie is a boggan"

"I'm saying, Sally Mae may know the right people to do the job. Fair point about Anne Marie, though."

"mm there probably is a Spy DeBuke somewhere. They've got one for everything" She says wryly "I'll ask. But if she comes up empty it's back to plan A."

"I hope you've got a few more options. There's a reason people hire assassins -- to avoid putting themselves in danger. Here, it's like she's calling you out, hoping you'll take the bait...and I really think you should let somebody else have the pleasure. Like I said...this one's too personal."

A frown "Aunt Kerri. I've already made note how I'm not sworn to anyone or anything... save House Fiona and that was required to join the House. Frankly my lack of oaths has started to trouble me...but that's a side matter normally. Now, you're asking me , a fellow troll AND Fiona, to not guard and protect the woman ...albeit it, in a proactive way. I have had worries I am not a very good troll before, but if I defer THIS to others, maybe I'm no troll at all and a pretty sorry Fiona at that"

"I'm not asking anything of the sort. I'm saying that, in this case, you might not be the best one for the job, and it's better protection for her, and for your children, to get a specialist in skills that aren't your specialty."

"But spying IS my specialty or at least one I'm good at. Yes, the money and the computer stuff.. help, but actual infiltration? Retrieval... I do that stuff all the time ... there are missions I've done some folks will never know the whole story"Siv shakes her head "But... you're right I may not be the BEST one. I just can't AFFORD the best. And the one thing more costly than trying to buy services of the Best is doing nothing at all. " A shake of her head "I see what you're saying but I'm most vexed. Look. Mom's not here so I'm gonna see if she's on patrol. But I'll think about what you said, REALLY think about it. I love you and have counted on your wisdom before so will not simply discount it. But if it comes back to plan A, light a candle for me or what not, and let me go. Okay?"

Kerri looks like she wants to argue, but instead she sighs and nods. "I think she's on the trail that loops out by the lakeside."

"Thanks" Kerri gets a hug "For everything" And off Siv goes, leaving the Hearth to worry about headstrong Fiona with self doubts about whether they are real trolls or not... oh, and assassins. Let's not forget to worry about assassins

(End Scene)