#rutgers

It is early. Stupidly early, in fact. The only reason why Symon is UP, is that he hasn't gone to bed.

So, he is likely the first to hear when there is a brisk, no nonsense knock, a rap rap rapping at the front door.

Symon goes to the door and is muttering, "Find your own damn dog this time." As he peers through the peephole... and then steps back.

"Uh." A glance around. And he backs away another step. "Dagmar?"

"Sylvi?"

He realizes he's too quiet to hear, so shoves open the nearer of the doors - Sylvi's.

Dagmar might have gone out for her morning run.

"Sylvi!" He hisses!

If he's using his normal tone, it might be hard for Sylvi to hear him, but then he opens the door, and that puts her on alert. "I'm up." And she is, Rutgers jersey and shorts as she rolls out of bed. "What is it?"

"There's, uh."

Another brisk rap at the door!

She blinks a few times and gives him a curious look, but she goes past him to the door and looks through the peep hole.

"Did we piss off some local noble?" Rubbing at his eyes, a bit red from lack of sleep.

Sylvi knows this one, even if Symon didn't recognize him. Lord Aiden, in the Flesh, on her Doorstep.

She looks to Symon and nods him towards a closet or something.

"One moment!" she calls out, giving Symon a chance to get out of sight.

He backs away, into a shadowy corner behind the coat rack.

She runs a hand through her rumpled hair and undoes the deadbolt. "Baron Aiden," she whispers, "Please come in."

He steps in, his hair tousled from wind, mud on his voile, and a deep scratch across one arm. A hint of blue-tinted blood marks the knife at his belt.

"I have come unannounced, Freeholder Sylvi, and it seems to a place of your private residence. I apologize for the interruption of your business, though this is where the Wisp lead me. I have come to request your assistance."

"Please, sit," she directs him to a chair at the kitchen table and locks the door. She wets a dishcloth at the sink and offers it to him. "What happened?"

He accepts the cloth and wipes his blade clean. "I tell you this in confidence, as it may put my hold at risk in the wrong ears. An illness has struck Silverwolf, and laid most of our vassals low. Neither elder wisdom, youthful vigor, nor Trollish might withstands this plague, which spreads."

"Plague?!" She looks alarmed. "Lord, if you allow me to dress quickly, I will come with you immediately." A momentary pause. "Is Nadeen okay?"

His face shows clear strain. "She is... indisposed. As is Steward Marigold. Bluebell. Handmaiden Florence, and Thanes Linnea and Danica. Young Briar. Lordling Count Casimir. It is but a mortal strain, but... it shows no respect for youthful vigor, nor for Trollish might, nor title or strength. Perhaps it will pass quickly. I will not take that chance."

"No," she agrees firmly, and she doesn't ask again for permission to change. "One moment." She turns and goes for her room and closes the door.

She turns after closing the door, and SYMON IS RIGHT IN HER FACE

She startles, then curses. "Symon, I need to change, so close your eyes or get out." She's past him and grabbing jeans, shirt, bra, socks....

"You're not going with that guy, are you?" He says, in an incredulous whisper. "What if it's some sort of trap, or trick?"

He closes his eyes obligingly.

"A trap? Why would Baron Aiden try to trap me? He wouldn't screw up alliances that way."

Rustling fabric as she gets changed.

"Why do Ailil do anything they do?" He says, but... considering. "He must be desperate, then. You could fleece him."

"I could," she acknowleges briskly. "I won't."

"I'm dressed," she says as she puts on her sneakers.

"Hm. How long before you want me to send a search party?" He whispers.

"I'll be fine. Hey...be careful how you tell Dagmar. Nadeen's sick, and it's bad. I know you don't like her, but Dagmar's going to be upset."

"I don't like her. I don't wish her dead. You do what you gotta do." He does consider that wishing a plague upon her house... huh. Did he ever actually say that? He might have, or at least thought it. He won't admit that to Sylvi, though.

She grabs a ready pack of overnight things and makes sure that Flopsy is with her, too.

Bowie knife, staff...she's ready and leaves the room.

"Ready, Lord. Do you have transport?"

Aiden is standing stiffly where she left him, he has neither stepped in further, nor pried or snooped. "Knight's Heart. I have no access to Flicker Flash. At the moment."

Flopsy peeks out "Bluebell is sick? Scandalous"

"Not for long, Flopsy, don't worry. I have a car, Baron, but it's kind of a junker. Knight's Heart might be the best bet. Unless..." She takes out her phone and texts Gerd: SOS, you up?

It is early in the morning, but...

TXT: It is after FOUR IN THE ###ing morning

TXT: Yes. Urgent. Need transport for two. Rutgers to Carthage. Sorry.

TXT: Urgent? Okay. Be there asap

TXT: I owe you.

"I've got a friend coming who can FlickerFlash us. I don't know if you know Gerd."

"I told her it's urgent, but not why it's urgent. I'll tell her to keep it quiet."

"I do." He nods. "She is my son's..." He trails off. "She is very important to Connor."