#the_ice_cave

((Here))

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(Having arrived back to his room through the walls to avoid being seen -- and annoyed by the dust that now coats him, he'll need a shower -- he pulls out 666 and sets it on the computer chair, rasping) "Hey. Ask Thirteen, see if she can come visit, but to make it quiet if she does, don't need anybody knowing I'm back, okay?"

The little spider taps out what can only be an okay, and its not to long before he can hear whispering within the walls a slight rustling too.

1122 is perched on the nightstand, playing with a piece of popcorn. Zara is where she has been - under, not on, the bed.

"You know, people going to be going through the walls this much, probably need to take a damn duster along," (Rasping to Zara -- rather, it looks like he's talking to his bed, anyway -- as he slaps dust off himself)

"A Swiffer or something."

(He moves to pull a chair under the vent where he hears the rustling)

A soft tapping, like a warning comes from the vent. Then Thirteens red eyes can be seen in the shadows, almost seeming to glow. Slowly she starts to twist and squirm out of the vent, her body seeming to have very few bones, if any at all.

(He leaves the chair for her, just underneath)

She arranges herself in the hair, her feet clear from the floor. "Welcome back." She spies 1122.."Both of you."

"Thanks. Brought back your dead guys." (He picks up a rinsed-out and empty -- well, once empty, now containing a bunch of spiders -- Red Bull can to offer over) "Not sure if you can wake them up again."

"Hello, miss." Muffled greeting from the far corner of the box springs.

"The bed says hi."

She looks over at the bed. "Good eve Miss Zara." Then she looks back to the spiders. "I am sure my sister can find a way. Thank you for retrieving them."

"Thanks for the loan." (He narrows eyes, studying her) "Got a favor to ask. Kind of. Not sure about Ghost here, but -- kind of not wanting Dria and Jer to know I'm back, not yet, anyway. I'm betting he's been asking you, hasn't he?" (He picks 666 up off the chair, to offer over)

"He has been asking if you are alive. Not much else." Stated softly. "May I ask why you do not want your return to be known?"

(He makes a face, and drops to sit in his chair. Rakes his hair back, and gives his ear a tug) "Feeling kind of smothered, I think."

She studies the tiny black ninja-like spider. "If you like, you can keep him with you. I can ask of him as I did of 1122..to only report if you are in danger." She nods then. "Ah, that I can understand. Sort of."

"Him, and then having to -- you know, obligations at the shop, and stuff. Just want -- you know. To be free for a while, maybe?"

"Don't need him."

(To the offer of the spider)

"Then I will tell him what I have been." She nods and takes back the tiny spider. "That you are alive."

"Yeah. Not sure if I can hide it long, don't want you in trouble if he finds out."

(Flicks eyes to the bed) "What about you, Ghost?"

"I can hide if you wish."

"I will not be lying. You are alive." She points out. Then she follows his gaze.

"Don't have to. Don't know if you want people to know, either, is all. You know, people are going to come jump you as soon as they figure it out."

"But the trolls will return soon."

"Yeah." (His eyes narrow) "In a couple days. So let's make the most of it, before the damn pooka and everybody come asking questions, getting touchy-feely and crap."

"Let's go riding." (He flicks eyes to Thirteen) "Thanks for the loan. Owe you."

(Then his eyes narrow, and he huffs) "Think maybe, part of it, don't want Tink to know." (That, back to Zara)

"Don't have to talk about it."

"Not that." (His eyes narrow further, and he shrugs) "Thing is, something she said before I left, you know, now that I think about it, she might be getting the wrong idea, you know?"

She nods to them both. "Take care.." She starts back up the wall. "Haunting.." A pause. "The two of you? Would you like to go?" An informal invite it would seem.

"Up to Ghost. I'll go if she does, if she wants me there." (A chin-lift to Thirteen) "Thanks."

"What wrong idea?" a rustle, and Zara emerges. She's dreary eyed, rumpled. "Haunting?"

She nods. "Yes, Miss." Said to Zara. "A hobby of mine, if you are interested."

"I could use both of your skills. The intended victim is locked behind some pretty tight doors and security. Nothing we can't handle though, I am sure."

"Victim? Huh."

"Target." She almost, almost seems to smile. An expression that is almost unsuiting for her.

A fluid shrug, without enthusiasm. "I could help with locks, mayhaps."

"Never done this stuff before," (He warns) "I mean, maybe I can help erase fingerprints and stuff, check for cameras, but not sure what else."

"Scare. Cause fear. I am sure you will both be fine." She pauses again. "Something to think about."

"I am uncertain if I am who you would wish to help, Lady."

"I do not make rash choices Miss." She skitters back up to the vent. "Think on it."

"Willdo. Thanks." (Watches her go)

"Yes, Lady."

Zara twists her hair back, watching the vent after Thirteen slips though.