The Hotel

[singindemonhq]

*Turns over in a bed that's wider and softer than the management would ever supply. Casts the mojo again and still can't find a position to sleep in. Turns over again, stretches and yawns.*

I used to think this place was comfortable enough for one night.

I wonder how Erynne is getting on?

Comments

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

She told me some things about Lamia - enough to make me careful. Would you say something to prove that you're Amber?

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

You're right to be cautious. Let me think; I don't
believe Lamia would know that Erynne and I were friends
before she was Marked by Stephen; I first met Stephen
when he and his mother chased a vampire away from my
parents' house. That was before Erynne and I were hurt
in a car accident. That was why Stephen had to Mark
her, though I didn't know it then...
I also don't
think that Lamia would know that Erynne can't swim
even though we live on an island...and squawks like a wet cat when anyone even suggests she try it!*evil grin*

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

*Laughs* OK, I believe that you know her real well - you're behind the times on the swimming, though. She can do that now. Didn't she tell you?

*Hesitates, realizing that if Lamia could read a mind that well she'd know about the swimming but that Erynne's family might not.*

OK, what would you like me to fill you in on? Oh, you said that Stephen couldn't get past his sister being engaged? Does he object?

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

If you're still not sure
about me, Sweet, why don't you come over--Not to
the restaurant, but pick somewhere close enough to
read me? Or confirm I'm alone here, and then we
can talk face to face if you'd prefer. I'm not worried
about traps. Demetria's warded this place. It'll let
in nonhumans, but anyone with hostile intent isn't
getting in. Not in the same number of pieces they
started out with.

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

I'm fine with coming to the Treasure Dragon - I know it well, that's where I first met Erynne. Did she tell you about smoking about? Leave that little front window open enough for a cat and I can check the place out and be right there...

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

Smoking...? Oh, you mean your form of teleportation?
All right then. A cat? Are your Folk feline?
*goes over and opens the window*

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

*Smokes around outside the Treasure Dragon, carefully checking out building and surrounds with mindsense and singing mojo. The place is clear. Smokes in through open window.

A drift of thick scarlet smoke moves through the window to the nearest comfortable chair, and condenses into.... *

Good evening, *Looks puzzled* Are you Amber? I thought from what Erynne said that your baby was ..... older....

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

*smiles*
*sings softly*

Yes, I am who I say--
Just keeping it hid
This baby's a joy
(stop kicking me,kid!)
It's just--
Stephen says he doesn't care
I don't buy that little tale
Walking's hard enough
I'm not looking like a whale!

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

Cosmetic illusion? I do some of that myself - I guess Erynne told you? But she didn't say that was one of your mojos...

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

I didn't set the illusion myself. I'm not a magic-user,
Stephen is. Though I don't think you really need me to
tell you that. You're--a truthseer? Is that how you found out Erynne was a werewolf? Is this something you can't... turn off, when you talk to someone?

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

That's... kinda tricky ... it takes effort to really truth-read deep, but it's also like... you know how humans can just read expressions on people's faces? And Erynne tells me changers can scent some emotions, as well ... I guess it's like that. You might find your own ways difficult to turn off?


I knew that Erynne was a changer straight away and asked why she'd come to the city. Then she told me more when she felt she knew me well enough to trust me...

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

She confided in you that early on? Huh. She doesn't
do that often. Sounds like you impressed her quite a bit.I've had to learn to trust her instincts when she
seems to be acting 'impulsively'...Do your folk marry
out very much? I saw her ring but she said something
about not being married by yourcustoms yet.

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

That's kinda complicated to explain - see, where I come from is real different. We ... we put a high value on magic talents and the ones with strong talents are the aristocracy. But we're supposed to marry out a lot.

Did you see the talisman? White gold and yellow diamond? She may be wearing the ring on the same chain, now?

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

It's true that the strongest talents I've heard of do seem to result from exogamous pairs...would Erynne's
being a 'changer put her on the same level ? She
is knowledgeable about magic, but has never tried
any of the more powerful workings, I thought.
She was wearing the ring on the chain, yes. So--marriage
by some kind of magical contract? What do you ask her to
do, exactly, for that?

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

*Laughs, tiredly*, That's not quite it. Exogamy gives very varied talents. Erynne says mine sets off a NIMBY reaction. It can cause chaos, and politicians don't want a strong truthseer around, especially not one who can make them sing the truth.

So I'm a Field Operative. Marriage to a human should modify it to something they like better - I mean for the children...

The whole deal brings in new people anyway, but never too many...

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

I can understand that but--Erynne should have discussed
the nonhuman aspects of her form with you, Sweet.
Particularly if you're hoping to have a family soon...So I hope you have some idea of what I mean. If not, you should ask her as soon as you can.
We've got a bigger problem and--there may be another
complication. One of the pack went missing last month,
just as we were moving out here. We're...fairly certain
he's the same one who broke Lamia's prison the first time, and that if he's with her, it's not because
she's controlling him. He...had quite a grudge against
Erynne. That would be reason enough for Joshua to side
with someone who hates her.

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

*Laughs* If you mean what I think you mean we've discussed it. My work takes me across the dimensions and I'd rather Erynne was with me. I think she's prefer that, too... *Shrugs* There's time enough to think of children, if that's what she wants.

Who is this Joshua? And why does he have a grudge against Erynne?

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

*unhappy sigh* Oh, Sweet, if I knew that I'd be a lot
wiser than most. Joshua's last name is Warfield. He's a
werewolf,too,yes,but was born one,not Marked. His parents died when he was a teenager, and his aunt sent him to stay with Corona.
He and Erynne got along all right at first but--Joshua's
one who's never had to work for anything. He expected to
be treated the same way by Corona's people.
Like he thought he was doing Erynne a favor by paying attention to her. When she made it clear she wasn't attracted to him, he took it as a personal insult.

That she outranks him doesn't help matters. Nate
wouldn't give him precedence over her, born 'changer or
not. She earned her place. Then Joshua tried to
challenge her for it and she beat him. That was the
last straw.
She could have killed him then, strictly speaking...or
when Lamia escaped last spring. I'm starting to think
Stephen was wrong telling her not to . And even he
agrees that he won't ask it of her again.

[singindemonhq.livejournal.com]

He won't ask her to kill him or he won't ask her not to? It sounds like this Joshua guy needs killing....

But you said he was born, not marked? I knew of someone like that too, lycanthrope from birth - but I kinda got the impression that it doesn't happen with Corona - was that what you meant?

[coronadesangre.livejournal.com]

There are Marked changers and those born to it. For
most of Corona's people it's the second, yes. Stephen
was born, like his mother. We think our baby's human
though we won't absolutely know until she's born...

In Joshua's case, he went against the leader's orders by
leaving, and it's not the first time. So if you or
Erynne see him...don't worry about anything but keeping
yourselves safe. If he threatens you...gut him.