is this darkness of the dawn and your friends are gone

[bogwife]

[Everything keeps happening so much and the only real constants are death and parties.

Zerinda takes the initiative to plan things this time, with Della helping her deliver the invitations either being slipped under doors again.]



[It gives everyone an hour or two to settle down from the investigation and trial. By 6 on the dot the tables in the lounge are packed with miscellaneous vending machine snacks, a large pot of a thick and warm white stew, a plate stacked with biscuits and cupcakes. So many cupcakes. Mira has been coping well with her stress.

There's also several bottles of wine, hot coffee and hot chocolate waiting for anyone thirsty.

Welcome to the party, ya'll.]

Comments

[bolderfell]

...

[Tug, tug on a thread unraveling from his scarf.]

...I did wonder... if inviting them along with me would make getting the stones from him any easier.

[I.e., "Any less likely for me to bite it like a punk."]

Couldn't tell whether I went in alone from that picture.

[philoxenia]

[ Hmm. She sets her pen to the corner of the notepad, idly drawing a spiral. ]

You never know. [ She looks at him, tilting her head just slightly. ] Do you think you will? Invite them along.

[bolderfell]

[That earns a grim, quiet chuckle, eventually.]

Don't know. Guess I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

[He tilts his head and his voice lightens a bit.]

Gotta say, I'd pay good money to watch you crack Darius a new one. He'd never see it coming.

[philoxenia]

Either way... I think you'll be just fine.

[ It's a way of saying she believes in him, and she nearly does... But she blushes a little at that, and lets out a laugh. ]

You think so? You might be right. Someone as small and unassuming as I am? I'd love to see that look on his face.

[bolderfell]

I've seen it. It's a great look.

[His expression as he looks at her is softer than perhaps it should be, given what they're discussing.]

Not worth exposing you to whatever goes on in his head, though. Don't worry. I'll handle him one way or another.

[philoxenia]

[ She definitely catches on--hard not to--but instead of drawing attention to it, she gives a sheepish laugh. Her cheeks feel a little warmer, too. ]

You know... if we can find a way to go to other worlds, I'd love to hear about it afterward. If you wouldn't be opposed.

[bolderfell]

...All right. Come find me in Bolderfall and buy me a drink. I'll be happy to pay you back in tales. As many as you want.

[To make it official, he holds out a hand to shake. There's no Fool's Bangle there to weigh it down.]

I'll be waiting.

[philoxenia]

[ She takes his hand, giving it a firm shake and a bright smile. The key... he'd used it after all. ]

Hopefully I'll have some of my own to share with you. Though... with Della and her family, I'm sure I'll have plenty.