He calls me up, calls me on the phone

[bypartisan]

One of the local urchins is telling me he has information on the Zeitgeist. High likelihood that it's a trap, but I might as well try to spring it and see what I can learn. And perhaps I'll get lucky and it won't be. I'll keep everyone appraised.

Comments

[timelessinventor]

I believe one of my colleagues from home would be yelling 'it's a trap' at you in a very strange voice right now.

But in all seriousness, do be careful, darling, and let us know if you need assistance.

[bypartisan]

Presumably it's a twentieth-century thing? In any case, I will and I shall.

[unagreeable]

You need backup? Less likely to rip your intestines out if they think you've got one of their own with you.

[bypartisan]

I'll let you know when I see where he's going. He's fast.

[shantiprayer]

...Who are you calling an urchin? That's rude. You realize most of the children on the street are orphans, right?

[Double agent distractification technique, go!]

[timelessinventor]

To be fair, darling, and I am not saying this to stir any problems, 'urchin' just a descriptor for someone's appearance. It is not meaning anything negative towards the child themselves.

I am certain that he simply meant that he was a slightly-scruffy looking child.

PRIVATE: when he shows up at the den

[loyalrebel]

Do. Not. Recognize me.

As far as they know I represent another interested faction.

[brokers]

If it's not a trap, it is probably a scam.

Where are you?

[bypartisan]

Backstreets. He's moving fast. I'll let you know when he stops somewhere.

[seventhbullet]

[Really, dude? Really?]

Let us know when you need a pickup.

[bypartisan]

Will do.

[laceandcarnage]

If it is a trap, then I should accompany you.

[bypartisan]

No, no. I appreciate the sentiment, but I don't think we will need carnage yet.

hours later

[bypartisan]

Vorrutyer here. I'm not at all sure that my abduction had anything to do with Prince Yi. I'm in a some dreadfully arboreal location and they've made me remarkably comfortable for being chained up.

I'll let people know when to retrieve me, but I'm going to attempt to bargain with my abductors first.

[whydoyoushine]

You know, I might have helped with that if you'd bailed me out of jail.

[seventhbullet]

And you have no idea where you are, do you?

Anyone have a way of getting a bead on him?

[brokers]

If they went to the trouble of taking you off the street, they are unlikely to be amenable to bargaining. You do not have any leverage.

[permastubble]

[While he’d heard the first, he’d been a little busy and couldn’t respond, not until it was obvious that the man had gone radio-silent.]

Dammit. Where were you when you got taken? Maybe we can track you down, or figure out who’s behind this.

Privately to Sera

[bypartisan]

I'll assume that since you didn't prevent my abduction, your friends don't desire to murder me.

Private and protected

[shantiprayer]

Not unless you make them feel like they have no choice. Especially since I told them about Travelers coming back in a few days. I'm really sorry, they weren't supposed to find any of this out but then that notebook showed up. I made a promise so I have to keep it. I swear, the Wolf just wants to make sure you and the others won't be a threat to the other children.

Privately to Malik

[bypartisan]

I don't suppose this is all part of an elaborate plot to rescue me as an apology for the dislocated shoulder?

Re: Privately to Malik

[loyalrebel]

No.

One of the factions at play here trust me as one of their own. I cannot blow that cover without getting myself killed or treated worse than you will be.

This is going to have to happen.

and shortly thereafter

[bypartisan]

Nobody come after me. Our honorable lupine host is hoping to use me as bait, so let's all take a lesson from me and not fall into his trap, all right?

Also, Doujima, this is all your fault. They have a copy of your notebook.

[unagreeable]

So that's a no on dropping a jar of bees in there?

[wantedittobeagame]

...they have a copy of what?!

[Hi, guess who's sober now.]

Doujima-san, just what was in that book?!