"Well, in any case, time's wasting."
Of course, while he was genuinely worried about his good friend's reaction to the day's events and the events of a London adventure in the not so distant past, he was going to take at least one opportunity to take the piss.
"Express delivery for one Tim von Hochberg! Didn't take you for the 'leggy blonde' type, but I guess you learn something new every day."
Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.Tim looked up the mien of his face went from reflexive annoyance to a welcomning smile at his sister before turning back into a glower of irritation at Jarl.
"Well, it could have been worse." he finally said. "She could have run into Alexander."
He turned to Melina "Hey kleine Schwester." And went to give her a hug. "Gute Fahrt? Keine Probleme?"
"You can reply to this Message!""Gee, thanks for the 'at least she didn't run into the sex pest with a Napoleon complex' vote of confidence. Anyway, you have a lot of catching up to do, so I'm just gonna find my room and have a nap until Leon gets here. Assuming he doesn't get challenged to a fight by the Green Knight or something."
Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.Tim looked at Melina and switched to German. "I asked you for simple delivery, how did that happen?" He asked somewhat askance and she crossed her arms under her breasts. "You weren't here when I arrived, I tried to find you and things escalated?" She answered lightly. "No big deal."
Looking her over, Tim's worry was obvious. "You aren't hurt?" and Melina just rolled her eyes.
"You helped train me in self defense, I can actually handle myself, brother."
Tim sighed. "Yes, you can. I can still worry, can I?" And Melina gave him a crooked smile.
"As long as you remember the difference between worrying and patronizing. Because twenty years older or not, I will kick you in the balls for the latter."
Edited by 3of4 on Mar 7th 2020 at 12:56:33 PM
"You can reply to this Message!"Leon paused as he stared at the birds. The now talking birds. The now talking birds that wanted Fortune. And then Alex drove off like a coward. He resisted the urge to curse him for ditching him like that, but well, if the birds started trying to tear him apart he was pretty sure the inhabitants of De Normandie's house would come to his aid.
He took a breath to steady himself, glancing briefly at the swans behind him,and ignoring a pedantic need to correct the knight statement to warden, before speaking.
"Before I do anything, I'm going to need some information. In particular what are you going to do with her if I return her? I'd also like to know who you are or who you represent. But lets start with intentions towards Fortune."
He really wished Fortune was awake right now, because he had a feeling this was her family, and he suspected but wasn't entirely sure that she had been running from them. But she wasn't awake and that was worrying and he might have to return her to their care just because of whatever was wrong with her.
Click Click Boom BoomJarl, halfway up the stairs already, let out a very dignified and not at all suspicious snort of amusement. His head was thankfully turned away, because his poker face was non-existent.
"Well, God loves a tryer, and we both know I'm not exactly on speaking terms with the Almighty."
Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.Tim shot Jarl a short glare and turned back to Melina. "Did you bring...it?" He asked again in German and she nodded and got out a small card.
"It's in the Safe of the Hotel I'm staying at, I made sure you can access it too." She handed him the card. "You sure? You locked it away for a reason?"
Tim looked thoughtful for a moment. "No I'm not sure. But...I may need the option."
He then shook himself. "Well, I think Rollo can put you up for the night. Its quite late and I'm not sure how safe the city is alone." He mused and then turned to Terry.
"Also, Hello Terrance. I'm sure we can find a place for you to crash as well."
With his face to Terry, unlike the werewolf could not see the wide - and very indicative of motive - smile that came upon his sisters lips.
"Yeah, staying the night sounds good."
Edited by 3of4 on Mar 8th 2020 at 12:27:16 PM
"You can reply to this Message!"Alexander
“I still see no reason to suspect that wasn’t the wizard’s guard flock, Ms Wagner. Wizards are supposed to have familiars, even if we’ve been disappointed in the past. And if it wasn’t...well, Odin; Ravens, Jarl—it’s not exactly a puzzle. Warden Lichenberg was in no danger.” Alexander continued, a little snippy-sounding by now.
Lilaine snorted, cradling Freeloader tightly to her chest as though focusing on the cat helped stave off the Hunger. She was still noticeably wan, and her grin had a bit of a bite to it.
“You’re really picking at this, xandy.” She lilted back. “...Guilty?”
“No.” Alexander replied with icy determination. “Just ti—”
Alexander trailed off, eyes narrowing as he sized up the fop at the door. Trouble. Not just normal wealthy trouble—lawyers would have carried a briefcase, and looked less...fancy. This was more of a socialite, the sort of person who might want a favor. But the eyes said “challenge.”
Alexander grinned thinly. Well. Ever forward.
“Bonjour. Don’t be a wallflower, step right up.” He said, waving cheerfully at the well-dressed man. "Alexander Thorne, at your service."
Annette frowned up at Alexander, though at the angle she was at behind him she couldn't really see his eyes. "Wasn't his familiar th-the little paint-blob-man? Not a b-bird?" She grumbled. She didn't want to argue about them leaving Leon when something weird was waiting for him when they'd dropped him off, but she didn't want to make a scene. Then again, in front of his sister might have been different than "in public". Lilaine probably had no filter for Alexander's bullshit.
Before she could make more of a point, though, they drew up to the hotel itself, and Alexander stopped. This time Anne didn't run into him at least. "Hm?" She peered around the White Court to whatever they were looking at. Some guy with long black hair and expensive looking clothes. Annette grimaced. And Alexander went right on forward to greet him.
Oh goodie.
"...I hope it's not another one of your c-cousins come to hit on him." She spoke very softly, more to Lilaine than the idiot making introductions with the guy that looked like trouble. "Because you're h-holding the cat this time."
Alexander and Anne
"Mister Thorne, I presume?" The man spoke English with an impeccable RP, the sort of high-minded Etonian RP that easily telegraphed 'wealthy knobhead' to anyone familiar with English social class.
He extended a hand. "Sir Arthur George Phillip Cobham, MBE. A pleasure. I'm here to make you an offer before I or one of my associates finds it necessary to kill you." He gestured to the hotel. "Drink? The first one is on me."
___________________________________________
Jarl
Jarl suddenly appeared from the top floor again, rushing down to the basement with his case over his shoulder.
"Forgot that I should probably take the time to test this before shit hits the fan again-"
And he was gone, vanished into the darkness of the fencing club basement.
Edited by math792d on Mar 9th 2020 at 11:33:15 AM
Still not embarrassing enough to stan billionaires or tech companies.Leon
Feathers rustled as the flock shifted closer, the large spokes-corvid hopping so it stood on the rail nearest to Leon, staring up at him with glassy black eyes. The only birds that didn’t move were the two swans, which stood, still and regal, quiet observers.
“Wise knight.” The corvid croaked, the rest of the flock echoing again. “Listen—”
“Wise-Ise—Kni—Ni—Ite—List—Wise—”
“She belongs with family—” It continued, head bobbing in what almost looked like excitement. Its eyes flicked down to Fortune, glittering in the waning afternoon night. If there was compassion there, it was obscured by the fact that crows always looked curious, or hungry.
The swans across the road slowly bobbed their heads—a bow, agreement, permission?
“Tired out here. Burns her. Dangerous.” It croaked, the flock squawking in agreement. “Belongs with mother and sisters—”
Fortune shivered, her hand curling around Leon’s jacket sleeve, making letting out a soft whimper. Did she look thinner? Had her nails always looked so much like claws?
“Better for both of us—take her off your hands. Spare you the burden, and she’ll be back before she’s ruined…” The corvid squawked.
Edited by DrTentacles on Mar 13th 2020 at 9:30:24 AM
"Belongs with family? That may be, but you seem to have neglected to say if you are family or not."
Leon eyed the spokescorvid that approached him, refusing to step back despite his initial instinct to stay away from the strange bird.
"It might be better for her to go into the Nevernever, but you aren't making a convincing case towards being the best escort for her."
Leon wasn't sure if he was being paranoid or not, but they were probably fae birds and trusting the implied statements over what was actually said was never a great idea with the Fae. Not that he had much experience with that part of chatting with Fae given how fast they were to try to kill him most of the time. He glanced down at Fortune who was now clinging to his sweater. He frowned, unsure if he should keep this back and forth going or hope the crows and ravens were on the up and up.
Click Click Boom BoomLeon
The spokescorvid squawked in indignation, its feathers bristling at Leon’s reply.
“Convince you? Herald am I! Not to barter!” It croaked, eerie air cracking a little. It sounded more human in that moment—a Jim Henson muppet, at least.
“Be at ease.” A soft voice called out.
One of the swans across the street spread its wings, and the air cracked, from the force of its takeoff. It landed on the end of the sidewalk, even larger now that it was only a few steps away from Leon. Then it bent its head behind itself, beak spreading as though to bite at the nape of its neck.
Its feathers ruffled and shook, as if passed by the wind, and then, much like Fortune had earlier, it shifted.
Fortune’s transformation had looked painful, however—flesh and feathers warping to skin. This was different—more like a dance, or a magical girl transformation from some anime. A simple twirl, a flourish of feathers, and then—
A woman, graceful, pale, with long dark hair in a medieval-looking braid, dressed in a fluffy white gown dashed with fur. Around her arm lay a cloak of feathers, draped like a coat. She looked younger than Fortune, and had a fragility around her.
“If you need some form of convincing...” She said, head bowed, looking at the ground before Leon’s feet. Her voice was musical, with a strong french accent—she sounded almost meek, like she was unsure of her own words. “Will I suffice? I am not greatly skilled, but I can offer Companionship, Guidance, Service.”
The woman flushed, as though embarrassed, but there wasn’t anything coy in her voice. Given the Fae, it was very likely she meant “washing dishes” rather than anything more lurid.
“I daresay I could serve better than the poor creature in your arms.” The swan girl continued, glancing up at Leon under long black lashes. “And she would be where she belongs. Where she should have stayed.”
Leon would have facepalmed if he hadn't been holding Fortune.
"Jesus, I'm not asking for a replacement, I just want to be sure you lot aren't going to lock her up in an oubliette for the next 1000 years, or some other horrible thing. And that you are actually her family. Or directly working for said family."
Click Click Boom BoomAlexander
Alexander took the hand, toeing the polite line between "a firm handshake," and "macho dick measuring contest." It wasn’t even like anyone could blame him for it—the man had straightforwardly threatened to kill him.
“Quite a mouthful. What do your friends call you?” Alexander said, smiling with barbed interest.
Very likely, some variation on "the rich ponce," but probably only behind his back.
Lilaine coughed, shrugging at the elevator, and Alexander nodded. She stepped past them, giving Arthur a friendly wink.
“Sorry, Cobby. Got to drop off my cat in my room! He’s not to up to date on his shots, so...not taking chances in case you're contagious!” She chirped, grinning cheekily as both her introduction, and farewell.
Alexander coughed, pretending embarrassment, but this wasn’t someone that he was going to lose sleep over Lilaine antagonizing. He had a feeling where this was headed anyway.
“Excuse her. I could go for a shot or two, though I'm in a hurry.” Alexander said, still blandly polite. “And you seem like a man who knows your shots. Or is that your friends?”
Edited by DrTentacles on Mar 19th 2020 at 10:32:10 AM
AGPC, MBE, QRS, FML, WXY and Z.
Annette gave sparse looks between the dapper gentlemen definitely—he even confirmed it—sent to kill Alexander. And subsequently probably herself as well. Lilaine ditched them as quickly as she could which was for the best, given her "state". But it did mean she was now alone with the lunatic willingly going for drinks with his enemy.
And also the assassin.
God we're really doing this aren't we. Okay. Fine.
For now the best thing to do was to stay quiet an unassuming. Maybe he hadn't even noticed her next to Alexander. Sure he wasn't that much taller than her, and yet his presence alone overshadowed her with ease. No better a wall for a meek little mouse like herself.
She still had an acid in a spray bottle, though, so there was that.
"....th-thisoneisn'tgoingtotrytofuckyouright?" She mumbled so softly and so fast, maybe Alexander wouldn't hear her. Hopefully Mr. Alphabet Killer over there wouldn't.

Melina gave Terry a Wink. "Touche."
"You can reply to this Message!"