"Just beginner's luck, I swear." Danny grins as Laverna deals out the next hand.
Seeing Laverna reach out and touch Morien is like a slap of cold water to Danny's otherwise uninhibited imagination.
EASY there Tex! That's a menage a trois I DON'T need!"
',... Even if the twins wouldn't kill me.' He mentally adds hastily. Mostly to convince himself that his previous thought really was a bad idea.
'Well, the twins ARE really just friends. They wouldn't mind,... No. Bad idea. Really.'
Danny settles back and sorts his hand, mentally preparing himself for the big slice of humble pie his instincts tell him he's about to eat.
His acting is solid, but not spectacular now that his fellow players are catching onto his shtick. His attempt to pass off a deliberate action as a nervous tell (starting to reach for his ear, then stopping himself) is a little too obvious, and immediately results in a round of raises. Only his never-wavering self-confidence allows him to stay in without folding early. But he knows no matter how well he bluffs now, his hand is mediocre at best.
He wonders if the ladies will allow him to use salt on that ever-growing slice of humble pie he's about to eat.
"Good thing it's not strip poker." Laverna says continuing her distractions, whilst she takes the cards back into her hand.
Lycius takes his cards with and audible groan, his concentration shot. After quickly playing his hand, the man stands up abruptly. "Damn it. I'm getting a drink." He storms off into the pub.
His actions put Laverna off, that or the distracted look upon her face.
Round 4
Lyceus
Laverna
"Strip Poker?!? THAT would be motivation, I'll admit. But please, let's leave the poor mortals at least a chance of maintaining a pretense of decorum, shall we?" Danny teases Laverna with an easy grin.
Danny takes his cards and arranges them thoughtfully, fairly certain that he took his comeuppance with dignity and grace, like he should have. Not that he's terribly worried about owing Morien any favors. But he just met this Lycius guy, and 'friendly game' or not, he'd be darned if he's ever met a Fae who wouldn't turn the slightest 'favor' to her advantage if given 1/100 of chance!
Danny starts out smooth and confident. but his hand simply isn't good enough to make more out of it than it is. Although it apparently is better than Lycius, who folds early.
Round 4 - Morien
Morien chuckles at the comment about strip poker, with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "Three of us would be fine, win or lose, but someone would have to deal with Danny's hypothermia."
She watches Lyceus head for the bar with a grin and shake of her head over her mug. This rounds' pot is small, and the selkie plays harder for it unassisted than she did for the last and larger one.
At the River
Laverna chuckles; "I don't that's all we'd have to deal with of Danny's."
Lyceus returns with a tray of drinks, placing them to one side of the table. Placing a pint of dark beer before himself and Danny;"Thought you might like a dark ale, Riggwelter it's got a bit of a bite." Brandy glass over to Morien; "Slivovitz, hope it's acceptable."
Whilst before Laverna, he puts a creamy cocktail filled with cherries and umbrella's; "Thought you'd like a screaming orgasm, that was where you were going anyway?" He adds archly.
The Sidhe noble arches an eyebrow at him; "Well that round wasn't so good for you. Morien and I nearly broke even, Danny's a little behind and you Lyceus - well you owe us ladies more than just a screaming orgasm!" she takes the glass and raises it. "Bottoms up, I believe you say."
"Shall we stop for a bit?" Laverna takes a sip of her drink.
Morien swirls the colorless liquid in her glass and sniffs it appreciatively. She takes a sip and allows it to linger on her tongue. "More than acceptable, thank you." She raises her glass to Lyceus for emphasis.
Giving Laverna a crooked smile, she replies, "Sure. Might as well quit while I'm ahead." She leans back in her chair, alertness easing off about half a notch while she mentally unwinds the spool of cards played and discarded.
At Trips Manor
Buuny bounces down the stairs arms locked with Agatha. "Oh, we passed Sal ♥ she was off for a shower!" Then she slaps her hand over her mouth, realising that Kenneth is on the phone still.
So she sidles over to Tangris and does a little twirl: "I think these jeans are too tight. What do you think? ♥" she asks. Agatha lets out a long-suffering sigh: "We've been over this before...." obviously part of some old argument.
Agatha then briefs Tangris about the trio of rescued people, that a pair are local. They should be fine, just tried and emaciated with blood-loss. "I've called their families, they are on there way." she sticks out her jaw daring anyone to challenge her.
The water is warm and soothing, but Sal doesn't feel she can linger there long, just enough to get the scents of blood, explosives, and smoke off her skin and hair. Fortunately, that takes a couple of scrubs and rinses, giving the water time to relax muscles and soothe the temper.
The fluffy towels are in a nearby cabinet, and Sal replenishes the hangers in case somebody else showers after her. Silly Bunny, thinking a place like this only has one towel, she thinks with fond amusement as she towels off and blow-dries her hair, slightly straightening the curly mass into a wavy cap. She dresses carefully and neatly, with a little makeup and tiny stud earrings, trying to look conventional and studious. Feet bare for now, she exits clad in the tunic dress, leggings, and bulky sweater that drapes longer than the dress. The carpet is soft beneath her feet as she slips down the hallway and knocks softly on the paneled wood door of the room the rescued captives were shown to.
"Are you awake in there?" she calls softly.
Kenneth chuckles, pleased to be able to engage in the more simple conversation, "Aye, well, I need tae have faith in meself, or I cannae work my magic....", he says with a slight emphasis on the pronoun. He then pauses for a beat before adding, "...and I wouldnae be able tae use Brigid's magic either."
He tries not to sigh as he considers how to address her other point, his heart already heavy from thoughts of his earlier life, triggered by his sister, Aye, well, what can I tell ye? That I had more than just old magic and old lore stuffed intae my soul by a beautiful flame-clad goddess? That my views changed intae an older, gallant, romanitc sort, and that while I love as much as anyone else, I'll never be a Disney Prince Charming that loves only one... I cannae say if it's the magic, if it's the scars of losing Cait, or even that I amnae allowed tae love another more than Brigid...and so I dread the inevitable pain that will come? He takes another breath and feels something within him flare up, burning away the melancholy and putting a smile back into his voice. "Nae, nae, nae tae many... 'Twas nae more than three so far t'day."
He chuckles again, and then adds in a more serious tone, "I'll call the rest ay the gang, tae make sure we have as many jealous onlookers as possible for our romantic bike ride, and meet ye there.... I should gae, now, I need tae mix up a few draughts for tonight's party, and make sure that Tangris doesnae burn down Trip's house in the meantime."
At the Manor
Upstairs
"Hello? Who's there?" comes a voice from inside, the man's voice is mellifluous with the hit of a romantic accent. The door slips open to reveal the dusty haired young man, stripped to the waist his torso is very lean, not just through the captivity. His pale blue eyes meet Sals' with a hint of defiance and respect.
Downstairs
Laura laughs on the phone, mahogany laughter at Kenneth's joke; "So long as you've still some vitality for me. See you later." She hangs up, as does the skald.
Agatha looks to Kenneth too, a determined look on her face. "I've had a look over the trio upstairs."
At the River
Laverna smiles; "And whilst Lyceus is a little behind." she adds, much to the mans glower.
Manor: Upstairs
"My name is Sal," the diminutive soldier replies seriously, offering a hand, "And you are Arjen, is that right? Bunny gets confused sometimes. She said you were from 'Dutchland', but I don't know if she means Germany or the Netherlands. Are you and your friends OK? And do you mind answering a few questions about that... situation we got you out of?"
Manor: Upstairs
He takes Sals' hand, despite his slight stature he has the grip of a rock-climber and gives a respectful squeeze. "Yes, she seems very chill. I'm from Holland, you? You American?" Pushing the door further open, to let the soldier into the open room.
There are a pair of single beds, occupied by sleeping people, the two other captives. At the foot of the beds are chairs with some clothes laid out upon the backs. "Thanks, for sending the nurse to help with them." he says. There's definite steel to his persona, unbloodied despite the captivity. "I'll answer your queries."
"Citizen of the world," Sal smiles a little wryly and keeps her voice low so as not to disturb the sleepers, "Should we talk elsewhere so we don't wake them?"
"Sounds good, Thanks." Danny says in appreciation to Lycius' delivery.
He takes a sip and salutes him again in appreciation. IF he doesn't like beer, it doesn't show.
"I'm sure I could come UP with something, if I got too chilled." He replies straight-faced to Laverna's innuendo.
He chuckles again at the drink for Laverna.
"Careful. They start out sweet, but end up giving you a nasty bite." he suggests with a smirk.
"Take a break? Just when I'm on the verge of digging myself a hole I might never climb out of? Very well. If you insist." He salutes with his mug and a smile.
"Now, excuse my curiosity, but I take it that you ladies have both met the gentleman before? Whereabouts do you hail from Lycius?"
Morien nods an absent-minded affirmative to Danny's question. She says, almost to herself, "Let's just see if I've got this. Next one will be the ten of hearts." She flips over the top card on the poker deck.
Sal silently beckons Arjen to follow, and leads him down the hall to a small, excruciatingly tidy bedroom, where she waves him into the room's only chair. She perches cross-legged on the bed, from where she examines him critically for a moment and finally speaks.
"Listen, I know you have been through things that most people won't believe. I will believe you. So when you answer, please consider that. I've... well, I've been in your shoes. So. Do you know how long you were held captive? Were all of you taken at the same time? Run me through the story of your capture, if you don't mind. Take your time." She waits patiently for the story as the hallway grandfather clock fills the silence with its sharp beats.
As Arjen eaves the room, he makes sure he's the last from the room with the tired pair. Moving to Sal's smaller bedroom; he leans against a wall a tired look crosses his face. And he brushes his short hair away from his face, implying it was once longer.
"Yeah, long story. Same for you?" he asks with a sigh. "The others are British, locals?" he queries unsure of exactly where he is.
"They came in one at a time, the vampires needed someone to drink from. And I guess they didn't want to kill too many locals." he says grimly. "I tried to protect them, stop the creatures but...." subconsciously he rubs his forehead, near where there's a receding lump.
Sal nods at Arjen's conjecture. "Yeah, you're near York right now. So you were here in Britain when they grabbed you? Did they just feed on you, or did they do... other things? Take blood with syringes, for example? Inject you with something? Did you overhear anything?"
His tired look and confusion remind her that he may not be very well oriented. "Look, you're not a prisoner or anything. You're free to go. We just want to be sure you and your friends are OK and get where you need to be safely. Anything you can tell us -- me -- about what happened will help us keep this from happening to others. You're welcome to stay until you're stronger, get a bite to eat, and we can get you started on your way home. So don't worry about that." She shrugs. "Heck, if you wanted to, you could walk out of here now. But we'd really appreciate any help you can give."
Laverna slides the stones to their respective bedrinked owns and does a quick calculation of their relative values.
Whilst Lyceus answers; "I now reside in the Ouse." he gestures to the river. "However in the past I've been in the Winter Court and worked with Moriens' Sensei." He answers, regaining his composure as he sips on his drink. "We stopped an incursion from Mexico a few years back."
Sal's words seen to resonate emotionally with him; "Don't worry, I want to help." he looks Sal straight in the eye and takes her hand; "Thank you for saving me." Then he glances down at his hand and steps back embarrassed.
Suddenly inspecting the carpet; "No, I was taken first. I was going to a design meeting on site." he pauses, explaining; "I'm a designer. I was attacked from behind, I think - I don't remember much."
"They didn't bleed me or feed me anything strange. Well I don't think so, they didn't feed me much. I overheard them talking about me 'leverage just in case, so they shouldn't kill me' that they 'she wanted me removed from the equation.' I've no idea who the she is, however."
He shrugs gracefully; "I've no idea what this is all about. Even if I do know about the strange stuff that goes on. Once worked on a church for an angel." he adds in a matter of fact manner, his accent thickening.
Sal nods sympathetically. "Somebody saved me. I'm happy to pass along the favor." She frowns at Arjen's story. "Do you think you were targeted, if they knew who you were? What about the ladies?"
By the River
"Hold on a sec!" Lyceus puts out his arm, blocking Laverna's quick distribution of the tokens. Then he nods down at the card that Morien revealed;
A look of respect upon his face and a grudging nod from the sidhe Lady. "She's got you there! Seems Morien is capable of both responding to your flirting and is brighter than you." he smiles.
Danny leans back and claps slowly.
"That she is." He agrees with a wry nod.
Morien grins and shakes her head at the other three. "Never underestimate the role of luck." But she does as poor a job of dissembling as she has all morning, and she's clearly pleased underneath it.
"Oh I never underestimate lady Luck! But today she clearly loves you more." Danny smirks. He raises his glass in salute before taking a swig.
Morien raises her glass at that. "To Lady Luck and her inscrutable favor, then. I hope she's having fun."
"Oh she's not usually too bad. But when she gets into a mood though,..."
Danny makes a wry 'owie' face.
"So,... I haven't actually been paying attention. Laverna, have you noticed anything going on at the 'meeting' spot?" Danny nods his head sideways, indicating the spot down the river over his shoulder.
Downstairs
The matronly Agatha adds; "Everyone appears to be basically all right. Nothing time and a few walks won't fix." she pauses; "I take it, that it's none of my beeswax how it happened?"
Upstairs
"Ladies?" he raises an eyebrow meaningfully, with a look to cause blushes. Then he smiles, something that seemingly fits his face well - if too unfamiliar over the past few weeks; "Yes, I was definitely targeted. The pair of creatures did come in to take photo's of me and send to their boss."
He sighs; "I'm not anyone important though, just living a normal life. Not sure what to do now however."
Lyceus seems to be bearing up better after his appalling game of cards, even going so far as to smile at the banter and Moriens' pleased reaction. However there's a slight scowl at Laverna, who appears entirely unconcerned and in fact revelling in the attention.
"Well done, Morien. Pity, a small favour would have been fun. Though in this regards appears we're equal." Laverna replies before addressing Danny's concerns; "There's a couple of workmen, seemingly electricians over by the structure. They appear to be putting some lights up."
Danny nods, taking another sip of his drink.
"Pretty standard for an outdoor gig. If they were planning a 'real' party, you'd see a lift or 2 and groups setting up sound and show lighting. Seems this is probably going to be a 'quiet' affair. Makes sense, they don't want to attract attention. But that makes it a little harder to sneak in 'extras'." Danny sighs before taking another sip.
Danny seems nonplussed by Lycius' and Laverna's interactions.
Or possibly he's just so self-centered he simply didn't notice. ?
If anything Danny seems to be holding back. He IS used to being the center of attention. By design, usually. But stealing the limelight from a potentially jealous (IE=Spiteful) Fae does not enter onto Danny's 'list of things to do today'.
Of course, the day is still young. As Danny is reminded as he unexpectedly takes a large yawn.
"Mm. Sorry. That one snuck up on me!" He mutters from behind his hand.
"We should watch a while longer. If they're planning anything sneaky, it will likely require an early setup. And probably something mechanical. We should be able to spot something 'unusual' if they start setting it up."
Danny turns back to Lycius.
"So, you travel a lot. That must be nice. How does your latest home compare to some of the other places you've lived? What do you do? FOr a living I mean?" Danny inquires curiously.
Upstairs
Sal snorts and half-smiles at her misstep. "Sorry, I mean the pair who were captive with you. Were you all together, or were they taken separately?" She scowls a moment at the floor, then returns her attention to Arjen. "I'm trying to put the pieces together and figure out if you're in danger or were a random captive. We know they didn't want to attract a lot of attention with disappearing locals. But there's a connection with the Netherlands, and you're Dutch. Seems a bit coincidental, don't you think?"
Upstairs
"Oh, they were taken separately. I was brought here first - I believe the vampires had been feeding on other people, elsewhere." Arjen says remembering; "Then the chap came in, then the lady. I believe they were random people they grabbed at night. Vampires only wanted their blood..." he blanches remembering how impotent he was to stop it.
Gripping the edge of a piece of furniture, knuckles going white he tries to control himself. "Too much of a coincidence. They wanted me, as a safe-guard or to remove me from the equation. But whom, what equation. Not my work, I shouldn't think - I'm just a designer."
"I have no debts, well a few college loans - but nothing more."
Laverna leans back sinuously, the light flowing over her curves and the shimmering dress languorously. Her eyes flicker to the others, just to observe their reactions and revel in it before sighing and taking a sip of her cocktail.
Lyceus glances down at his drink, then to the river. "I was a warrior, don't do too much of that anymore. Some tuition upon occasion." he shrugs. "I have been known to do after dinner speaking for the W.I. or write pamphlets."
"However, really I protect the rivers. It is my home, my family." he adds with a depth and solemnity of a poet.
Upstairs
Sal completely understands the man's white knuckles. "You're safe here, for now. This place is full of militant folks with strange powers. In fact, you might want to stay for a while until we know if it's safe for you to return home. Up to you, of course." She knows it's going to be a long time before this man feels safe or secure again, if ever.
Get his brain working on solving the problem, not worrying, Sal recommends to herself, and takes her own advice. "What is it you design? If you have worked on lab setups lately, maybe it was for them. The other question is, who would find you valuable? I hate to say this, but perhaps you were insurance to guarantee the behavior one of your friends or loved ones." Sal shrugs and grimaces. "Don't mean to imply somebody close to you is in with the vamps, but maybe they've stumbled onto something. After all, their drugs and other things are being smuggled in from Holland. Anybody you know connected to shipping or recreational boating? Or medical research? Or... sorry, I have to ask... heroin dealing?"
Moanor, Downstairs
Kenneth smirks, "'Tis more a matter of trying tae protect ye from the knowledge than any attempts at keeping a deep dark secret, ye ken. Haeever, I would imagine that an intelligent lady such as yourself already kens what happened tae them and is just looking for confirmation."
Manor: UPSTAIRS
He raises an eyebrow at the mention of drugs; "I've a few friends who do a bit of hash, upon occasion. But nothing illegal, or serious. Not too close friends really, I tend to do more rock-climbing and some infrequent sailing. Not much on the open water though." he has a think, weighing up other potential reasons. Reasons he's been mulling over during his captivity. "My sister lives in the country, I don't see her or my niece as often as I'd like. My mother lives nearby but doesn't bother anyone, well except the postal carrier with her letters. My girlfriends an international lawyer, so I don't see her as much as I'd like."
"My job, well I design interiors. Generally the high quality furnishings and nuances of buildings, specialising in wood and how it relates to modern electronics." he says with some pride; "So that means I do churches and older buildings. Or large corporate headquarters."
Manor: DOWNSTAIRS
"Oh, you are a flatterer." Aggie clasps the paper-hankie to her bosom; "But that's good. So long as you are stay that way, we're sure to be good friends." Bunny beams behind her; "Oooh, we leaving now?"
Manor:
A nasty light bulb goes on in Sal's brain. "Lawyer? Is her name Molly?"
Manor:
A nasty light bulb goes on in Sal's brain. "Lawyer? Is her name Molly?"
"Yeah, you know her? I hope she isn't worried." Arjen says concerned.
Down by the riverside ;)
Danny nods appreciatively.
"Sounds interesting. And noble. I'm too busy trying to earn a living to live for what I love. I just mix pleasure with business as often as possible,..." He waggles his eyebrows in Laverna's direction, knowing the attention will please her. (And it really IS just harmless flirting, he keeps telling himself) ",... and hope for the best the rest of the time." He finishes with a grin.
Trip's Manor
"Oh, boy. I've met her, I think. She's very beautiful. Smart, too." Sal rises and excuses herself. "If you'll stay here for a moment, Arjen... I'll be right back with somebody you should meet."
Sal flits quickly down the stairs to find Kenneth and catch his eye. Crooking a finger, she smiles grimly. "I know you need to get going, but this is important and will just take a minute. Follow me." She gives Tangris, Aggie, and Bunny a quick nod. "Sorry to interrupt, but..."
Kenneth smiles at Aggie, his preternatural presence now faded leaving just his natural charisma, "Aye, 'tis true. I'm also a terrible flirt, despite all the practice I've had," he adds with a wink. His expression grows a mite more serious as he sees Sal's look, and says, "Though, I've naught but respect for healers -- as should be the case for a bard of old."
He then excuses himself and starts to follow Sal up the stairs, nodding as she tells her story, then stops suddenly. Molly's being manipulated? Could I be wrong about her? Did she really come around? He feels the sudden hope well up within him, then burn away quickly and coldly, using his memories of her and his past hopes a bitter fuel. He says, grimly, "Aye? We'll, we'll see about that."
He stops at the threshold of the room and looks at Arjen with a more careful, analytic eye, as if trying to determine the worth of the man. He's nae a toyboy... Hardly seems her type... He sighs and tries to force the grim expression from his face, reaching for the armour of smiles and ego to strengthen himself against his own hopes. He whispers, "Bàrdail Fèin", and feels the Fire of Inspiration fill him, reinforcing his sense of self as he finally steps into the room.
He looks the man in the eye, and says, "Arjen, is it? I believe this is where the script has me asking 'bout your intentions with me sister?", finishing with a wink.
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Upstairs
"You must be her little brother, Kenny. She told be about you." the words are friendly, though there's a hidden neutral edge to the words which he masks by putting his hand out to shake.
"You don't think she's in trouble do you?" there's doubt in his crystal blue eyes. Kenneth gets the feeling that this chap is a pure mortal, probably a few years younger than Molly, but genuinely concerned for her well-being.
Downstairs
Bunny pouts slightly at the thought of going; "♥ Awww, well I had a lovely time! I know! ♥" she dives into Aggies hand bag, into a side pocket and produces a few cards.
Small black business cards, with silvery writing. Upon the back she scribbles in red biro. "Here you guys should come see me and my friends dance, I'm sure Danny and his girls would like that." Bunny seems to flow sensuously with the thought. "These should get you in for free."
When Danny says the word 'hope' there's a warm feeling on your shoulder and a sense of relief and contentment flows through him.
Laverna smiles at Danny's flirting, "It's bit different to travel to the mortal realm, not many of us are afforded the opportunity to come here - especially on business."
She glances to Lyceus, judging she can trust or at least manipulate him; "We can see if we can use this meeting to reinforce our presence in York. For too long it's been ruled by Lord Lawrence of the Red Court; when it should return to Winters' embrace. Or at least the Fey's embrace."
Kenneth keeps his tone light and says, "Aye, did she? Well, dinnae fret. She left for college when I was still wee, so I cannae be e'en half as useless or immature as she says...."
He then continues in a more serious tone, "Tae be honest, I dinnae ken... I will say that if they were keeping ye tae keep her in line, well, that's generally a bad thing."
He looks up at the man, trying to read him before sighing, and adding in a quieter tone, "I dinnae ken how much Molly's tellt ye about her past... And while I normally wouldn't think 'tis my stead tae share her tales, I also think that beinf imprisonned is a fair exception tae keeping wheesht. I willnae get intae details, but I will say that Molly's ambition and drive led her intae working with some... rather questionable individuals, who got her hooked on the lifestyle...."...and the venom..."...and so, 'tis hard tae know if she truly be in trouble, and how deep, or if 'tis just business as usual for her. 'Acourse, I dinnae even ken about you, so I'd imagine ye ken more about her recent work than I dae."
Arjen starts with a smile, to reassure Kenneth of his good intentions - however that quickly slides from his face. "She had said you were a bit misguided, but full of promise. Even saying that she's sure that she could find a job at her firm." his accent thickens, as his words become grimmer.
"You think she's into drugs? I know many high-flying lawyers do..." his eyes wide at this; "Her boss was a bit creepy, but Molly seems to like her and they rely on each other."
Arjen sits down heavily on the corner of the small bed; "She's been working on some major deal or merger, under a lot of stress. And of course Molly ends up jetting all around the globe. New York for a week, then Milan or London. Her drive is one of the things I like about her... but do you think she had me locked up." he shakes his head disbelieving. "No, no way. Must've been her rivals."
Riverside
Danny seems to relax a moment, and a very small smile makes him look younger than he really is. Then he blinks, and returns to the present.
"Well,... 'Vampires equal BAD', so count me in. At least as far as the getting them boosted out. For the rest, why don't we just let nature takes it turn?" He suggests.
Sal listens with some satisfaction to the drone of voices from her room. No yelling. No punching. No breaking of furniture. Life is good. Time to go downstairs and give them some privacy. Foot poised on the top step, she hesitates, then does an about-face, padding on stealth-trained feet down the hall to the room with the heavy door, ornate old brass key as long as her hand hanging from a looped velvet ribbon from a scrollwork hook beside the door. She hesitates for a moment with the key in her hand.
It's got to be done. And there's no time like the present. She slides the key into the lock and turns it ever so quietly, then slips in the door of the dark room and closes it softly behind her. There's another soft snick as the lock engages from the inside, then silence.
Kenneth says, "I know she was an addict... 'Tis hard tae blame her, though, betwixt her lifestyle and the genetic gift from a father that lived in the bottle.... Still, she seemed better when I saw her last. And nae, I dinnae think it was Molly that did it.... rather, I see two possibilities... One, it could be a rival, as you suggested, tae try tae prevent her from daeing something... Or, two, it could be it may have been her boss, tae make sure that Molly was properly motivated, ye ken?"
He shrugs and says, "In either case, we've taken ye out of the equation of manipulation, so that should help things, I imagine."
Morien gives the meeting place a minute or so of scrutiny after Danny's question. "Electricians, it looks like. Ordinary mortals." She shrugs. "I'd have to have a walk around over there to tell anything more."
She, too, looks to Lyceus at Laverna's words, but with a different kind of measurement.
Danny makes small talk with the others, being a personable companion.
The astute with him will realize that he is actually listening more than he is talking. (Hard to realize at first, since every time he DOES speak, he's usually making a quip, comment or double-entendre.)
During a lull, while people are nonchalantly glancing at the future meeting spot, Danny asks Laverna,...
"So,... Did you have any specific thoughts about your free time on this trip? I don't know any traveler who doesn't have at least a wish list of places to see or things to do, even on a business trip. Did you have anything, specific, in mind?"
In a few moments, Sal flits down the stairs. Behind her, the professor's door is locked and the key in place on its ridiculous hook.
"Tangris, you only need one free coupon for the strip club. If you take more, you have to give them to Danny and Kenneth. And save a couple for Morien and me. Who knows, they might have ladies night. I hear Big Ben is quite the sight." She seems unwontedly cheerful. "Aggie, are our patients well enough to move, do you think? And thanks to both you and Bunny for all your help."
"What? Does this place have a buffet? Cause eating and boobies is pretty much the best thing in life."