if she'd been covered with glitter

[maleficum]

Comments

[maxxx]

( No friendship bracelets. )

You're giving us homework.

[an_honestword]

No, I'm giving you a strategy.

[Because there's a difference.]

Kirsanov is a collector, and his schtick of choice is rare and interesting supernatural creatures. Show up to his front door empty handed, and you'll have a hell of a time getting in. Show up with a gift, on the other hand ...

[And he'll leave Max to fill in the blanks.]

[maxxx]

Are you coming with me?

( Now he needs to bring it to his people. )

[an_honestword]

To see the other heirs? No. I don't trust you enough to walk into that hornet's nest.

[He'll put that up front.]

But when you guys decide you're in, I will go with you to see Kirsanov.

[maxxx]

The paranoia's warranted, but a little much. Once we have what we need - do you prefer semaphore? Carrier pigeon?

( How does he get back in touch with you, Rusty? )

[an_honestword]

You try getting murdered roughly every thirty years for the last four-hundred and see how you feel.

[Their curse means he always remembers so yeah - as far as he's concerned, no paranoia is too much paranoia. He pulls a napkin off a nearby table, clicks a pen and scribbles down a number.]

But I do know how to use a smartphone.

[maxxx]

You don't look a day over twenty-five.

( He looks older, that must be the aging thing, or whatever spell was cast all those years ago. )

[an_honestword]

The secret is sunscreen.

[Are they going to quip all day or does Max have everything he needs?]

Anything else you want to know?

[maxxx]

Anything else we need to know?

( Are are they need to know until he holds his end of the bargain. )

[an_honestword]

Where we're heading is cold. Pack for winter.

[And that's about all he'll give from his end, because he's already said trust is earned.]

[maxxx]

Winter is coming. Got it. Thanks, GOT. We'll be in touch.

( Only so many times he can hit his head against the wall until he starts to bleed. But at least he has a goal and a first step. He sticks the napkin in his back pocket and leaves Rusty to his own devices.

Thanks, Rusty! )