Novels2Search

Chapter 1

It’s a good plan. It's been a good plan for a long time too. Eric used it every time he felt he needed to: Move in, grab for power, measure the results, sacrifice someone expendable or rid himself of a threat when he saw the reaction going back. Unfortunately for him, this time the one he left to pay the price for him was able to rise above. Not only that, he prospered. For the first time, Eric left behind someone that got the chance to come after him. Not only that, he left behind someone with the -ability- to track him down.

It took time, naturally, but eventually, it happened. Chago and his trueheart, Genny, did indeed track him down. Once again, Eric had found a county with a shaky grip on the resident fae and he moved in to grab up a few and start his usual tricks again. This time, it was San Fran that drew him. Where better for the homophobic troll to hide? While he was careful enough that there were very few that would stumble onto him without being caught as well, Chago knew all Eric's tricks and was able to spot the signs without having to expose either himself or his love to Eric's awareness.

"So babe, do we go kiss some sidhe ass and see where shit stands, maybe offer to help with the trouble, or do we just go after this mula and his thugs?" Chago muttered as he and Genny worked their way down Fisherman's Wharf to select fish for lunch. Yeah, it's awfully open talk for such a public place, but consider where they are. Most people will assume it's either kinky code or some kind of game. "If he ain't got a hold on whatever stuck up bitch is in charge, playing nice might give us an edge. If he does... well, we'll know and he'll know his ass is on the line." Not that the redcap wants to throw down a gauntlet or anything. Well, a metaphorical one anyway. Not one of the hungry monsters he wears.

"I ain't overly fond 'f givin' him even indirect warning, darling. He's a shit, but he ain't entirely stupid. Jus' mostly." She pauses at one stand where the fish are coming out of a tank and still wiggling. To the outside world the woman is relaxed and bold, all gold brown skin and dark hair in a clinging leather vest and flowing skirt. Only faery eyes would note the satyr behind the feminie glamour, and that the leather is in fact, armor, the edges decorated with barbed wire matching the strands of metal wrapped around the top edge of each hoof. Not an outfit she's often hugged in, at least not by those that don't know to be careful.

Genny points towards a few of the fish, absently ordering enough for a good bake. "I like the look of these. Put them wi' the garlic we found an' some cream." She turns back towards him as the fish are bagged up. "I think we should take it ta the source. Find one 'f his bully boys and send a message our way. Make him wonder jus' what's going on an' then come from a direction he'll na expect. His place is hidden fer now, bu' it ain't gonna take much ta fix that."

Chago grins in agreement. "Kinda felt that way myself, but was wanting to be sure he didn't have more help than we're countin' on. You know I ain't the sort that gets warm receptions when I surprise those bastards." Then he pauses and considers before reaching up to one of the earrings he wears, the one from Baroness Silvermark in fact, to take it out and murmur "When we go to the courts, they will have heard of my relationship with a baroness and weigh that in their reaction." He tosses the earring into the bay. "Don't say nothing, babe. She's long gone. Better I get something out of it than be a wus about it all, right?"

He twists his head a bit, popping his neck, and his hands flex with a grinding of those wicked Gauntlets that always accompany such gestures as he walks on. The seafood seems to have lost his attention though as he focuses on his thoughts. Finally, he says "Okay. Downtown, there's a big club area, runs from some dark and nasty places like Eric likes up to the top line shit. I've seen some of his boys in the area. We should be able to nail the old man there. If not, one of the others will show soon enough."

Genny shakes her head, one hand full of an order of fish. "Who me? Say somethin’? Would I do that?" Of course she would, but the gentle tease is likely more helpful at the moment. She nods towards another booth, murmuring. "There's onions I want." And as soon as his back is turned a mutter and a gesture put the earring safely back into her hands, tucked into a pocket in the waistband of her loincloth. She catches up in half a stride, absently clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "Yeah. I was lookin' at the mapage. It's a good area fer him, an' the knockhead I talked ta yesterday said there were some kind of schism in the county down there. Bet he's tryin' fer a break away, so his people will be stickin' close." She pauses, leaning over and kissing Chago's cheek. "When this is over...I wanna go ta Disneyland and hang out with the not real fairies." Yep, random, but funny...

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If it was anyone but Genny, that joke might have gotten an elbow at least. From her, it gets an amused snort that says it all. When she indicates the booth with the onions, he goes easily enough. "I got it." he says as he's on the way. "I wanna see if they got any decent ginger too. We're gettin' kinda low." Seems she picked the perfect distraction. That or he's playing along. Whichever it is, she gets him looking away more than long enough for her to work her little magic trick.

He nods to her summary. "Sounds good to me. We'll get one of them in the next day or two, 'fore that prick starts makin' everyone go in pairs. Better we shake him up early so he'll be jumpy." Then he snorts out a small laugh. "Sounds like a damn good idea. I'll get a picture of ya with freakin’ Tinkerbell."

She laughs, pivoting on her hoof tips and posing. "Bet we could get jus' 'bout everyone ta stop an' stare at -that-." Yeah, the pose is sexy, and she gets stared at cause well...worked at a strip club, lovely piece of tail...duh. A grin and Genny relaxes again and nods. "Ginger, onions, cinnamon, we need ta hit a spice booth."

"I think we should get down there tonight. At least scope things out an' find out what's ta be found. If we get a chance we can take it too." Genny rolls her shoulders. "Feelin' a sense that the sooner we act the better. Don't need much 'f a scry ta know it either."

Chago snorts gain, grinning and openly looking that lovely piece of tail over as she poses. Hey, if she's going to show it off, he's going to look. "Sounds good to me. Spices. Lunch. Hit the clubs. Damn fine day to me." And if they're going to hit said clubs a little differently than most... well, that's their business, right? "Remember. I want the old man. Bastard and me got some shit to work out." Not Eric either. Rodrigo. The aging redcap is always the “old man” to Chago. "He likes young redheads." Chago points out. "And he's one that's usually wandering a little more than most of E's guys. He's been there longer'n anyone. Gets away with shit no one else could." Then he licks his lips and glances around slowly, looking thoughful. Not that he'd be keeping an eye of sorts on the folks he thinks most likely to notice them before they're ready to be noticed.

She nods, leading them deeper through the crowds. Keeping on the move...of course that's not designed to keep them from being notice either. Really, it's not. "I've no issue with that, darlin'. I've no lack of heads I'd like ta kick in, bu' he's all fer you." And if there's anticipation there, well...who wouldn't be anticipating after the time and effort it's taken thus far, much less what lies ahead. She pauses, sniffing the air and then turning their steps. Best spice shops you can smell coming. "This way..."

Chago grins all the wider for that, and he turns to head as she indicated. He rolls his shoulders and then squares up to start playing 'pathmaker' for them. For some reason, it's not hard for him to blaze a trail to where they want to be either. Even if they can’t see his teeth or the blood that drips from his hat, mortals get out of the redcap's way. And, by the time they get there, he's also managed to snag a wallet from someone and he slips a couple twenties out to cover the rest of their shopping. From there, it's back to the suite they're using and lunch. Yes, they can afford a suite and he was still stealing to pay for the spices. It's more fun that way. As they all but dance through cooking together, with the ease of long practice, they discuss plans and by the time dinner is over, they've both got some solid ideas of how to go about things. Genny gets to scope out the most likely clubs, after they've checked the street together. With her Metamorph, she can go where Chago can't. Of course, if anyone they can pick out as Eric's is on the street, she's bait to let Chago get a shot at them and a tooth on them. Just the way he likes it.