And sleeping does happen. Genny stirs in her sleep and tucks him close to her when he rejoins her. Yeah, she's over sleeping a little but it's a recovery thing. Low on glamour and hurt for too long. She wakes before he does, slipping off to get the food started and check in with the boys.

Much like Genny, Chago stirs toward wakefulness when she gets up, his eye slitting open long enough to register what it is he noticed and then closing again as he drops back off. When the smell of food reaches him though, he's up and dressing fairly quickly. Two redcaps means you can't stay in bed if you want more than the serving dishes for a meal. Not that Genny wouldn't save him his portion, but it's a bad example not to get up, right?

"How's Sweetcheeks doing?" he asks as he finds where folks are, while still adjusting a patch over the gaping hole where his eye was. "Think we can maybe use Shova for some recon and recruiting local, or is he still gonna be crying over her spewing all over his fur?"

Then, he looks about to find his seat and to see who's there. Hopefully everyone will just blame redcap manners if that pair made it to what he's calling breakfast.

There's pretty much no one that wouldn't come to eat when called, though smart enough not to leave things unguarded. One of the twins is off doing such while the other eats, though huge troll sized plates have been prepared for both. There's something that looks rather slimy for the Evan, the creeper kin, and he looks as pleased as his kind gets. Kenny is half way through a mug of coffee with a tray in front of him, another one is prepared for Chago and Genny sets it in front of him as he settles. Presumably the dreamer was fed too, not like Genny to forget anyone. Oh yeah...there are plates for her and Shova too, because he happens to be there.

The question about Kiersten and Shova gets a raised eyebrow and a little snort from Genny, the others busy stuffing faces. This is breakfast enchiladas to the extreme with side steaks made from something which ventured too close and Genny killed. That's what you get for poking your lizard nose around her house.

Shova rolls his eyes, brushing his fingers down his fur. "When you have fur this luxurious it behooves you to take care of it, you know."

Real sleep has definitely done the one-eyed redcap a lot of good. At Shova's joke, Chago's head rolls back and he all but bellows out rich laughter. "You alright for a goat." he teases as he takes his seat beside Genny. After all, he's got no problems with goats, other than when he makes comments like that. He doesn't dig in right away though. Not while everyone is there.

"Anyway... you think she'll be alright to leave with us for a while while you go deal with the locals for us? There's gonna be some fighting soon. I want it known -we're- the ones that warned everyone and gave them a chance to protect themselves, even if by getting the hell outta the area until it settled. I gotta make the folks trust me right off, or they ain't never gonna." he explains. "And you know the folks here. You'll know how to tell 'em true without looking like you're playing 'em. I do the talking, I'll piss off half and make the rest think I'm lying because I didn't piss them off too."

Shova nods, digging into his breakfast. He missed dinner last night and likely meals before that. Taking care of someone is hungry work. He listens as he eats, swallowing to clear his throat before responding. "I think she will, yeah. I'd like someone to keep an eye on her, since I fear she'll wake in a panic, but she was so tired I don't think that will be for a bit." Hah...in the last few hours he's started to grow a set, go figure. "I can deal with the locals."

One of the trolls, Luther, looks up, peering toward Chago. "What kind of trouble you expecting, Boss?"

Chago nods to Shova first. "Good. Try and get word to them two that helped us when we first got here too. I got a gut feeling their more loyal t'Keirsten than to the fake Baron." he says. "We could use other healers. Feel free to send us other folks too, but I gotta meet 'em before they come in so be sure they're warned." Outside the rough walls, asking to be let in might not be the best place to be after all.

Then he turns to the troll that spoke up. "A half ton of crap. What else is new for us?" he says with a shake of his head. "Least there's no Powers this time." And then he lays out what's happened and what's happening in a rather direct, almost military worthy briefing.

"What I'm expecting next is some sort of 'let's talk' gesture, while his creepers try and sneak in. Evan, you have got to make sure there ain't no way they can reach nothing, except maybe a place they can spy on rooms -we- know thy can hear us in. Then we can give them fake intel. He's got six ‘r so left in a special group. They're my biggest worry, now that they know we're dangerous. Luther, you protect the Baroness. Use whoever you got to. She's got to come first cause we need her to lock this deal in when he's gone. The front entrace is Drake’s, but he can call you for backup. Long as it don't clash with guarding her, do what you gotta." Yep. Creeper against creepers and trolls with guard duty. Use what you have. "Make sure you use Kenny too. He's a good kid, but he don't know shit about how we can work together. Show him why having you all here is a good thing."

With that, he picks up his plates and rises. "I'll go sit with Kiersten for a while while you guys work out who does what first. I need to talk to her soon as she wakes up, and she needs to see someone she knows before any of your ugly mugs make her piss herself. Got any questions, I ain't gonna be hard to find." And the trip to see her will give him time to eat.

There are nods and various other acknowledgments from around the table. This crowd has been around long enough, for the most part to accept directions and ask questions after they've had a few minutes to think it over.

As Chago rises it's Kenny that asks a question. "So I'm supposed to learn from them, fine." He hooks a thumb at Genny. "What's she gonna do?"

Genny's expression goes amused and she rubs a finger along one horn. "I've got my own list of things to get under control. Creature comforts for these louts." She nods towards the others, "An' some surprises fer the trouble we expect." Yeah, she doesn't have to be given specific chores to know what to do.

"And coordinating shit when I'm tied up with other stuff. Her and me are the only ones been here the whole time and know all the plans for everything, not just for right now." Chago points out. "And when someone shows too scared of a redcap to talk to me, even warned, she'll have to do it. She's my lieutenant. You know what that means." Not just second in command, but bad enough to earn that spot.

With that, he heads down the hall toward Kiersten, gulping down the meal in transit and wiping off the resulting mess as best he can while walking. Then he lets himself into her room quietly, moving with a frightening amount of stealth for his usual bluster and noise. Once there, he checks she's got plenty of water available, as well as weak broth and something to barf into, as well as cleaning out anything that needs to go and getting ready to play nursemaid when she first stirs, just in case.

As he settles the sidhe girl does stir, muttering fitfully before her eyes open. "Shova..." She pauses then, blinking a few times. "No...not Shova..." Her voice cracks and she tries to clear her throat. "Chago."

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Chago nods his head. "Yeah. It's me. Didn't want you waking up alone and I needed him running errands. Satyrs are faster'n anyone else." He reminds as he gets her a little water and offers it over. "How you feeling?" he asks as he does. "Think you can handle some broth?"

"Dizzy...but...he said it was better just to get it all out." She manages the water, her voice clearing some. "When I could think...I've...been thinking about the Baron. About what he might use against us. I remember..." She pauses and frowns. "I think I remember rumors that he had a giant on a leash. I've dreamed of it coming up from the south."

Chago reaches out to give her shoulder a gentle squeeze and nods his head. "Thanks. I'm a seer. That'll be easy to check on. Gives us a place to start too, other'n waiting on him while we get ready. Chance to strike when he didn't expect it." His tongue flicks out across his lips and he nods again slowly.

"I'm looking forward to seeing you as Baroness, doll." he admits then. "And when you think you're ready, we got some serious stuff to work out between us since I'm gonna put you there. That's the other reason I wanted to be here. To let you know we got things to hash out. When you're ready... or before I put you on that throne if things go too fast."

Kiersten nods slightly, her eyes half closing. A faint little smile touches her lips, the wilder sidhe still beautiful, even like this. "Shova told me not to make any promises until I was sure I was thinking straight. I think he may be wise to suggest such. I think...many things in this Barony are not as they should be."

"Had a feeling." Chago says with a snort of amusement. "Why you think I didn't try and ask it now?" he points out. "Besides, I want you to know what I'm talking about when I do talk about it. Until then, I'd rather us wait too. Makes it cleaner later." He nods again slowly then, thoughtful. "I got a feeling you're right about that too. Even as short as I've been here."

"If you're going to live here, I expect your help in making things right." It's not a threat, more tentative than that. "There are many people who were fond of my Father, but support the Baron. It means I will only be able to trust them to a certain degree. I do not need to worry about my back as well." She shakes her head then. "As much as that is possible, I suppose. I didn’t expect to be drugged either. We can talk on that later. Did you get your men?"

Chago's lips curl into a grin. "What did you expect me to be offering in the deal? I know you gonna need us all. And for more than to guard this flank." he replies. Then he reaches out to ruffle her hair lightly. "I got 'em. I got everything I wanted from back in Toronto. Give us a little time, and we can handle anything." Time to fortify. Time to explore their new home. Time to drive a dreamer over the edge for his magic.

Maybe that last part shouldn't be mentioned.

"Good." She nods, leaning back again, pale and tired looking, though there is a spark to her gaze again. Signs that she's recovering and won't be a sidhe down for very long. "There are...some Knockers...not far from here. Shova can find them. They're builders the Baron kicked out of the city. I think...they would help in creating the place you want here."

Chago nods to that. "Good. If you think of others that might help, just let one of us know. I trust Shova to get us good folks. Glad for your help too. It'll make it easier. Especially when you're up to maybe writing some notes or talkin' to some of the f... folks for us." Yeah. Old habits die hard. 'folks' does -not- sound like the f word he was going to use.

"Can I have a few strands of your hair?" he asks suddenly. "I wanna do some scryin' for more info on what we need t'do here an' with all the ties your family has on this place..." he gives a shrug. It is kind of an obvious connection. She's lucky he didn't ask for a few drops of blood.

She considers for a moment, her gaze taking on a sharpness. A soft breath and then she nods. "You may...provided you swear that such will not be used to hurt me or those I claim as mine." The words have the weight of careful thought. Hurting those who are her blood...no problem. Those she claims...that's different.

And on those words, it's the redcap's turn to be thoughtful, if not for long. "I swear not to use the hair I'm asking for now to intentionally cause harm. Not just to you or yours, but to anyone. I cannot promise what the information will lead to, but my cantrip is for information only." Not a formal oath, but a promise none the less. Time for Chago to see just how far she's willing to trust him.

"mmm..." Kiersten considers him and then laughs very softly. "A good compromise." She lets loose one of the braids which Shova put her hair into to keep it from her face. A good idea when someone is barfing and all. "Take what you need."

Chago takes a moment to remove his gloves before reaching to run his fingers carefully through her hair three times and then brushes the loose strands he picked up together to wrap into a small ball and tuck into his vest. "I thought so. When you ain't so sick, I'll even show ya what I'm doing." he offers as he begins to quickly and neatly rebraid the loose hair for her. Who knew a blocky redcap like him would have such nimble fingers? Well, other than the folks that have seen him pick a pocket becase he was bored that is. Ahem.

"I mostly wanna make sure there ain't no loophole the mula claiming t'be in charge can use to screw us before we're ready to do him worse." he admits.

She closes her eyes as he works, letting herself enjoy it. She may love Shova, but enjoying someone working on your hair is kinda nice. As he speaks, she finally nods. "I'd like to learn. I think...that those gathered here would be wise to learn from each other quickly. We cannot afford all knowledge or learning to be in only one mind. The Baron has acted quickly and rashly against us thus far. He will have to be more clever now, and I know he has clever in spades."

Chago grins toothily. Oh, if she only knew. "I like that idea. I'm always ready t'learn new arts." he tells her before licking his lips and then growling something under his breath as he shakes his head. No. Not going to ask while she's not in top form, no matter how much worse his chances are then. "I'm a good teacher too." he adds, after a bit to get back on track. "A Power taught me about how to teach my corby."

She looks up at that, arching both eyebrows. It's a look she almost could have copied from Genny, but with a very sidhe slant. "A Power?" Her lips curve in a smile. "I think I have been too long in the walls of the Dream sometimes. I have only met a very few of such people."

"Sometimes I think I been out too damn long. I met too many." Chago replies with a snort of amusement as he ties off the braid once more. "There's a reason we should avoid them mulas. Some of 'em can chill ya just by looking at ya. It ain't worth it." He pats the pocket with her hair as he starts toward the door. "Thanks again, m'lady. See ya soon." And, unless she stops him for something, he's off to start on his cantrip.

For a change the place is quiet, folks asleep or taking on their own tasks without fuss. This is the pro of a well-oiled bunch of people...much less squeaking.

Now, there are many things he wants to know. He pauses, considering the power that Genny spoke of, but turns away from the deeper halls. Not ready to test that just yet, start with the threat.

The ritual proceeds and it comes together rather quickly, this is the benefit of being Chago and practicing. His first question of the scry is an easy one...searching for other blood relatives comes up only with Uncle Baron Obnoxious. As for what the Uncle is doing...well...that's harder. Not that it's a hard question, but it's hard to see, as though there is something fuzzing the line. Then there is a darkness that floods the scry...something which chills even Chago, not at a level where it can be controlled. This is the place where banality lives, the chill of what may be inevitable of an ending. Something very bad brought into the dreaming.

And that's the answers he liked. Even the darkness. After all, he had other questions too. How to ensure they can keep this place if things go south, for instance. How to make it the true home that they've wanted? Thing that may not be of pressing importance in like of other things but things he wanted to know. The problem is where those answers, as well as what one step toward dealing with that banality, all seem to be leading. A name echoes in his head… a name he knows comes with a weight all of its own.

The quiet is split with cursing that a nocker sailor would approve of echoing ahead of heavy crashing and slamming noises. Doors slam against walls briefly and then it's just the cursing and the stomping of a pissed off redcap as anything else in his way just -shifts- to avoid him. Even rocks. Nothing wants to be in Chago's path, and the cursing grows multilingual as he slips back and forth without seeming to even know he's doing it.

Wisely no one gets in his way for a while, though eventually Genny arrives. It's not likely anyone sent her, no one is that dumb, but she's not going to leave him to his raging for too long. She pushes the door open, slipping into the room and leaning against the wall. Both eyebrows arch...yeah and she might be armed too... "So what do we need ta kill?"