Chago's answer is a growl at first, maybe meant to be words, but raw fury makes it incoherent. Finally, he turns and kicks the nearest wall with a roar like he was in the middle of a fight. That at least seems to take an edge off for the moment, even if his voice is raw when he snarls out "Not we." He lifts a Gauntleted hand to run through his hair, the edges and hooks of it rip and snag him, making a jagged spot in that hair where his hand passed and knocking his cap askew. It says a lot that he doesn’t immediately fix that. "How healed is the hip?" he asks instead of explaining further. Or maybe in his own version of explanation if they're as in tune as they usually are.
Genny watches him for an instant before giving a nod. "It's good. Kickassable." He wouldn't ask if he didn't need her to do something, and she's not about to let him down. Never has before, not about to start. There's a part of her that doesn't like the idea she's getting...to be apart again after only recently coming together...but still doesn't mean she won't rise to the occasion. "Just need to know what asses ta kick."
Chago growls again. "Figures. Means there probably ain't time to do nothing but let you go, before the baron does something to trap us inside." His hands close into fists as he talks, slowly calming in the face of fate. Or at least controlling that temper, if not calming. He takes a moment to explain what the first soothsays revealed so there's no secrets held of what she's leaving. Then he explains about looking at what steps they need to do to secure this place that they might have overlooked. Then what they need to make it home. Then, how to prepare for the banal force he felt. "It's all the same. You need to follow the trod." He tells her. "You. Alone. I can't go. I can't send anyone to help you. You'll find what we need and bring it home, after you beat the challenges." Then he snarls again. "Can't find what they are though. All I get if I look for more is one word."
He shakes his head slowly, and there's a long enough pause to make it look like he's not going to keep going unless she asks before he finally speaks again. "Your name. You wanna maybe tell me about that name before we see to some gear for ya?" Yeah. Not Genny. The other name that came up recently.
Genny blinks looking utterly confused. "Tell ya 'bout what name? Cause it's obvious yer meanin' somethin' I don't think we've talked 'bout." She frowns a bit. "Don't love the idea 'f goin' down the trod, but willin' ta do whatever it takes ta secure home an' hearth. It's our place...you an' me...an' I want it ta work."
Chago gives another low growl and muttered curse in Spanish. "Remember me telling you we needed to talk. Forgot we ain't had a chance." He admits as his shoulders flex and tighten like he's about to hit something over his lack of thought. "The blood cleaner was in a place guarded by clockwork fae. One of 'em told me a name. Your name. Nieve."
And he goes quiet to see how she reacts to hearing it, especially watching her eyes for signs of wildness.
Genny arches both eyebrows before blinking slowly and taking a deep breath. "Hell...I ain't been called that in... Ye gods, a long time." Yeah, there's a faint shiver which runs through her, but she's in control. Their time together and everything they've done seems to have helped her when it comes to keeping herself together and letting the past be the past. "Genieve is my full name... When I was enslaved, it was shortened ta Nieve..." Her tones go wry. "When it weren't bitch 'r whore... Means Defender. She did what had to be done. I don’t remember much more’n that, na wi’out goin’ buggy."
"I'll stick with Genny." Chago says with a grin at last as she holds on so well. "Suits ya. And I'm used to it." He steps close and his hand goes to her hip, fingers curling in her fur as he does. "I don't wanna let you go alone." he admits in a near whisper then as he presses close to her. "Find... whatever it is and get your ass back here."
Genny takes a soft breath and she leans against him, slipping her arms around him and hugging fiercely. "I like Genny... An' I don't like it either, bu' betcha you'll be needed here." She kisses his forehead. "Ya damn well better be here an' whole when I get back too, 'r I'll be pissed."
Chago returns the hug with his free arm, careful of his Gauntlets as always. "Whole as I ever am, babe." he promises, making light of the missing eye. Then he breaks back at last and licks his lips. "We'll do this. You and me ain't gonna get beat by one stupid sidhe and a few bastard things on the trod." He nods firmly and considers his words for a bit before going on.
"Like I told you too. That other name came up every time I tried to look father. This might tie back to it somehow. You take care and don't let this mess with your head." he tells her. "I know it can get to you. Don't let it."
She chuckles softly, nipping his lower lip before leaning back. "Every time it threatens I jus' think 'f you comin' at the wildness wi' teeth bared. It helps. Gives me somethin' ta anchor back to." A tilt of her head, considering. "So how quick we need ta hit this, darlin'?"
"Soon." he rumbles, licking the spot she nipped right after. "I got a feeling we're looking at a siege soon. We need to have you out before he can set it in place. If he don't he'll have folks arranged against him and he has to know it." He goes thoughtful briefly and then steps back a little more. "Get yourself some travel gear together. I'll go check on travel rations. Get you ready as fast as we can." He suggests. "Try and get you out before dawn."
Genny takes a deep breath and nods, slowly pushing away from him. "I'll be ready in ten, darlin'. I'm na thinkin' I'll need ta travel heavy. Won't make much difference on that kind 'f trod. I'll meet ya in the kitchen."
"Sounds good." he agrees. "You want some of my knives, just take 'em. Leave me one is all I ask. Anything else you want that you can use is fair." he points out as he heads off. Once in the kitchen, he quickly packs together some quick 'sweet' travel bars for energy and flavor. Just a few and each laced with a small bit of glamour to help her recharge on another level as she travels, just in case. Not enough to drain him, but enough he'll get scolded for wasting it when she comes back, even if it was needed.
It doesn't take her long. While she CAN take forever to primp she's also perfectly capable of a quick exit. Her hair is bound up for a change, a single sever braid down her back and she's dressed in leathers which she had the boys bring. These are hardened into light armor without giving up too much flexibility. She's got a pack looped over one shoulder, her barbed whip on one hip and a few knives here and there. She pauses when she sees him and the treats and arches both eyebrows before walking over and kissing his cheek. "Ya know I should kick yer ass fer usin' too much energy, bu'...well, ya prolly aren't wrong in the doin'."
Chago smirks and nods to the set. "These are just dried fruit, honey and oats and shit. These over here are the ones you can kick my ass for when you get back with 'em. If you use 'em all, then you don't get to bitch about me doing it." he says as he touches the three that are infused with Glamour. Just a small amount each, but sometimes a small amount is all you need.
The bars are quickly wrapped and tucked away and then, at last, he turns to her more fully. "I'll check on you as often as I can. Won't burn any extra power to do it though, so I can't promise much past seeing you." Yeah. He might want to use the scrying to do more than watch, but its one thing to give energy where it may be needed. It's a far different thing to spend it for self gratification when it might be needed.
"I checked the trod with some Dream Craft too. There's a village in reach if you go quickly. Past that... you'll need to find your own way. There's something out there that will give us what we need here. You'll know it when you find it. That's all I know right now. I learn more, I'll find a way to let you know." he promises. "Get it and get back fast. If that mula Hooverend is causing trouble for us, when I scry you near, we'll find a way to get you back in. Don't give him a shot at you that you don't got to just to try and get back inside on your own, okay?"
Genny listens to the advice and instructions before taking a soft breath and nodding. "Yeah. I got it. No gettin' my ass kicked tryin' ta get in wi'out ya. I can do that. I'll make the trip as fast as possible. Don't really wanna be out there on my own fer too long anyway." She gives a grin, teasing softly. "My nethers get lonely wi' only me fer company." The smile fades after a moment and she tucks the food into the pack she's carrying before she catches the front of his vest, pulling him close. "You be here when I get back, ya understand. Be here, be you and be mine..." She seems to need the anchor of speaking the words. She taps the necklace she gave him when she promised him her heart, the blood and the hair. "If it goes wrong on my side...this'll tell ya." Another deep breath, "Love ya, Chago...
Chago nods and presses to her when she pulls him in, grin lingering a moment as he considers commenting on her nethers. "If we get time, I'll be sure Shova finds ya a place t'be safe nearby when you come back and mark it with the Two of Swords so you know it's us." He assures instead. The symbol of his corby. What better mark, huh? He nods to her next words and reaches for one of her horns to pull her down to kiss firmly. "I'll be here and I'll be waiting for you. You are coming back to me." No question at all about that for him. "Love you too, Genny. Now, get moving before I make sure your nethers don't get too lonely and you don't make the village before sundown." He teases as he sends her on. Looks like he couldn't totally avoid one crack about it.
She cracks a grin, fingers wandering down him for just an instance before she pulls away. She knows very well that they don't have time for fooling around. "Two of sword..." She murmurs, looking over her shoulder. "I like it... I'll be back soon." And then she takes off before things can get sappy or the sense of 'don't wanna' can set in. He needs it done, she's doing it...all there is to it. She moves past the others without comment, figuring Chago will explain anything that needs explaining. Once she's well outside, she takes off in a run, the way only a goat can.
Chago nods and turns the other way as she goes, heading to start his own work and further research. After all, what is the Baron going to pull? Force failed once. Is he going to do overt force next, or is there some other plan coming? How can he reclaim the property? It's all things the redcap knows he has to wonder about until he has the answer, and he has to get that to fully prepare for what's coming.
Meanwhile, the trip for Genny is fairly simple at first, growing to a sudden twilight as she sets out down the dark trod, and then lingering at that point, at the edge of night, for some time, The trees begin not long after the twilight firms about her, some dead and hollow, others still living and twisted. The last time they were on the trod, they walked it from California to this place. This time, Genny feels the trod shifting around her, carrying her… elsewhere, another danger of trods when they aren’t anchored they can go to many places. It takes a firm will to keep on target, and since Genny doesn’t know exactly where she needs to go, she keeps her mind focused on what she need to find. A way to settle the Keep, to claim it as home and awaken the powers they feel inside of it.
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The trod shifts to hard pack, like a road almost as it merges into a more traveled route and signs of farming and attempts to live in the dimness begins to grow along the sides. It was easily two days for most, but thanks to satyr speed and stamina, Chago's estimate seems pretty good.
Finally, she begins to see the occasional worker in a field, finishing up for the day and each one watching her pass with wary eyes... and occasional hints of familiarity.
Genny slows a bit, catching her breath. She shifts the pack she's carrying, rolling her shoulders and getting a better look around. It nice to be out of the thick darkness, not her favorite sensation no matter how you look at it. She glances at the workers, rubbing her fingers together but not asking questions. Not yet... Just keep moving. The sooner there the sooner home.
Typical of a small town setting, as she gets closer to the village, she sees more people and they're gathered together muttering to each other quietly. Somehow, the gossip moves even faster than a satyr and she's catching glimpses of people that seem to be waiting for her to arrive instead of just noticing her coming. When the village comes into sight, it's got a tall, solid wall protecting the place and the gates are just starting to close. The troll shoving the heavily banded gate makes a gesture with one hand for her to hurry as he scowls at her, but doesn't stop his pressure on the gate. Doesn't seem to matter to him if she makes it or not.
Scowling trolls...like this isn't the story of her life where the big and the blue are involved. She kicks her pace back up, even if she'd rather sit back and get the rocks out of her hooves. Gossip is ignored, at least for now. Paying too much attention to gossip leads to kicking people in the face and that wouldn't go well.
The troll gives a small snort when she passes him. "Inn is just ahead now. Don't cause trouble and you won't have problems Bloodhoof." He growls out. "We don't turn anyone away that can get in before the gate is closed, but you aren't welcome. Don't linger in the morning." His voice is low and hard, as he gives his little speech while lifting a bar that looks to weigh more than a small car and seals the gatesclosed.
Genny pauses as she listens to the troll, rubbing her bad hip with the heel of one hand. She's much much better these days, but that was one heck of a run and she's sore. Bloodhoof... Both eyebrows raise, and she tilts her head. The name echoes in her head, tugging at a distant memory, but she shakes it away. "Thank you, I suppose. I've no trouble planned." If he doesn't stop her, she keeps moving, craving a drink and somewhere to sit.
"Good." rumbles the troll as he studies her for a long moment and lets her see his badge. Yep. Big, blue, and surly is the local law. Maybehe missed his donut? Whatever the reason for his attitude, he stalks off after his exam, not keeping her or waiting longer for her to ask any questions.
The inn, easily noted by the sound of music and the typical noises from hard workers drinking a bit to end their day with friends and maybe some dice, is only a few doors down and easy to locate. When she steps in, almost everyone turns to give her a measuring look and the music actually falters over some sour notes. No one says anything though, at least to her. After a moment, they turn back to their conversations in much more muted and darker tones and that name can be heard on the air. One odd thing for such an inn, there's a scattering of every kith.... except satyrs. She's the only goat in the place.
Genny sighs faintly. Nothing like walking into a bad western movie...one where everyone else seems to know more about what's going on than she does. Then again...what's new? A lack of goats is also familiar...it's been a long time since she's known a proper herd. She angles for an unoccupied seat, preferably out of the way and settles, glad to be off her hooves.
There are a few empty tables to choose from and when she finally picks one, the people sitting closest to it all move farther away, leaving her in a small pocket of empty space with only one muttered comment about 'smelly goat' that carries enough to pick out.
It takes a few minutes before anyone comes to check her table, and when someone does appear, it's a young lad who looks and smells more like a stablehand than a server. He asks if she wants food or ale, hesitating over the words as if unused to talking to people in the inn proper and adds "We have some rooms and a bath too uh... ma'am." The rather vague offer of refreshment, drawing a scowl from the innkeeper as he adds it. Hard to say if it's the offer of room, bath, or the ma'am that brought the scowl though.
Genny offers the boy a wan smile and nods. "Ale would be good. Been a long road."
The boy nods and smiles, pleased that she said yes and too young to be involved with all the talk of 'Bloodhoof' the older folks seem to be indulging in. He goes to tell the innkeeper and is back quickly, quoting a price for the full treatment that's far too high. "He says you have to pay up front too. Ma'... uh... I mean you gotta pay first." Yep. Told him not to call her ma'am too. "There's just stew tonight, but there's meat in it." he assures, drawing a shake of the head from the innkeeper. The boy is too nice for it own good. Poor kid.
She should argue over the price, dicker it down, but at the moment she doesn't care enough to do so. There's more coin to be found if she really needs it, and as this may be the only 'civilized' place she stops there won't be much call for it. "That'll be fine. Long as it's warm an' the room is quiet I'm happy." The coin is produced and handed over, trusting the kid even if she doesn't much trust his master.
Sure enough, the boy does do a good job taking care of her, making sure she gets a large hunk of bread with the stew and that there really is meat in her serving, even if it seems a touch thin. The ale is as watered as she had to expect too, all things considered, but once she's fed, the lad is there to clean up after and take her to her room. "Ain't much. He says it's the best he has for your kind though. I brung in some extra blankets in case there's a draft since you wanted warm and I was told we always do our best for paying folks." So maybe he won't be in too much trouble for treating her well. "There's water heating for your bath too. I'll get it filled then you can yell out the window for me when you're done, I can clear out the tub so you got more room." Yep. They moved a tub into her room for her bath, and the boy is hauling all the water. Hot and cold as needed. "You need anything else, just ask for Joey."
She makes sure to thank him both after the meal and once she's seen to the room. She's not about to argue any space right now. Heck, the closest thing she has to a room even with Chago is a stack of boxes. Four walls will do. The boy is sent off with an additional coin before she settles in the tub. Luxury...
Much as she wants to Genny doesn't linger too long, knowing if she does it will extend the time the kid has to work and is curled up on the bed, dressed, combing the knots out of her hair and fur when he returns to haul everything away.
It's far from the best room, but it's out of the weather and the door can be barred for privacy. The shutters can be latched too, even if the stables scent is still brought in on the draft the kid warned about. Then again, the same scent is on the extra blankets so it's not like she'd escape it without the draft. Once everything is cleared away, the lad knocks almost shyly and asks "Do ya... need aught else ma'... I mean from me?" he calls softly, the first hesitation almost like he was thinking of asking something else.
She looks up as he knocks again, moving to the doorway and opening it so he doesn't have to talk through it. Yeah, she's a pretty thing fresh from the bath. Then again Chago likes her blood covered and foul mouthed too, but takes all types. Genny leans against the door frame and shakes her head. "Not tonight, Joey. You've been more than helpful, an' I'm thankful fer it."
Joey is young enough to not be too distracted by the hawtness factor, but the unusualness of her presence does cause him to stare a moment anyway. "Well... if you do, I'll be not far. I should hear of you shout again." he says with a nod toward the stables. "And don't worry none about them outside. The walls can take it. You might hear 'em clawing, but they can't get in." he assures her before turning to head off, if not stopped.
Like she isn't going to stop him with a comment like that? She arches both brows, absently glancing at the walls. "Them outside? Which them outside, Joey?" Which is better and calmer than 'what the hell are ya talkin' 'bout, darlin'... She is trying to keep a low and unscary profile, at least mostly.
Joey turns back as she asks. "The Gruagh, same as hunt all the towns around here. You don't know about 'em?" he asks in turn, sounding surprised. "You ain't trying some pooka prank are you?" he asks then, as if her half animal state is a far different one than it actually is. "Everyone knows about the Gruagh. Them's why the towns got walls."
"Would explain the thickness 'f the walls certainly." Genny smiles faintly, amused. "No pooka pranks here, darlin'. Jus' been on the road a long time. Ain't familiar wi' what's going on everywhere. thanks though...I'll try ta ignore anythin' too scratchy tonight. Sleep well." And she pushes the door closed, deciding to lock it and setting her weapons so that it's an easy roll from the bed and armed. Just in case. Once in bed she leans back, searching her mental story list for Gruagh, and not finding much.
Thankfully she was warned, or perhaps just that tired, but she's able to sleep through the scratching noises for a good part of the night. Either that or they didn't start until late. She did have some rather strange dreams that just would not stay in mind on waking though, even when the combination of sounds and dreams got to be enough to wake her in the small hours of the night. All that's left when she wakes is more a sense of what was felt in the dreams than what was dreamed about. They were a rather chaotic blend of violence, pain, family, safety, blood, belonging, celebration... a typical day of a redcap and a satyr together maybe. Hard to say, other than it doesn't feel quite right to be that, even if it could be.
Morning brings Joey to knock on her door. "'Scuse me. You awake yet? I brung yer breakfast. I was told t'tell ya ya gotta go. Gates is open and it's time t'leave. Ya got time to eat though. Breakfast comes with the room, is what everyone gets told." He remembered not to say ma'am at least. The breakfast isn't much. The last of the oatmeal pot and bread that's more crust than anything is about it, but he brought it. A sharp eye will also pick out the edges of a bruise under the edges of his rather wild hair. Looks like the innkeeper didn't take too kindly to Joey being a good waiter after all.
Genny is awake long before Joey knocks. She's too accustomed to having to wake at the slightest noise and there's plenty of that. Added to the dreams and it's just not as restful of a night as it could be. When Joey arrives, she accepts the food, setting it aside and looking the boy over. Unless stopped she tossles his hair, humming softly and putting just a hint of effort in it, enough to heal the bruise away. "I wont' be but a moment. You've done well. Yer a good lad an' would always be welcome at my fire."
The lad does shy slightly, like he's about to be slapped again, but not much and he doesn't avoid the affectionate gesture. "Thank ya, ma'am." he says before quickly glances to see if anyone heard him. Then he looks again and his voice drops to a near whisper. "I ain't right sure why no one likes ya, but... you ain't been nothing but nice so if'n ya want, come back to the stables before ya leave. All the way to the back. The room there is for storage and it's against the back of the cook chimney. I can't get it real hot, but I keep a pot of water butted up there to stay warm so I can wash up warm after muckin' the stalls. Ain't gonna be no one but me in there for at least another hour or so."
Once the offer is made, the kid blushes and runs off, not seeming to have noticed the minor healing. And minor is all it was. A simple backhanded slap most likely.
Genny sighs softly as the kid runs off. "I'd like ta understand it meself." She shakes her head, finishing up the food and setting the bowl aside. What she wouldn't give for a real breakfast, but they've been saying that since leaving lands that sell civilized spices. She packs up what little she has, heading out of the tavern as quietly as she came. No matter how well meant she doesn't take Junior up on his offer...he's in enough trouble without help.