Shenanigans!

[phaselocknroll]

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[phaselocknroll]

[ She knows how tempting it is to just find somewhere out of the way and to curl up together for warmth, reveling in being close.

But they're almost there, and then they can rest.

She smiles a little, pressing another quick kiss to his lips. ]

Then let's keep moving. I'm eager to put this frozen wasteland behind us.

[nostalgiabomb]

This comin' from the person who doesn't feel cold.

[ Briefly, he wonders if it would be the same for him, in his demon form.

He quickly snuffs out that thought, drowns it out with thoughts of Maya and the feel of her skin and the touch of her lips.

When she moves away to retake the lead, he sighs with disappointment. The cold quickly bites back into his skin,but he's trudging dutifully after her. ]

[phaselocknroll]

Maybe I'm getting that from you.

[ Luck is only half on their side, because the wind picks up considerably, drawing out their travel time. Maya keeps close to Peter, shielding him as best she can, unfurling her wings once or twice to offer him some small bit of warmth. It's dark and bitterly cold before the lights of Sanctuary become visible in the distance.

"Town" was perhaps not the right word, because it looks like a fortress. Sanctuary seems to be carved out of the mountain itself, high walls of sheer stone sweep around the city, dotted with the flickering light of torches. Someone atop the wall hollers something, but it's snatched away by the wind.

By the time they make it to the front gates, there is a small contingent of guards there to meet them. Maya casts her glamour, and huddles close to Peter, doing her best to look miserable and cold.

At first it looks as though they're going to be denied entry, but the man heading up the guards- Corporal Reiss, when he finally introduces himself- shows a bit of compassion and lets them in. He shows them to an Inn, and leaves them to their own devices from there. Maya tells Peter they can worry about business tomorrow, after a meal and a good night's sleep, and they head to their room. ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He mutters an, Oh, thank fuck, when Maya tells him they can wait till tomorrow to get things done, and the second they're in their room, Peter practically drops everything and collapses into bed, exhausted. At some point he's conscious long enough to pull Maya in next to him, even if she doesn't strictly need to sleep; it helps a lot more than he'd care to admit to have her there while he sleeps, to physically reach out to her when he wakes.

He falls asleep curled around her like a cat; he's stopped worrying about whether or not she'll be there in the morning.

It takes some doing the next day, but eventually he's coaxed out of the warmth of the covers, though he's not entirely awake. Peter, clearly, is not a morning person.

Still, there are things that need doing, and certain demonic natures that need binding (or, if he has his way, eradicating), and he crawls his way back to consciousness.

Mostly, anyway. He still nearly puts a boot on the wrong foot, but he's aware enough to realize his mistake, at least.

He scrubs his face with his hands once he's ready, and the temptation to slither back under the sheets is nearly overwhelming. ]

Where are we headed?

[phaselocknroll]

[ Maya hasn't said as much, but she's taken to sleeping when he sleeps. She doesn't need to, no, but that doesn't mean she can't, and there are moments where the warm contentment that sings through their link makes the idea seem really appealing.

So lately she's stopped resisting it.

And she enjoys being there when he wakes. Loves that the first thing she sees with the light of the new day is his face.

She does not, however, share his distaste of mornings. She feels the same as she ever does, regardless of the time of day- alert and refreshed and ready to go. She wonders if being a morning person is something she can share with him through their bond. ]

One of my sisters is in this city. I think she's under contract with the military leader here, but my divination was a little hazy. I also don't know if her presence is a secret or if it's public knowledge.

But either way, we should begin at their headquarters on the far side of town.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He stifles a yawn behind his hand and nods, heading for the door. ]

Far side of town. Sister. Maybe don't mention the Siren thing. Got it.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She laughs a little, amused. At least he was listening ]

Would you care for some breakfast first?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He pauses.

-- Yeah. Food sounds good. Maybe it'll even help wake him up. ]

Probably a good idea. You don't mind waiting?

[phaselocknroll]

I don't mind. I can probably ask some of the locals for information about this leader of theirs. It's best if we know what kind of person we're dealing with.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That's a bit sobering -- he sort of figured, if they were here, Maya would assume the guy was on the up and up. He keeps his voice as they head down the hall. ]

Worried he might not be as nice of a guy as me, huh?

[phaselocknroll]

[ It's Lilith that she's here for more than anything, but she shoots Peter a grin ]

I admit he has quite the standard to live up to.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He huffs a laugh. ] Flatterer.

[ He grabs something simple from the inn's kitchen -- just bread and meats -- and settles in to eat. ]

And I'm guessin' your sister has nothing on you. [ What he really wants to ask is, "Can we trust her?" Ravager instincts are difficult to shake, after all. ]

[phaselocknroll]

You mean as far as my... abilities are concerned?

She actually outclasses me by quite a bit.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ That actually gives him pause. ] Really? I thought you guys were, you know, all equally powerful or whatever.

[phaselocknroll]

Just like all humans are equally powerful?

[nostalgiabomb]

... Yeah, okay. Fair point.

[phaselocknroll]

[ She smiles, pressing a kiss to his cheek ] Eat your breakfast, love. I'll be back.

[ And off she goes to mingle and ask some questions ]

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He tries to keep an eye on her as she moves from person to person -- though he's careful not to seem too obvious about it. It'd be kinda creepy to watch her like a hawk the entire time, after all.

At some point, as he's finishing up, he tries to track her their invisible ties, and while he feels her presence, he can't quite pinpoint where she is. He wonders if it's something he just needs to practice at, or if maybe he just sucks at this. ]

[phaselocknroll]

[ She can fell a light tugging on their bond. Huh. Peter must be looking for her? She politely finishes up with the woman she's talking to and makes her way back to him ]

Were you worried I had vanished?

[nostalgiabomb]

What? No, of course not. [ Although it's only up until recently that he's stopped worrying about that. ]

... I interrupted, didn't I.

[phaselocknroll]

Don't worry about it. I've gotten all the information I need, anyway.

Shall we?

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He stands, brushing his hands off, and leads the way out. ]

Any good gossip?

[phaselocknroll]

The man we're looking for is named Roland. By all accounts, he's a kind, just man.

A far cry from everyone we've encountered up to this point.

[nostalgiabomb]

[ He ventures a smile. ] Hey, that's pretty good news, then. We probably won't have to jump through any hoops to see your sister, right?

[phaselocknroll]

I can only hope not.

[ As they walk, she reaches for his hand. She enjoys simple things like hand holding- any excuse to keep him close, perhaps.

They're nearly to the building when someone passing by goes "Maya?" And a red-haired woman with yellow eyes and swirling blue tattoos pushes her way through the crowd. Maya looks absolutely bewildered to find Lilith out in public, and without her glamour- so much so that it actually takes her a moment to introduce Peter.

Lilith gives him a once over, and arches an eyebrow. "You're bound to him?"

Maya opens her mouth to reply, but Lilith merely smiles and motions for them to follow her- mentioning that Maya can "drop the glamour". (I'll keep it for now, thanks.)- as she leads them towards the Crimson Raider headquarters. ]

... Well. That's Lilith.