*We have a roof on our Library now!*
The construction in the Library finally seems to be finished, and the results are amazing. A simple, graceful geometry of metal and wood struts arch across the ceiling, forming a semi-geodesic dome structure which supports translucent, pearly white panels which serve as the roof. They are apparently not glass, but something at once lighter and tougher than glass, with something of a seashell sheen to them. The lighting in the library is brighter than electricity during a sunny day but soft; the opacity of the panels seems to protect the books from the harm of direct sun.
The bookshelves have returned to their proper places along the walls, also forming proper stacks, but they are still mostly empty. Piles of books, stacks of books, ramparts of books are everywhere upon the glitteringly new-varnished wooden floor. Two ancient book-trolleys-- one freshly painted an incongruous canary-yellow, and the other sporting a cheerful coat of candy-apple red-- are also loaded with books.
To the left as you enter from the front door stands the Librarian's desk, polished to a reluctant gleam, with a few patched comfortable chairs in front of it. To your right is the card catalog, the little drawers neatly labeled.
On the tripod, just in front of the door, is a large piece of paper reading:
"Please Be Patient While The Librarians Reorganize Our Books. Isn't Our New Roof Wonderful!?!?!?!!?!?!?"
Did someone call for 'tall, dark, and handsome'? Well, dark's fairly well covered, at least. Jet-black hair's pulled into a long, loose tail at the nape of his neck, a few stray strands about the face occasionally drifting into his almost equally dark eyes, the irises of which are a brown deep enough that one needs to look closely to find the pupil. Nut-brown skin that sets off the white of his teeth and eyes -- it could just barely be mistaken for a very deep tan, if one really tried. Tall is a miss; he's still several inches off six feet, and he probably won't ever get there. Handsome... well, not a classic beauty, to be sure, but well-proportioned, with a stunning, frequent grin and deeply expressive features. Slim, but in perfectly good shape.
He's clad in... well, black leather pants. Somewhat faded, well broken in, but nicely cut and really =quite= nicely fitted. A simple cream shirt hangs untucked above them, long sleeved and fastened with a row of small, black stone buttons. Over that, he wears a decidedly well-worn old black trenchcoat, almost too big for him -- the cuffs hang down half-over his hands, when he lets them, and the hem hangs perilously close to his heels. Scuffed black leather boots with worn soles adorn his feet; there's a seemingly random collection of bracelets, all on one wrist, and several piercings along the upper section of each ear -- little silver hoops.
Danny stands just under six feet tall and moves with an odd grace that's difficult to categorize. It's not quite the artful manner of a dancer nor the economic movements of a trained warrior, still there's certainly something different in how he carries himself. Fit musculature on a lean frame gives him the look of a runner, and his clean and smooth features suggest a northern European heritage. He has well-defined cheekbones that lend a youthful cast which may belie his true age, while a losing battle with a five-o'clock shadow makes his otherwise friendly smile a little disreputable. His eyes are expressive and match colors with his wavy, full, chin-length hair: a deep dark brown that's only just this side of black. His arms and face have been tanned by long days in the sun, but an exposed portion of his collar line indicates he'd be far more pale if he spent some time indoors.
His clothing is casual and work-oriented: the shirt is a long-sleeved, heavy flannel button-up in dark grey, and is accompanied by a loose pair of dark brown, suede leather pants that have been tucked into his boots. The boots look quite new, calf-high and made of black leather, with simple, elegant tooling along the sides. A stamped silver coin bearing the triune horse symbol of Epona hangs around his neck on a silver snake chain.
This is a man, human to the core. No strange blood runs in his veins, but there is an air of power about him nonetheless, arcane knowledge on a tight leash. Physically, he is a perfectly average height with a broad and stocky frame that is not fat but is made to carry a lot of it. He's probably from a variety of European stock; his face is open and gentle, his nose just large enough to be interesting. He wears a short, neat beard, trimmed close, and gold-wire-rimmed spectacles with expensively slim lenses. Behind the specs, his eyes are a light, tawny brown, almost golden. His hands are a scholar's: large and dexterous, inkstained, callused where his pen rests on his right ring finger. Callused in new places, lately, from rougher work than turning pages. His hair is dark, somewhere between auburn and brown, and almost excessively thick and shiny. It's very long, ending about waist-length, and usually worn in a glossy braid. The color is broken by a thick streak of startling, pure-white hair that starts above his left temple. So much white in his hair makes him look older than he might otherwise seem--mid thirties, as opposed to late twenties.
He wears jeans, a white shirt under a dark grey sweater, and leather lace-up boots of a rusty color. In the cold of the late year he often wears a heather-gray woolen cloak, as well. Always within reach, if not actually in hand, is a wooden staff as tall as he is.
From the back stacks of the library there's a noise of concern, and a thump, followed by a reluctant, "...ow." Danny emerges from the reference section, rubbing his head and looking at heavily-bound book with annoyance. "Well if you *don't* want to reveal the mysteries of Babylon just *say* so," he scolds it.
"Don't piss off the books, they can sense fear," Justin calls from the librarian's desk, where he's poking about. "Where is it... Higami said it was--ah, there it is!" He locates and picks up a shoebox-sized package wrapped in brown paper.
Danny holds up the book so the cover is visible, and a lavishly tooled title proclaims the text to contain knowledge on a variety of ancient religions and their associated gods and goddesses. "Well, since this is about religion, I guess I'm *really* screwed then, aren't I." He looks up and spies the box from across the room. "Is that the pyrometer and the computer?"
Justin, already cutting the paper off with his pocketknife, replies cheerfully, "Yes, you're screwed, and yes, this is our stuff." The paper reveals a box of milky polymer material, textured interestingly, with a keypad embedded into it. Justin digs a scrap of paper out of his pocket, consults it, then punches a code into the keypad. The box emits a quiet hiss of pressurizing air as its top slides back.
Danny abandons the book on his desk, which has some sheets of notes and a list of things to look up, and joins Justin. He rocks on his heels and waits impatiently while his kumimate opens the box.
Nestled in the box are the promised goods: the pyrometer, recognizable as such only to the trained eye, it's so advanced, and the computer and a small case of data slips. Justin frowns. "Bryce said that there'd be a lot of information."
Danny gives the pyrometer a passing glance, but frowns at the data slips. "Maybe...that *is* a lot of information?" he suggests uncertainly. He points at the pyrometer with a grin. "Optical! Praise the goddess for no silly wires."
The door opens, and a familiar head pokes in -- Serendipity glances around, as if looking for someone or something in particular, and by the furrow of his brow, he doesn't find it. But people with a box... well, maybe he can take time to check that out. "Hey," he greets, entering the rest of the way and letting the door fall shut behind him. "'cha got?"
Justin glances over his shoulder, replies, "Hello, Ren. Some things Higami ordered for us, we now owe the Guild of Technology our firstborns." He picks up the computer, which is a flattish and apparently featureless three-dimension trapezoidal shape of gleaming black, and frowns at it, turning it over in his hands. "I don't get it. How do you make it go?" And then the thing glows into life, a series of blue lights rippling into existence across its front. Justin nearly drops it as it projects an interaction hologram into the air, requesting PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR VOICE RECOGNITION.
"Well they're a little late, my firstborn's already six," Danny muses. He jumps back a good handful of feet when the computer suddenly turns on and eyes the hologram nervously.
"Don't worry, they'll pick the kid up next time they're passing by," Ren teases Danny, and strolls forward, studying the computer curiously. "Now, that's cool. How d'you s'pose they make it =do= that?" he wonders, reaching out to poke a finger into the hologram.
The hologram actually ripples a little where Ren touches it, as if Ren has touched the surface of a thick fluid. It even feels something like it; there's definite feedback there. "...Justinian Raab," Justin says, cautiously, eyeing the hologram and the computer in turn. The hologram becomes a flat, slightly gleaming 'surface', with photoreal full-color icons. "Uhm, wow," Justin says, blinking blankly at it. "Okay...turn off?" The screen collapses to a point, and the lights on the front of the machine fade.
"I'd love to see them try," Danny murmurs, watching the hologram with a little less concern now. "I wonder how many commands it can understand."
Serendipity perches himself on the edge of the desk, where he can watch, and also get a good look into the box. "Sit. Stay. Roll over. Play dead. I think it's doin' that one even now." He flips his hair back over his shoulder, and addresses Justin: "What're you gonna do with it?"
"I don't know," Justin says, still looking at, and holding, the computer as if it might bite him. He sets it down very carefully on the desk, lest it explode. "Bryce ordered it, ostensibly for me, but, uhm." His expression says what he thinks of -that-. "Anyway, the important part is, we have the pyrometer, and thus we can build the kiln."
Danny nods smartly. "Yes. Well we can build it anyways, just using it would mean we'd have to burn up a lot of cones to check the temperature on the first few firings. No fun, that."
Serendipity picks up the computer from where Justin put it down, and turns it over in his hands, checking it out up close. "Aw, c'mon, you're not gonna find out what it can do leaving it off. Oughta mess around with it and see what it does," he opines.
The computer blinks into life again, the hologram reading PERMIT GUEST ACCESS?
"I suppose," Justin tells the computer, warily, and it brings up the gleaming screen again, with its 3d icons. Looking back at Danny, Justin adds, "We'll use it much faster and more efficiently, which is all to the good."
"I think you mean, *you'll* use it much faster and more efficiently," Danny points out, heading back to his desk. He sits down and opens the book, flipping to the index immediately.
Serendipity grins wider as the icons reappear. "Hi, computer," he addresses it, "...I'm Serendipity Jones. But you can call me Ren." He studies the little images for a few moments before picking one that looks interesting, and poking it with a finger.
The upper right hand corner of the screen has a small box reading 'Administrator: Justinian Raab', and when Ren speaks his name, 'Guest: Serendipity "Ren" Jones' appears with an indent under Justin's name. The program Ren selected launches, with a quiet click. Justin watches all this in bemusement, leaning against the desk, his arms folded.
Serendipity looks pleased, glancing to Justin with a gesture at the new account. "Check that out," he remarks happily, before going back to the screen and giving the program a good look. "...So what's this?" Apparently he's asking the machine, though he pokes at a few widgets on it before it really has a chance to answer him.
Robin explodes into the library and bangs the doors behind her. She's blowing hard and red in the face from running, but she doesn't even bother to drop her bag before she makes a fast circuit of the library. "Higami!" she roars. "HIGAMI!"
It turns out to be a word processor, and Ren manages to turn the text bold, green, and center-justified before the computer actually answers him with the information. Justin's about to poke at something himself when Robin bursts in, and he jolts out of his slouch, giving a sharp whistle; his staff, leaning against the wall next to the coatrack, zips into his hand. "What is it?" he demands of Robin. Static electricity begins to lift stray whisps of his hair.
Serendipity the valiant peeks out over the top of the desk, since he and the computer seem to have ended up behind it at the sudden loud entry. Oh, it's the unicorns' governess. He straightens back up and tells the computer, "...play dead," before returning his attention to the commotion, curiously.
Danny, who has been absorbed in the book and scribbling a few things down, launches himself out of his chair, fleeing in the opposite direction of Robin's voice and commotion. Further escape is hampered (although not significantly so) by desks and chairs, and he stares at them in a panic, eyes wide. He grabs his hair and squeezes his eyes shut, and starts repeating something to himself in a flow of words that can't be English, but sound somewhat similar.
Robin ignores all of this gratifying confusion as she completes her circuit of the main room and whirlwinds to the basement door. She bangs on it ferociously. "Higami!" Nothing. She wrenches the door open and sticks her head into the darkness. "HIGAMI RYUMARU! WAKE UP!"
Several still seconds pass, silent except for Danny's muttering.
Robin slams the basement door shut. "Fuck a leper's dog on your grandmother's grave! Where is he? Justin! When did you last see him?"
"A week or so ago," Justin replies crisply, staring at Robin, frowning. "What the hell is wrong, Robin?"
Serendipity watches with interest, reclaiming his perch on the desk. Can't be anything =too= immediately important, or she wouldn't be so fixated on only locating the hot librarian.
Danny's words falter and finally he stops speaking all-together, and shortly after that he lets go of his hair, leaving it a hopeless mess, and looks around with wide-eyed wariness. He catches sight of Robin and watches her closely, taking hold of a table's edge for reassurance.
"An illusionist with Higami's face just came to my cabin and decided that what I really needed to set me on the right magical path was a good fuck," Robin says. She flings her bag into a chair and starts searching drawers in the librarian's desk. "I didn't get a chance to properly object because he was still savoring the thought when a unicorn came by and tried to kill him. The other unicorns stopped him on the grounds of some Law, more's the pity, but they did haul him away. I need to talk to Higami about it."
The expression that crosses Justin's face at this news--fury--is vanishingly rare for him, and thus all the more unnerving. He's silent for a moment, struggling not to give in to several immediate reactions, then manages to growl, "A good thing they took him away, then, else I'd have to try to kill him, too."
Serendipity's eyes narrow a moment, and he shakes his head. "...nothing wrong with having the =opinion=, but didn't his mama teach him any manners?" he asks rhetorically, and glances toward the basement door. "So, what, you wanna make sure Higami knows someone's wearing his face, or you wanna make sure it wasn't his own?" he asks conversationally. Apparently both sound reasonable to him.
Danny flinches and his grip on the table tightens. He bites his lip hard enough that it makes his eyes water, and after a few seconds he manages a half-strangled and not-particularly-intelligent, "Higami?"
"You'll have your chance," Robin tells Justin. She slams the last drawer shut and drops into a chair heavily, winding her fingers through her hair. "He's coming back unless the unicorns pen him up. I /know/ it wasn't Higami, Ren. Too much he said wouldn't make any sense if he were. He's here to make trouble for Higami, starting with--well, he wanted to kill me at first." She sets her hands on the arms of the chair with a thump. "Thank heaven for second thoughts, eh?" She smiles weakly. "...What's wrong, Danny?"
Justin scowls darkly. "I'm glad your guardian is so zealous." He rests his staff against the wall again.
Serendipity nods at Robin. "'s a plus, at least he won't've succeeded in fucking things up, then, yeah?" He sets the computer down where Justin'd first left it, and stretches. "...which reminds me," for some reason, "any of you seen Tristan 'round anywhere lately?"
"*Kill* you?" Although Danny's hold on the table is lessening, his panic isn't, and he even looks pale now. He glances at the book on his desk, and then back at Robin. "What kind of trouble? Does...what does he know about? I mean, does he know--everything Higami knows?"
"Me, too," Robin says to Justin. "Though it's ironic that the unicorn who tried to kill me was the one who saved me." She shrugs at Ren, the stiffness in her shoulders making the gesture jerky. "He's already strolled through town talking to people. Who knows what he said or did? And I have no idea what he knows. He knows a lot about Higami, though, I can tell you that--enough to copy him to a turn if he wants to."
Justin paces back and forth across the open space of the library. "I see why you want Higami, now. I haven't seen him, though. He left a note for me that our things were here, but I haven't seen him."
"Isn't there someone somewhere 'round here who can hunt the guy down or send him a mental message or something?" Ren asks, not particularly concerned as yet. "Or, hey, maybe your computer can talk to his computer or something. I'm pretty sure his talked to the Guild."
Danny runs his hands through his hair and sits down heavily. "Gaia's Tits. Is there--I mean--fuck." He shifts uneasily, looking faintly ill. "I don't think I've seen him lately, not since Bryce and I ordered the stuff. I know he's seen all my dreams though. At least I *thought* it was him." He grimaces and mutters, "I hope they dropped him in Siberia somewhere."
"I knew something was coming," Robin says low. "I haven't slept in two days."
Justin shakes his head at Ren. "I don't know how to do that." He blinks at Robin, surprised. "Why not?"
Serendipity picks the computer back up. "A'ight," he addresses it, "Speak." A glance to Justin, adding, "I useta know some Garou who could find people real quick. Smell or something, I dunno, but they could find a guy =anywhere=." And he doesn't sound entirely thrilled to recall it.
"Not sleeping?" Danny echoes, looking concerned.
"Rowan could do it," Robin murmurs to her lap. She sits silently, then shrugs again. "I felt something brewing, it seemed to have to do with Higami, Higami hunts in my dreams..."
"Higami -what-?" Justin's utterly confused, and he doesn't like it. "I don't understand." He glances at Danny for help.
The computer says in a quiet female voice, "Speech mode on."
Serendipity laughs once, looking down to the computer. "...cool. Hey, can you find Higami? Or, like... contact him?" he asks the thing. Well, it's understood him so far. He keeps half an eye on Robin, the other half on the machine.
Danny shudders and hugs himself, "I think he tried--tries--to do the same thing in mine. But there's not much to hunt so he just watches. And he can't change them. They either change on their own or not at all. First killed him once." The tone of his voice suggests he's not entirely clear on the whole process.
"Higami dreamwalks," Robin says. She's looking gray and flattened now; the adrenaline has definitely worn off. In a toneless voice, she says, "He watches dreams, sometimes changes them, sometimes eats them." She sighs. "Don't ask me how it works."
Justin's unpleasantly surprised by that, and it's plain that he's wondering, for a moment, if Higami's sampled -his- dreams. He goes over to Robin, though, asking quietly, "Are you okay?"
"I need further information about Higami," the computer says to Ren.
Serendipity looks up at Robin and Danny, arching a brow. "He hunts in dreams? Does he, like, knock first?" Glancing down at the computer, he informs it, "He's hot, he's a librarian here, he does stuff with the Guild, and apparently he hunts in people's dreams. You need more'n that?"
The main doors of the library open, letting in a howl of wind and a swirl of snow kicked off the roof. Miki blows in, and stands in the entrance for a moment fighting with the wind to get the doors shut again.
"*Eats* them?" Danny blanches and grips his head. He tells Ren, "I don't think he asks. I don't think he has to. I wouldn't've known if he'd never said anything." He barely registers Miki's arrival, and turns back to look at Robin. "Is there anything we can do?"
"I'm fine," Robin says vaguely. She still hasn't looked up. When ren speaks to the computer, she giggles to herself, but her giggle cuts off abruptly when the door opens. She jerks erect and stares wide-eyed at Miki. "...Oh." She resettles herself slowly, like a cat uncertain whether it still wants its perch. "No, he doesn't ask," she says, watching Miki. "Didn't he tell you that he eats them? Forget I said it, then."
Justin looks up sharply when Miki comes in, from where he's standing near Robin. He smiles a little at Miki, but doesn't go to him.
"I need further information on Higami," the computer repeats, patiently.
Serendipity glances up at the sound of entry, and flashes Miki a broad, bright grin before looking back to the computer. "Yeah, okay -- what else do you need to know?" He thinks a second and adds, "Higami Ryumaru. 'bout this tall, Japanese, dark hair, dark eyes, pale skin, a lotta observations I could make I don't think're in your files... lives in the basement?"
Miki finally gets the doors shut and turns around, pausing to carefully survey who is present before venturing into the main room of the library. When he sees the group gathered around Robin, his face and the set of his shoulders express curiosity, and he walks slowly towards everyone. He responds to the smiles with a tentative half-smile, and he approaches as cautiously as a cat approaches a new and strange object.
Danny stares at Robin, and his look of sympathy is replaced with one of intense nausea. He coughs and ducks his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This is *so* fucked up," he informs the floor. Then, after another cough, "Hi Miki."
Robin subsides uneasily as Miki approaches. "Hello, Miki. We're just listening to Ren trying to describe Higami to the computer." She glances at Ren and adds, "Try making those observations. You'd be surprised what goes in the files."
"Hi, Miki. What are you doing?" Justin leans against the end of a bookcase, not looking particularly happy.
The computer remains silent. Perhaps it's confused.
Serendipity nods at Robin, acknowledging her suggestion with the point of a finger and a 'hey, what can it hurt' expression, but whatever those observations might have been remains unknown for the time being, as the computer doesn't seem to be cooperating. "...hey," he addresses it, giving it a little poke with one finger, "Still there? What else d'you need to know to find him, or his little card-computer thing anyway?"
"Looking for you," Miki replies to Justin, then looks around at the expressions on everyone's faces. "What has happened? It is very bad? Is it Argent?" He glances back at the door, as if suddenly worried that Argent might appear.
Danny shakes his head at Miki, sagging in his chair. "No Argent that I've seen lately," he says, but he doesn't seem terrible happy to report this. He glances at Robin and waits to see what she has to say.
"There's someone going around with Higami's face, doing things in his name," Robin says. She sags against the aging cushions. "He magicked himself into my cabin and told me that he'd planned to kill me, but now he'd decided to be 'philanthropic' and try out his amatory skills on me. Exeunt illusionist stage left, pursued by a unicorn. Oh!" She looks up at Danny, troubled. "There are four holes in your beautiful floor now. I'm sorry."
Justin apparently doesn't take the story any better the second time around; he straightens up and starts pacing again. His computer, meanwhile, informs Ren, "I do not have a connection to the Web."
Serendipity arches a brow at the computer, "Okay, and what's that mean? You can't send a spider to find him?" He doesn't sound =quite= like he actually expects it to be literal, but it might be able to convince him. If it were programmed with a sense of humour.
Miki looks utterly confused and reaches for the nearest thing to lean on-- it happens to be a library cart. "Are you sure it is not Higami? He threatened to kill me once." After a moment, he adds, weakly, "The unicorns, they are protecting you?"
Danny gives Robin a puzzled look. "Four holes? He tried to ruin your cabin too?" He waves this aside and assures her, "That's okay, they'll be easy to patch. We could even patch them with something like tile once the kiln's done, if you wanted." He stares at Miki, eyes wide. "You too? Goddess what is *with* him..."
Robin blinks blearily at the lot of them. "That's too many questions on too little sleep. Slow down! Miki, it was definitely not him. Yes, the unicorns are protecting me. Do you remember the golden-eyed unicorn who tried to kill me? He's my guardian now. Danny, the holes are from the unicorn's hooves. And I would be deeply grateful if you would patch them for me, any way you think best; I don't have a rug to put over them. Miki..." She rubs her temples. "Real Higami tried to kill you?"
Justin also gives Miki a shocked look. "Higami threatened to /kill/ you?" He does go to Miki, now, and puts an arm around him. "When was this? Why did he do that?"
The computer remains silent. A sense of humor was apparently not on its programmers' list of priorities.
Serendipity makes a face and pokes the symbol that seems to mean 'off' on the computer's face, turning his attention to Miki and the discussion now surrounding him.
Miki leans against Justin. "Oh, it was a long time ago," he says casually. "Anderja says he was just showing off." He looks over at Robin, frowning in concern. "Robin, you look... bad," he says tactlessly. "Is it just Higami or is it the unicorns, too?"
"I can do it tomorrow," Danny replies with a nod. "I'll cut and treat the new planks tonight. I guess I should be happy he didn't break the glass in the windows--" He stops and gives Robin a sideways look.
"They're fine," Robin says hurriedly. "He came /through/ the wall but /into/ the floor. Thank you so much, Danny." Her gaze wavers up at Miki, then falls back into her lap. "Just the impostor," she says. "The unicorns are no trouble at all now. And I'm very tired. I didn't sleep last night. I won't sleep tonight, either." She lifts her head with effort, and her eyes, indeed, are exhausted. "But tell me about this death threat."
Justin mutters, "Just showing off," his tone disbelieving. He kisses Miki briefly, and looks at Robin. "You should get some sleep. Would you like to stay at the house?"
Ren seems to have guessed right about the off button; the computer's holographic interface zips to a midair pinpoint, then fades.
Serendipity puts the computer back down again, and glances up at the dome of the roof, looking a little concerned. "...know I asked this earlier, but mosta you didn't respond: seriously, anyone seen Tristan lately? And what d'you think's the best way to kill a frozen vampire?" He glances about at them, and adds, considering, "...or maybe thaw and interrogate'd be better, I dunno. I mean, not t' take away from discussing the death threat and all, but..."
Miki shrugs at Robin. "It was not quite the first thing he said to me, I cannot remember if it was before or after he said I was, you know, good-looking. He said that he might have to kill me for being in the Library." Another shrug, this one dismissive. "Fred is much nicer than he is. But it does not matter, Anderja said so." After he says this, his gaze slides sideways to Ren, but he doesn't answer the other man's question.
"You have to sleep tonight," Danny agrees firmly. "Come to the house. Maybe Miki could ward it more somehow? Or Safi or you could see if the sea unicorn could help..." He runs out of suggestions and falls silent, looking a little disappointed with himself. "If I knew how to make a proper stone for the Eastward Watcher that might help too." He gives Ren a confused look and shakes his head. "Haven't seen Tristan."
Robin nods gratefully to Justin and Danny--"None of it will help, but having people in the house who can come if I call would be a relief"--then gives Miki a long, long look that says, We'll talk about this sometime when I can parse English. She rests her head on the back of the chair and looks at Ren upside-down. "Tristan's annoying, but does he really need killing?"
"Tristan is the vampire, yes? I have never met him." Justin gives Ren a puzzled look. "I'd think if a vampire was frozen, leaving it out for the sun would be efficient."
"Ffft. He is not annoying," Ren replies dismissively, "...an' no, no killing Tristan. Piss me off." Hmph. Justin's suggestion makes him blink, and then laugh once. "Can't believe I didn't thinka that. Though I dunno how sun does it, you think the sun'd get 'im before he melted? See -- anya you guys noticed the new hole in the dock?" He glances around to see if anyone has before going on, "We were hanging out there, and this other vampire shows up, tries to use me as a hostage to get Tristan to go with him and let the guy's boss drink his blood. Like, all of it, prolly. So Tristan's all let 'im go, you can have me if that's what you want, and the guy throws me onto the lake, so I come back and try to kill 'im and it doesn't totally work, and long story short... ish... he starts coming after me, the dock breaks, and he goes down into the lake. And doesn't come up. So he oughta be frozen in there, which is good until melt, but. And this guy is =not= a sweetie like Tristan. An' I'm thinkin' his boss is less so." Pause. "So I figured it'd be good t' do somethin' about it. Also to make sure no one else got sent out for Tristan-snacks."
"Yes," mutters Miki, but to which person's comment is somewhat obscure. He leans his head on Justin's shoulder as he listens to Ren's story which follows: the expression on his face suggests that he thinks that either it is very peculiar or else Ren has left out the bit which explains it all. After a moment, he blinks, and he says, "Oh. I will tell Anderja," in a dismayed tone of voice which suggests that he does not much like to be the bearer of irritating news.
Danny watches Ren placidly while he speaks, and blinks slowly when the Coyote Kin has finished. "Doom," he says helpfully.
"Doooom," Robin echoes. "I have to go." She springs up and grabs her bag, moving as though nothing but inertia is fueling her sudden animation. "Justin, Danny, do you mind if I let myself in?"
Justin sighs at Ren's tale. "This has been quite a day for bad news. We must let Julen know. Robin, I'll come with you." He pulls away from Miki to put the computer in the box with the pyrometer. "I know Spring dogs your every step, but it'd make me feel better." Translation: He doesn't want to leave Robin alone. "Miki, will you come along?"
"It's not =that= bad," Ren points out, with only the barest hint of exasperation, "I did get the guy deep-frozen, after all." He pushes off the desk to his feet, and sighs, with a little stretch. "Well. G'luck 'n' stuff. I'm gonna go work on making sure no one's eating our vampire. You see him, tell him I'm tryin' to find him, a'ight?" he instructs the gathering at large.
Miki nods at Justin, watching Robin with a worried expression. "I will come with you."
"You should tell Julen and Eos," Danny says to Ren. He gets up and goes over to his desk, and puts the book on a reshelving cart, then gathers up his notes. "I should get home too. I can carry all of you if you want."
"My," Robin says to her bag. "An honor guard." She waits in the foyer, shifting from foot to foot restlessly.
Justin, polymer box, staff, and boyfriend gathered, heads out.