contact part deux

[bouchonne]

if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message

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[hornswoggle]

Did any of us wake up pleased from that dream?

[ A sidestep as much as an honest question. Whichever the dream, the end note had struck a particular chord. ]

The trappings aside, I'd like your impression of the Herald and all the warnings imparted.

[bouchonne]

Damned confusing. I really have no head for all this spirit business.

[ But the confusion is more theatrical than real. Less archly: ]

I suppose the first question is whether it was real, or something false.

[hornswoggle]

I don't know enough about spirits to judge one way or another, [ John admits, because it costs him nothing to offer such a truth to Byerly. ] Did you ever see her before? The Herald?

[bouchonne]

No.

[ A little amused curl of his lip. ]

The Rutyers are, I believe, distantly connected to the Trevelyan tree by a few stray twigs, but certainly no relation close enough to justify a visit in life. And in death - Well, I have not been interesting enough to merit a visit by her vaunted spirit.

Yourself?

[hornswoggle]

[ A low whistle in answer, before he tips the teacup and shakes his head. ]

Nothing but stories. And never in a dream.

[ But to the point— ]

All that to say, do you think we should heed the warning?

[bouchonne]

[ A shrug. ]

Perhaps not heed, per se. I don't think ghosts, spirits, et cetera, can really be trusted. But whether it's a trap or a gift, it's worth finding out which.

[hornswoggle]

Something to foist onto the Research Division, I assume?

[ But in the same breath— ]

Wysteria Poppell and that Rifter, Stevens, are collecting accounts. It occurred to me we might want to look into some of the locations and see whether or not there's anything worth cultivating.

[bouchonne]

[ Hm. A slightly lifted eyebrow. ]

Do you have any inspiration as to what we might cultivate?

[hornswoggle]

Caches, safe houses. The things we kept lamenting the absence of, and might be useful regardless of if we ever slip into such dire straits.

[ Which of course they're hoping to avoid. ]

[bouchonne]

Hm. Certainly which people are more sympathetic to us than we thought. Or less so.

[hornswoggle]

Well, that's less easily navigated than shoring up our defenses in easy to conceal places.