^w^

I hope you're not sharing any of that with your cousin, Nico.

Nico: *sipping* No, no, amico. I know better than that. I’d offer you one, but I know better than that, too.

My thanks for remembering. *I bow with a flourish and smile.* What's the occasion?

Nico: *smirking* Exhaustion.

Preparing for Samhain, eh?

Nico: *slightly confused* Cosa? Spiacente... I do not know that word. What does it mean?

It's the original holiday on which Halloween is based. The veil is very thin on that day. Many fae and spirits revel in it.

Nico: *souring* Ah. Then I shall ward the house. We do not need more fae tricks.

A wise idea. So, what else is new, mi amico?

Nico: Taking care of Nella, which is work enough, and changing the locks. Someone has been sneaking around by the shop. Puts me on the ledge. I think that is how you say it?

On edge, but I get your meaning. Do you have any idea who? Is it fae or human?

Nico: *repeats* Puts me on edge , si. I cannot tell. I feel no magic, but whoever it is always seems to change size. Sometimes I feel pazzo. è vero, amico? Do you think fear is making me crazy?

Who knows? It may be, or it could be you really are seeing something that is real. I can't say either way. But I'm pretty sure you're not a madman, so i say go with your gut and prepare as best you can. That's all you can do, really. I find when one does one's best, things usually have a way of working out in the end.

Nico: *swirling what is left of his drink* You are more hopeful than I, amico. If we’re lucky, you’re right.

I know you, Nico. You're not the kind to go mad. You'll find your perp eventually. Or perhaps you won't, because something is keeping it from being able to interact with you directly. Who knows?

Nico: *raising an eyebrow* That was specific. Perhaps you know?

I suspect, but I do not know. And what I do know cannot be said out of respect for another. However, if this person is who I think it may be, then you should know you have no need to fear personally.

Nico: And Nella? If it is who you think, is she safe?

I should think so. The individual I'm thinking of has only eyes for you. Doing something to Nella or trying to harm her would be pointless, since the individual would still not be able to reach you directly.

Nico: *knocks back the dregs of his drink and sighs* All the more reason for wards, it seems. *he sets the glass aside and rubs his temples*

Don't worry. I'm sure you two will be fine. You always seem to be, even if you are facing some difficulties. Things turn out okay in the end, even if they don't necessarily turn out the way you may want them to. Or at least, so I've found.

Nico: *smirks* I think that's probably encouraging. Grazie, amico.

Take faith, take hope, and prepare as best you can. That's all we can do, even in the best of times.

Lassiate: *put his arm around Nico* A drinking buddy!!! You and I simply must become completely inebriated together!!! Then we must pursue... HIJINKS!!!!!!

Nico: *surprised and slightly perturbed at the contact* Very well, amico. Would you rather gin or rum?

Lassiate: Oh why limit one's self?! Let's start with rum and work our way to gin!!!

Nico: *his cold reception fading* That is the kind of talk I like to hear! *he mixes a rum sling for his companion and holds it out to him*

Lassiate: *Takes the rum sling offered and sips is as a connoisseur would* Yes!!! This shall do nicely!!! Do tell me, my new partner in crime!!! What brings you out on a night like tonight?!

Nico: *with a weary smile* Exhaustion, amico mio. I am fighting a battle I cannot win... a man needs a drink when he is losing.

Lassiate: *Throws his arm over his forehead, in a overly dramatic display of distress* Oh how dreadful!!! To experience the agony of defeat!!! To march toward a losing battle!!! Ugh!!! You have my sympathy dearest mortal!!!

Nico: *squinting at Lassiate, trying to read him with a bemused smile* I mean this in the kindest way, but what are you, amico?

Lassiate: *appearing even more distressed* Ah!!! Acrathia wounds me yet again!!! Failing to speak of the radiant glory that is her older brother!!!

*Shouts to the distance* The more you fail to bring me up to the people you speak to, the more it proves you are living in my shadow, little sister!!!

Acrathia: *Shouting back from the distance* Like hell it does!!!

Lassiate: Oh but it is difficult to describe one as resplendent as I in mere words, bit I shall make the attempt!!! Before you stands the Lord of Dusk and Dawn!!! The Thrice Martyred Protector of the Radiant Peaks!!! He who Illuminates!!! For I am none other than LASSIATE THE PHEONIX KING!!!!!!!! *Multi-colored flames burst behind him and a wild bird cacaws in the distance*

Nico: *nodding approvingly* A good trick, amico. I know a little fire magic, too. *he lights each of his fingers on his unoccupied hand on fire, one by one, and then snuffs them out at once with a flick of his wrist* Did you say you were related to Acrathia? La Duchessa? *ducking his head a little and smirking slyly* Does she talk about me?

Lassiate: *leans in eagerly* Oh?! Smitten with the Dark Mistress of the Sidhe are we?! Sadly no!!! She does not speak to me much when it comes to her potential love affairs!!! But if you would like a bit of advice on wooing her I would be happy to oblige!!! First of all do not approach her expecting a long term relationship. The longest she has stayed in one was a little over three centuries, a blink of an eye for we immortals!!! Secondly she seems to swing back and forth with her taste!!! Sometimes she likes her suitors with empty heads but big hearts, other times she likes them a bit more suave and devious!!! *Looks Nico up and down* judging by your appearance you should swing for the latter!!! Play into her love of magic!!! She loves the Art like few things in all the realms!!! And lastly I shall warn you like I warn all of her potential lovers... Watch out for Imoldra... *pats him on the back*

Nico: *leaning forward also, eager to take in all that Lassiate has to say* I do not care for long relationships either. Remember her love of magic, be, well, me... and... who is this Imoldra person?

Lassiate: Why, Imoldra, The Dread Lord of Beasts!!! Father of the Lycanthropes!!! Her long term companion!!! Remeber the relationship she held down for three centuries?! That was him!!! And they have had many numerous goes at it before that!!! Imoldra would love for nothing more than Acrathia to settle down with him, and be his mate for their eternal lives!!! Acrathia however refuses to be bound to anyone or anything!!! Yet she cannot deny her intense attraction to him!!! Imoldra has reluctantly accepted this, and has even stopped devouring her suitors in more recent years!!! Still it's probably best not to poke the bear too often... If you know what I mean...

Nico: *wincing* Right... maybe I should find someone else to date... Accidenti. *he downs the rest of his drink*

Lassiate: *smirks as he takes a sip of his own drink* I had no intention of discouraging you my good man... just informing you what to be cautious of... Acrathia is good at keeping her lovers away from Imoldra's jaws, and he himself has sworn off of being a maneater... All I am saying is excersize discretion and don't rub the massive Wolf God's nose in it...

Nico: *snickering* I think I’d play dead if I met a Wolf God, whether I was dating La Duchessa or not. Another drink? *he sets about pouring himself another*

Lassiate: *Downs his first glass* Please!!!

Nico: *mixing one for the king, handing it to him, and sitting, apparently loosened up by the last glass* You mentioned we might get up to mischief, Signore?

Lassiate: Patience, my friend!!! The best hijinks come about when completely inebriated!!! I don't even have a buzz yet!!! In the mean time, tell me about this losing battle you are fighting!!!

Nico: Well, Signore, you seem to have experience, so I hand the horse strings to you. *he has a sip of his new drink* That isn't it... cosa... rins? No. *he shakes his head* Comunque, this battle is against a faerie devil. She has cursed my young cousin, and I can do nothing to undo the magic. *he sets his drink aside and fumbles in his pocket for a cigarette*

Lassiate: Ah, Lady Moth has yet another enemy... It is a wonder she has remained afloat for this long, with all that would see her fall... Tell me my friend, is the man who has fallen to her curse none other than Bottom?

Nico: *lighting a cigarette with his thumb* The drunk? No, amico, my little cousin, Nella. She is una ragazza.

Lassiate: *pondering* I see... And this Nella, what is the nature of her curse? And did our good lady state an offense to "justify" its placing?

Nico: *taking a drag and slowly exhaling* She is turning to wood. *bitterly* The devil woman only said that if I told a blue fata about her or where she lives, it would get worse. She holds the curse over our heads.

Lassiate: Have you spoken to the Blue Lady about her? Or does the curse progress regardless, just at a slower pace?

Nico: *taking another drag* It has taken her arm already, but I do not know if it will do more. The devil did not say.

Lassiate: *becoming more amused as an idea formulates in his head.* and how is it you and your little cousin have come to know so much about this infamous faerie?

Nico: *grumbling* She nearly kicked our door down. We knew of the fae before --our family has a history with them-- but she "introduced" herself.

Lassiate: hmmmm.... and such information on her is passed through the generations...

*Claps his hands together excitedly*

I know what hijinks we shall engage in!!! We shall go speak to the faerie devil!!!... I mean Lady Moth!!!

Nico: *blanching* Why?

Lassiate: Why to convince her that cursing your little cousin is unwarranted of course!!! Once she sees my logic she will cry out; "Oh Lassiate!!! Your wisdom is flawless!!! I now see that it was wrong to curse a small child!!!" And I'll say; "My dear it is sometimes difficult to see with out the proper illumination..." Then she'll say; " Oh Lassiate!!! You are so handsome!!!" And I'll reply; "I know..."

Nico: *smirking a little, but not completely without misgivings* And if she doesn't?

Lassiate: *His expression mellows to a smirk* Then we will at least gain a bit more information about the curse she is subject to...

Nico: *he nods* Then I'll need a drink for our journey. *he downs his current drink in one go, then makes a stronger one with a self-deprecating laugh* What do they call it? Courage in a bottle?

Lassiate: *Laughs heartily* Yes!!! Liquid Courage all around!!! * He downs another drink himself* And now let us be off!!! *Magical flames engulf the two of them. Once it subsides they are just outside of Moth's magic barrier. Lassiate looks at the destruction of nature around him* Oh dear! Good thin Imoldra isn't here to see this...*tuns his attention toward the cave* YooHoo!!! Lady Moth!!! LASSIATE THE PHEONIX KING!!!!!! Has come to visit!!! And I brought a guest!!!

Nico: *unaccustomed to such a means of travel, he finds himself nauseous and attempts to steady himself against the cave wall but finds a barrier blocks him from touching it* S-so fast... we are already there?

Mangiafuoco: *steps out of shadowy dim light and into the moonlight with crossed arms* My Mistress was not expecting you. Why do you come... with him? *he nods to Nico, who does his tipsy best to square his shoulders confidently*

Lassiate: *Looks excitedly at Mangiafuoco* Look Nico!!! Its the grouchy whale man!!! *waves up at Mangiafuoco* Hello grouchy whale man!!! *Looks somewhat disappointed* Oh but I was hoping for Lester or Kitty!!! They are both so much more adorable than you!!! ...No offense... Anyway, We have come to discuss the terms of the curse laid upon this man's poor little cousin!!! To see if we could come to some sort of agreement with your mistress!!!

Mangiafuoco: *clenches his mitts at Lassiate's less than flattering description and grits his teeth* I will ask if she will speak to you. *he turns on his heel and stalks into the darkness*

Nico: *stroking his goatee and attempting to sort out an idea through the haze of the booze* Whale man, you said? Do you know how long he has been like that?

Lassiate: Oh I don't know!!! Roughtly around the time Il Paese fell I assume!!! As I understand it the man used to there you know!!!

Nico: *falling silent for a moment* Then the wretched donna isn’t lying.

Moth: “Wretched donna.” I haven’t heard that one in a while. *she nods to Lassiate* Phoenix King. *she turns to Nico* Wretched uomo.

Nico: *visibly grinds his teeth in an effort to curb his tongue*

Lassiate: *Either ignoring or unaware of the tension, embraces Lady Moth in a large hug* Oh my glorious Lady Moth!!!! How have you been?! It has been far to long since we last conversed!!! We must really do so more often!!!

Moth: *stiffens resists the urge to free her arms so she might punch him* A pleasure. What brings you here tonight?

Nico: *squaring his shoulders and planting his feet for a fight* My cousin’s curse.

Moth: *rolling her eyes and prying herself away from Lassiate* Then we have nothing to discuss.

Lassiate: Dearest Lady Moth a conversation is always a good thing!!! Even if one or more parties find it redundant!!! I am here on your behalf just as much as I am here for his!!! And I am not foolish enough to ask you to completely remove such a curse!!! Just to have a conversation about it!!! Please let us in my dear that we dont have to speak in these wretched, blighted woods!!!

Moth: *her eyes flick to Nico and then to Lassiate* We may talk, darling, as long as he stays outside.

Lassiate: *throws his forearm over his forehead in an overly dramatic fashion.* You would ask that I leave my drinking buddy behind?! But we were supposed to engage in HIJINX together!!!

*to Nico* My dear friend will you be alright here on your own while I discuss with Lady Moth the nature of this curse?!