A Stolen Name

Fidget had left a note at the Fernwood for Rune in a sealed letter, inside bearing colourful scrawl that is legible as "Come see me ASAP, re: Thoth and the Stranger, Fae problems.", it was waiting for her when she got back.

Fidget can be found in her shop today, working on a cloak that looks familiar to Rune, one fitted for a derg who has Rune's favour. She has the cloak spread out on a workbench that was set in the middle of the room, pinned along the sides to keep it in place, and she's sprinkling some glittering dust on the fabric in a complex pattern, at first glance it could be glitter, but a closer look reveals it to be some kind of blue gemstone.

Getting a letter left for her at the Fernwood is not uncommon, but the fact that it is from Fidget is a bit more unusual. The topic of the letter, however, is one that is all too familiar to her.

So, it isn't long into the day before Rune appears at the TarRaCe and makes her way towards Fidget's shop. She gives a quick glance around before stepping inside, raising an eyebrow at the sight of Harkashan's cloak. It is no real surprise he would need some item work done, as they had both faced fearsome foes as of late.

"You wanted to talk?" She asks, leaning slightly on the doorway. "Did trouble find you or did you find trouble?" Rune cocks her head slightly, as her last interaction with the Goblin had been to warn her from continuing to stick her nose into Thoth's unusual situation.

"Kind of both, really. I found it, but then it found that I found it, and you know how that goes. Plus - you were there. It was that weird person with the really interesting magic aura. They got mad that I asked them questions. I didn't really do anything after you left but they came back to talk to me. Well - I dunno if 'came back' makes sense if they were in both places at once." The goblin rattles off, getting lost in the minutia of the question. She realizes she's rambling a bit and pauses for a long moment, "Oh yeah, and they stole my name. Fae are rude."

There is a slight raise of one eyebrow as Rune acknowledges that trouble has a way of turning around on people when they least expect it. She opens her mouth as if about to ask something, but then Fidget confirms that she had not followed when initially warned off. The fact that they appeared in two places at once has a furrow forming in the half-elf's brow. "Well, I imagine they had more than their fair share of magic to call upon, if my guess is correct."

And then, as if by fate itself, Fidget confirms Rune's suspicions. "So they are a Fae being... I'd thought as much. Not at first, mind you, but later, when I was trying to get a straight answer out of them in regards to Thoth."

Her lips form into a thin line as she leans against the wall, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'll admit, I had my fair share of warnings about the Fae, long before I had mown trouble with them start up. Don't ever tell them your name, especially if they ask for it. There's turn of phrase to get around it. Never thank them for anything, they'll see it as a debt owed. Never bring cold iron if you want a peaceful discussion." Rune trails off.

"Lots of good warnings for Past Fidget." the goblin says, a mix of teasing and frustration. "Though I can remember the cold iron one for next time I have a chat with that one. I want it to be peaceful right up until the cold iron shivving begins!" she says with a laugh. "So - how do you get out of a bargain with a Fae? He stole my name and I had to make a deal to get it back, it seemed like the claim he made that being without it for long would kill me was plausible. It definitely felt like dying a little."

Fidget fidgets with the cloak on the table, giving it a little touch with a tiny brush to ensure the dust is evenly distributed, then she begins casting a spell - incanting and drawing a glowing sigil in the air above the fabric with her finger, and a gesture sends the glyph sinking into the fabric, the pinpricks of sparkle burning as the magic consumes them into the cloak.

"Does murder work?" She asks, "Though, it would be self-defense, since they did threaten to kill me if I didn't do something for them. So... yeah, if I blow the Fae into little chunks of magical asshole, does that break the deal?"

"I didn't exactly have a lot of opportunity to warn you." Rune replies, raising one eyebrow. "Everything happened kind of quickly." And, by the sound of it, there wasn't even a chance to warn the Goblin of what sort of issues she might be in store for.

"I didn't really suspect that he was a Fey until he started hyper-focusing on names while Thoth and I were talking to him. Enough so that it made me suspicious and refuse to give my own." She explains, "At that point, it seems like it was too late to pass along the warning, I'm afraid."

"The main ways I'm aware of are... to kill the Fey in question. To complete the bargain. Or to force them into a new bargain at their detriment and use it to break the first bargain in the process." Rune folds her arms across her chest, looking thoughtful. "Honestly, I'm not as wise on it as you'd think. I imagine Cor'lana might have better advice for you on it."

That seems to confirm the 'murder' question, "I'd confirm that with Cor'lana before you go off on a murder rampage, though. For all I know, I could be wrong. But... I've been looking to murder a certain Fey that my family is tied up in, too."

"Yeah, well, but..." Fidget growls for a second, baring her goblin razor teeth at the world, and then sighs, "...this is very frustrating. But now that I suspect that murder is the right solution, I can work on a plan for that. They're a little strong to ambush all by myself, I'll need assistance. I figure I can help you out with yours, too, whichever one gets into prime exploding position first."

"The terms of the deal are fairly simple, they expect me to assist Thoth for a year and a day, keeping them safe and helping them locate their memories. I haven't had any chance yet, and I doubt that Thoth is involved themselves. Probably doesn't need murdered. I wonder if there should be a different term for Golems...." she wanders off topic, and starts to work on the cloak again.

"What did your fae do that makes them deserving of being stabbed a bunch?" Fidget asks, idly, while weaving another spell into the fabric, burning up yet more of the sprinkled gem dust with a sparkling glow and a waft of oddly scented smoke.

"I'd be a bit careful. Fey are usually a fair bit harder to kill than you expect, and usually have some kind of tricks up their sleeve." Rune leans a bit against the wall, trying to make sure that she's out of the way and leaving enough space for Fidget to work. "Right now, we don't know enough about this one, or their real intentions. That's what troubles me."

Thoughtful, Rune seems to thumb the edge of her puzzle necklace, a common 'fidget' of her own. "If my suspicions are right, I think Thoth is a tool. A means to something that the Fey wants, but I don't really know /what/ that is. I'm pretty suspect of the memories, too. The Fey wants Thoth to find the memory orbs, which all seem to have to do with their past."

Brows furrowing, Rune explains further, "The problem is, Thoth doesn't remember their creator and master. It seems that this Fey is claiming to /be/ Thoth's creator. I think they might be somehow inserting themselves into those memory orbs in the guise of Thoth's creator. Or otherwise, wearing the 'skin' of Thoth's creator and pretending to be them." With a shake of her head, she seems uncertain.

"I don't know enough about the kind of magic that goes into a memory orb to know if it's something that can be manipulated like that. Whatever the case, with them being a Fey, I have to suspect that this isn't as simple as a kindly immortal looking to help their creation recover their memories."

When the question turns to her and the reason that she wants a specific Fey dead, Rune's expression falters. "It's... complicated." She seems to think of the easiest way to explain it. Eventually, she shakes her head and sighs. "Let's just say it's a family matter for me, but he's also threatening some friends of mine as well." It's obvious she might explain more if further questioned, but it's clearly a complex matter.

"In magic almost anything is possible with enough power and subtlety, and this guy seems to have at least the first one. Probably not the second one, given how much attention they drew to themselves." the goblin grumbles, "So it's definitely possible they've manipulated the memories. All the same, I'll need to be careful until I can figure out how to break this 'deal' without it killing me."

Fidget turns around from her work to give Rune a look, "Do I look like I avoid 'complicated'?" she laughs and turns back to the cloak, "I told you all about my problem, so you could help me - now you tell me all about your problem, so I can help you! Or because I'm curious and nosy. Whichever!"

Though Rune remains uncertain just how much magical interference the Fey being might have on those memory orbs, the possibility is enough to make that uncertainty linger. Biting at her lower lip, the half-sil just shakes her head. "I certainly don't want to see you end up dead, regardless. Seems to me, the constraints of your deal aren't so bad. But... having it done against your will is the larger issue. Especially if the Fey becomes more of a problem."

Brows furrowing, Rune seems to really consider dragging yet another person into her own problems. Eventually, she seems to decide that Fidget has the right of it. "I'll try to explain as well as I can." She reaches for her necklace, rubbing a thumb against the metal. "My mother's spirit is bound to a Fey called the Golden Fate. A Fey who is currently in a bad state because her beloved has been imprisoned. My mother's spirit is caught in a time loop, trying to help her Fey mistress."

Rubbing at the back of her neck, Rune seems a bit concerned about the whole matter. "All except one version of her, who escaped long enough to have me, then die when I was still a child." Turning her eyes to Fidget, there is a deep sorrow there, perhaps more than she is saying, "Apparently, I'm the thing they needed. For me to end the life of the being that is holding the Golden Fate's beloved imprisoned, and free her, so the two can reunite and my mother's spirit can be free. To live again, to die and pass on, I don't really know."

Fidget frowns in thought, "That's remarkably complicated. Though one of the solutions I'm considering might help you, too. If we could Scry on each of these fae - we might get some insight as to what they're up to, and how we can deal with them!" Fidget makes a stab-stab-stab gesture for Rune's benefit. "It'll be a lot easier if we've got anything of theirs, though I may be able to piggyback on the connection you have to your mother, and I have to the asshole who's geas'd me."

"But... I haven't finished researching that spell yet - so it might be a little bit. Soon though!" the goblin adds, "And I'll let you know if I find anything relevant in my studies. I've been asking around, and then I'm going to the library again."