Nettle and Alec wake in the Goddess-protected realm, and quickly get their sparse belongings together. Nettle makes sure all traces of their stay are vanished so that the small glen looks pristine, and then returns to Alec's side. She takes his arm-- and a deep breath-- and nods.
"On to Balador, then, baby." she says with a shaky, slightly-nervous smile.

Alec nods and smiles at her putting an arm around her shoulders. "Right-o, love. Now let me find where we are headin." He says. He digs into his pocket and pulls out a joint. He lights it and takes a drag. "Right now," he says as his mind touches hers. "Open the way baby."

Nettle nods as if in a trance-- perfectly linked to a location in Alec's mind-- and slowly takes a small incense stick and her lighter from her bag. She lights the incense, and then turns her back to Alec and draws a large circle in the air. After a few re-tracings-- linking her knowledge of the ways of distance and location with her ability to travel at will through the umbra-- the smoke stays in a circle-shape, and the space inside the circle shimmers. Alec and Nettle can see an empty subway platform on the other side when the shimmering softens. They seem to have woken up early enough to be just ahead of the morning commuters.
Nettle takes Alec's hand and walks forward confidently. She lifts her leg over the bottom boundary of the circle and steps into the shimmer. The next moment she's standing on the subway platform, and looks behind her to make sure Alec's doing OK.

Alec steps through the portal and closes his eyes. "Got it." he says.
"Train 236 heading to Layola University...get off at University and head to Eisenhower Building, second floor." he says dreamily.
He opens his eyes and shakes his head. He takes a last drag and stamps it out.
"So where did I say it was?"

Nettle raises her eyebrows and laughs, and then quickly grabs a piece of litter-paper from the ground and her liquid eyeliner from her bag. "Train 236...Layola University...Eisenhower Building...2nd floor..." she mumbles as she jots everything down before she gets distracted and forgets. She waves the crumpled-looking paper in the air to dry the writing, and then she hands the paper to Alec.
"This is what you said, honey." she smiles. She looks around the subway station.
"So this is..." Nettle closes her eyes for a moment, as she she replaces her eyeliner in her bag, her fingers stray back into her foci bag and rest on the blue glass globe within.
"Chicago? Balador is in Chicago?" she asks in surprise as she opens her eyes.

Alec lowers his sunglasses and looks around. "So it is," he says. "Hmm last time I was there it was in Denver." he shrugs, "You never know, it moves from place to place." He looks around the train station. "Let's find our train before we miss eh?" He says.
He leads Nettle over to the directory and runs his finger down the plastic map.
"Here it is then, the train to Layola." He takes her hand and the two walk over to the turnstile and Alec digs into his pocket. He pulls out two tokens and plops them in. The turnstile lets them through, and then they walk over to their train and hop on.

Nettle is greatly amused by all of this-- the coincidence of Alec having the right tokens, and the train just happening to be there right when they get there-- but she doesn't say anything.
When they're seated by a large window, she takes Alec's hands in hers and rubs his palms with her fingertips.
"Is there some sort of password you should be telling me about right now, or some kind of ritual that happens when we enter this Balador-place, baby? I'm a little nervous-- you said they let in all kinds of beings, not just Cultists and Satyrs, right?"

Alec smiles as he crosses his legs and folds his arms. "No, love. There's no passwords...but there is a super secret handshake," he says with a smile.
"All Cultists know where Balador is and we are all welcome. When we try to find it, it finds us and helps us get there."
He leans back. "Nice enough-- the train is empty."

Nettle chuckles and sits back, herself-- a little jealous that the Cultists have their own automatic safe-house.
"And you think they'll let us stay there all the way through my pregnancy and some months afterwards?" Nettle suddenly gives a loud laugh. "What a way to welcome our children into the world, eh? Being held and cooed over by drunken orgy-participators! Quite fitting for OUR children! Hmmm...and not too different than my coven, really!" She laughs again and folds her hands over her nearly-flat belly, resting her feet on the seat in front of her and crossing her ankles.

Alec looks at her with an offended look. "Not all of us are drunken louts....just the fun ones," he says. "Balador is a safe house not only for orgies, but to safe-guard certain intellectuals and whatnot. I think you'll like the atmosphere, and it certainly wouldn't be bad for the babies to be born there."

Nettle holds up her hands. "OK, OK! Sorry!" she rolls her eyes good-naturedly. As she glances out the window and sees the wall speeding past the train, she suddenly thinks of Veil and their friends, and sends out a wish that wherever they are they're all right and well on their way to Ireland. She lets out a little worried sigh, but as the train begins to slow, all thoughts of fear are smothered by her nervous excitement at entering Balador.

The train slows to a crawl and then stops. "Layola Merrimount College." The automatic voice overhead rings out.
"We're here," Alec says standing up. He helps Nettle up and out of the train.
The campus is fairly large with several buildings, dorms and a large park.
"Bal has been here before...it's not too bad a college really." he says as he takes her hand and leads her to the Eisenhower building.

Nettle shoulders her bag more firmly, and looks around with curiosity as they walk. She notices flyers for local band-concerts on a bulletin board they pass, and turns to face Alec.
"I hope Jaf and the others will be OK running the store for such a long time without us. Oooh and I hope our parents won't be too pissed that we went off into hiding to have the babies! THAT will be fun to explain away!" She shakes her head and blows a piece of hair out of her face.

Alec shrugs, "My parents disappear for years on end all the time," he says. He stops and looks up at the building. "Here we are then," he says. He leads Nettle up the stairs and through the door. He glances down both hallways. Sure that no one is watching he walks up to a wall and lays his hand upon it.
The wall suddenly dematerializes into a large red velvet door.
"After you, love."

Nettle blinks in astonishment. After a few seconds she regains her composure. "Oh no, Mr. Gideon! After you! I insist!" she says, trying to use bravado to mask her nervousness. "No way is my little Verbena-ass going to walk right into Balador unless it's after a Cultist who can explain what I'm doing there!" She pushes Alec ahead of her a step and keeps her hand on his back.

Alec shrugs, "Right o love." he says. He walks up to the portal and then through it.
"Come on love!" Nettle hears him say.

Nettle hurries after Alec-- eyes wide open. She finds herself standing in a huge antechamber with two staircases on either side of her. The dloor is dressed in red carpeting as well as the walls in crushed red velvet. A huge chandelier illuminates the place. The railing on the stairway is a rich mahogany polished to a fine shine. A tall bald man in a tuxedo walks up to them both.
"Gideon party I assume?" he says.
Alec gives him the peace frog and smiles, "Smooth and easy, me old china."
"Very good sir, your suite is this way..."

Nettle blinks at Alec in astonishment, and then hastily takes his arm as they follow after the man. "Alec! They were expecting us? And we have a suite??" she whispers, and then silently chastises herself for neglecting their mind-link. She shifts the conversation to a mental-medium.
"This is totally not what I was expecting! I always pictured this massive room filled with naked writhing bodies that we'd have to step over to get anywhere!"

"That's the next room over," he says with a wink. They follow the butler for a bit upstairs until he finally reaches their suite.
"Here you are sir, there are fresh towels in the bathroom and clothes in the closet. Dinner will be prepared at your convenience and, of course, for you as well, madam, we have a large selection of food and drink for any late night cravings." he says. "If you need any assitance, do not hesitate to call me, sir. Please enjoy yourselves," he says handing Alec a key and then handing Nettle one. He bows and stalks off.

"Right, there Jameson," he says. He unlocks the door and smiles at Nettle. "The lap of luxury eh?" He says as he walks in.

Nettle's mouth is hanging open and her eyes are wide. She stares after the butler for a moment, and then follows Alec into their suite and he closes the door behind them.
"He knew I was pregnant! Oh this is too much!" she murmurs in amazement. She wanders around the suite, exclaiming at everything, and then hurries into the bathroom. Alec hears a loud, echoing cry of excitement, and then Nettle hurries back out.
"Jacuzzi-tub, Alec!! And what an immense bathroom! Goddess! What if we just never go back??" she laughs. She looks all around the room like a kid in a candy-store. "What to do first??"
She spots the wardrobe and runs over to it while biting her bottom lip with anticipation. She throws open the doors, and the closet is filled with gorgeous outfits-- things she'd seen in catalogues, boutiques, or on the internet and just hadn't gotten around to buying or ordering!
"Alec!" she says in a breathy voice. "Look at all of this!"

"Marriannah has great taste doesn't she?" He says. He opens his chifaroh and smiles, "Spot on, Jameson, spot on." he says running through some of the clothes. He looks down at his own clothes and makes a distainful face.
"I think I'm going to hit the shower first and then the jacuzzi while we have some supper eh?" He begins to unbutton his shirt and then smiles over at Nettle. "So was Balador a good idea or am I the only one enjoying all this?"

Nettle smacks his arm with a smile. "Oh be nice, Alec!" She follows him towards the spacious bathroom while he slowly makes a trail of clothing as he undresses, and then she decides a shower sounds like a great idea after roughing it for who knows HOW long on that insane journey through the Umbras! She quickly starts undressing, as well-- excited for the shower, the jacuzzi, the food, the new clothes, and the prospect of exploring this place!
They enter the bathroom, and Nettle starts the jacuzzi-water and adds a lot of bubbles while Alec starts the shower. Nettle gets up and walks over to Alec and runs her hands up over his chest and shoulders with a smile.
"Are you telling me someone's going to deliver food while we're sitting in the jacuzzi?" she grins.

Alec smiles through the soap on his face. He touches her nose getting soap on it. "Right they will. Don't worry, all the help are so used to nudity it doesn't faze them in the least." He says. "Besides, Jameson is about as old as Balador itself."
He hands her the soap and smiles, "Want me to wash your front??"

Nettle laughs a throaty laugh. "Just the front? Oh Alec! You're not losing your touch already, are you?" she winks. She leans back against the shower wall and starts twisting her hair up with her arms over her head, fastening her long, platinum hair into place. She gives him a look while arranging her hair.
"Soap me up, lover!" she grins, arching her back.

After the shower....

Alec leans back in the jacuzzi and sighs. "Now this is much better than trekking through the Umbra, wouldn't you say love?" He says.

Nettle grins, squatting on the floor near Alec and putting some CDs into a 5-CD carousel portable stereo she'd discovered when they came out of the shower. "MUCH better, baby! MUCH better!" She sighs contentedly as she gazes at the cover of "More ABBA Gold" before opening it and taking out the case.

The door opens and Jameson walks in pushing a very large cart.
"Mr. Gideon," he says with a nod. "Mrs. Gideon," he says with another nod. He pushes the cart towards the jacuzzi. "I do hope you found your room in order?" He says. He takes the lids off the appetizers and sets them down on the lip of the jacuzzi. "Dinner is served. A seven-course meal as you requested," he says. He looks over to Nettle.
"I also took the liberty, Ms, and added a few commonly craved foods to the bottom of the cart in case you required them."

Nettle lets out a little yip when Jameson suddenly enters the room, and quickly flips around to sit on the floor with her knees tucked up to her chest-- the ABBA CD flying out of her fingers to slide across the floor.
She gives Jameson a sheepish smile, and slowly unclenches her legs.
"Sorry, Jameson. I think I've been in polite society a little too long!" she blushes. "Everything is amazing-- thank you so much for your consideration to my...condition!" She offers Jameson a beaming smile.

Alec chuckles and shakes his head. "She's a little jumpy," he says.
Jameson raises an eyebrow at Alec and then looks to Nettle. "Of course, Ms. It would not do to have your condition to go unnoticed nor uncared for." He says. He walks to the door and turns around.
"If I may say so, Ms, the staff are all very excited about your up coming birth. Mrs. Spiffle on the second floor is all a twitter about it." He turns back around and closes the door behind him.

Alec looks over at Nettle, "Musn't disappoint Mrs. Spiffle on the second floor now can we?"

Nettle's back to having her mouth hanging wide open in astonishment. She shifts her eyes over to look at Alec.
"Holy SHIT, Alec!! Everyone here knows I'm pregnant?? And they're all very excited about it?? Wow! Why do you think they're so excited? And who's Mrs. Spiffle? Oh-- and who is Marriannah?" she asks with a raised eyebrow. She crawls over to retrieve the chucked C.D., and then crawls back and puts it in the C.D. carousel. Taking the remote control, she slides into the jacuzzi with a sigh of pleasure and wades over to inspect the food curiously while clicking Play on the remote. The Heathen Chemistry album by Oasis starts to play.

Alec laughs, "I have no idea who Mrs. Spiffle on the second floor is." He takes a sip of his drink and then a bite of the appetizer. "And Marriannah runs Balador." He says.
"They are probably excited about it since they rarely see anyone born here, eh?" He says.

"Aah-- good point!" Nettle nods, sniffing her drink to make sure there's no alcohol in it, and then drinking. She suddenly realizes she's very, very hungry, and starts digging into the appetizers.
"Marriannah runs Balador? Will we get to meet her? Has she run it for a long time, or do they choose and train successors every so often?" Nettle pauses just long enough to ask that before going back to eating.

Alec gulps down his food and takes another drink. "She's been here since the seventies," he says. "I've met her a few times. Nice lady...very unassuming. You wouldn't even know she's the leader of the Cultists." he says. "The last person to run Balador was..." he says looking up. He shrugs. "I have no idea...I've only been here since she took over."

Nettle nods, swallowing her mouthful of food. "Mmmm-- this is exquisite, Alec! What a place to spend a pregnancy in! Do you think they have masseuses?" she asks hopefully. She peeks in the bottom shelf of the cart to see chilled ice cream in a silver bowl, a little syrrup-pourer filled with hot fudge, another bowl full of Cheetos, another bowl laden with pickle-spears...Nettle's eyes get big and she drops the jalapeno & cheese appetizer she was nibbling on and starts unloading the bottom shelf so all the silver bowls are resting near the lip of the jacuzzi.
"Mmmmmm...perfect! Just perfect!" she cries through a mouthful of Cheetos while reaching for the hot fudge.

"I'm sure they do," he says. "But watch out, some of them are expecting a bit more than a massage."
He picks up his pack of cloves and lights one. "Ahh much better..." He says. He lays the clove down on the ash tray and reaches under the water to tickle Nettle's feet.

Nettle takes a bite of a pickle spear, chews, and then follows that with a mouthful of hot fudge sundae. She laughs and moves her feet quickly away from Alec when he tickles her, and then grabs the bowl of Cheetos, puts one pickle on top, and wades over to sit beside Alec, resting her head on his shoulder. She sighs and picks up the pickle, taking a little bite and closing her eyes.
"All my cravings appeased in the space of an hour-- what a glorious place this Balador is..." she murmurs, relaxing for the first time in months.

Alec smiles and kisses the top of her head. "No more using that goddess, like you did back in the Umbra?" He says. "I rather liked her. She'd be...interesting." he says with a grin.

Nettle lifts her head from Alec's shoulder and fixes an incredulous look on him.
"Cerridwen?? Oh Alec!" she cries, splashing water at him and then hmphing and sitting with her back to him. After a second she forgets she's mad when she takes another bite of the delicious pickle, and rests her back against Alec and gets comfortable while reaching for more Cheetos.

Suddenly the door opens and an plump older lady wearing a maids uniform and several younger maids walk in.
"Oh look at ye, all peaceful an motherly like yeh?" She says. "You must be tired from your travels, dearie yeh? Come along," she says clapping her hands. "We'll get you a rub down and get you down to the infirmary to take a look at the wee babes." she says to Nettle.

"You must be Mrs. Spiffle," Alec says.

"From the second floor, Mr. Gideon. Now if you'd be a dear and help Mrs. Gideon get attired for her rub down yeh?"

Nettle sits up quickly and puts the bowl down on the floor, dusting the cheese-power off her hands.
"Rub-down? Oh, I'm all for that!" she laughs. She quickly takes a long swallow of her drink, and then stands, holding her arms out.
"My robe, if you please, Alec-love?" she says in her best imperious voice with a gleam in her eye.
'I could get used to this!' she thinks with a little mental-giggle.

Alec raises his eyebrows at her and then reaches over and grabs her robe. He stands and puts it on her and then sits back down into the jacuzzi.

"Fine and fine," Mrs. Spiffle says. "Now come with me, dearie. We'll get ye all ready for yer little babes yeh?" she says.
The other maids push in a wheel chair and stand waiting for Nettle to sit.
"If'n ye'd sit, dearie, we'll head straightaway!" she says. She turns to Alec.
"Now'd if ye'd be a good lad and rest here and no funny business!" she says shaking a finger at Alec.

Nettle laughs and steps out of the jacuzzi-- careful not to trail the hem of the robe in the water-- and then looks at the wheelchair and raises her eyebrows at Mrs. Spiffle for a split second before quickly sitting down. Better not to argue with this women!
When she hears the comment about 'no funny business,' she quickly gives Alec a look of alarm.
"That's right...no funny business..." she calls over her shoulder in a worried tone as she's wheeled away.

Alec shakes his head and sinks back into the water.

Mrs. Spiffle wheels her out of the room and down the hallway.
"Why the moment I heard ye were here dearie, I made sure that I'd be the one to take care of ye." She says turning a corner. A man stands there leaning against a wall talking to a younger woman. The two horns on his head gleam dimly in the light as he smiles at Nettle and raises his glass as she goes by.
"Ne'er you mind Lech!" she shouts hover her shoulder. "Men they're all the same aren't they dearie?"
Another turn, and Nettle finds herself looking into a man's kneecap.
"Aha! So here she is!" The huge man says. He bends down to look at Nettle. Suddenly she can smell grapes and wine and cake, pastries, popcorn, potato chips...
"Now you leave her be, Life. She's in condition doncha know." Mrs Spiffle says.
"I do, Mrs Spiffle. Go ahead, Nettle, enjoy yourself, we'll have to talk another time then!" he says shouting after her.

Nettle looks all around her with wonder as they quickly pass all these people...er...spirits and people. When she hears Mrs. Spiffle address the last one as Life, she quickly turns and calls, "Of course!" as she's wheeled away. Then she glances back at Mrs. Spiffle.
"Mrs. Spiffle...what exactly were those two men? Lech and Life? They're closer to being spirits, aren't they." she states in a questioning tone.

"Why they are dearie! That first one was Lecherous, and the other was Life Of The Party! We have all sorts of visitors here," she says. "Some of them have even been waiting around here for ye, yeh?"
She turns another corner to the entrance to the spa. There are several naked men and women here, all sitting in or by a small pool. A bronze-skinned man with blond hair walks towards them.
"Hi...are you here for a massage?" he says.
"Yeh she is, and not by ye! She wants just a massage nothin more, isn't that right, dearie!"

Nettle gulps with fear when she thinks this man is the one who's going to give her her massage, and then relaxes when Mrs. Spiffle says he's not.
'Goddess, but I've come a long way since falling in love with Alec!' she thinks to herself. 'I'm definitely cured of all other men! That's for sure!'
She nods quickly at Mrs. Spiffle's prompting. "That's right!" she says a little too quickly, and then offers the man a charming smile so he won't be hurt by her emphatic rejection. "It's for the babies!" she explains in a hushed tone, patting her barely-rounding stomach.

"Of course it is," he says with a winning smile. The people at the pool all look over and smile and wave as Mrs. Spiffle wheels her into one of the massage bays.
"An here we are dearie. Now ye just get ready and onto that table, while I get yer masseuse." she says as she turns and leaves the bay.

Nettle has another momentary apprehension at the idea of disrobing when she doesn't know who's going to be her masseuse, and suddenly wishes Alec were there with her, but doesn't want to disobey Mrs. Spiffle! She quickly gets out of the wheelchair, drops her robe onto the seat, grabs one of the towels from a stack nearby, lays carefully on her stomach on the table, and then awkwardly tries to throw the towel over her backside-- just in case that tan muscle-guy suddenly appears! She shifts her eyes around the room and taps her fingertips on the table, and a dreamy smile slides onto her face as she feels the two lifeforces, healthy and strong, within her.

A tallish woman walks in and closes the curtain. "Mrs. Gideon, I'll be your masseuse today." she says. She takes one of the lotion bottles and pours some on Nettle's back.
"So how is Mr. Gideon these days?"

Nettle relaxes when she sees her masseuse, and lays her head down on her arms.
"He's wonderful-- um...I'm sorry, what's your name?" she calls a little muffledly. "Do you know Alec, then?"

"That he is, that he is." she says with a chuckle. "Are you excited for the babies? Do you have names for them?"

Nettle wonders if she mis-heard the woman! Did she just say...say that Alec is wonderful?? Suddenly her state of relaxation disappears and she's all knots of tension.
"Er...umm...yes...we do...wait-- how does everyone know about this? Not only that I'm pregnant, but pregnant with twins?" she asks a little crossly, starting to suspect that this woman has slept with Alec.

"Balador knows everything the moment you walk through the door about your health. It's a way of...making sure no one overtaxes themselves. Now relax, and enjoy the massage." she says rubbing more oil on her back.
"We miss Alec here, very much. The last time he was here he thought he was going to be executed. Silly boy." she says.

Nettle suddenly feels sick to her stomach and lifts her head up with a jerk.
"WHAT??" she cries. "Why?? What happened??" She flashes back to that week she was without Alec because he had to return to Balador and warned her that he might not return, and suddenly anguish pours through her as she also remembers her failed half-assed suicide-attempt, prevented by Tania and Jacob. She clenches her hands into fists, sick with worry. WERE they safe here, then??

"Oh the poor boy. He did something by accident and thought the Cultists were going to kill him for it. We all knew what happened, he was in no danger." she says soothingly. "Relax, Mrs. Gideon. You and Alec and your babes could find no safer place than Balador. There are no politics here. No scheming, no enemies in the shadows. Balador is peaceful, a place of refuge from the world outside. Not even the Technocracy dares Balador."

Nettle slowly enclenches her fists and lays her head back down, but a tear slides down her cheek. She rests her face on her arms and nods quickly so the woman won't see her tears. She does feel herself relax a little at the wise tone of the woman's voice and the words she speaks.
"I'm sorry-- I just remember what a horrible week that was." Nettle explains, her voice muffled by her arms again. "You don't know what a relief it is to be someplace as safe as you say."
Nettle falls silent for a moment as the woman begins to knead her muscles. She lets out an unintentionally loud moan, and then laughs silently to herself.

She laughs and smiles, "Oh I understand, Mrs. Gideon. I understand perfectly. I, too, have been hunted and persecuted. I fled before the Technocracy, and the Others, and now here, I am safe." She continues to knead her muscles. "How is Mrs. Spiffle treating you? She can be a bit much at times."

Nettle finds herself liking this woman against her will-- she wanted to resent her! But she can't fault her, really, can she? She and Alec both spread themselves around before committing to one another, leaving behind lists of satisfied lovers...
Nettle turns her head to the side so her voice won't be so muffled. "I love how she's taken such charge of my health and needs! I've been so worried at all the risks I've exposed my babies to-- it's good to be mothered and sheltered for a change!" Nettle gives a little laugh. "I may not be saying that in a few weeks, from the look on your face!"

She laughs and nods, "Believe it or not, Mrs. Spiffle and Jameson are the oldest ones here in Balador. They've been here since...well forever, I assume. I cannot remember a time when they were not."
She kneads out a few more muscles and then moves down to her legs.
"Your babes were in no risk, Mrs. Gideon. You've had a few fae watching you the entire time."

Nettle glances back at the woman for a moment before sinking back into the table. "Have I? And was one a foul-mouthed cab driver...one a rabbit-looking guy...one a tall, thin, androgenous-looking man?" she asks with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile. "Are they here, then? Mrs. Spiffle was hinting that someone or someones were here waiting for us!" Nettle gives a little chuckle.

"Oh no," she says. "Cabbie and his crew are not here." She says. She smiles gently down at Nettle. "No, all of Balador has been waiting for you...for a very long time. I'm sure Cabbie told both of you all about the prophecy?"

Nettle's head pops back up and she looks back again at the masseuse. "I didn't know it was important to all of Balador! Why is that?" She looks down and holds the necklace up, the large moonstone resting gently in the palm of her hand. "I've heard the prophesy from Cabbie and his friends...is there more I should know?" she asks in an awed voice.

"Probably, but I'll let them tell you when you leave." she says. "Balador and the fae have always had good relations with each other. Our magics are very closely tied together." she says.
"So how are the Verbena these days?"

Nettle smiles and lays back down again-- starting to feel like a jack-in-the-box with all the rising up and relaxing back down she's been doing!
"Times have become much more accepting-- even in Salt Lake City! We're free to hold our ceremonies in public places if we wish instead of hidden away in the mountains, but the place we created in the mountains is so embued with quintessence and power now-- not to mention that we do need our privacy since we work sky-clad-- so we continue to use the same places. Still, the city is plagued by smog and inversion, and constuction turns more and more of the wild plains into concrete jungles for call centers, so the concessions we've won seem to be bought at a high price." Nettle sighs sadly and tries to relax, realizing she's probably creating more and more work for the masseuse by letting things stress her out so easily.

She nods and continues the massage. "Things will grow again, Mrs. Gideon. Things will grow again." she says. She continues on in silence and then finally puts the oil away and bends over to speak to Nettle. "All done Mrs. Gideon."

Nettle's eyelids flutter open and she lets out a yawn and stretches. "I think I went unconscious there, it was so good!" Nettle gives a self-conscious laugh and pushes herself upright on shaking arms. She slides into a sitting position and blinks, trying to get her barrings. "Can I have another one of those tomorrow?" she asks in a drunken-sounding groggy voice with a lazy smile.

She smiles at her and nods, "Of course, Mrs. Gideon. Come down when you are ready," she says. She walks over to the curtain and walks out of the bay as Mrs. Spiffle comes in.
"Hello, dearie. Did you have a good massage, yeh?"

Nettle looks up blearily at Mrs. Spiffle with a lop-sided grin on her face. "Yes. Yes I did." she mumbles and laughs. "I've already made an appointment to come back tomorrow!" She looks down and pats her stomach lovingly. "Mama's one high-strung woman! You two probably want me under constant massage so you can relax, too!" she coos.

"That's good dearie. Talking to them helps them calm down...and it also makes them brighter," she says. "Now to the infirmary," she says wheeling her out of the bay and down the hall again.

An hour later...

"A clean bill o health, dearie. That's always good to know, yeh?" Mrs. Spiffle says as she wheels Nettle down to their suite. "Do ye have names yet?"

Nettle exhales in relief. "Yes it IS a relief, Mrs. Spiffle! That was my first official check-up and I'm 3 months along!" She glances up at Mrs. Spiffle and laughs. "Everyone wants to know their names! Yes, we have names-- almost completely picked out, anyhow! Our son will be Ian Aleczander-- Alec wanted to name him Zander, so we came to a compromise!" Nettle grins with a glint in her eye. "Our daughter will be named Simone, but she doesn't have a middle name yet because Alec won't let me call her Simone Rainbow, so we've come to a stalemate on that one!" Nettle gives a laugh. "Hey-- I was raised by pot-smoking hippies, and my given name means "rainbow," so why can't *I* have a little Rainbow?" Nettle pretends to pout.

"Oh I think Rainbow is a fine name, yeh! However dearie, you must consider the wee ones and how they'll feel about their names yeh?" she says.
Reaching their suite, Mrs. Spiffle opens the door and wheels Nettle in to find Alec on the bed in his robe out like a light.
"Aww look at im. So sweet when they're asleep aren't they dear."

Nettle covers her mouth and laughs. "Yes they are! He looks as relaxed as I feel!" Nettle turns around in her wheelchair to face Mrs. Spiffle.
"Thank you so much for everything, Mrs. Spiffle-- you and Jameson, both. It's been a nerve-wracking few months, and I finally feel safe and am calming down-- and that's a lot to say for me!"
Nettle stands, pauses for a moment, and then suddenly turns and hugs Mrs. Spiffle. She's never really had a motherly mother-figure in her life until now-- her own mother stoned most of the time- and this being her first pregnancy...AND twins...and PROPHESY-babies...it's just what she needs.

"Oh my...well," she says as she hugs her back. "Now ye get some sleep, Mrs. Gideon. Ye've had a long day of travel and rest is good for the babes yeh?" She says turning down the bed. She tucks Nettle in and folds her hands. "Goodnight dearie, and don't worry yer pretty little head over anythin. All of Balador is watching and protecting."

Nettle smiles with teary eyes, feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone and everything! She doesn't trust her voice, so she just nods and lets her eyes convey her thanks. Suddenly she finds that she, too, cannot stay awake any longer, and curls up behind Alec, holding him. She doesn't notice Mrs. Spiffle turn out the lights and wheel the chair from the room while closing the door behind her because she's out like a light the moment her arm falls across Alec's side.

The next morning...or night...aaw who can tell with no windows??

Nettle opens her eyes, her body feeling very heavy and pleasant with the sensation of just having emerged from deep sleep. She blinks slowly, finding her arm still slung over the top of Alec. Neither of them stirred at all during their sleep-- they must have both been more exhausted than they thought! Nettle pulls herself even closer to Alec and kisses the side of his neck slowly and repeatedly.
"Alec...wake up, baby..." she murmurs soothingly between kisses.

Alec's eyes flutter open and he stretches. "Mmm mornin baby. How'd you sleep." he asks.
He rolls over to lay his head on her chest. "So do you have any appointments with Mrs. Spiffle from the second floor today?"

Nettle grins and strokes Alec's hair. "Not that I know of...yet! Very possibly...everyone is very concerned with my care so the babies will be healthy! It's crazy, Alec!"

"It's like a circus, love. Usually the staff leave you be long enough to do your own thing." He says. "So baby....how are you liking all this then? It treating you well?"

Nettle laughs loudly. "Ooooh yeah! I'm loving every moment of it so far! I'm so pampered and content! I can't wait to meet people! Maybe not get to know them intimately..." Nettle smirks, "...but I'd like a tour of this place! You have anything planned for me today, baby?"

"Sure I can give you a tour, baby. That'd be fun." He stretches again and leans on his arm. "I'll give you the grand tour...skipping a few rooms of course."
He sits up and leans against the headboard. "Hungry?"

Nettle grins and slides up to a sitting-position, as well. "Of course, handsome! What-- are you gonna clap your hands and Jameson will suddenly appear with breakfast?" she smirks, glancing towards the door.

The door opens and Jameson walks in pushing a cart.
"Good morning, Mr. Gideon, Mrs. Gideon." He says. He pushes the cart over to the bed and lays a huge tray on their laps.
"Today we have an assortment of crepes, toast with your choice of marmalades and jams. French toast, freshly squeezed orange juice and of course milk." he says handing out the plates. He walks back over to the door and turns.
"Oh and Mrs. Gideon, Mrs. Spiffle from the second floor will be here within the hour." He turns and walks out of the room and closes the door.

Nettle stares from the door to Alec and then bursts out laughing. "Now how much more perfect could that have been??" She looks over everything with eager eyes. "Oh this is just wonderful..." she murmurs, finding a fork and knife. She cuts a piece of crepe and pops it into her mouth, chewing contentedly.
"I wonder what Mrs. Spiffle wants with me today! You promise you'll come, too, Alec?" she asks, shifting her eyes over to him for a moment.

"Of course baby! I want to see this masseuse who you talked about last night." He says. He takes a bit of toast and covers it in jam and takes a bite. "You know," he says taking a bit of the jam and touching her nose with it.

Nettle wrinkles her nose and narrows her eyes at Alec good-naturedly. "I'm sure you've already seen her, you rotten bastard," she mutters good-naturedly. "Now lick that jam off!" she grins, leaning her face towards him.

Alec leans forward and licks off the jam. "Now baby you have to relax about that. How many time in Salt Lake did we go to this place or that where we met one of your ex's?"

Nettle purses her lips. "I know, I know...but I still don't have to like it! That masseuse had a look in her eye..." Nettle sighs and blows through her lips in frustration. "Besides, you didn't exactly give my ex's a warm welcome when you met them, now DID you!" she smirks.

Alec shrugs and bites into his toast. "I--"
The door opens and Mrs. Spiffle walks in pushing the wheelchair.
"Good morning, dearie. I hope ye had a good night's rest yeh?" she asks.
"Good mornin to ye Mr. Gideon."

"Good morning Mrs. Spiffle, off to the masseuse? I was thinking of joining Mrs. Gideon today if--" Alec starts.

"Sorry, Mr. Gideon. Ladies-only-day at the spa, don't you know," she says fluffing one of Nettle's pillows.

Nettle's eyes open in surprise when Mrs. Spiffle enters. She glances around for a clock but doesn't see one. 'That wasn't an hour!' she thinks to herself, looking at all the uneaten food regretfully.
Then she feels her stomach clench when Mrs. Spiffle says Alec can't come with them.
"Ladies only today?? But what will Alec do? I asked him to come with me!" Nettle cries, a note of worry in her voice.

"Don't worry about it dearie. Mr. Gideon can amuse himself for a time while yer at yer appointment. Now chop chop, time to get going," she says patting the wheelchair.

Alec looks at Nettle and shrugs. "I'll take a nap while you're gone love. When you get back we'll take that tour."

Nettle lowers her eysbrows in concern. "A nap? But you just woke up!" She glances from the wheelchair to Mrs. Spiffle and back to Alec again.
"Just...don't let anyone in...OK?" she asks, sliding out of bed and realizing she's naked.
"Should I get dressed?" she asks Mrs. Spiffle while reaching for her robe layed neatly over a chair.

"No dearie, just your robe, of course." she says.

"You're right. I'll take a shower and get dressed. By the time you're done I'll be done and we'll take the tour," he says getting out of bed naked.

Nettle lets her eyes wander over Alec's body as she slowly gets into her robe, a smirk turning up the corner of her mouth.
"Are you sure ladies-only, Mrs. Spiffle?" she asks a little absent-mindedly, and then when she sees Mrs. Spiffle's face she gives a little laugh.
"OK, Alec, that sounds like a wonderful idea! I'll see you soon then!" She traipses over to Alec's side, gives him a kiss and a pat on the rear, and then traipses over to the wheelchair and sits down with an innocent look on her face-- the very picture of serene motherhood.

Mrs. Spiffle wheels her out of the room and closes the door.
"They're all the same aren't they dearie?"

Nettle laughs. "Probably in the way you're meaning, they are, but in the ways that count-- some are much better than others!" she grins, winking.

"Oh yer a right one aren't ye?" She says laughing. "Aye some men are better between the legs than others." she says.

Nettle lets out a shriek of laughter and covers her mouth, her cheeks pinkening uncharacteristically.

Mrs. spiffle laughs and smiles down at her. "Oh yes there's a Mr. Spiffle and he is quite good at what he does...when he gets around to it that is."

Nettle lets out another burst of laughter. "Well I'm very glad to hear that, Mrs. Spiffle! I'm sorry to hear he's been neglecting his husbandly duties, however!" Nettle grins up at her, and suddenly an image of Mrs. Spiffle laying beneath an older man crying, 'Aye, dearie, that's the way, yeah!' fills her head, and she has to bite her lip HARD to keep from bursting into more laughter!

Mrs. Spiffle takes a few turns and finally arrives at the spa. She wheels Nettle into on the the bay and closes the curtain.
"OK dearie enjoy yer massage. I'll return when yer done yeh."

Nettle nods, getting out of the wheelchair and sitting on the edge of the table. "Am I to have a massage every day, then?" she asks, wondering for a split second if it will ever get old. 'NAAH!' she thinks to herself gleefully.

"Oh I don't think so...it was only because yer so knotted up dearie!" she says. She opens the curtain and then closes it behind her leaving Nettle alone for a moment.

Nettle raises her eyebrows in surprise as the curtain falls closed behind Mrs. Spiffle.
'I suppose they can detect someone's who's high-strung in an instant here!' she thinks to herself wryly. She sits, considering this for a moment, and then takes off her robe and lays on her stomach on the table-- this time not bothering to throw a towel over her backside. She closes her eyes and waits for her masseuse.
'Hello little ones! How are you this morning?' she thinks to her twins. She can't wait until she can feel them move and kick inside of her! As it is she's such a nervous wreck about their health that she's constantly Life-scanning!

The masseuse walks in and smiles at her. "Hello Mrs. Gideon. How are you feeling today?" she says as she pours lotions on Nettle's back.

Nettle turns her head so she can see the masseuse, and gives her a smile. "I'm doing very well! I haven't slept that deeply in...well...EVER! How are things with you?" she asks cheerfully.

"Well, as always, Mrs. Gideon." she says. She begins to massage her shoulders and back. "I thought Mr. Gideon would be here today. Did Mrs. Spiffle tell him no?" she asks.

Nettle looks at the masseuse in surprise. "She told us it was ladies-only-day at the spa! Alec was all set to accompany me, too!" Nettle looks a little perplexed. "I wonder why Mrs. Spiffle said that..." she muses in a soft voice.

"I don't know, dear. Mrs. Spiffle is a funny sort." she says. She begins kneading the muscles in her back. "Ladies-only-day...we haven't done that in a long time."

Nettle lowers her eyebrows in confusion, but then settles her chin back on her folded arms and closes her eyes. "It would have been nice to have him here, in any case, although I don't think he would have been able to behave with the nakedness and massaging going on!" she chuckles in a contented-sounding voice.

She laughs, "Oh yes." she says. She continues to knead her muscles and then moves down to her lower back. "I notice all these scars you have, Mrs. Gideon. Self-induced I take it?"

Nettle's eye blink open in surprise, and she glances over her shoulder. "OH...those!" Nettle grins and blushes a little. "I'd forgotten to fix those because I don't see my back that often. Yes, back before I met Alec I was very active in the S&M community. I was the main one who everyone took turns inflicting pain upon with their experienced hands...VERY experienced hands..." Nettle's eyes half-close as she relishes some dusty memories. "Alec despises causing me pain, and so that part of my life has faded into the past." she sighs, not meaning to sound as disappointed as the tone of her voice conveyed.

"We do have a few pain fetish rooms here in Balador if you wish." she says. "But it would not be a good idea for the babes perhaps."
"These babies-- were they your idea, or just something that happened?"

Nettle looks intrigued at the mention of the fetish rooms, but then quickly nods when the masseuse suggests it might not be a good idea in her condition.
At the last question, Nettle's eyebrows raise. "Hmmm...that's a good question..." She thinks for a moment. "Ever since our honeymoon we've been trailed by this group of Fae who wanted Alec to get me pregnant as soon as possible, so I suppose it was a planted idea!" she chuckles. "But we did wait until our business was doing really well and we were ready, so the answer is, a little of both. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," she says. She begins to knead the muscles of her lower back and then puts on more lotion.
"At your chantry, are there other children? Someone for them to play with?" she asks.

Nettle's really starting to wonder why this woman has so many detailed questions! Maybe she's just good at making polite small-talk with her clients.
Nettle thinks back to her sister-clones and Sarah and smiles.
"Yes there are, as a matter of fact! 7 little girls! 6 of them are about 5 years old, and one is about 3 but talks like she's 6!" Nettle grins as she thinks about Sarah fondly.

"It's always nice to have playmates when you have a child-- or two, in your case." she says. She moves down to her legs and begins to massage the muscles there. "You really must relax Mrs. Gideon. You have far too much tension for someone who is to live in Balador for awhile."

Nettle sighs. "I know, I know...people have told me that all my life! Well...not the Balador-part, of course!" she grins. "I get stressed-out really easily. The fact that my son is a child of prophesy doesn't help! They say when he...I don't know...becomes a Fae, or however it happens, that he'll have to leave us. I was told that usually happens around 13 or 14 or so, so not only am I stressed-out about my pregnancy going well, I'm stressed-out about him leaving so young!! And what does that mean? That we'll be parted forever??" Nettle frowns. "I've decided that I'm going with him as far as I can. That's why my study into the realm of Spirit is so important to me now."
Nettle wonders why she's telling a near-stranger about all of this, other than it feels good to get her fears off her chest.

The masseuse smiles and continues to rub, "Perhaps it will be his time, dear, and not yours to help save the world. We all have our time our places our things to do. If we interfere with others times and places, terrible things can happen."

Nettle closes her eyes and puts her face down on her arms again to hide her eyes. "I know...but I still want to go as far as I can with him-- even if it's only as far as Wales. I have such turmoil! Should I hold back some of my heart from getting too attached to him, knowing he has to leave? Or should I love him with complete openness, knowing it will end in pain??" Nettle suddenly realizes she's dumping a lot of emotional AND physical baggage into the hands of this woman.
"Sorry! Listen to me go on and on! Blah-blah-blah, right?" she gives a bitter laugh. "Nothing's ever easy with our sort, is it!"

"No one knows everything as it is laid out before them. They just know what they must do." she says. "So tell me about this child who is three yet talks as if she is six."

Nettle gives a relieved laugh, glad to leave this topic for the time being.
"Sarah? She's definitely a special child! Her mother is one of my best friends, and said Sarah's been chosen by the Green Lady-- I think that's a Voodoo diety. Sarah has powers beyond comprehending for someone of her age. I think she was born Awakened! Have you ever heard of anyone like that before?" Nettle asks, amazement clearly in her voice.

The hands stop and then continue, "No...no not at all. She must be a special child. Perhaps one day I shall meet her. I would very much like that." she says. "Very much indeed."

Nettle nods a little distractedly from the pleasure of the deep-tissue massage. "Of course...she loves meeting new people..." Nettle turns her head and looks at the masseuse for a moment. "You forgot to tell me your name! I was a little embarrassed to refer to you as 'the masseuse' when I didn't know your name!" she smiles.

"There...all done, Mrs. Gideon. Now I hope I won't have to massage you again for at least another week," she says as she puts the lotion away.
She leans down and looks Nettle in the eye with a kindly smile.
"Go back to your suite now, Mrs. Gideon. I'm sure Mr. Gideon is ready to give you that tour..." she says and then disappears behind the curtain.

Nettle's mouth falls open in surprise for the 100th time since entering Balador, it feels like! There's something...odd about that woman. She wouldn't give her name, and she knows a lot for a masseuse! Nettle feels a chill go through her, and she shivers and gets up, wrapping the robe quickly around her and hugging her arms. She glances around her, wondering if she'll be able to find her way back to she and Alec's suite, and then pushes open the curtain and probes to feel the mind-link with Alec.

Alec finishes buttoning his shirt when he feels a tug at the mind link.
"Yes?"

Mrs. Spiffle wheels her chair over to Nettle and smiles.
"Goodness, that was quick yeh? I'm sure yer husband is out of the shower by now. Everything alright, Mrs. Gideon?"

'We're on our way back, baby!' she thinks quickly to Alec, and then gives Mrs. Spiffle a knowing look while sitting in the chair.
"Ladies-only-day, hmmm, Mrs. Spiffle?" she asks, raising her eyebrow and tapping her foot with a little smile.

Mrs. Spiffle smiles and continues to wheel her towards the suite.
"Oh I know a wee little lie never hurt anyone did it, Mrs. Gideon. Besides it was best that certain conversations be between one and their masseuse, yeh?"

Nettle looks up and behind her at Mrs. Spiffle again. "Please tell me about her! She won't even give me her name-- who IS she?? I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone here!" Nettle exclaims.

Mrs. Spiffle looks at her and smiles, "Why she's Balador, my dear. She's Balador." She continues to wheel her down to her suite.
"Why do ye ask dearie?"

Nettle blinks and stares at Mrs. Spiffle for a good few seconds speechlessly before finding her voice. "Are...are you saying Balador manifested itself into a human woman-form, and that's who my masseuse was??" Nettle asks in a weak voice.

"Of course, dearie. She does it all the time. This whole place is filled with spirits, manifested and not so manifested. Why is it so strange to think that Balador couldn't or wouldn't?" She says.

"I..." Nettle pauses for a moment. "...I suppose I didn't know Balador was sentient-- or would want to act as masseuse for a common Mage like myself!" She looks ahead, her mind whirling with this news. "I'm going to be a little shy if I get her again at my next appointment!" Nettle laughs. She thinks again, going over everything they talked about again and again in her mind. "Wow..." she finally breathes, not able to think of anything else more appropriate to say!

Mrs. Spiffle chuckles as they reach the suite. She opens the door and wheels her in. Alec turns around from the closet and smiles.
"Hey baby," he says. "Feeling relaxed?"

"There you are, Mrs. Gideon. If you need anything further ye have but to ask." mrs. Spiffle says as she wheels the chair out and closes the door.

Nettle looks a little dazed, and holds a hand to her head, sitting down on the bed for a moment. She glances up at Alec. "Well...I found out who my masseuse was. Balador! Does that not surprise you? She was very interested to hear about Sarah...our babies...my scars...I THOUGHT that was a little odd for a masseuse!" She gives Alec a look as if to say, 'why didn't you tell me more about this place! Don't I look stupid!'

Alec holds up his hands, "All part of the surprise, love. Besides wasn't it exciting to know she was your masseuse?" He says. "I remember the one time I was here it was quite exciting...but enough about that. Ready for your tour?" he says.

Nettle raises her eyebrows at Alec disapprovingly. "I DON'T want to hear about it!" Grudgingly, she gives him a smile and walks over to the wardrobe to pick out her clothes for the day...night...whatever time it is! Then she takes a quick shower to wash the massage-oils from her skin, does her hair and make-up, gets dressed in a short black velvet dress with spaghetti-straps and knee-high black vinyl platform boots, and then smiles and takes his arm.
"All ready to go! Oh this will be so exciting!" she exclaims, squeezing his arm and kissing his cheek. "You look really good, baby!"

"Smashing, love, absolutely smashing." he says looking her up and down. "Now let's get out to the tour," he says opening the door for her.
"This is where all the suites are. There aren't many. They save them for special guests only."

Nettle opens her eyes wide. "Really? Well...I'm honored to be considered a 'special guest!' This is so overwhelming-- so much more than I ever even expected! I will have the most pampered pregnancy of anyone in existence! I...I just wish Veil could be here...she could really use a massage and a visit to that Room you won't let me peek into!" Nettle winks at Alec and gives him a conspiratorial grin.

Alec nods, "I know love, but we have to be careful that no one knows we are here." He takes a few turns and twists. "Here is the lounge. You can find any type of smokable drug here. Over there is the bar, any liquor or alcohol or smart drug." he says.

Nettle nods, crossing her hands uncnsciously over her abdoman. None of that for her on this visit. Her thoughts stray to her chantry and her cabal. Were they OK?? She hopes to the Goddess that they are!! She knows she cannot attempt to make any contact with any of them until it's safe to return home. One stray thought in any of her friends' minds about where they are could be picked right from their brains without them even realizing it!
Nettle clears her throat and tries to clear her mind.
"This is great, Alec! I wish I could sample the wares here...next time I will!" she beams.

Alec turns and leads her over to some stairs. "You'll like this," he says. They walk down a couple flights of stairs into a huge lobby. Several people of all sorts sit in huge comfy chairs and couches next to a fire. They all seem to be discussing religion or politics or reality.
"This is the lobby. It's where most of the intellectuals hang out to talk."

Nettle raises her eyebrows at Alec in surprise. "You mean there are intellectuals here??" she whispers. "What are THEY doing here?" She grins and elbows Alec, looking around the room curiously.

Alec raises his eyebrow and shakes his head. "Very funny...now past the lobby..." he says leading her beyond the lobby and two doors down. He stops at a double door.
"This is the dueling room. We're not allowed in unless we're taking part in a duel so..."

Nettle looks at Alec in bewilderment. "You mean a fighting-duel?? Why the hell would anyone want to do that while in Balador? Are the combatents wounded...or killed? Goddess!" she exclaims, looking at Alec for some explanation.

"Sometimes," he says shrugging. "We don't often fight. It's very very rare...but when it happens it's usually final." he says. He leads her out back towards the lobby and in the opposite direction. He opens the glass door to the outside.
"Here we have the gardens," he says in a whisper. "It's where many of us go to meditate or just relax."

"Or to have a nice, private blow-job!" she whispers back, covering her mouth so her laughter doesn't disrupt anyone. "I'm sorry, Alec! I have the giggles! No-- this place is beautiful. I would love to come here each morning to meditate and relax, if I could. It would benefit all of us to have me relaxed, wouldn't it!" she grins.
She looks around. "This is a sort of horizon-realm then, isn't it?"

"Yeah it's like that...now over here you can see the vineyard," he says walking around the garden. "They make all kinds of wines here." he says. "They also have a brewery out the back..."

Nettle looks intently at the grapes, lifting them in her hand and inspecting them. "They look real enough-- probably taste incredible, too..." she murmurs. She follows Alec around the garden, holding his arm and inhaling all the scents and drinking in all the sites. It's so good to feel like she's out-of-doors in the daytime sun again-- even if it's an elaborate illusion.
"I think this is my favorite place so far." she announces softly.

Alec puts his arm around her. "Glad you like it..." he says.

"Don't step on my azaleas!" someone says behind them. They turn to see a little man with greenish skin and leaves for hair.

"Ahh the green man, you've heard about him I suppose." Alec whispers.

"Oh my god..." Nettle whispers, her fingertips to her lips. She gets down on one knee before him. "My lord..." she murmurs weakly, bowing her head.

The Green Man looks down at her and then back up at Alec. "High strung...has she been to the masseuse?" He asks leaning on a hoe.

Alec nods, "It's just a spirit manefestation, love. It's not the real Green Man." He says helping her up.

"Hey I'm real," The Green Man says indignantly.

"You know what I meant," Alec smiles.

Nettle stares from the Green man to Alec, and then lowers her eyebrows at both of them.
"I'm not high-strung, I'm Verbena." she says in a tone that indicates they're both out-of-line for impersonating or aiding in an impersonation of a manifestations of the god. Cheeks burning, she flips her hair and turns her back to them, folding her arms and muttering to herself as she walks back towards the doors.

Alec shrugs and then jogs after Nettle. "Relax hun. He's the gardener who takes care of the gardens and vineyard. I'm sure they used a good spirit to do that." he says.
Just as Nettle turns the corner, a taller man stands in their way. He wears leaves upon his head, and a long white flowing toga. In the leaves are some grapes.
"Greetings, Nettle Gideon, greetings!" he says in a booming voice.

Nettle raises her eyebrows. "And just who would this be? Bacchus? Ha! Very nice costume! I was just on my way out, but it was a pleasure to meet you." she mutters, not liking these spirits who traipse about in the guises of real gods.

Alec pales and tugs on her dress. "Love...this is Dionysus...the real one..." he says.

Dionysus crosses his arms and looks her in the eye. "Nice costume eh?" he says with a scowl.

Nettle folds her arms, glancing from Alec to Dionysus sceptically. Then she notices Alec's pale face and nervous manner, and her stomach drops out a little. She turns her face back to Dionysus' slowly, and then reaches out and touches his shoulder tentatively.
"Oh shit..." she whispers, her own face going pale. She quickly kneels before the god, touching her fingers to her forehead, heart, and then lips in automatic motion.

Dionysis begins to laugh a hearty laugh and pats Nettle upon the head. "Stand girl! I'll not have you kneeling to a man in a 'nice costume'!" he says laughing. "Come come," he says motioning towards the lobby. "we have much to discuss, you and I, come!" he says.

Alec shrugs and smiles at Nettle. "Well at least he likes you."

Nettle gets up shakily with Alec's help and follows after Dionysus with skin more pale than her hair, and wide, waif-like eyes.
"I'm so sorry...this is my first time here..." she murmurs as they walk.

"Relax, hun," Alec says.

"Worry naught about it, Nettle! I am often mistaken for many things, least of all a man in a costume. Hah!" He says as he finds a chair in the lobby and sits.
"Ahhh there we are...now Nettle tell me all about these two beautiful children!"

Nettle sits and finds herself relaxing in this man's presence. She smiles and rests her hands on her legs.
"Let's see...there's not much I can tell you about them yet except what others have told us! But in any case, they're 3 months old, don't move around too much, but they love Cheetos and hot fudge!" Nettle grins.

"Haha! As well they might!" he says. He turns to look at Alec.
"I told you last time you were here I had something important to do." he says with a wink.
Alec leans back in his chair and folds his arms. "Very funny," he says. "I thought it would be a mission..."

"Oh but it is! It is! Many people are counting on these two children!" he says.

Nettle blushes. "That was YOU in the magic circle??" She lowers her eyes and gives a giggle.
"Thank you for coming. And for the babies!" She reaches over and rubs Alec's leg.
"We've been told by so many different beings that these babies are important. I know why they're important to the Fae, but why to you or the Cultists? Is it just because of your close relationship to the Fae?" Nettle asks curiously.

"Something like that!" He says. He takes a big sip of wine from his goblet. "Ahh now that's better. Ha! Now on to business..." he says leaning in.
"There is a very important person waiting for this child...two very important people, as a matter of fact."

Nettle's eyebrows raise and she glances at Alec. She feels a streak of nervousness shoot through her. "Aside from Alec and I...who?" she asks, trying to lighten her worry with a touch of humor.

"Ha! Now that would be telling," he says.
Alec snorts. "What's the big secret? We have a bunch of weird fae all excited about it now," he says.
Dionysis nods, "No...these is two very important fae...but they won't show themselves until later. I suggest during your stay here, Nettle, you learn of your family's history..."

Worry is replaced by excitement, and Nettle leans forward. "You mean my lineage back to Ellowyndriel? I've seen what the amulet has shown me-- is there more? And where should I go to learn more??" Her hand moves up to rest protectively on the moonstone and faery-metal amulet resting on her breastbone.

"Yes," he says. "There is a library here...go there...research and learn about the past..." he says. Dionysis gives a wink and then is gone.

"I hate when he does that...always something cryptic and boom gone," Alec says.

Nettle stands quickly, grabbing Alec's hand and pulling him up. "Quick! Where's the library?" she asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Alec shrugs, "Come on then," he says. He leads her up the stairs and past their suite to another set of stairs. He takes her up those stairs and down a hallway to a large door. He opens it and immediately Nettle is hit with the smell of incense and candles. There in the room beyond is the largest library she has ever seen. It is a circular room with stairs leading up to each floor. The walls are covered in books.

"Holy goddess..." Nettle breathes. "Wouldn't this have come in handy when we were running around trying to research Leeches!" She steps into the room, not knowing quite where to begin.
"Fae history...Fae history..." she murmurs, glancing all around her. "Alec-- is there a librarian?"

"Just walk-- you'll find what you need." he says. "There..." He picks a book off the wall.
"Isle of the Mighty," he says handing it to her.

Nettle raises her eyebrows and takes the book from Alec, opening it to the first few pages and scanning the chapters.
"Book Three: Wales, the history of Cymru." She murmurs, and then skims over the foreward.
"Aaah...the Wyck! We're mentioned in here!" she exclaims in delight, and absent-mindedly fumbles around for a chair. She sits and lays the book down in front of her on the table distractedly. "Rheibau ferch Llandona...the witch-daughters of Llandona..." she murmurs, and then glances up at Alec.
"Baby, would you be a sweetheart and find me a pen and some paper for taking notes? I think I may be here a while..."

Alec sighs and walks over to a cabinet and takes out a notepad and pen. He hands it to her and sits down in the chair opposite her.
"How long is long, baby? Thinking of taking up residency?"

Nettle grins. "Unless they allow us to check out the books...? Why? Do you have more touring in mind?" She suddenly stops and flips to the back of the book to the appendix. She flips through more pages and then slides her finger down a list of names. Her face lights up with excitement. "Oh my god...here she is! Countess Ellowyndriel Moonglow ap Dougal!" She looks up at Alec, face shining.

Alec shakes his head, "You'll have to tell me all about it sometime..." he says. "But let's head back to our suite, I'm famished love..." he says.

Nettle give Alec a look of pleading that she be allowed to read just a little longer, but then she notices a sign that says the books may be taken from the library, but not from Balador, and she exhales in relief. Taking the book, notebook, and pen, she stands and smiles at Alec.
"OK, let's get something to eat and I'll read in the room!" She grins a toothy grin.

Alec leads her out of the library and down the hall. After a few twists and turns they wind up in their suite. Alec takes off his coat and lays it on the bed.
"Look at that love," he says pointing over to the corner, at a new desk they both don't remember being there.
"Quite a coincidence eh?"

Nettle grins and raises her eyebrows in approval. "Nice! Very nice! I'll just have to get started right away then!" she winks at Alec and heads over to the desk, setting the book and her note-taking instruments down on it, and getting comfortable in the high-backed office chair.

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