Notes: Back from SunnyCon 2015 with a new chapter! Tony's passive role gets addressed this time, before I move on to continue in my quest of being cruel to Badger.


The meeting announcing Marilyn's intentions came soon after her talk with Crow. She arranged it to take place up at Barde Manor instead of the auction hall, where they usually held meetings. Though given that Crow wasn't taking part in this, she was free to hold it wherever she liked regardless.

Badger wished that he could also have no part in this. As the others came in and milled around in mild confusion, he found himself wondering where Crow was right now. Surely once Marilyn told the group what was happening they'd be just as annoyed as Badger was about this betrayal to him.

"I'm sorry to call you all here on such short notice," began Marilyn, once they'd all got into the room and Gus had closed the room, "But there's been a slight change to this week's auction schedule. To start with, Crow will not be taking part in our activities during the week at all."

"Is... is he ill?" Tony checked, nervously.

"No, that's not the reason why he isn't with us. He's not here because the two of us have come to an agreement to see how well the Black Ravens can manage without him," answered Marilyn.

This was when Badger had expected the group to snap. The cat was out of the bag. They now all knew that they'd be doing the next auction without their leader. He gazed around the room at each of them.

But what he found in those expressions was not what he had been expecting.

Arianna and Scraps continued to watch Marilyn with unblinking indifference. Out of all of the group, Badger supposed that those two were more focused on getting the job done than details that involved other people. Gus, while nervous, didn't seem to be all that surprised. Badger couldn't help but wonder if Marilyn had already talked to him about Crow's absence before the meeting. Only Tony, who wasn't even currently a member of the Black Ravens, looked genuinely shocked to hear the news.

What about Roddy though? Him and Crow had always been best friends, with their bond going back to even before the group had formed. Surely he of all people would be angry at the idea of Crow being muscled out. But by the time Badger got around to looking at him, it seemed that he'd missed whatever initial reaction Roddy might have had. Presently, he was solemnly shaking his head.

"It's about time," he stated, "Something had to give."

Badger gaped at him. In that moment he felt utterly betrayed by Roddy's words on Crow's behalf!

"Maybe so, but we're not here to talk about Crow's state. At least not in a meeting like this," Marilyn pointedly replied. Somehow Badger felt he was the reason she wouldn't talk about this to Roddy right now. Being cut out of the loop like that was not a nice feeling. It consumed him enough that he almost missed what came next as Marilyn went on; "We're here to discuss the auction, as this one will be different to any that we've had previously. Actually, as our official guardian of the gate, your help will be invaluable, Roddy."

"Go on," Roddy prompted, his expression unreadable.

"I'm going to cancel two auctions this week," informed Marilyn, "One from our classic crowd and one from our newer customers. It'll be down to you and me in particular to get word out about this, given that we're the ones who usually tell people what they need to know about the auctions. If anyone outside of the Black Ravens tries to get into the underground tunnel, then I want you to stop them."

"But how do you expect us to do this if you're going to cancel auctions?" asked Scraps. That question had also entered Badger's mind.

"We are doing an auction, but it will be different in more than just us being down one Black Raven," Marilyn assured, "The auction this week will be our first to combine the two markets – the rich and the poor. They will bid together, against each other and they will not know what to expect. This auction will be unlike anything the Black Ravens have ever done."

"In that case, I think a change of venue might be in order," suggested Arianna, "Temporarily, of course. But if you want our audience to truly feel as if this is a unique experience for them, then holding it in the hall will dull the effect. So I propose that for this one time we hold the auction in Barde Manor. You know we have space."

"That would be very kind of you. I hadn't considered it, but I think I'll take you up on that offer," Marilyn agreed.

"It'll also mean that we won't have to lug any of the heavier furniture back down to the market," added Scraps, "Since some of us have gotten a bit lazy about carrying it."

"If you feel so strongly about that then maybe you can take it all next time, instead of me and Gus," Roddy snorted, "Though all the same, Scraps is right that it'll make things easier."

Marilyn nodded before she continued, "We're settled then. Two of this week's auctions will be cancelled and instead one will be held here in Barde Manor to cater to both audiences. Now, we all know there's a lot of work to be done, so we'd better-"

"...Um?" Tony cut in, loudly and pointedly.

"Yes, Tony?" encouraged Marilyn.

"I... well, I mean... y-yes, I'd like to rejoin the Black Ravens. Just for this auction..." he mumbled.

"You're more than welcome to," Marilyn confirmed, "Right now, the more hands the better. All right then, that means Roddy will be heading back to the market to begin letting our regular customers know about this and Scraps will be going with him to look for wares, as usual. I'll be joining the two of you later, but right now I need to stay here to talk with Arianna about setting up the auction in the manor. Tony, Gus and Badger, I want the three of you to get started on repairing trinkets. Also Gus, once we've settled on a room we'll probably need you to come clear it out and carry in any furniture we need."

"Got it," chimed Gus.

"Wait, um... I'm stayin' up 'ere?" Badger asked, "Doun't you need me at the market? Runnin' on the rooftops as the Black Raven is what I do best."

"Today I need you working on the goods we have here. It's slower going without Socket and we need as many hands on deck as possible to get as much ready as we can. When we need to drum up excitement around the market, then you can go there," Marilyn instructed.

Badger nodded quietly, since he didn't trust himself to say anything in response right now. He hated feeling like this, because he'd always trusted Marilyn and confided in her, but right now he was just so caught up in how much he didn't want to do this.

The others all made their various murmurs in agreement with the plan and after a few more details were finalised they all headed out at their own pace. Badger went through with Gus and Tony to the room where they sorted out the trinkets ready for auction. Although soon enough Gus was indeed called away by Marilyn and Arianna to help with whatever room had been selected, leaving only Badger and Tony working in an awkward silence.

Since Arianna had started letting them use the manor, the room that Badger was currently in had changed greatly from how Badger remembered it being to start with. Once it had been just another dusty sitting room, but now it was filled to the brim with an ever-changing assortment of weird and wonderful things, each in various states of repair. The floor was littered with wood shavings and nails, so you had to be careful where you put your feet. In the centre was a long table that they used for working on, big enough to fit each Black Raven around the outside. It was a bit of a shame that Socket wasn't here to see it, given that he would have loved to work somewhere like this.

...Though on the other hand, Socket would have gotten a good laugh at how poorly they generally did with fixing up knick-knacks without him. Tony winced as with the hammer he'd been using he hit his thumb instead of the nail, not for the first time today. When he noticed Badger had been watching, he averted his eyes in embarrassment.

"I'm not very good at this..." he whimpered.

"It's ah'reet, neither am I," Badger replied. He gestured towards a Victorian teddy bear that was looking a bit less regal with every stitch Badger wonkily sewed into place.

After a brief glance at the teddy, Tony shook his head; "That doesn't matter though. You're good at running and adding stuff up. I'm just... kind of all right at those. Just like everything I do..."

"We 'ave a place fer everyone," offered Badger, echoing words that he knew Crow would say.

"I keep getting told that, but I don't think it's true," Tony confessed, "Crow makes use of people who know what they're doing, like my sister. Arianna has so much to offer the group, so she's fitted in naturally. But no one knows what to do with me and I don't even know what to do with myself..."

"When I started I thought that I were useless too," reasoned Badger, "But Crow found out me skills and 'elped me learn 'ow to use them."

"But he hasn't done that with me," Tony argued, "I felt as if when I said I was going to quit that he wasn't too surprised. Because he knew I didn't have it in me..."

"There were a lot gan on when you said you were gonna leave," reminded Badger.

"He still would have fought harder if he'd wanted me to stay! I just... don't think Crow believes in me..." Tony trailed off.

Badger didn't know what to say to that. Because he didn't know what was running through Crow's head. The leader was hard enough to predict at the best of times and he hadn't talked to Badger much about Tony as far as he could remember. Saying what Crow might feel about Tony's role in the group would be insincere when Badger didn't know for sure. And the last thing Tony needed right now was empty words of reassurance.

Though at the same time, this week wasn't about Crow...

"Look, eh, doun't think about Crow fer a second," said Badger, even if that was rich coming from him, "Crow's not 'ere fer now and I reckon that's why you joined us again this week anyway. So... um, what Crow thinks of you doun't matteh right now."

"I'm still no good at this though," Tony protested, as he pointed at the mess he was making of repairing the clock in front of him.

"Well, when I'm feelin' like I can't do owt reet, sometimes I gan talk t' Marilyn," suggested Badger, "Mal's much betteh at listenin' that Crow is and I bet she'd set you off on the reet track if you said this isn't workin' out."

"D-do you mind if I do that?" checked Tony. He was already getting up out of the chair as he spoke.

"Yeah, it's fine" Badger promised him.

In truth Badger felt more comfortable without the worry of having to make conversation, so he didn't mind so much when Tony dashed out of the room. Instead he just got back to work with what he was doing. Slowly, but surely, the teddy bear started to look presentable again. Perhaps it wasn't the best that it could have been, but it was good enough to sell and Badger felt at least a little better about getting it done.

As he was fishing through a box to find something else to fix up, the door creaked open again. This time it was Arianna who joined him instead of her brother. Badger felt himself tense up a little. While he did like Arianna, she was generally a bit stern and the two of them hadn't spoken much. During the time she'd been in the Black Ravens, Arianna seemed to have bonded better with those who were also confident and direct, like Roddy and Marilyn, than she had done with those who were as quiet as Badger.

Almost as if to empathise this point, Arianna spoke first.

"That was very kind, what you said to Tony," she stated. And although she was formal about it, there was definite gratitude to her tone.

"Just wanted t' get 'im on the right track," Badger mumbled, "Marilyn's good at that."

"Yes, well, she's got him sorting out the room we're using for the auction now," Arianna told him, "Of course, I'd been doing that to start with, but he knows this house just as well as I do. And to be honest, he knows Misthallery better than I do. So I'm sure he'll do a fine job of organising how to get our guests through to the hall without attracting too much attention from the rest of the town."

"But what about afteh that?" checked Badger, "Tony really wants t' be part of us, but 'e can't just do little jobs like that foreveh."

"After that he'll find something else to do and something else once he's done with the next job. Until eventually he finds his own way," Arianna answered curtly, "People like you, Marilyn and myself can only help him so far before he has to learn to help himself. It might seem cruel, but I know that Tony will get there."

"Do you think Crow knew that, too?" Badger asked, wistfully.

It would make sense that Crow didn't offer Tony more help if he knew that Tony needed to figure all this out for himself.

But as Arianna took a seat at the other side of the table, she shook her head.

"No, I don't think Crow believed Tony would stick it out. He wouldn't have meant any harm by it, but it seems to me as if Crow isn't the sort of person who'd know how you felt unless you told him directly," answered Arianna.

Even though Badger knew this was true, especially after what had happened between him and Crow back in London, he couldn't help but want to defend Crow against such words. It didn't feel right that someone who hadn't known him personally for very long was making judgements upon his behaviour like that.

"You dunno know fer sure that 'e weren't 'oldin' back so Tony could figure this out fer 'imself," he insisted. Sadly, that was the only comeback to that entered his head.

"Perhaps, but I do know one thing for sure," countered Arianna, "That you, despite not being close to Tony, offered him advice when he needed it. Even though you didn't know what his skills might be any better than he does himself, you still pointed him in the right direction by sending him to someone who could help. Crow has had many more chances to talk to Tony, even the first time he was an honourary member, but he didn't do what you did. I'm not trying to say that he's horrible, just that he didn't pick up on Tony needing help, because he's not good at reading people outside of for his business."

"Mebbe that's true, but 'e still would of done summit if Tony 'ad told 'im," Badger stubbornly proclaimed.

"You're probably right. But that's not what happened," dismissed Arianna, "Though it does seem like Crow's been distracted by his own problems lately. Perhaps if we'd joined at another time then he could have helped Tony more."

"His own problems...?" Badger echoed.

His words must have been too quiet for Arianna to pick up on, because she didn't offer any sort of response. After a few minutes of them both getting back to work, Badger figured that the moment had gone and it would be too uncomfortable to bring it up again. He didn't want Arianna to think that he only talked about Crow, even if that was true.

Throughout the rest of the day, different people came and went from the repair room. Including Scraps, who would routinely drop off new items to fix, making comments on their work each time he did. Badger knew that he'd had a few more conversations with the others as he worked, but none of what they'd said stuck in his mind the way his talk with Arianna did.

What problems could Crow still have?

They'd worked around the issue of Wren and Socket moving. Even if Crow didn't much like them not being here now, he had come to accept that sometimes he just couldn't fight the powers of change. In the same respect, while Louis leaving had an impact, if anything it was a weight of guilt removed from all of their shoulders to not have to worry about Mr. Shackwell coming to bid any more. There was of course the matter of Umid... But as much as Badger didn't know what was going on in that regard, it seemed as if Umid going back to Mosinnia meant that there wasn't anything for Crow to actively worry about for now.

...Unless Badger was the problem.

It didn't take long for his paranoid mind to reach that conclusion. Badger had brought up his crush on Crow a while back, only for Crow to never mention it again. Which must have been especially difficult for Crow when Badger was currently living with him. Had he outstayed his welcome? Nothing Crow nor Maureen had said seemed to suggest as such, but maybe they were just putting on brave faces.

Or maybe this had nothing to do with Badger at all and was instead about what Marilyn seemed so sure was the issue – that Crow would constantly feel wanderlust if he stayed in Misthallery.

All this buzzed through Badger's mind, but no matter how much he thought about it he came no closer to knowing the answer. And he wouldn't do unless he did the one thing that he sensibly should do – talk to Crow.

They had made a promise to try better to communicate, after all. A promise that they had mostly kept in regards to the little things. Badger had been living with Crow long enough that the two of them were much more comfortable talking than they had been in the past. Maybe now was the time to move that onto the bigger things. Even if it hurt to find out the answers, Badger knew he should ask Crow about his problems.

He was confident in this conclusion by the time he did get back to the house at the end of the evening. Maureen ushered him inside, full of questions about why her little Thomas had been skulking around the house, which was apparently so unlike him. Crow looked notably embarrassed about her telling Badger this when he joined him in the bedroom.

"It ain't as if I've bin 'ere all day," he huffed, "She's just makin' a mountain outta a mole'ill, like usual."

"It's ah'reet," dismissed Badger, as he joined him in sitting on the bed, "Um, mebbe this is a bit sudden, but can I... talk to you about, eh, some stuff?"

"Sure, as long as it ain't Black Raven business. That's not on my 'ead this week," answered Crow. And perhaps Badger was just imagining it, but it didn't sound as if Crow would object too much should he want to start talking about what had been going on today. Chances are he was worried about the group very much and was just maintaining his position on the matter out of stubbornness.

"Nah, it's got nowt t' do with that," promised Badger, "...Ah, w-well, mebbe it does in a roundabout way, but I wanted t' talk about... a-about you."

"Me?" Crow checked, his visible eyebrow raising in confusion.

"Y-yeah... 'cause I-I know you've been worried about a lotta things right now, but we don't talk about it... I'm not good at talkin', as you know... but we did say that we'd- ...th-that is, I mean that I wanna 'elp you if I can. If there's owt you'd think I could 'elp you with, then just tell me," stammered Badger.

Crow smiled; "Thanks, Badge'. I did promise that I'd try not to worry ya by keepin' everythin' bottled up. It's just that I'm still not use to talkin' through my problems. I feel bad for puttin' it all on any o' my friend's 'eads."

"That's what we're 'ere fer though," insisted Badger.

"Ya right. An' I reckon that Mal an' Rod 'ave me figured out most o' the time anyway," Crow chuckled, "There's no keepin' anythin' from 'em."

"Um... about Marilyn, I weren't sure 'ow you felt about what she's doin'..." Badger prompted.

"I think I've got a good idea about 'er intentions, but it wouldn't be my place to say," evaded Crow, "Especially not since I don't think I'm the only one she's testin'. All I can say is don't try to fight my cornah, Badge'. It might be 'ard, but I'd be thankful if ya just go along with wot Marilyn wants."

That was easier said than done. Badger knew that he was being childish to want this upcoming auction to fail, but he was so scared of what might happen to Crow should he come to the conclusion that he wasn't needed here. And part of him wished that Crow was angrier about it all as well. The Black Ravens have always been his creation and them going on without him just felt wrong.

But if Crow didn't want to talk about it then Badger would respect those wishes. And he supposed that he'd have no choice but to go along with Marilyn's plan if that was what Crow wanted him to do...

"Right, well... about otheh things," Badger went on, "I'll be honest, Crowlo, I doun't know what's worryin' you. Yer a very complex person a-and every time I reckon I've got a read on you, summit 'appens to completely throw me. But if you just tell me what's wrong then I could try t' do what I can. I really do wanna 'elp you..."

The smile Crow gave Badger this time held a different quality to his usual smirks. Badger could tell that he felt thankful for this offer and having Crow feel gratitude towards him was so overwhelming that Badger had to stop himself from covering his face in embarrassment.

"I don't think I'm as complicated as ya make out," reasoned Crow, "A lotta wot's worryin' me might be that same as wot's bin on your mind as well. Though part o' me feels selfish for feelin' like this aftah we've worked so 'ard to get the auctions back on track..."

"Yer getting' restless, aren't you?" Badger checked.

He should have known that Marilyn had been right about that. There was no way that someone as driven as Crow could be content with staying in a quiet town like Misthallery forever. Deep down inside he wanted to move on, but he probably felt bad about it when he had a duty to his friends.

"It ain't as simple as that," Crow replied. He frowned thoughtfully; "I'm not gonna lie to ya, Badgah, part o' me would like to move to somethin' biggah someday. But at the same time... I feel that wot we've built up 'ere is amazin'. I wouldn't wanna leave all o' ya, 'cause I love ya too much an' I know ya need me."

It took Badger a moment to register that Crow had been talking about the group as a whole when he said that. The idea of Crow saying that he loved him was easily too much to handle, but at the same time there was a twang of disappointment in Badger's chest to acknowledge that this was not the case.

"I-I think that whereveh you go you'll make a brilliant team. You bring out the best in everyone," Badger assured. He felt slightly guilty saying so, after what Tony and Arianna had said to the contrary earlier that day, but he did truly believe that Crow could help most people reach their full potential.

"Per'aps. But I don't wanna start a new team. I want all o' ya to be with me wherevah I go. But I know that ain't possible, not when so many o' ya 'ave ties 'ere," sighed Crow, "I couldn't tear Marilyn away from 'elpin' 'er family's fruit stall or Roddy away from workin' to make money for 'is mum. An' I definitely couldn't drag you away when ya dad's still in 'ospital..."

Badger suddenly reached forward and grasped Crow's hands. The shock of his actions made them both jump and stare across at one another in surprise. Crow had seemed so sad and sincere. He wanted to stay here for all of their sakes because he knew they needed him and he needed them. Seeing him like this had moved Badger so much that he wanted to do anything he could to reassure him, but now that they were sat here like this he honestly had no idea what to do. His hands were shaking as they gripped onto Crow's and he was worried that if they got too warm and clammy that Crow might think he was gross...

However, there was no going back now.

He mustered up all his strength and began; "Crow, I'm so glad that you wanna do all of this fer our sakes. And I'm glad that you'd neveh wanna leave us. But when it comes t' me I want you t' know that I'd always-"

"Boys! Grub's up! Hurry up and get down here before it gets cold!" Maureen called upstairs, making Badger jump with fright for a second time.

"Go on, Badge'..." Crow pleaded. He'd leaned so far forward that their faces were almost touching.

Badger looked at Crow, his face shining with eager anticipation. Then he looked down at their hands, noting that both of them were shaking. It was too much. Far too much. Badger pulled his hands away and got up off the bed. He stared down at Crow apologetically.

"I-I-I'm sorreh... M-me nerve's g-gone..." he whispered.

Crow got to his feet. He looked at Badger and nodded calmly. He understood.

"It's okay," he soothed, "Let's just go get dinnah before Mum starts fussin'."

...And just like that, the moment was gone. The two of them walked downstairs together, both acting casual but pointedly not making eye-contact. Throughout the entirety of the meal they evaded various questions from Maureen about why Crow hadn't been out with his friends today. She seemed mostly worried that there had been some kind of fall out between the group. Fortunately Crow knew what to say to dispel her concerns, since Badger definitely didn't feel up to talking right now.

He wanted to kick himself for ruining the moment before. Now he might never know what could have happened if he'd just told Crow how he felt. That regardless of whatever else happened, he would follow Crow forever. As much as he did feel guilty towards his dad's situation for feeling that way. Being with Crow was the most important thing to Badger. Even more so than being in Misthallery...

...Wait, yes. Being with Crow was more important than being in Misthallery. Despite being scared of the world, Badger knew as long as Crow was by his side that he'd be able to get through it. And with that knowledge, maybe he did indeed have more options than just learning how to survive living in this little town without Crow.

As this certainty settled on him, Badger caught Crow's eye. The two of them smiled across at one another. And while Badger figured that Crow probably had no idea what was running through his head, he felt comforted by the expression all the same.

He might not know what Marilyn had in store for the next auction or what Crow would do based on how this auction went, but he did now feel as if he knew what he was going to do for himself in his own future.

It would just take a bit of sorting out after this week was through...