I had expected Brian to be ticked off at the late hours. I mean I was calling in the middle of the night after all.

Delightfully he failed to live up to that, being surprisingly businesslike when he responded, "This is Brian who is this?"

"Among other things a Thinker, look I need to contact Lisa fast," I responded.

Then again maybe it was just the verbal blitzkrieg hit before he had a chance to really show his displeasure. I suppose I'd never know.

"What," he started but I cut him off fast.

"Yeah I know about the rules, I'm not bringing your civilian lives into this," I assured quickly. "I just really need to talk to Lisa now and since she happens to be unlisted," I knew I looked. "This is fastest way I can do so."

"Let me rephrase that, what do you want?" he asked much more quickly.

I exhaled slowly, "Okay you're not going to like this, but this is a borrowed phone and I need to be fast. Just let Lisa know I can solve her Thinker problem tonightif she's willing to contact me. I'll be on thirty eighth on main in an hour dressed up like a normal suit with salt and pepper hair, middle aged and painfully normal. I won't have a briefcase, cell phone, or any item, and will be waiting right on the corner. Bring as much or little muscle as you want. Lisa can collaborate on me."

Then I hung up.

Parian came back from the coffee machine, "Heading out then?"

"Yeah," I offered a slight smile, "Thanks again. I'll repay you somehow."

she stifled a yawn, "I might hold you to that one day."

I nodded, rose up.

Then pulled my shadow up over myself, becoming something a lot more human looking again.

She looked at me, for a moment.

I raised an eyebrow.

Then shook her head, "No later maybe. Just go."

I nodded, "Goodbye."

For some reason the words rung in an oddly final tone.

Then again if there was anything Infernal Exalts were good at, it was spitting in the eye of fate.

~You got that right~

I made my way down the street. The point I set for them to get to wasn't that far. I'd make it long before they did.

The question was, just who 'they' were going to be.

And how long I was going to have to wait.

Gah...

~Well at least you'll have company to wait with!~

Small mercies.

~Speaking of which, think you can lay some more exposition on me? I can't really help advise you if I don't know what in Malfeas' glorious name is going on.~

Well that was something to do at least.

Right where to begin...