Declan hadn't given anymore thought to Wendy, sure that was a festering wound that needed cleaning, but he would cleanse that at another time, the injuries Peter had inflicted were still in the process of healing, sure Grumpy's healing powders and concoctions were taking their course, sure he was still stiff and sore. He still favored his shoulder and limped a bit due to the left thigh injury, it was as if he had a bruise there as opposed to a gash.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3">"I might take you up on that with Wendy..."<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">It was a very polite bitterness he spoke that with, but meant it. The skies outside had opened up, the rain was falling, not hard and gentle thunder of a late summer could be heard. Well that would be both hindrance and help in regards to the Looking Glass, ID wouldn't be scrutinized, but who knew <i>who</i> would be on shift. If Declan did go use the front entrance as was his fall back plan, he knew the Hatter would stumble all over himself to make sure Declan was taken care of. That was not the attention he wanted or needed, more so if there were paparazzi in the area...and he'd probably get <u>another</u> labor tacked on by the order of the dragon...it was best to avoid that unless absolutely all options were exhausted.</span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"></span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3">"No, I would prefer to avoid that lunatic's attention, the last dealing I had with him...I was still in training, but the way he fell all over himself to get my uncle's favor was just plain disturbing. Not to mention that damn photographer wouldn't leave us be, I think his name was Rizzo the Rat, certainly a fitting name."<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">At this point he adjusted his shoulder bandage, it was uncomfortable, but this was nothing new to him. He made a slight hand gesture in the direction of the book he'd been reading and had marked with the Norse rune. The book vibrated then hovered in their direction, before Declan summoned the rune to his hand, the book remained on the page, though it stood there open in mid air.</span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"></span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3">"If you're offering to help, perhaps I should show you what exactly I must collect for Mayor White to clear this labor, it's asinine because there are so many of them...but supposedly this is the famed golden apple that started the Trojan War. Rumor has it that Achilles has been after it as well, planning to use it to cause the long awaited bloodshed he's wanted. Basically I am to collect this apple and give it to Philoctetes for safe keeping. My understanding is he's in the Greek quarter, you know the spot in uptown with all those building that look like ancient Greek temples."</span></span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"></span></span><br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">How was he to know it was the real apple? That was what the rune was being used for...in a sense it determined what was a real item and what was false, his aunt had shown him how to use these when he was young and they certainly had helped him along the way during training and his short time as a sorcerer.  Though not knowing how much of a ruckus his presence at the Looking Glass would cause, and more so a good looking woman like Bell would cause quite the well...let's just say there might have been some attempts to recruit her into Alice's harem of women.</span></span></span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"></span></span></span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3">"Of course nothing's free anymore, but I would ask what sort of help you're requesting, I don't wish to be tasked with more labors, as you can see that woman...has caused a bit of an issue that is taking up much of my time for a crime I really didn't commit...of course I will always be that apprentice to <i>someone</i>."<br/>
<br/>
<span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf">He was being humorous on that last part, he knew his auntie and uncle would always see him as that young apprentice Merlin had trained and that Nimue treated countless injuries and made sure they both were eating properly. But if Bell there could get them in a less noticeable way, that was all the better. Sure Declan would be noticed that was unavoidable in this city, but it was a simple matter of not being caught in a bad position or compromising position, magic couldn't solve everything, that was one of the earliest lessons learned, magic will not solve all your problems.</span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"></span></span><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#bfbfbf"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#0059b3">"If you're interested in tagging along, you might want to change clothes, I would hate for Alice to think she could recruit you as one of her girls."</span></span><br/>
</span>