CEDRIC//

There's life from one of your interesting families.

STRAUD//

Oh, yes?

CEDRIC//

Collins.

STRAUD//

I sure hope you mean the original.

CEDRIC//

Of course I mean the original.

STRAUD//

What news could you have concerning my favorite New England import?

CEDRIC//

He seems to be coming out of hibernation. They're showing interest in the Caliente family.

STRAUD//

Old habits die hard.

CEDRIC//

My intel points to Dina as his chosen Josette.

STRAUD//

You think he's still pursuing that old myth?

CEDRIC//

I have no reason to think he's changed.

STRAUD//

Yes, but Angelique is lurking about.

CEDRIC//

Besides her likely infatuation with the "try for baby" button, I doubt she can truly invoke real change in him. At least, I certainly hope not.

STRAUD//

You hope not?

CEDRIC//

I'm a sucker for chaos.

They have a thrall with them. His name is William Loomis. Goes by Willie.

STRAUD//

Do they use him for food?

CEDRIC//

It doesn't appear they do currently but I would expect he has in the past. He appears to have an amicable relationship with the mistress but that's also to be expected given her powerset.

STRAUD//

Willie Loomis.

CEDRIC//

Yeah. And he seems to have quite the collection of friends too. Rogue's gallery. Fella doesn't have a good judge of character it seems. Might be a regular kleptomaniac if you ask me.

STRAUD//

Have you noticed any interference from Trelaine and his flunkies?

CEDRIC//

Nothing 'less you count Caleb's elderly cousin.

STRAUD//

Sierra is involved in this?

CEDRIC//

Maybe she's as old as she claims.

STRAUD//

It's Angelique I'm concerned about. She could easily get drawn in by promises of --

CEDRIC//

Power?

I doubt it. She thinks she can get anything she wants by herself. She's not much for pledging allegiance to anyone, or anything, else.

STRAUD//

Is she in the running for murderess?

CEDRIC//

Of Josette? No, I don't think so. She's crazy jealous but her curse takes care of the messy bits. She doesn't need to dirty her hands in killing the chosen Josette.

STRAUD//

You're well-versed in their lore.

CEDRIC//

How can I not be? Yet another of our kind captured by the moon's glow.

STRAUD//

You choose your words well.

CEDRIC//

I share your concern with the witch, though. She's a loose cannon.

STRAUD//

She has no idea the time crunch we're under.

CEDRIC//

All the better for her to be unaligned.

I still don't like them having taken in a thrall.

STRAUD//

It is like them.

CEDRIC//

I don't care if it's like them, it's slavery.

The man clearly has issues with judgment.

STRAUD//

I appreciate your sympathy for the prey but I must ask you to stay your judgment in consideration for Barnabas.

This may be his only chance at redemption. Let the boy stay. Let the boy learn.

Not all of us have such an illustrious pedigree.

CEDRIC//

My pedigree has nothing to do with it.

STRAUD//

It has everything to do with it.

CEDRIC//

So the kid's a ne'er-do-well. I still don't like the institution of slavery.

STRAUD//

Vincent needed no thralls. Others aren't so lucky.

CEDRIC//

So you're excusing it.

STRAUD//

I'm not excusing it, merely beseeching you to keep in mind the entire situation.

CEDRIC//

Is this one of those Thomas Jefferson kept slaves sort of things?

STRAUD//

No, it's not.

CEDRIC//

Oh, and one more thing. He's macking on our girl Summer Holiday. At least, he held a candle somewhat recently.

But I did a little digging and they may be distant cousins.

STRAUD//

That would be unfortunate.

CEDRIC//

I'm still holding out hope for George Henry.

STRAUD//

Playing at matchmaker, are you?

She's a nice girl but I don't know how kindly she'll take to the discovery that her housemate is more than he appears.

CEDRIC//

She might surprise you.

STRAUD//

I certainly hope so but I daresay it's not worth taking the risk for some vain dream of romance.