[b]Collaboration between Ghost Shadow and Tanderbolt[/b]

The day had turned to late afternoon, the formerly bright yellow sun becoming a deeper orange as it started its lengthy descent from the heavens. 

Viewing as such from a slightly frosted window in the lodge lobby, Dominic stood still and stiff as a statue, the only movements he made being the subtle twitch of his fingers as he awaited the other Guardians. Rather, the other [i]competent[/i] Guardians. Having sent both Ilya and Funes a message earlier that afternoon, it would only be a matter of minutes before they arrived. 

Ilya spotted Dominic outside and walked up to him. He said "Glad to see you're here. I don't have much time but Funes is here too, we can talk in his room. Follow me."

Turning as the large figure of Ilya approached him, Dominic nodded curtly, holding a certain air of professionalism and formality about him. "Yes, of course. Lead the way." He replied with a motion of his hand, his typically warm and inviting gray eyes now steely and resolved. He had been assured countless times that no one else could have followed them to Earth, but Dominic knew better than to take [i]anything[/i] at face value. 

Ilya led him to Funes' room down the hall on the first floor. A few people stared at Dominic as they walked by. "I like this job better, though Funes had to help me with the air fare. I didn't make much in the army. Glad I got a visa, I'd probably be a farmer if that never worked out." He stopped and knocked on Funes' door after finishing his sentence.

"It's a shame. Soldiers don't seem to get paid much these days...not like it was that much better back Home." Dominic replied, somewhat bitterly. "Being a farmer might not be so bad. Tiring work, but well worth it from what I've heard. Nevertheless, I always felt more comfortable in a museum of library." He added, his tone lighter as he cracked a small smile. 

"That's a lot of words from someone who's never given either professions a serious try. Things are different here, there's less farmers, and in this country there's no conscription." Funes opened the door when Ilya was in the middle of his sentence. He said "I presume things are still the same in the old world. I wonder if the peasents have even noticed many changes at all, in my village our only interactions with the feudal landlords was paying taxes and helping with wars. Now, I'm sure Dominic would be able to enlighten us, if he knows anything about it at all. I don't recall him spending much time with the average villager, and I wonder if he has found need to do so over the course of the 318 days since he last visited us. Of course, he's probably here to discuss more pressing matters such as the children, all but two of his visits have primarily concerned that subject."

"I'm afraid my work with the peasants has been little aside from flying over their heads every so often." Dominic replied, somewhat dryly (though there was a bemused glint in his eyes). 

"Your earlier assumptions are correct. My visit here regards the Children." Dominic then added before looking behind him, checking for any bystanders before entering Funes' room completely. 

"I spoke briefly with the Sorcerer before coming here. He mentioned our plans were 'accelerating', that it would soon come time for the Children to return to the Fairy Tale World. I don't know any specifics, but I [i]do[/i] know we need to work out how we're going to tell them who they are -- what they are. It's far from being simple information." He finished soberly, planting both hands in his coat pockets. 

At that point Ilya walked into the room and motion for Dominic to follow him. He said "Has the situation gotten worse? What exactly would they be doing when they got back?" Funes didn't talk, he was still thinking at this point.

"That, I'm afraid, is not in my knowledge. I suppose it all comes down to the Dark Queen and how prepared she is. As for the situation itself...I cannot say. It hasn't been peaceful for the last thirteen years. There are many things hidden beneath shadows." Dominic replied in an almost dark manner, his eyes narrowed. 

Ilya said "Well, at least you're trying to help. Alan isn't even doing that, unless you consider flirting with the children as helpful." Ilya paused for a moment when he realized Funes was in the room. Caution wasn't one of his best virtues.
Funes spoke up angrily after hearing that "He spends thirteen years without a single communication with us and then he goes and does that? Why is he even a guardian, if we really need another we could surely find someone more competant. I personally know of at least a dozen figures who, if they are alive, would work better. Here, I'll start alphabetically: Aeneas, Anansi, Alyosha Popovich.." Ilya stared at Dominic, hoping that he would cut Funes off.

Holding up a single hand, Dominic rather smoothly cut in, "I appreciate the offer, Ireneo, but the Sorcerer attests that he chose Alan as Guardian for a reason...though even he seemed slightly irate. For now, the fool's landed himself in jail. Probably alcohol-involved in some way. Now, the largest issue still remains: the Children will need to find out who they are soon. Do either of you have an idea as to how we're going to tell them?" Dominic asked, eyes scanning both men for an answer. 

Ilya said "It's been Funes' job to think of that, I'm mainly here to keep them safe." Funes said "I have researched it exstensively and had several ideas, though most of them involved a slower timeline. The usual manner would be to identify one who is friends with several of them and approach them first, then ask their assistance in telling the others."

"Hm...not bad, but what if the first individual doesn't believe us? We need something vague yet direct at the same time. If we're too forward, we could push them away. Too vague, they won't pick up the message." Dominic thought aloud, cupping his chin with a single hand. 

Funes continued. "If they don't believe us then there's nothing we can really do, but that problem is the same for any approach we take. I think the way we can rope them in is to talk about details of their life, believe me I know plenty about each of them."

"Yes, you have a point. I'll take care of Eliza and Annalise. I've known them long enough, would make the news a [i]bit[/i] easier. The rest we'll deduce when the time comes. I'm afraid Pinocchio-- Alan...might have caused us a number of problems. He's already seduced two of the children. Which of them, I'm unsure, but two of them nonetheless." Dominic explained calmly, though with a steely edge to his voice. 

Funes' face turned red again. Ilya said "I can handle that, I will throw Alan out of the lodge if that's what we need to keep him from causing problems. I've seen him talking with Eliza and Daria, so those might be it. After we're finished, I'll go back to watching the door for Alan while Funes works on exactly what to say."

"You've seen him with Eliza?" Dominic repeated, his lips curved into a sharp frown as he spoke, his entire demeanor shifting. "I swear, if he so much as touched her the wrong way..." Dominic didn't finish his sentence, instead letting out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temple. "Now then, we've got a basic plan down. We'll speak more about it if necessary. Right now, I think our best idea is to make sure Snowfest goes well. Now, do either of you have anything you wish to bring to my attention?" He asked lastly, looking between Ilya and Funes once again. 

Funes spoke up. "Just one thing. Both me and Ilya have noticed how much safer everyone is here, if we want to protect them, it might be best just to not go back, just let them live the rest of their lives. We could find a place for Yen Sid and anyone else that wants to come here."

Dominic at first looked visibly shaken that Funes used the Sorcerer's name so freely before moving onto his query. "There are kingdoms to run in the Fairy Tale World, it's the Children's home...they are not required to return, no. But I still recommend they do so. The Sorcerer could provide enough protection from Maleficent until we deal with her. Now then, I best let you two get back to whatever it is you were doing. We'll keep in touch." Dominic said lastly before offering a curt, if respectful nod, heading towards the door to leave.