Robyn directs Halfpint to the alleyway behind the store that leads to the loading bay door and sends a text to have someone open the door for them. The door slide up on its rails as the van pulls up and Robyn guides the rigger into the shop. He sees bookshelves full of real, bound books and people wandering and some even sitting in some of the overstuffed leather chairs scattered about. A woman is waiting to meet her and is introduced as the shop manager, Sarah. Sarah welcomes Halfpint and scolds Al fro not keeping his mistress dry. The Hell Hound looks at her and dips his head as if to say he is sorry. Robyn points off and makes some strange clicking noises and Al walks over to a huge throw pillow near a glassed in room. She then leads the way through the shop where the smell of leather combines with cigar smoke and quiet customers look through the shelves. She walks past a wrought iron circular stairway leading up and down to a lift, Sarah walking with her and talking numbers. Robyn tells her that she will be gone for a few days and the woman nods as she pushes the button for the lift and bids both of them farewell.
Once in the lift, Robyn says, "This should not take long. I have already messaged Stephanie and some things should already be packed and ready."
The lift door opens to a short hallway that leads to a door that is already open and waiting. As the two enter the room beyond the door, a woman approaches. Robyn shrugs out of the long-tailed jacket and hands it to the woman who she introduces as Stephanie. Stephanie places the jacket over a chair as Robyn walks through to her bedroom chattering the entire time with her maid about what is packed to go. Before she disappears into the room, she turns to the halfer. "Please make yourself at home, Halfpint." The maid soon returns carrying the wet clothes and asks Halfpint if she can get him anything to drink. A few minutes later Robyn appears, dressed in a set of cargo pants and a shirt. She nods to Halfpint and says, "Almost done. Just have to pack a few things and I will be ready to go. Thank you for waiting." She disappears again, returning in a minute with a suitcase and a cello case.
At the door to the apartment, Robyn turns and gives cheek busses to the other woman before saying something in French, to which Stephanie responds with a slight blush and a smile. Turning back to the door, Robyn leads Halfpint back to the lift and down, heading through the shop to the loading bay, collecting Al along the way. Two young men have moved a large Mule drone into position at the bay and are just about finished loading several cases onto it. Robyn stops and talks to the men by name, introducing them to her companion. She turns to Halfpint, saying, "Halfpint, meet Igor. He is my longtime friend and companion. And here are the marks you need to control him." A non-verbal command is given and Igor rises and steps into the waiting van, causing it to settle just a bit. The young men assist Halfpint in loading Robyn's last cases and watch as the rigger maneuvers the drone to just where he wants it. Robyn turns to Sarah, who has made a quiet appearance. The two talk shop for a minute then Sarah turns to kneel close to Al so as to bring her eyes to his level. "And you make sure she comes back, or no more of these for you." She holds out a hand and offers the dog a large Meaty Stick, which Al ignores while looking up at Robyn. She laughs and gives Al permission to take the snack, "You are spoiling him. I need a fierce guardian, not a puppy."
"Yeah, as if that will happen." The two stand and embrace before Robyn turns to Halfpint and walks over to climb into the van with Al as the bay door slides down.
