#anywhere

___
Symon tries to convince Stonehands that he does not want, desire, or need a statue. Colton is the one who really should be honored as such - especially since he is Regent, even just for now.

...assuming that he fails to do so, he also fails to sit as model. Perhaps if more 'artist's rendition' than 'true to life' it will be less likely to look like it should be on the roof as a rain spout. Instead, for the duration he explores the hold, checking out all the nooks and crannies, bolt holes and squirmable areas - noting such for sharing with any potential sluagh who may move in someday. After all, having a pet slug is now practically a Lodge tradition...
___

Stonehands ssays he will consider it, and certainly will not force the boy to be a model.

He disagrees that Colton alone deserves praise

But Symon? Symon does have a unique chance to slip about...the hold is restored and shifting lightly. Colton's view influences it a great deal.

There seems to be a very small library, more like a study. Colton is not a big reader? or maybe this place just isn't a place for Academia?

But he does discover that old chestnut, the book case there actually is a secret passage.

But will he take the passage? or is he insulted by the cliche?

One should never be insulted by cliche's in one's favor... and after paging through a stack of rather dreary sagas, he is very interested in checking out the passage.

He opens it. It is dark, pitch dark. Not EVIL dark, more 'cool dark'

and he can see in it fine.

Sweet, blessed dark and silence, and he wanders in, closing the bookcase behind him to keep out lookey-loos

Oh this is more like it. It's a circular little area, like a second study, but with some other items. There are books in here... runes of warning!

There are also vials, and concoctions

The books have titles like The Teachings of the Trickster: Why Loki was bad but we need him anyway, A treastie on the Fomorian Courts: The Enemy of all, and Herbs as weapons Book III

It's not a bastian of EEEEEVIL by any means, but it is where the fort keeps it's collection of 'dishonorable methods'

Naturally, this means even some Seelie Sluagh would find it fine and dandy. One kiths' embarrassment is another's bread and butter

Oh, this is a lovely little nook. He settles in to read the book on Loki first, spending quite some time there - probably not noticing how long he's gone until he hears folk looking for him, and promises his new little friends that he will be back soon when torn away. Careful mental notes taken of what is in there now - both so that he can tell if anything is moved/taken, and so that he can let the new Regent know, once they are appointed. It probably isn't worth bothering Colton about this now... but if he... or the new Regent... ends up with an Eiluned sidhe on the payroll, they would likely welcome that info.

Or a troll, he supposed. If directly asked what he's found, he won't lie, but why volunteer it and have a bunch of trolls clomping about and potentially damaging these delicate texts when not needed?

Indeed, Loki was quite the hero for early tales. Sure, he enjoyed taking the piss out of Thor, but Thor is such a lunkhead in some of these that well... he's almost asking for it. No stranger to Bullfinch's per Se, Symon may find the real treat the writing from an Unseelie troll side on why Loki's methods worked, what trolls can learn from his success. It does mention that Loki's slide towards darkness may have been foreordained, but the alienation he felt from the asgardians didn't help. It says that trolls need to remember the sensitivity of those less honorable than they less they push them away.

He specifically looks, in the main library, for any scrolls that may have details about Trollish arts that he can add to Kerri's 'collection', or songs that may tempt Tove that he could make a copy of.

The kitchen it turns out has a cookbook, he's not sure it's got any surprises for Kerri, but he takes a few pictures of the pages... he does find one thing he didn't expect. A music room!

Horns and drums mostly, very military! But there is also a fife made of some kind of monster's tooth. And there are musical pieces here, tunes that may have been lost, or at least altered in time.

The instruments are less of interest to him, save for the monster-tooth fife. Each carefully kenned to see if some latent magical ability should be added to his growing inventory of findings. A reflection that perhaps sluagh make for as good a steward as a boggan, in their own way - meticulous attention to detail and knowing to the last grain or page how the inventory stands - it's really just like being a librarian on a larger scale. Not a job for him, surely, but he does find himself rather suited to the pleasant task of exploring and cataloging his finds, for now.

The fife is the real find, the ivory like fife seems classy rather than grim, and yet he's sure the magic of it is his style... while it might seem light and trilling to the alilies of the one who plays it, to their enemies, it heightens anxiety, it makes them wonder why they'd stand against the giants? Best to go home! Go back to their own hearths and live another day!

He seeks out also to see if there are any areas that may appeal to the motley who had originally sought out the freehold. The library (the OUTER one) may have some tales that, while stodgy to the sluagh, may be livened up for an Eshu's tastes... perhaps the Pooka is musically or militarily minded? A workshop where a Nocker may tinker? Oh, and he does have to seek out and see if there is a weaponry - he figures that Dagmar would be sad to miss out on hearing of any interesting things there, even if Symon's notes are more tailored to "...large axe, at least 2d12 damage with gutting serrations" rather than "ANd here lies the weapone of ULTHAR the WULFSBANE, ere he had carven deep to best rend his foe" .... oh fine, he makes notes of both.

Even the tombstones noted earlier are taken account of - someone's mom may want to write a song to honor the fallen giants. And if any ghosts show up, it is good to know their names.

There's a forge for bayonets and muskets.. and swords and knives and things.

But Symon soon finds himself unofficial inventory guy.

And Colton notices "What are you doing?"

He takes notes of all of the weaponry, dutifully noting whether THEY CAN KEEL for his best friend who is sure to want to know.

"Hrm?" He looks up from where he is curled for a moment, a notepad held in one foot, pencil in a hand, and phone in the other as he takes quick notes off of a picture taken earlier.

"Oh. I figured you, or the new regent, would need to know what you are Regent OF. A hold, yeah - but also what's in it. And you're going to want to ask that motley if they're planning on staying long. The kitchens don't hold anything left that even -I- can eat."

"Well, they've broought twinkies and things" Colton says "But Rover Olgar says he might be able to get some real food in here with Hearth Kerri's help. What can I say? I didn't exactly plan this." A pause "But I am grateful for the help and it's a good idea. Thanks"

"There's certainly room for them - but the rooms are more like barracks then bedrooms. Military minded folks. Things still seem a bit in flux... the lodge is- it seems... malleable? So if you have Ideas on what you want it to be, now's the time to Think Big Thoughts. Strike while the hammer is hot." That's not quite how that goes, is it? Well, he TRIED an analogy that Colton would appreciate.

"Let me know if you want to go over what I've found. You might want a cup of coffee... or tea if you prefer. Kerri packed some for me. It will take a while, and I've still not cataloged the western annex." He does unfold a sheet of paper that has... hexagonal graph marks on it? Odd, but it's still a fairly accurate map - with some rough areas where the pencil marks have been removed and re-done for accuracy.

"Or I can write it up for the new regent." A thoughtful pause. "Unless... maybe you plan on settling in. There are worse jobs for a Squire." And a small smirk. "Not that you're likely to remain one for long. Someone-or-another is bound to realize you're due a Knighting before long, O Savior of (Insert name of new Lodge)."

"Well, the hammer isn't whats... "he lets that drop, He looks over the papers if offered, "I'll try to think of what this place needs more than what I need, but thank you. Symon, don't you have school?"

He hands over a sheaf of paper which have estimates of what he may need, basic supplies such as bedding, food, etc, and notes where things can be repurposed - the crockery is intact, some wooden bowls may be recovered with a good wax and refinish - notes where he recommends asking Tove or Brekke, the outline of the weaponry, etc. There's even small calculations where foodstores should be noted as times 1.5 for Trolls, etc. He's a GOOD note taker.

"Don't YOU have school?" He responds.

"Yeah, but you're good at it," Colton says "You've got gifts.. and scholarships to get.. You're smart. I"m.. I'm not stupid, but I'm not going anywhere in this mortal world really, and I get it. I'll get a job in trade, enough to support me, and then the rest? probably fae side. Maybe helping mortal dreamers who are down on their luck ..musing them, but you're so smart I can't imagine you not going off to become a lawyer or doctor or something"

“Why would I want to do that? That’s something for muggles. I’ll be glad to afford a basement apartment somewhere with WiFi, and freedom to read or research what -I- want.”

"I don't know, just..well, sometimes changelings can use connections in the mortal world. Helps you become more in demand and then more folks would owe you favors from the enlightened self interest side"

A shrug, looking a bit uncomfortable. “It’s a conversation I’ve managed to avoid with the folks so far. For now, I’m happy with being a wilder with no obligations like that.”

"Wow, we trolls really are the buzzkill kith aren't we?" A touch of humor?

He gives him a small grin. "Well, yeah. But I'll let you have that one." He gazes around for a few moments, glancing over the paperwork. "You could stay here, you know. What with that stunt you pulled with your arm, I don't think any will doubt your dedication to the hold. Maybe one of those new trods opening up would even take you back to near home - or RV, and even if not, it's only a three hour or so drive." A pause, and almost reluctant to give such praise - "There would be worse regents for them to have."

"Uhm.." He says surprised, ,"Thanks man, that's .. pretty high praise actually. I don't think I'm a Chief material. Always been a follower. But.. I don't know.. I might be a decent storm."

A small nod. "That a hallmark trait in a good leader. It's best served by someone who doesn't want the power."

"Dude, I want things. some days I want knighthood so bad I can taste it. And have you seen my girlfriend? She's gorgeous. I am not a saint."

"Yeah, but WHY do you want knighthood? Is it so people will have to listen to you? You can lord it over everyone else, and get the good parking spaces, and have commoners at your beck and call?"

"No... because , it means something. It's not just a title, it's what it can stand for. Chivalry, NOblity, standards of excellence and one of those standards being that you help those not as fortunate. Maybe you don't need to be a knight to do that, but it's a reminder of the best in the stories... someone has to shine in the darkness so others can see the path out of the darkness. It's..." He looks thoughtful, "We need knights so we can believe that the good in this world has warriors too."

A small smirk, as Colton makes the point for him.

Colton says "People need symbols. You can tell them all day 'you dont' need' this, or that but that's assuming brains are all we believe with...we also believe with our heart.. and the heart? It responds to symbols"

"Fair enough." He straightens his paperwork. "Well, whoever ends up running this place, for good or ill, will need a decent inventory. I wanted to get a closer look at the forge again, I think there might have been some runework on there that I can't read because there's too much rust and soot. I don't suppose you brought any brillo pads? Alas."

"Actually, uhm. .yeah" he reaches into his backpack

And hands a brillo pad over "Will this do?"