#anywhere

"Old? No no, Miss thusliah" The childling beams. Intelligent lad. Smart mouth. Happy mood!

"You're obviously the baby sister."

"Obviously, here.. I southwested it up a bit" " She eyes the childling "You're not too old to get plucked you know?" but she tossles his hair/feathers

An experimental sip. "Oo, cinnamon! Nice!"

"Stew here is hopefully the first found of many." She nods. "Of all his crimes, that might be the most egregious."

"I think you'll find many that agree" Hope says "Maybe Stew can help you find the other childlings too" The boggan suggests then adds "And..is Clarence working out?"

Hope still gets nervous, visiably so now and then... around nobles. Oh she knows Sparrow is a good one, but she did just spend a lot of years under tyranny so she does not want to upset ANY noble

"He's been very helpful. I do need to settle on a Steward, and would welcome opinions... or, ah... nominations?"

"Oh I don't know.. I'm afraid this sin't like some holds you know of. None of us serfs were encouraged to take up such positions, or even taught the skills needed. Clarence is probably just happy refilling your cup."

She shakes her head. "Well, that will need to change. I know the value of having diverse perspectives and experiences."

"Certainly smarter than wasting talented souls to slave away with blistered hands." Huff.

Hope smiles at that, fondly there. Yes. Sparrow is a good one.

"You could always put a goblet in a rock , and whosoever pulleth the goblet from the stone, should be right wise steward of all the Dry tears?" Stew suggests

"Well, I can put out a call... I am terribly grateful to Olgar and his friends, and clearing the silver will help... but I think you are underestimating your fellows, Miss Hope. I am willing to bet we have plenty of good people right here. This is your home, right? Who better to be part of running it? I'm the tumbleweed blown in."

"Well if you need a steward I can ask around. I know Sir Dubh is working hard as your chancellior. As for who would be good with supplies and making sure everything is inventoried..."

"Exactly. And I cannot steal Miss Delores from home. My mother would have my head."

Before she can continue, Stew throws in "You mean like someone who makes sure a bazillion coffee blends are kept in stock, make sure the crumpets you dip into them are fresh, and keeps the peace? Those sorts of skills?"

"Right! Skills like that." She nods.

"I know nothing about courtly ettiquette" Hope reminds "Just to keep my head bowing and try not to offend"

She caught on quick

"Well, then we'd need someone with the ability to cannily read a situation and understand the social dynamics..."

"Gosh, that sounds magical... they really should invent a kith that..." Stu may have been NOT a pooka for weeks, but he sure is back in the saddle

"Ah well, I guess we'll muddle through..." A grin at the Owlet.

"Oh goodness gracious fine" Hope throws up her hands "I'll make time from here to help with the job, but only until you find someone better" a look to Stew "And you young man, might just get drafted to assist me carrying messages"

"But.. but my reading time" He protests

Sparrow chuckles.

"Oh yes... mm" A thought, then Hope says to the Baroness "The library in the hold. I imagine it's not been tended properly or even that extensive. While he is young I could use Stew's help getting it organized"

She nods. "That seems reasonable."

"Crap" the boy realizes he's been drafted "Karma ran over my dogma"

"Well, Hope says it isn't too big."

"And it ends up too big we'll get more help" Hope says then says to the Baroness "I can't stop working here you understand? I..well, you understand. But if you'll tell me I'll try to maximize things. Maybe I can hire another daughter of eve." A thought "What other positions are you hoping to fill?"

"Honestly, I'd like a functioning household - that might take time, for, say, seers and jesters and the like... I have a Chancellor, Gray is an old friend. Reeves, Thanes, and Stewards are most fundamental. It is possible some of those roles could be split or shared..."

"I'll puff up and play thane?" Stew inhales, holds it and tries.

"Little Joe has already volunteered as one."

"Oh.. he IS the brute squad" Stew says

"Oh he'll be grand" A smile from Hope "I might have an idea or two for others... but pardon, other customers" And she moves back to her post

"Of course! Thank you!"

Stew enjoys his drink and says to Sparrow "You have the gratitude of a son of Athena for your freeing me from my ice covered tomb. "

"Well, I might have a mission for you." She nods.

"Do I get to wear an eyepatch?"

"Possibly."

"Then I am your Samuel L." He nods

"There are other childlings to find." She produces some dross - a baseball card, a bottle cap, a flattened cootie-catcher, a leaf shaped like a duck. "Like you, gone grey."

"I know one" he says but the way he says it. A lie. He knows more "And I don't give a crudola about them" Definite lie "You want me to get them on the argo?"

"A full ship. It's.. why, it's demanded. We must rescue those lost."

"Well, a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do... and a man's gotta do a lot depending on his diet." He finishes his drink "I'll get started yesterday"

"You have my gratitude." She passes the dross to him.

He looks at it then nods and pockets it. Then he pushes his glasses up

"The high tower is mine now, so it is safe. We're working on the roads. "

He considers something "And the old boss? NOt same as the new boss? hes's not coming back?"