#anywhere

the boy's lip begins to tremble as he's left hanging

She boops his nose. "Looks like."

And he's all smiles again "Thanks" And he looks at the primer coated walls and tries to guess "White Cow lost in a snowstorm?"

"For tonight, yes."

A nod "Well, gosh, all I got you was a returned childling"

"How are they doing? Has Caitir tried to form her own court yet?"

"She's tormenting one now" He says "if you wanna see the horror?"

"Sure!"

And he leads her down the halls to where it seems yes, a young Catir is fussing over a boy in a souped up Wheelchair...the nocker is revived, but he looks around somewaht fearfully.

"I keep telling you not to be scared. I really wish you'd follow orders," Catir says "And let us liberate you" She says "You're back now. .remembering yourself, but you were out for months. We're different sidhe"

The nocker swallows and looks around as if expecting some big lurching lug to drag him down to the dungeons "Sure, sure,w hatever ya'll say"

"Caitir... fear is allowed. You must win trust, you cannot demand it."

The boy is young for a childling, why 6 maybe 7 and half

Catir rises and bows "Pardon, Baroness. It's just, Ryder is awfully stubborn " And then she whispers "And not showing the usual fire of nockers. I kind of want to find the old baron's corpse and stab it again"

Ryder swallows and ooos at the same time. HIs newest tyrant is even more beautiful. Will she be even more evil?

"Hello, Ryder. I am Sparrow, the new baroness. Pleased to meet you." She extends a hand.

His hand starts to go out, "you feel.. odd" Another swallow

Catir says "She's a Liam, sidhe are not all the same, and Liam are SO much better than Balor"

"I do feel odd, I know. I would ask your patience with me." She keeps her hand out, but doesn't force the shake.

He takes the hand "Catir tells me that ..house with the snake and tower, is a fell and evil power. House with the Falcon High, honor hold, do or die. She..didn't mention yours aforre now"

"House with the blue sky and silver wood, wise and try to do the mortals good" Catir says

"Though she has a bannerhouse symbol so ..we'll work on that later" Catir says "Thats for advanced lessons"

"I hadn't heard that rhyme before. But yes, Liam protect Dreamers."

Suddenly the boy clicks "My da's a dreamer! He wants to make better and fancier houses and stuff in the area. My da's human, and I would muse him when I could but then the baron said someone else would be taking over that and.. I forgot myself" the boy admits "is my dad all right? I mean, I couldn't furking SEE with my brain shut off"

"Your dad is still a happy juice box of ideas" Stew says from behind the baroness

"Well, I haven't met your father. But he's under protection, of course." Firm nod.

"Thank you, you really gonna rule nice and not treat us like drek?" the boy says hopefully

Catir humphs "Baroness Derrywynd is kind and fair. I told you this."

"My goal is to be fair, not nice."

"Nice is more... oh... letting everybody do whatever they want all the time rather than say no. Sometimes, you have to say no."

"NOW you sound like my dad" The boy says surprised

"I'm going to take that as a compliment."

the nocker blushes, his swirls on his cheeks flushing

Catir says "Tell the Baroness about YOUR crafts. I bet she wants to know"

"REALLY?" the formerly shivering boy perks up

Stew says "It's true. The baroness even listens to crazy owl guys"

Catir looks pleased with herself at having encouraged the nocker through natural Gwydion leadership..and maybee a bit of manipulation

"I like art. I mostly paint, but my last squire smiths."

"Oh smithing's fine, but I want to learn to be an arkiteckt like my dad! Design buildings.. and I'm already learning how to build em! I'm putting ramps on stuff so wheel chairs to go, and I got ideas how to make better hand rails for old farts in showers! Ones that won't bust their heads. I can show you designs!" He tugs at the bag on his wheel chair "C'mon.. open up..."

Stew leans towards the Baorness and whispers "When I woke him up he was sure he ewas going to be flogged for sleeping on the job. I think this might be just a bit better this way?"

Her wings fluff. "Architecture is art. Like sculptures you can live in!"

"Yeah!" he says and out pops.. dear lord, dozens of dozens, well maybe a hundred plus.. of legos or lego like toys.. "Number 4, guys.." He gestures..

and the lego pieces move along the floor and turn into something that looks like a lay out for the hall of Justice from the old superfirends cartoon, but with more ramps!

"See, the shiny stuff is actually gonna be solarpaneling, that's why I put it in yellow...and the water pool? that's not a waste, that's a coolant..." bright for a six year old "I got vapor catchers ready"

"Oh, wow..." Her eyes widen, and she seems genuinely impressed.

"Hm. You should consult with Hope, too - make sure the hold is properly accessible for everyone."

Ryder looks surprised "The old baron said that it wasn't his concern if the weak couldn'tkeep up"

Catir snorts "Hypocritical for a balor"

"Blah blah blah" Stew says "The old baron said a lot of things.. including 'ack. I am teh stabbed' and 'Thump'. No more him, no more parasites. Kids are allowed to be changelings again provided we wear alego with liberty and justice for all"

"I do not force loyalty oaths, no. I do claim desmense, I will enforce the escheat... but no, I don't approve of making people swear against their will."