#anywhere

The troll grunt nods

"Oh so kind" CC says

Green sleeeves says "And we have plenty of rooms. Which would you like first? Dinner or a place to rest?"

"Laura?" he kicks the question to her, and takes another look at the trolless.

"Dinner, please" Laura says "I am so sorry but I'm famished"

Robert smiles proudly.

((DD/vibe on Timberfall?))

Grey skinned but with blue highlights, like all trolls she's tall, and on the higher end of the kith those he's seen taller. Her hair is a very light bruenete or very dirty blonde depending on how you look at it. Timberfall seems a warrioress, the calluses on her hands show she has used that great sword often in practice and perhaps battle. She is cautious of them, but that may not be them in particular. And for some reason, she wanted petey there pronto

"Then yes, dinner, if we might?"

He looks back to Petey for this request.

And watches the others as well, putting together the relationships.

Petey says "Sure, follow me" he says and leads them through the green

A squeeze to CC's hand, and they follow.

Lotusland has many botanical wonders.. and he notices that there are satyr couples holding hands. An Eshu smelling flowers that remind her of some journey she took. Petey brings them to a picnic area

"This truly is a delightful spot!" he enthuses.

"Thanks, it is isn't it?" Petey says "Now, what can I get you folks, we have some stew on the pot but it's beef and if either of you are vegan I can get some great salads"

"Oh, stew sounds wonderful."

"Two bowls coming up," Petey says "And if you like company, I'll join you "

"We'd be delighted!" Robert and Laura settle in, since Petey is serving.

And he does, soon, buttery rolls and hearty beef stew

It's pretty good! but both have had better. Still can't complain about food that's a solid 7.5 just because you're used to 9s annd up

"Now, what brings you to Lotusland?" Petey asks

"We just arrived in town and were looking for a place to shelter, just a night or so. We heard Lotusland might be friendly to those in need.... and it seems you are!"

"You already heard the old baroness was out?" he says soundning surprised "Guess word really is spreading"

"You and I both know how to hear things if we want to." he grins "What I hadn't heard was -how-?"

Petey looks a the two of them "Well, I've always disliked the noble system. It's broken, badly. But in truth I missed the hows.. witnessing I mean"

"You have?" some natural surprise "True, nothing's perfect, but....."

"Sir.. I'm sorry, but if modernist ideas offend you I'm afraid I will probably do just that" Petey says "Whenn I came here, it was the tail end of a coup, and I was glad to be part of it as much as I could be. The Baroness was thrown in her own cell and offered a choice, free the fire, or rot in the hold she hadn't been servinng anyway."

"I... I suppose I never considered the matter closely. It's just.... what's always been, yes? What did the Baroness choose?"

"She chose to yield it up then ran off claiming she would bring this to the highest authority. It's the most energy anyone has seen her use" he snorts ( ISend to RIGHT device this time)

CC hmms "Golly, aren't you worried?"

"Would she go to the local Count? Or, Duke, even?"

"Timberfall is ready for a fight in case that happens but the motley here will try our best to defend it"

"Isn't there someone you would turn to for defense?" as he eats.

"It's the Just us league around here. We go to a nnoble for protection, thenn it's just noble tyranny by proxy" he says

"Woo wild crowd" CC says in that minnesotta accent

"Ever read the Broken Crown trilogy?" Petey asks "It's just fantasy... fantasy genre... but then some would say so are we. Those books really made me think"

And EBG reealizes.. one of his HIS dreamers WROTE those books! When CC pushed him to muse young rebels years ago!

"I don't think I've read them, no."

CC recognizes the name of the books and shoots Emerson/Robert a SMUG side smile.

"You ought to, they're bold, and prove real heroes don't kneel to a crown but rather help lift up their community" Petey says "Frankly, it maybe a hundred to one shot that we can hold onto this, but it's worth taking that risk"

"But.... the Count here, surely they could organize and put this experiment down?"

"Well, if it comes to a fight, Timberffall will do her best. In the mean time, we keep eyes out. For example... I'm checking out you two to see how you''re fitting in. Boggan dar" he answers "But you knew that I suspect"

"I have to admit, given the situation here, I'm not surprised." he says with a wide-eyed sincerity "How long have you been an independent holding?"

"Coming on two months" he says "You two clearly love and adore each otherr... but you were very curious when you came here.... might be seen as spying.. but it does fit with your talk of having heard about and being curious."

The older boggan blushes and can't help a pie-eyed glance at Laura.

Laura returns it

"That said, if you folks are noble spies, well.... now you know. We're here, we're common, get used to it. If you're not, and yo ulike what you see.. maybe you could get a home where. Either way, WE follow the rules. Haven and food."

"We're grateful for your hospitality." Robert says, squeezing Laura's hand.

"Fair neough, now eat up. I'm not the best cook in the kith but I won't see folks go hungry"