#baronyofthesilverwolf

"...Are you sure?" Art says, uncertainly, as he carefully accepts the little dragon, bundled up for a trod journey. "I mean, you're the one who hatched him, you're raising him... what if he gets hungry?" His normal curiosity tempered by worry.

Thistles spirals are blue. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's fine. The Librarian should see him, and he's a bookwyrm... at least the Archivist thinks he's one. Now, here's the dropper - you have to touch his snout with it, then he'll eat."

"And I don't know if this will work in the trod, but it should be okay on the other end... plenty of battery." She hands Art a Zune, with a singular earbud attached and mounted to a tiny padded collar. "It's got hours of audiobooks on it."

"What if he needs you? What if -I- need you?" He says, still unconvinced... but then he is holding the bud to an ear, and examining the device. "...you say this has books on it? Fascinating..."

"Yeah. Fornax likes being read to."

"I bet if he could see, he'd be reading already. I'm gonna try to find some braille books and see if he can respond to those."

"You'd need to make the dots awful small. But if you had thin paper and a pin, perhaps..."

She squints. "Maybe..."

"Or maybe he can be cured. Or.. it could be that he just needs time to develop. Aren't newborns born with their eyes shut often?"

"Maybe!"

But there's a frown, and a tightness around her eyes.

"Well, whatever happens, he'll be fine. He has us to rely on now." Art beams, confident.

Gwen approaches "Are you ready?"

Thistle double checks the fit of the speaker, making sure it won't irritate Fornax's delicate hide.

Citron perches on her head. "Chime?"

The little yellow never leans in, curiously poking at the device.

Gwen ahems

The Never flits it's wings at Gwen - they answer only to Thistle... and only when they feel like it!

"It's just an mp3 player, I didn't make it."

Gladiola nods "Are you ready?" She asks again

Citron tilts the earbud to listen, and the tinny voice is heard for a moment... “Yes, in eighty days!” exclaimed Stuart, who in his excitement made a false deal. “But that doesn’t take into account bad weather, contrary winds, shipwrecks, railway accidents, and so on.”

A bored chime, and she flits back to Thistle's shoulder. Fornax, however, looks blissful, eyes lidded and leaning against the 'reader'.

Art nods! "I have Fornax's carrier, and the books from Mr. Aberdeen, and paper for taking notes, and this basket from Miss Marigold..."

"Thank you" Gwen says at the answer

"And the dropper. He might require you fill it twice, okay?"

She makes sure the bottle is in the side pocket of the carrier.

Art nods! "Of course!" He looks rather lumpen as a pack mule, but insists on carrying things. "After all, you need your hands free to fight, if need be." He says to Gwen.

"I think I can handle fight one handed" Gwen says "But all right."

Thistle grumbles, steals some items, restacks them, and puts them back into Art's arms.

Gwen sighs "Thistle. What did I say that pissed you off at Mr. Elias'?"

"Huh? I'm not pissed at Mr. Elias."

"Sorry, let me reword that: At Mr. Elias' office, what did I say that pissed you off?"

Squint. "I'm not mad."

"Did the sluagh do something untoward?" He asks.

"No!"

"I'm fine."

"I just don't like that place, and I don't wanna get into a whole thing with Smurfette again."

"Well, good! I mean, good that he was a proper gentleman. And that you're fine. Although I do not think you are being completely forthright." Art can't help but add. And then at the clarification, he frowns a bit, and nods. "If visiting EarthRunes discomfits you, then Dame Gladiola and I shall handle the trip. You take care of things at home! We will trust in you to keep watch over Silverwolf." He is just so earnest.

"You like the creepy Librarian, Fornax will be fine. He's gonna be yours, anyways, so this is good practice."

"Wait, what?"

"I'll keep an eye on things, yes."

"I'm not talking about Earth Runes.. and... oh, that's it. I opened my mouth about maybe Art and Fornax"

A peevish huff. "What? He's a bookwyrm, and it was YOUR vision and YOUR glamour. Of course he's yours."

"But chimerical creatures are your thing! And it was YOUR adventure, and your kiln that hatched him! I'm merely the questgiver..."

Gwen can tell this might go on for a while if she doesn't interrupt, and the trod awaits...

Fornax peeps peevishly, they are getting loud.

She looks at Art "I mentioned something, I don't even remember exact words, about how you and Fornax might have a link.... and I think I came across as insensitive to Thistle's part. I didn't mean to. It was actually a pretty good day"

Thistle scowls. "Just go."

"For (&%$&()('s sake. You're upsetting him."

"Well, I'm sorry I was insensitive. " Gladiola shrugs "Come on, Art"

Art turns an embarrassed red, contrite, and whispers an apology to Thistle.. and to Fornax. Turning, he follows Gladiola, though not without a couple backward glances.

Thistle stomps off.