#bergen_county

"And thus, the sluagh provide a valuable service to the world... unacknowledged."

A nod at that, and his eyes narrow a touch. "Something the others may be too polite to say... but we slugs - even when they like us - or like having us around because we're useful - they'll still start looking your way if something goes sour. Even if you mind your steps in a perfect seelie dance - some will still see you as a scant step from something under their shoes. So don't give them any ammunition if you can." A pause, and he allows, "This barony is better'n most. But best to learn now, so you don't get surprised later if you visit another. And always watch out for the black and gold sun. They got no love for us."

"they don't understand, do they?" A sigh "The other kithain"

At the mention of the sun, she shivers

"Our trolls try. They're as good as they come." He says, and despite what he just said, he sounds... somewhat defensive of them, now.

"well, Professor Wayburton seems to like them a lot. Says they're a fine ruling kith"

"Oh, if you wish amusement... Professor Wayburton has written a treatise on sluagh society."

"Better them than elves..." He says, though he rubs at his chin for a just a moment, wistful...

"Oh, did he learn too much?"

"And aye - trust not the Varich. Sluagh may make friends, and they are precious treasures, but no Slavic Sun will ever be so."

"He... oh, he tried. Twas a blind man drawing an elephant."

A giggle at the metaphor

"I heard a joke about a bunch of blind guys describing an elephant. One touches his leg and says, "It's like a tree!" And one touches the ear and says, "No, it's like a fan" and then the last says "It's more like a.." He trails off, remembering that it was Zane who told him this version. "Uh. I don't remember the rest. But I think it's a parable or Aesop fable."

"I have had good friends of diverse kiths. They... cannot change their nature, but nor can we. But if you bear that understanding in mind..."

A nod "Sometimes I feel sorry for Adam. He wants to be a sidhe I think"

Symon pours more tea, having shut his mouth firmly now against any other such potentially rude blunders, and listens as the two ladies chat.

"I think he would not care to be ousted."

"I heard how they do it" A nod "it's like a ghost taking over you, but really really stuck up"

"A ghost may co-exist, a sidhe will push out the human soul."

"Have you met any ghosts yet, Miss Lily?"

"No, theyr'e real?" gas[p

"Oh, aye!"

"Now - always be polite with ghosts. And do not be too free with personal information."

Nodding eagerly

"I often will use a false name - I shall be Raven, or Hind, or Esther."

"Thank you for sharing that. I shan't tell"

She ponders "Perhaps I will be Shadeling"

"That is a meet name." A nod of approval.

Pleased

"Thank you" She says "Trading secrets, this also meet?"

"Secrets are our coin. With kith cousins, you share as we do now - over tea, all manners observed."

"With others, be cautious. Be not a blabber Bess, who spills secrets for free."

"The kith secrets, share not at all to outsiders."

A nose wrinkle at 'blabber bess' "never that"

"Aye. A wise young lady."

"It's not wrong to use my gifts to help my family, is it? I do want to "

"Nay, child. It is not wrong. They are yours, and you should protect what you would gather. This no shame to love your family... Even if they can be embarrassing, a'times."

"So embarrassing" the girl sighs

"It seems a common curse."

Pause. "Hm. You are not far from my brother's age..."

"Your brother is also a sluagh?" Curious

"Aye, he is."

"Oh, then you could try to arrange a marriage, and I would spurn him...and flee into the city, denied my dowry by two familiies, and I would be forced to pick pockets on the streets of london... terribly exciting"

"His name is Jacob. He is, alas, a boy and thus not fully cognizant of all of the rules."

"Would you be swept up in the end to marry rich, or die a pauper of cholera?"

"You would be a fine urchin. Mayhaps you could tender matches, or sweep ash?"

"Me, I'll take the cholera."

"Oh, oh! You must needs learn of the consumption, called in these times tuberculosis. It is the most romantic death!"

"It is? Oh, my parents have neglected many important lessons"

A wry grin. "Ann Marie is oft convinced I will die of consumption if I so much as breath wrong near her."