#brightwindsbarony

"Does everything have to be a Duty?"

"Noooo" she says

"You need to have friends, Caitir. People that see you as yourself, not just your kith or your position, or your title."

"But I'm PROUD of a lot of that"

"And you have every right to be! I've been ashamed of my kith, of my house."

"And it's like a poison. It eats away at you from the inside."

She nods at that "But you learned better!"

"Da'an crafts each of us. We must be who we are - we can't be anybody else. But it can take time to figure out how to do that, for sure. I struggled quite a bit with that."

"Well, yes. Like you, you're an artist. As well as a ruler"

"Art is the one thing I've always been happy with." She smiles.

"But... being a baroness? That's been harder. You and Grey have helped more than you know."

"But you're a GOOD Baroness. Frankly, I thought Lady Captain Siv showed remarkable sense seeking you out."

"Well, I appreciate it. And I'm working to earn that trust."

"Don't ever think your ears entitle you to anything special - remember, we have a duty. It's as much a part of us as protection is for trolls."

"You just told me not everything had to be a duty" She reminds

"Yup. And was either of those things a lie?"

"Noooo" She says and smiles "I get it. And don't worry. I understand Noblisse Oblige."

"Well, glad you do. I am learning more about it every day."

"me too" She admits "I mean I KNOW it, but living it takes focus"

"It does. So. Felicity, and Stew, and Rider, and Grete, and Ashlee, and Irene."

"Quite the crowd!"

"And more.. " She admits "I guess I'm not sure ..well, I'm not their leader. I'm used tro being the leader. Guess I have to earn it' She admits

"Yup. You aren't entitled to it. But... you're smart, and fun, and have lots of ideas."

A smile then a thought 'maybe I should show them some of the games we kids at Earth Runes played?"

"Maybe!"

"You should teach them how to paint too" She suggests

"Well, I was thinking of having all of the childlings work on the hallway. "

"But you have to be part of that! You're the best painter! And it's your hall!"

"Well, I was thinking we could have flowers and butterflies... and those don't all match..."

"Well, maybe if they have a sunset or sunrisse behind them spreading all sorts of colors?"

"A new dawn... and all kinds of possibilities?"

"I like it" she smiles

"And then, yes... room for everyone to add their own little touch."

"Grete will want to do something with rocks." Not a dismisal, but it's clear she's noticed a theme

"Hm. Maybe we could break the hill and reveal some strata on the lower right..." She gestures, sketching it in the air.

"Oh.. she's love that idea I think. I meahn she knows so much about rocks and stuff you may have to ask her for suggestions"

"True. She's... passionate."

A nod "I think she's a good ally"

"Agreed. And this was her home first."

"More like her prison" A frown "Balor are rotters"

"Agreed. I will need to work more on Sovereign... I think being able to Ban offenders from the Barony woyld be useful."

"Perhaps one of the knights has that gift. It's ..less typical given the low ranking relatively but you never know?"

Clarence announces it's meal time.

"Ah, thank you Clarence!"

And off they go, for a fine meal in that grand dining hall

(End scene)