#dreaming

Earl winces

"Feh."

And Zara may remember a Leanhaun lady who tried to , years ago, to 'muse' other artists Earl knew. And he did mock her with his art, more than once, and spread word to save mortal dreamers

"They should not take such insult in truth."

"A bit late to apologize I fear" The elder slaugh says

"I will not apologize, that 'patron' was destroying artists "

"Exactly."

Zane says "Wait, this Leanhaun gets a parody painting of her, and some bad mouthing, and she's hunting you in the Dreaming? or sent folks to hunt you?" Zane says "And they say satyrs are tempermental"

"Sidhe can be very sensitive."

"More than that, " Lady Gentle says "Any predator or parasite denied a meal can be.. troublesome"

"And they seem the innocent flower, but are the serpent beneath it."

"They paid me to report on you" The old woman says "BUT they did not mention a sluagh was involved" A frown. "Very rude"

Zane blinks "It matters that one is a sluagh?"

A gentle shrug. "They do not understand."

Earl says "of course it does. Sluagh are bound by their own codes and ways, as strong as Troll Code of Dagda. While they are not a hive mind, they all face the same distrust. How do you think their dream has prospred? Sluagh are no less dedicated to professional courtesy than any nocker, and far more genteel in the manners of it"

Zane listens then says "oh. That's neat"

Tibethia eyes Earl "I also would decline if I knew the artist was such a learned and reasonable troll" Approval

"Earl has been a dutiful student."

Earl inclines his head "My lady is an excellent tutor"

"Ah, true love, stickier than any swamp" Hag Tibethia says fondly "Yes. Here. I will tell you of the group after you. A satyress to lure you in. A Redcap to hunt and harry. A troll who sees the coin is good. "

Zara nods.

"We can veil and slip out" Zane says

"Well, they might have other tails upon us..."

"But yes, that will help. The troll, coin or no, will respect Dagda. So that leaves satyr and redcap to us..."

Zane frowns "Satyr vs satyr tends to lead to ah.. well, we're lovers not fighters as a rule. Not sure who ends up on top there.. pardon"

"Not crazy about leaving you to deal with a cap" A scowl from Earl to Zara "They're brutes, but they are not dumb"

"Our best bet is avoidance."

"You must be careful... I noticed the redcap sniffed the air a lot" Lady Gentle tuts

"Aye..."

"Then, maybe something to mess with his scent?" Zane suggests "Like peppers or.. something?"

"Well - the swamp has a scent, so best to smell OF it..."

zane makes an ooog face

"Well, muck we have" earl nods "We can lather some on our arms and such"

"Exactly!"

"Isn't this unhealthy?" Zane says

"you know what's unhealthy?" the old woman says "Redcap bites. THOSE are unhealthy"

Wince.

"I like having both my arms, thank you."

"Right. This is the way we muck our arms, muck our arms, muck our arms" Zane mutter sings

That causes lady gentle to snicker in a wheezing fashion "entertaining boy"

"He's alright."

Zane blushes "Thank you. Shall I tend to clean up? I am the youngest here"

"oh, he is alright" She says approving.

'Have you any other questions?" Tibethia asks

"Know you aught of the Equinox rivers?"

"oh, yes, those I know of, yes. many seek it, hoping to be free of a course or unwise oath"

"Yet dangers are there, too..."

"predators a plenty, Clockodiles, and Gunderwumps... and some bandits who try to charge people for the 'use'"

"Of course."

"And. there is the temptation to see how much it can break down... oaths... curses.. but.. if you stay too long ..."The old woman says "it is said it might break you to extremes, might erase bonds of other sorts."