#earthrunes

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"Crafted shortly before the Great Depression as a gift for a man's son who showed great promise in art. The young man sold it to provide for his family and had to abandon his dreams as the nation dove into economic despair and instead of painting grandworks, sweat and worked for a decade in toil. Did he ever take up the brush again? I don't know, but I do know he never reclaimed his father's gift."

"Oh...." A soft wilting of wings.

"And...the brushes? Are they his as well?"

((of course, now my battery's dying...hang on))

"No, those were brought in by a woman who lost her hands to arthritis. What she loved began to hurt her. "

"A museum of sorrows..."

He smiles with darkened lips at that term, "How nice of you to say"

She blinks, taken aback. "You're welcome?"

A flicker of a frown, but not of disapproval. "What is your price, for both?"

"If you plan to buy both I can lower the price greatly, a hundred even?"

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head.

Delores mutters "You're free to haggle. You know?"

"Deryn, can those brushes still be used? I know little about the artist's actual craft."

"I don't work much in oils. I don't know."

"Mm. They look a bit dry and rough to me. Would you take seventy for both?" She's been taught that sex appeal will not work with most sluagh, so she doesn't bother to try...just a soft tone.

Sparrow wears a little frown, but stays quiet.

"Well, very well," he says with a bit of a sniff, "I do want to encourage repeat customers- in moderation." he nods and the purchase is made, "Would you like it delievered to the Baron's hold?"

"Yes, if you please." Then a grin. "They are not both for you, Deryn. I know another artist who will receive the brushes."

She merely nods, but Delores, at least, can sense the easing of some inner tension.

things are carefully prepared, money changes hand, and if she uses cash instead of credit card he seems all the more pleased.

Absolutely cash.

Delores says "Of course, you will allow Deryn a chance to make you something , won't you, Coradel?" The boggan says "You simply must. She has her own pride after all."

"That's a negotiation that we don't need to bother this fine gentleman with." She nods to the sluagh. "Shall we?" She nods to the door.

"A pleasure to meet you, thank you." She nods to the sluagh.

He bows in that hand cup to chest gesture. The group heads out, the Ailil who has been quiet frowns, "If he was that free with 'known history' makes me wonder what he knows that you'd have to pay for?"

"Probably juicy stuff, if what I know of the kith means anything..."

"Oh sluagh are good, second best at getting information of use out of all the kiths" Delores says primly.

Sparrow laughs, amused, a sound like a bell.

Coradel smiles at Delores. "Indeed." Then she looks to Sparrow. "Deryn, I'm hoping you can return to the easel the use it once had."

Delores manages a blush, and then leads on towards their next stop, heading to a nicer part of town.

"I... well, when school starts... I... thank you, Cora. It's a lovely easel."

"It is, isn't it? Delores, thank you for bringing us here. He and his information may well prove very valuable."

"One hopes," She says, "And you're most welcome. This next place is the home of Madame LaFair. It's still early so she maybe available." They head toa five story building, where a door man inclines his head

"Are you lladies lost?" he asks, mostly noting any of you dressed midde class or lower

Coradel preens a bit under his scrutiny.

Which... Deryn is, in her unassuming blues and greys.

"We' were hoping Miss LaFair was in, we're part of her outreach program?" She stresses the word 'outreach' carefully.

At that, the man looks surprised, then nods, "A moment please, I'll see if her penthouse is open."

He goes to make a brief call it seems.

Coradel looks to Delores. "Outreach?"

Delores mutters "It's code to let her know we're changelings."

Her wings flick and she cranes her neck to look up at the building.

This one nice building, and Catnik thinks she sees signs of a rooftop pool.

The Doorman returns, "So sorry for the wait. The elevator is coded to let you through. Just press PH."

Assuming they go into the lush carpets of the very closed off building, they see the elevator open for them. The elevator has a wetbar.

"What kind of place is this?" hushed, to the boggan.

"Thank you so much," Coradel smile charmingly at the doorman, then goes in with the others.

"The richest place in town that many poor commoners sneer at," Delores admits quietly, and they go into the elevator , and once alone there she adds, "LaFair has many noble admirers. They ..ah , support her."

An odd look on Deryn's face, then she nods. "You'll never go hungry." It seems to be a quote.