#earthrunes

"And the baron said she can be fostered here. So. Even better."

He grins. "Good." Glances down the hall.

"Cora's around. Under guard, and probably going a bit stir crazy..."

"Right, well, I should go check on her, talk to you later...." He starts away.

"Sure. Happy Yule, August."

"Happy Yule! We'll all be here for it!" As he heads off.

"It'll be fun!"

He's gone.

OOC: DUn dun dun

"okay. Caitir presents. Gonna find Colton for this one...." And off she goes in search.

It takes a bit to find Colton. He's not resting up.

Instead, she finds herself going toa part of the hold she's never seen before. An Ayrie!

Her feathers fluff, wings half-spreading. Birds!

And how, falcons and hawks mostly, and Colton is like a kid in a candy store, but TRYING to be have so not to pester the master of hawk and hound, a grump sidhe who nods, "Yes, that is right. Never let it too close to your eye." The falcon on the boy's gauntlet perches as the greybeard explains "We are all subject to instinct."

She hangs back, watching - not wanting to distract in the middle of a lesson.

"You're the second Varich I've known to work with birds of prey, sir," The Troll says, "Thank you for letting me uhm study up again."

"I am master of hawk and hound, am I not?" the man says rhetorically "If you do not know how to handle either, it would be bad for the animals. So I teach, to those who listen" The Varich turns and bows to the Baroness, lifting his right hand oddly as he does.. and she realizes he's showing the Squire how HE should bo w while carrying a bird. "Sir Sergei"

A soft flick of her wings as she returns the courtesy. "Lady Deryn. A pleasure. I trust my squire has been behaving himself?"

"I would not allow him here if he were not, Lady, rest assured of that. The boy has had some training already, so it was hardly a burden. Did you have need of my services in hawk or hound for yourself?"

"I do not. I was simply seeking Colton - but it seems he is well-engaged!"

"Oh, you needed me?" Colton says, then turns to Sir Sergei, "Pardon sir. I should see to this. " he looks to the bird "Go to him, Peppermint." The bird flies to the master falconer's own glove promptly.

"Handsome bird..."

"Yes, I try to keep them occupied. A creature that flies is not meant for prolonged inactivity" The Varich observes "Come by anytime you would like, Lady. I thought your wings would scare the birds but it seems you had no such affect. You might find an interest in Falconry yourself."

"I might! I would be interested, yes. Thank you, Sir Sergei."

"You are welcome" He says. Squire Colton nods to the Varich and rejoins his liege, "How can I help you, Lady? Last I heard the childling was asleep. Is the baron taking her in?"

"He is. But... it is also yule. And it doesn't seem right that a childling should go without a present on Yule."

"Oh, you're right!"

"What do you think she'd like?"

"Hm. She's what - six, seven? And precocious..."

"Maybe a small bow? Good for her size."

"And a doll. She ought to be young enough for dolls."

"Wonder Woman" the boy says

"She's like Batman for girls"

"Wonder Woman works. I don't know if they'd have any, like, forest fairies?"

"Well, now a days, yes, I..." he looks at her, "Did you ever try air brushing?"

"A shirt, I mean?"

"A shirt? No, I haven't... "

"Well, for Fairie stuff..." He says "I've seen shirts like that."

"Right. Well, doll and bow. Check with Leonora - she said she had some cash, maybe she can drive you? I am not risking upsetting the thanes quite yet."

"Oh, the thanes here okay. It's just their charges make them twitchy" slight smile

"I know! Running off into danger! Battling thallain!"

"...I haven't told them about getting shot yet..."

"Ha," he grins at that, "Can I be the one to tell Sir Frank?"

"Sir Vali says if you give Sir Frank news like that, is brows crease so hard they can turn coal to diamonds. Chieftains' too."

"Oh... fine, you tell. Better you than me."

"Cool."

Really eager to test Vali's theory it seems

She laughs. "Thanks, Colton. Go, conquer, check on the house - your presents are under the tree already."

"Thanks," He says clearly tryig to be mature about HIS presents, but his eyes sparkle with eagerness despite his attempt at stoicism towards them

"They aren't THAT big, but I hope they work."