#earthrunes

"Just like the house. Or the scholarship, or everything..."

"I don't understand."

"I don't deserve...." She frowns. "I didn't... you and August both..."

She frowns. "Don't deserve...what? And why don't you deserve things?"

"Don't deserve to be the heir. I wasn't fostered here, the Baron did it because you asked, but I've not... not earned it? Or that house, don't deserve that either, and I worry August feels.... obligated..."

A blink. "Deryn...did you SEE what you did last night? And before that, questing for the Baron. And fighting Ogres before that. I...how can you even think you do not deserve these things?"

A shrug, her gaze sliding away. "I don't know this place, not well enough."

"That will come with time, Deryn. With getting familiar with the staff." Then a slight grin. "I only got to know much of it when that cookie boggan-ized me."

"You said that that was an adventure..."

"That it was. I learned a great deal about a lot of things." She thinks.

Her wings rumple and a guilty look clouds her features. "I shouldn't have said anything. And you need dinner."

"This way...I don't want them to fuss over a proper setting and service right now. We'll beg a plate or two at the kitchen door." She leads Deryn down a back hallway and makes the request of one of the boggans there, who hurries off.

She crutches after. "Not today, no."

A few moments later, the boggan returns with a tray bearing two plates of Yule leftovers and two mugs of mulled wine. He leads them to a small alcove where they may sit and eat in private.

"But... maybe we could sit down, come up with a list of tasks. Busy hands, feeling of accomplishment?"

She sinks to sit and picks at the food. "Being too idle allows too much time to think."

"It does." She takes a bite...then another, reminded of her actual appetite. "Well...what happens next, then? I think...I think those who have been serving under the Baron should mostly remain in their positions."

"Continuity is good for stability, and you want a sense of that."

"But you also need to establish yourself. Make Jack the official Steward - or perhaps Delores?"

"Actually, yes, putting her in charge of a few things would be very wise."

"Oh, yes! Oh, that would be a perfect position for her. Thank you...I was trying to think how to recognize her service."

"And steward carries a lot of influence, especially with commoners and retainers."

"And Delores is heinously competent. And loyal."

"She's perfect for it. Excellent."

A bit of a laugh. "Heinously competent...well said."

"So. Yes. Call a council - invite Delores, too. You are not alone, they know this hold."

"Together, you can form a plan going forward. Some of it is obvious - repairs, tending the wounded. But also.... establishing yourself as strong. Send a message to any vestiges of the enemy that Earth Runes is in steady hands."

A slow nod. "We should have a proper memorial for the Baron."

"Yes. Absolutely. One, it's the right thing to do... but two, it will be good for the hold."

"That will take planning. Maybe aim for new year's?"

"Yes...yes, that would be appropriate, wouldn't it?"

"Right. I met a Bard at the Duchy.... I don't think there's one here, nor any troubadours..."

"I don't think the Baron had much use for them, but I would very much like there to be music and song and story in this Barony. Maybe...Imbolc is coming, perhaps a small festival?"

"I think so. Light in the darkness - appropriate."

"Maybe a competition? Seek a songster from the champion?"

"Yes, much as we bolstered our combat strengths through Pennons."

"And a Fiona hold should have art and music."

"Oh, hey - pink stuff!" She holds up the little bowl of jello salad and jiggles it.

"That looks unwholesome, somehow." But she jiggles her own serving and tastes it and approves. A few bites later, "Deryn...can I ask you to check on August? He isn't answering my calls."

"He's not answering mine, either."

"Oh." A weary stab at the jiggly food, and a sigh. "I think I ruined it."

"I don't know what is happening with you two. I thought it was going okay...."

"But he's been weird for weeks. He hasn't been out to the house..." That guilty look. "I need to get a job real soon."

"Oh...bills, food. Are you okay? I'm sorry, have I overlooked....oh, Deryn...I'm sorry."

"I got a lot of money from the mural. And got assistance for Colton. I just... I don't feel like I'm pulling my weight there, and the rent... it's... too low. August did all that, and I don't deserve..."

"Deryn..." She reaches for one of the sidhe's hands.

"Sorry, It's fine. I'm fine."

"Don't need my hang-ups right now. So,,, a memorial, imbolc, wounded, repairs from battle damage.... I think we have nice clear goals to get people working on."

"No, listen. You have at least as much a right to these things as I have to my position here. My host, Chloe, had wealth she didn't earn, and I benefit from that. Delores found me, and brought me here. Those are not things I deserved, they are connections that I happened upon. Your connections have brought you here. It is the same."

"Are there any mews in the Barony? You should invite the holders here. Maybe for tea..." She bites on her lower lip.