#earthrunes

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A smaller, more comfortable evening meal than the grand feasts is just concluding.

Coradel prefers a more casual tone than Baron Nemausus did. She smiles around the table at the members of the court. "I hope everybody is well satisfied? Another lovely meal."

"Hear hear." Quietly, saluting her with his water goblet.

"Kudos to the cooks. Yes." She raises her glass. She is.. surprisingly well-coiffed tonight, her hair up in braids and loops.

Not everyone is here, some have this as a 'shift' of sorts, but most seem pleased and are present. Stevie is playing with Gideon providing a bit of music while they eat.

Magnus smiles, "Oh life is great. I'm pulling a prank on a friend."

Claire smirks at this, apparently she's in on it or at least knows.

"Oh really?"

Coradel smiles at the collaboration of the musicians...something she'd hoped to suggest...then a curious look to Magnus. "A prank? Can you tell us?"

"Oh yes," Magnus explains, "You know Vali, of course? Rivervale? Looks like the regular mountain is away so he's acting mountain. Now, this is the same troll who told me that Mountains were like therapists or psychologists... so I went along with that, and would go in and talk to Sir Franklyn for hours. Now that Vali is the acting Mountain... I May have... sent a few folks his way."

Snerk from Claire

August carefully sets his glass down.

"For...for counseling?"

"You know, just to talk about their feelings, their problems..their hopes and dreams.I may have planted a few ringers. "

"Well, I'm sure he's been keeping busy..."

"Oh come on, it's funny " Magnus says.

THen adds, "Claire thinks so."

"Yes, but..." Claire sips her drink, "That's the Stockholm syndrome talking"

August slowly puts his face in one hand.

A soft snerk.

A wide grin. "You have a pooka's soul, Magnus."

"That's where it went," Shalimar says from a seat, "I thought it was gas!"

Coradel laughs and toasts her jester.

August takes a deep breath, lifts his head, and then his glass, to drink.

"Oh, now, August...it's funny. And harmless."

Inish says "I should have an apprentice selected for herald duty soon, Baroness Coradel."

"May I ask who you are considering, Herald Inish?"

"Good," she says, and nods at Deryn's question.

August nods, it might be agreement.

"Two or three Candidates, Chancellor..." He says "A pooka maybe on the way, but I haven't met him yet. I know a likely sidhe lass, but I'm a bit cautious on that. Commoner kith might think we were getting too focused on just sidhe, meaning no disrespect. The last applicant is an Eshu. "

"An eshu? Surprised you could get one to stay..."

"So am I..." Inish admits, "But messangers are part of the job so there would be some travel."

"That would be a curious choice for an apprentice, an eshu. Likely that her training will be interrupted often. But I trust you know your role and how to train another to it."

"Oh, and any word on a Warder for the children?"

"I need to speak to the children on their opinions. The piskey is good, but... Ludmilla..."

"Sister, Ludmilla is...forgive me, I think she's a bit damaged. And you have a love of taking in misfits and strays" Magnus says trying not to sound unkind

"And why not? She is good with the children, too. Caitir has taken a shining to her."

"She has eh? mmm" He shrugs "Just seems to me that the Piskey is more qualified, education wise."

"I don't disagree..."

"Well, there are many children...perhaps we could justify two warders?" She glances in the direction of the two troubadours.

"Well, this would mean they could... perhaps... take shifts?"

"They'll need to." Dourly.

"August?"

"Are the childlings giving you trouble, Sir August?" Delores asks

His lips twist upward despite himself. "One of them left a present in my shoes. That's all. Nothing I can't live with."

"...oh, gross."

A fond, warm look at the winged red-head. "I've had worse."

Shalimar wipes a tear, "There's... hope...hope for the future. From such humble beginnings greatness grows"

She gives August a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, my love."