#earthrunes

Bachdion sips his drink, "forgive me, Miss Zara and Sir Earl, and Baroness Coradel and Sir August, but I am..enjoying young people so obviously in love. But if I make you uncomfortable, do let me know and I can depart."

He moves over, pouring more hot water into August's teacup, and to Zara's, as well. A smile and sheepish nod to Bachdion, who had to fetch his own drink.

"Thank you, Sir Lion."

She takes one of August's hands and gives it a squeeze as she takes another drink.

He squeezes back, with a sigh.

Earl says softly to Zara "..... have....ang.... some ...rich"

THAT whisper has her whipping her head back around and hissing. "Is that what that is? What did you do?"

A soft exhalation, couple, couple, and a shake of his head, amused to Bachdion. "Young love, eh?" Then, a quirked brow as Zara's whisper is loud enough to catch once more. "Hmm?"

A surprised look to Zara. "What's wrong?"

She doesn't answer, glaring at the troll.

She follows Zara's gaze. "Earl?"

August clears his throat and says, to Bachdion. "Ah, well, no Sir. I'm not uncomfortable, I think. Ah. Coradel, how do you want to proceed with the news of a red trod?" A trifle loudly, perhaps to draw attention away?

Earl looks sheepish then "I had an adventure, more likely an adventure had me. I'm not an Eshu, but I can tell the tale if you like. I do ask none of you mention this to any of House Varich?"

GLARE. Nobody tell her how much of a certain nocker is in that fiery gaze.

Earl swallows. Whatever threats he faced does not compare to angry girlfriend "or I could just keep it quiet for my girlfriend's ears alone"

She's about to answer August, but then Earl makes the request. "If this is something that will harm a member of my household...." A frown.

August risks a look; he was pointedly not watching Earl and Zara but... Oh boy. He looks.... scared.

Bachdion looks at Vince, "Does Jack still have that microwave with the popcorn easy make ready?"

She shoots said glare at the satyr.

He clears his throat. "Ah, perhaps I should go... check the kitchen?" A question, perhaps more for the Lioness that he flicks a glance to, than the Satyr it is in response to.

A look between Earl and Zara, then she says, "If...you would like to keep it private, you may certainly do so."

Bachdion is a grump who has been glared at by experts twice Zara's age, but he inclines his head respectfully.

"No, Baroness, it..won't be a threat to a member of your household." Earl manages..

"Spill it."

"Well...it looks as though telling would be a threat to you." She notes Zara's expression.

(I misread, thought that was Coradel glaring at Bachdion there. )

(Works though, for me!)

"It's a bit crazy, I am an artist, as most of you know. I was working on a commission, drawing a pattern of an elven star....when it began to glow. I guess curiosity is contagious, but I put my hand throuh it, and instead of tearing through the otherside, it had become a portal. I...peeked?"

She frowns. "A portal?"

.....glare.

August frowns. "Who gave you this commission?"

"Yes, I found myself in , well, a part of the Dreaming? there was a contest" He says "Knights from every House... I mean, every. Not all of them Sidhe. Which surprised me. We were in a great labyrinth....and... were offered a prize."

Coradel puts down her glass, intent on his story.

"We could also refuse. But, the prize would go to someone, and..." A deep breath, "There was a Balor, and a Leanhaun..and Zara, love, could you stop glaring quite so hard? I'm worried I'll start bleeding internally."

August winces on Earl's behalf.

"A contest to prove what? To defeat a labyrinth?"

Bachdion is making notes on how use this as a 'how not to' lesson to his next student

"I was in the dreaming, so some of it's fuzzy, but yes... to reach the end. Oh,Zara, the prize was different for each House, abut each of us got a glimpse what each prize would be..." A deep breath, "Zara, the prize was a weapon against sluagh."

She bristles.

"And there were Varich there?"

"Only one, their Champion. Each House had a champion and I...I.. don't remember if I was a glitch or what. It was all Knights, but I don't have a House so...maybe I shouldn't have been there?" He finishes his drink

"There was a Champion of House Fiona too, Baroness"

Coradel's eyes are wide. "Did you compete?"

"Did..."

"Who?"

She twists in her seat, shoulders curling in. "Did the Varich win?"

He is quiet, leaning forward intently on the counter, listening to the tale.

"Yes, I competed, I don't quite remember , your ladyship who the Fiona was, mists... I just know there was one, and no. that's why I got this..." He says showing his mark on his wrist, "It's all very complicated. But everyone was competing for a prize. I was the only one who didn't have a prize, is that crazy or what? So I could have left, but I kept thinking, what would happen if the Varich their hands on their prize? andd I wasn't crazy about some of the other prizes either. So... I played Spoiler"

"The prize different for every house... but for all, a different weapon? Or for all, against sluagh?"

"Wait... what's that mark mean?"