#earthrunes

"A moment." And a few breaths later, she opens the door to look out.

It is (likely) late at night, but she is still dressed.

"I was told you wanted to see me?" Her mentor slipped on fashionable voile despite the late hour.

A smile, though she's clearly troubled. "Yes, my mentor. Thank you. Come...let's walk." She slips out of the room, shutting the door, and takes his arm, aiming them towards a garden exit.

He follows, "I am sorry I was away. I had a good time mind you, but it sounds like my help could have been useful. Are you all right, my dear girl? You sidhe are so lovely it can be hard to tell when you're not feeling at full energy"

She bows her head slightly, smiling. "Well, when one has a mentor who gives such compliments, it is easy to feel revived." They step outside into the warm night filled with the scent of flowering trees. "I am fine. A near miss, and my blade has been destroyed, but Isis is safe, and the redcap is in custody." A few paces more. "He has a lawyer."

"Yes, I was told Mr. Layton was in ," A smile at that, then the smile dims "Ah, but I get the feeling the arrival of an old friend for me is a headache for you"

She notes his smile with a bit of concern. "I don't like him, Bachdion. But...you find something pleasant about him, apparently. And he, you. What can you tell me of the man?"

"He's dedicated to providing hope for the hated. Help for the hopeless. I know I know, some of his clients are horrible horrible people, how could he help them? But he's not there to free them from the consequences of their crimes. He's there to make sure the punishment is for a crime done, and not for whatever fits a narrative."

"At least ,so he explained to me once. Oh we had such debates. " He says "Said I was an apt pupil"

"A...pupil?!" She stops and stares at him.

"Well, he IS much older than I, please tell me that's noticable?" A worried look, he touches his silver touched hair, "Maybe I should dye."

"Oh, Bachdion, of course, but...do you mean to tell me that that man was your mentor?"

"A mentor. This surprises you? Philosophy is another subject many satyrs, and to some degree, Fiona, enjoy. And my Kith, while known for our physicality, do love to argue sometimes." A chuckle "He and I used to go round and round on disussions. I'd argue for hours only to find out he agreed, but played devil's advocate to test my skills. Vexing as hell, but enlightnening. " A pause 'Not that I ever deliberately played the foil to any of my students to get them to up there game. Of course."

A skeptical look. "Hmph. Well..." she resumes walking. "That does put a different perspective on the man for me." A sigh. "Do you find him to be more ethical or more skilled?"

"Now that's an interesting question.Can't he be both?" While he waits for an answer on that "I can tell you he is highly idealistic, but his ideals are not the ideals of many. He can be reasonable. and he is not above looking for loopholes to free his client ,particularly if he feels loopholes are being used by the other side. Sometimes he enjoys checkmating folks for its own sake, makes you want to kick him a bit." Admition

"Mmm...yes, he kept trying to argue me into corners. I think i have you to thank for being able to notice when it was happening, my teacher."

"you have a good mind, it's a weapon, so it's best I sharpened it" he smiles "Do keep it in use though. In poltics it comes into play more than swords, but is less gratifying to use"

She sighs. "I don't think I like lawyers, Bachdion."

"No one does, even other lawyers don't like lawyers" He says "With good reason. Even the idealistic ones are the very epitome of manipulative. And openly so."

"Hmph." A lovely pout. "Well...if nothing else, he agrees that the redcap's threat of mortal death against me is enough to warrant punishment, though he wants to argue circumstances...but I would much rather be able to prove that the 'cap knew he had a pooka as bait animal."

"then prove it," he says "It seems simple enough. We fae have many means"

"Yes...it is a matter of gathering all those means. We need a Gwydion, and failing that, we need somebody whose Dictum is stronger than mine. He fought off my orders during the fight, though that might have been luck. And...oh..." She pauses.

"And Oh?"

She blinks and turns to him. "I've been assuming the childlings were out simply because they were being curious and rebellious. What if...might they have been lured?"

"I...suppose that's possible. Also easily found out despite their pookaness"

"Yes. Yes, I must speak with them." She glances up at the starry sky. "Too late now, they're long in bed, though I doubt they're sleeping well..."

"Probably not," A frown, "But if you don't find it too intrusive I do have a suggestion"

She looks back to him. "When have I ever found your wisdom intrusive, my mentor?"

"Well, more the methodology than my speaking my mind" He says "Have Magnus use Chronos on Isis while she sleeps, and Enri... and verify a lot"

A blink. "Oh, Bachdion...yes, of course. Could...should he do it now, while they sleep, or should we ask their permission first?"

"They're children, so my priority would not be alerting them... but alerting Ludmilla. Because if someone slips in there in the dark...well, " A shrug "From what I hear of tonight's activities, she might put them through a wall"

"She very nearly might, yes. Thank you, my teacher...I'll see to it immediately." She gives him a soft, grateful kiss.

He returns it then smiles, "Well, you know where to find them."

She smiles and moves away from him, hurrying back into the 'hold.

If she eseeks out her son, well, he and claire share a room here most often, obviously

And there is a knock on the door to their room.

"So help me, Leonora, if this is about an urge to go clubbing, I will club you with a mace." Claire's voie

Voice

"It's Coradel."

"I need to speak to Magnus, is he there?"

"Oh.. Pardon me, lady. Jut a moment..." quiter, one can almmost hear the shove "Magnus, wake up." //"mm? what? iw was sleeping" //"I used you for sex, so that doesn't matter for me that you lose it. Its your mother" // "An emergency?" //"Go find out." //"And you're just staying in bed, enjoying the after glow?" // A pause "yes. And I'm taking the comfy pillow." //"I had to fall in love with an Ailil" Then in a louder voice Magnus says "Moment nother. Be right there."///The door opens, he's wearing a robe, "Mom? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Magnus, but I made a silly oversight. I need you to backward glance the childlings, and it should happen while they sleep. I'm wondering if they were somehow lured out of the manor...and I certainly want to know if Norm knew what he had."

"Oh? Oh lord. I should have thought of that myself." he says straightening the night robe, which turns out to be Claire's and starts to head through the halls heading towards the kids rooms.

She keeps up with him. "Don't do anything until I alert Ludmilla."

"Ludmilla? I... Oh. right." He seems distracted "Sorry, CLaire was ..well, she had a lot of pent up emotion and... you know how it is"

"I do, indeed." She pauses them at the room and knocks lightly at the door. "Ludmilla, it's Coradel."

Ludmilla opens the door quicckly, and speaks "the childlings are asleep. A bit fitfully"

"Yes," Coradel whispers. "I'm sorry, and I hope we don't waken them, but if Magnus can work Chronos, to see what happened...we might be better prepared to punish the guilty."

She glances over at Magnus, then,"Is..sir aware he is wearing a lady's robe?"