#earthrunes

Bachdion walks along with the Baroness after wishing the lady well, and when Coradel asks her question- 'A bit further yet mmm?"

August trails behind them.

That gets a pleased I-must-be-right look, but she lets Bachdion lead the way.

"Now, I believe you asked me ..what again? Sorry, getting old, memory fading and all" the satyr asks all innocence

A skeptical look, then she repeats, "Was it you, my dear mentor, who hired the lawyer for Norm? Or, if we're going to get prickly about details, perhaps you merely asked the lawyer for a favor as a personal friend?"

A look at her, then after a pause, "How did you guess?" A bit of pride in his eyes "or did someone else suggest it?"

"Ha!" She smiles victoriously. "August suggested it might be the Countess, as a test...but you and Layton know each other very well...and you are still testing me, even though my fostering is done."

A faint frown.

"I confess, I am, " He says "Are you cross with me in part?"

"Mmmm..." she seems to be weighing her options a moment. "Not cross. It's good that you keep me on my toes. And I just realized that that also explains why you didn't offer much of an opinion during the commoner's council." An amused shake of her head and a sigh. "Well then, teacher mine...what's my score?"

"It's not a ...typical test," he says "And your ruling isn't done yet, so I don't want to bias you still. Think of this as a test and an opportunity"

A slightly narrowed look. "There's...a particular outcome that you think is appropriate, here. Or maybe a range of outcomes." Her smile slips away. "Bachdion...this is too serious a matter to treat as a game. I trust your council...and I would hear your advice in this matter if you are willing to offer it."

Bachdion looks at her, "Oh sweet lass, I do not see this as a game at all. I assure you of that. Politics and Justice are both difficult things to juggle, I know. But, let me ask you this? What have you learned about yourself as a ruler so far because of this?"

A slight pout as he asks her to reflect, and she folds her arms and looks away quietly for a few moments.

"Well...I know that the goodwill of my people will benefit me, so it is wise to give them voice rather than simply to act on my own impulse...even if I don't always like what I hear." A pause. "I can use fear effectively as a motivator. I'm not interested in making enemies of my neighbors by dumping my problems on their lands. And...if Norm is speaking the truth, things are happening in my barony that I've been blind to. Oh...and..." She looks to August as she continues, "I may have certain biases and blind spots that are best balanced out by what others know and see." She looks back to Bachdion.

A smile slips from the satyr, then more somberly "We all have weaknesses, and strengths- so becoming aware of them is a step in adjusting and working with them. I think the fact you're seeing who you want to be as a ruler and what you do not want to be is worth a little hassle with a lawyer mmM?"

August gives her a small, shy smile at her look.

"That depends, my teacher...is Layton actually his lawyer, or has that all been just as a test?"

"He actually is, I'm not that good at faking parlimentary notes."

A sigh. "Fine. I still haven't quite decided how best to go about his punishment, as it seems he's willing to give up other information in exchange for leniency. Oh...you don't happen to know a skilled Namer, do you?"

"Yes." He says

A blink, and she turns to August. "Well, that was easy." Then to Bachdion, "If Norm fails to adhere to moderate consequences, I will be demanding far stricter ones...and I'd like to have a Namer available who would be able to see to them."

August is amused.

Bahdion is pulling out a little black book that grows in size now that it's in his hand, and he flips through some notes : "Namers often refuse to..ah , use their powers for much beyond saining, my dear, but let me see who I can dig up from the little black book of ...memory delights. Mmm oh, wait, what's she doing in this list ? Damn nocker glitch. She hates Fiona. Well, not hates, but she'd probably snuggle a redcap of House Ailil first."

A soft frown.

Coradel doesn't seem bothered by this. "Well, she's not invited to the orgy, then." Then quickly to August, "A joke, my love."

For just that second, she got him. He seems reassured at her caveat.

"Tease" A mutter as he flips through "I can get in contact with one or two of them and have them hear you out"

A wink to Bachdion, then a more serious nod. "Thank you, my teacher."

"You're welcome, my pupil and baroness" A smile and a bow "Layton's a good man. he really dislikes Norm, but he loves his honor as a lawyer more. I know i'ts odd but he really is a friend."

A sigh. "No, I understand. I mean, I don't think I'll ever understand why somebody would want to defend those who are so evil, but...well, he is what he is, and he is a friend of yours, and...well, no, I don't think I'll ever really understand, actually. He's an irritant."

"I understand." Quietly.

He nods to August, "I, actually thought you might, August. Ideals are.. sacred to some folks. Even if others find those ideals odd"

A ssmile to Coradel, 'And yes, you're right too. He can be very irritating"

She looks to August. "Should I prepare for you to decide that you're going to study to become a lawyer?" A slightly pained look.

He blinks rapidly. "I.... ah.... It's a very long course of study, years...."

"I imagine he considers irritation a sign of a job well done," she smirks at Bachdion.

"I mean, I, ah, I thought about...." He trails off.

A surprised look to August.

"Actually, Layton says you should" Bachddion says to August, "he says you're raw and need polishing, but he thinks you might be a good one."

The surprised look evolves to a jaw drop.

He shakes his head, expression grave. "The costs alone would be staggering. I could get scholarship, I'm sure, but I'd prefer to do social justice and that's not a well-paid field."

"Me? I'm not so sure, lawyering is a rather banal existence at times. Dangerous. There's a reason Layton now takes Fae clients in fae courts?"

"Oh, finances" A nod slow from the satyr

A slightly furrowed brow. "That...August, seriously, is that something you'd like to consider?"

He shrugs uncomfortably. "I've only toyed with the idea. As, you know, as I've been trying to figure out what to do."

Bachdion looks between the two, "I think this is becoming an area where a young couple might want to talk about their future, though if you really want an old goat to listen and comment I can."

"I...don't know...." She's still watching August.

August decides to watch his shoes.

"Oh fine, I'll intrude" Bachddion says "August, your lady love is wealthy or at least has ties to wealth. And would probably be happy to help you if that's what you really want to do, or maybe some other field with a social justice or civil rights situation. But you can't let your pride keep you from taking the help if it's needed, okay?" He looks to Coradel "Coradel, the man you love is a crusader , not in a 'i will seize your holy land' way, but he's passionate about helping mortals and those down on their luck. It's one thing you love about him. But he also wants to provide for you as men have done for centuries ith their ladies and families."