#earthrunes

He's heard about the mushrooms; it's as good a place to go as any. He pauses there.

"sir august?"the girl comes out and smooths her outfit, and bows

He bows back. "Hello." Softly. "I'm sorry, but I did not hear your name before. How may I call you?"

"Velvet Shadecandle, as it please you, your lordship"

He nods gravely. "May we speak?"

"as you like, sir"

"Would you like to go inside? I can order tea. Or we can speak here. Whatever you like."

"here is fine, sir"

A pause "forgive me, but the varich was seen about earlier. i would like to avoid"

"He'll do you no harm." Soberly.

"as you say then, sir" She says

"Miss Shadecandle, are you interested in being a squire?"

She says "i am, sir. are you interested in having one?"

"I really never gave it any thought." Honestly. "But, it's been pointed out to me that... I could. I might."

"Would you be interested in being -my- squire?"

"yes sir, or i'd not have shown." she says looking down at herself, "i have credentials"

"well, references "

Polite, even quietly enthusiastic, interest. "May I see or hear them?"

She pulls forth a letter, and begins to read aloud a sample of recommendations: "'an attentive student in biology class, particularly during the dissections'-Mrs. Ombros, Teacher" continues on "'oh god oh god, sure i'll sign anything you want just stop staring at me when i'm trying to sleep'- Mr. Gobs, mean old man who always gives tooth brushes on halloween" She pauses, "perhaps i shouldn't have put that one in" she continues "'the best warrior of the 9 realms and sure to be a knight in no time' - Shalimar, jester pooka' A cough "I believe the praise undertone is genuine."

"Shalimar, hm?" A note of dry amusement.

"yes sir, if that counts against me I apologize, but he is a member of the court" she goes on reading another recommendation "'a sweet girl who kept those boys from ringing my doorbell' old lady Dorlene Hursh...she's like 80." and "'you're not supposed to be here you lady, you sure are good at sneaking but please leave sir august's quarters'-Thane Oswald"

The knight takes a deep breath. "I see." He waits for any others.

"I thought that spoke that my skills as a slaugh are not undimmed by my aspirations of service" She adds, then goes on "oh, and a last one : 'she's nicer than she knows' " A sigh at that one, "Minnie the Boggan"

August nods. "People speak well of you."

"thank you, sir." She offers the letter up "For your later viewing if you like"

"Thank you." He takes them and folds them carefully for his pocket. "May I ask what your goals are, at the moment? What would you like to achieve, in life?"

Pursing her thin lips, "i should like to become a squire, yes but also i hope to hone my skills not just at the usual sneaking and observing, which is my kith's wont, but also learn the lore that liams know. your house is said to be well versed. i like to learn. so i hope to help you in studies and such. but in the long term? i hope to be at the scene of a knight's noble death, where he or she gives themselves up for a great cause, and saves the day. i want to watch the fae soul blaze away from the body, and i want to understand what's that is like, to watch someone great, or fighting for what they believe, die to save it- win or lose, to yield themselves to the altar of fate's demands. i want to watch that passing, and see what if it helps me understand what it means. are all endings the same, or is how we end truly what matters?"

August, perhaps forgetting himself, stares at her.

She shuts up and steps back shyly

He blinks several times rapidly and looks away. "Pardon."

"Do, ah, do you know Miss Zara, from the library here?"

"mostly by reputation, but i have seen her, yes"

He nods. "Good. Well. Ah. Are you... concerned at all about the stigma that could attach to serving Liam, even if you are not one yourself? Do you have a mentor you could talk to about this?"

" i am a sluagh, sir, we have stigma plenty as tis, and sometimes those who are despised have tea with us." she says "and my former mentor, well sir, she has passed on. i did not get to observe much"

"My condolences." Sincerely.

"thank you, sir. all creatures die. she'll come back though. at least, if winter not claim us entire." she says "i am curious, sir. do i have a chance? to be your squire i mean?"

He nods. "I must speak with the others. But I hope you will stay .... a week?"

"yes sir. i have been about here and yon."

"Good." Serious. "Thank you for your time. If you have any trouble with -anyone- here, you must let me know, Ms. Shadecandle."

she smothes her dress, and inclines her neck, "thank you for considering me, sir, and thank you for your kindnesses" and she steps back, vanishing as soon as he turns his gaze

He does so, giving her privacy, and then walks away. His walk turns into a trot and he quickly arranges meetings with the other childlings.

As he seeks, he sees Gideon, the troubadour

"Sir August," A nod

He nods back, distracted.

"are you looking for someone, sir?" He is curious

"Squire Honiria, Bazyl the satyr, and Tyler, or Tylar. Childlings."

"Oh, well, Squire Honoria ? I just saw her down the hall that way. Bazyl and Tylar are practing in the sparring area. Wooden blades"

August think, nods, and goes in search of Squire Honoria.

He finds her, she moves almost robotically, her face impassive.

That makes him pause, and he watches her a little more closely before approaching.