#earthrunes

She reaches out, laying a gentle hand on the giant arm. "Because your soul grieves the distance. But memory can be found once more..."

"I...I...this feels right, but ..." She looks down at herself, "I'm Blue. That is not a metaphor."

"Yes. Blue and tall."

"Yes, and you are..." SHe looks over to the sidhe, even on her knees she doesn't have to look UP that much, and...her mouth opens.

"Yeah, you looked directly at her, never do that" The nocker says "Turns your brains to paint thinner"

"Hey!"

"Well it furking does" Grosvenor shrugs but might trail off into a mumble if she looks at HIM too much and look at his shoes

"Well.. maybe, okay. Hi Willow. I'm still Julia, but I'm Deryn, too."

"My lady, I apologize, the unseemly..." As if her tears were traitors for escaping her eyes

"What? No! Nothing to be sorry for. Hello, welcome, Grosnevor is probably better at explaining this..."

"What's a Grosnevor?" She blinks at the odd name.

"I'm Grosvenor," The Chrystalid finder and protector says, adding "It's French" then he motions "Mere. First, trust me when I tell you I am oathed to help you adjust and find a place where you can be safe. And yes, I know you want your sister safe too..."

"I insist on it" Willow says without thinking

"Such a troll!" He sighs "Okay, we'll see to that too I think."

"I'll make sure of it." She nods. "She's your family, she's a Dreamer. Lots of reasons to protect her."

Grosvenor begins to explain with polished expertise to Willow what she is, and the rules she needs to know up front. Oh sure, it's laced with nockerisms, but it's actually an efficient sum up in a relatively short time. Willow seems to defer to Sparrow (As well she might) , but whether that indicates she served in a court in past life or just has instinctive respect for the monarchy ? too soon to tell. Once Willow is sure her sister will be safe, and she IS grateful to Sparrow for assuring that, she will follow them towards Earth Runes.

And it turns out wise that the new Chrystalid has an escort. Troll or no, nightmare chimera are drawn, things that look like half bats, half wolves, flutter and follow.

"You'll have to meet Ludmilla, too - you're older than her charges, but she might be a good guide for trollish things..."

Sparrow flares her wings and brandishes her blade at the lurking threats.

like roaches fleeing sunlight, they seem to want to avoid sparrow's direct gaze and attention. They flutter, regroup, and considerr another angle. The nocker, reaches into his pocket, pulls out a chimerical drumstick and lobs it into the shadows! The batwolf things move to deevour it and.... that's when it explodes in bright white fire that plays a part of the 1812 oveture. Splatters and spluts of nightmare fall around

"So hip hip, hooray, welcome to the place where Dreams and Nightmares are real...and both, oddly are needed. Welcome to a place where you'll learn from your mistakes and your mythtakes"

"Colton will be glad to see another troll around, too... "

"I saw your thanes, she'll have lots of company" Grosvenor assures, "It's a Fiona hold. She might even find some fellow and they can furking nod at eah other scandalously"

"HA."

Willow's brow knits, then she lifts her chin and says with an absolutely dead pan face "Never on the first date"

Another chuckle as they make their way.

It does not take too long, Oswald te thane greets them as they apporach, "Regent, you return. There was a burst of glamour spotted in the city. Dame Leonoara was about to go patrol. I take it it is no longer needed?"

"We have our newest Chrysalid here. Could you please send one of the thanes to (address), to keep watch while Willow is here?"

'I shall do it myself, lady. I was abot to be relieved of this post anyway" Oswald says, then turns to the new troll "Dana sends you to us. May you stand tall along side those who bring you honor, and may you bring honor to them in return."

She blinks at her fellow troll, "i'm..I'm sorry, those words sound right, but I .. Ishould know how to respond but.." A swallow "I don't."

"When in doubt, just say thanks. You don't need to know everything."

"It will come in time" Oswald assures.

"Thank you then" She says

"Yeah yeah, secret handshakes are later," Grosvenor says "Saining is big for a reason, you'll get even more back then, and find balance too. this way"

"There's a lot ahead. You're not that much older than our other students - and YOUNGER than Dubh..."

"Thank you, both I ... " She looks around she goes into the hold proper "It's...beautiful. I.." A swallow "Lead on."

And they do... all three drenched in new glamour

And the spirits of the hold go up, for a soul returned is always good news.

(End scene)