#earthrunes

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Norm is hungry, but he's redcap, they're always hungry

He has been brought ample food, but there's nothing really that will quiet that hunger.

The door to the dungeon creaks open, and the Baroness steps in wearing a long, simple red dress. She moves in front of his cell and stands there. "Hello, Norm."

He frowns "Well? Did it pan out?"

The Liam stinks in behind her, and sets up to take notes.

"And is my LAWYER here?""

"No. Any other questions?"

"What the hell? How's he supposed to help me if you don't let him in on this?"

"Oh, he has already helped you, in counsel with me. As did some other local residents. They convinced me to be...somewhat lenient with you, for the sake of possible redemption. What do you think of that?"

"I wonder what's the catch" Norm says distrusfully "Did my tips pan out?"

She nods, arms folded. "They did. Your cell neighbors should be here shortly."

"Well? What do you think? Time served and that right? "

She blinks. "It doesn't bother you that the very people you ratted on are about to discover who sold them out? Interesting." Some slow pacing. "Well, I had gotten rather fond of the idea of sentencing you to death with a curse that your next life you be forced to be Seelie for its entirety. But, your tip proved fruitful, so I've decided against that. Instead...I'm thinking more about the option of having your teeth ripped from your mouth and cursing you that they might never regrow and that no mechanism may replace them." She stops and looks at him. "Thoughts?"

That's ... you'll geld me! I'll be helpless! "

"As helpless as the pets you saw murdered? As helpless as the pet owners you tormented and ravaged? Where, exactly, do you see the inequity here?"

"they're just dumb animals and fucking MORTALS, We matter, THEY don't!" Perhaps forgetting there's a Liam in the room

A quiet moment, and she turns to look over her shoulder at August. "I'm beginning to reconsider your idea."

There is a snap-sound in the corner. New pen.

He nods acknowledgement of the Baroness's words, eyes on his tools and notes.

"what idea?"

After a long held breath

"Oh, he thought we should just turn you over to House Liam."

Pales. actually pales.

"Still..." She resumes pacing, tapping a finger to her lips. "You did provide information that is enabling us to shut down a ravaging ring. I wonder...do you think you might have more of such information?" Both brows arch curiously.

"that's all I know. It's not like your fief became ravaging central"

A pause "But I do know that the KEy Club has ties to folks who give the nobles heck in other duchies"

A blink. "Define 'give heck.' "

"Smuggling wards helping folks escape dungeons when some Ailil gets his panties in a bunch about an insult. Fooling nobles into thinking Oaths of Loyalty and obedience have been given and then getting those people to more progressive areas.... they're not as actie as they were when David was missing"

"Mm." She waves it off as uninteresting. "That does little to help me now. Pity...I was going to go to my lightest penalty if you could give me truly helpful information. Ah, well...let the records show that Norm will be brought before my Court later this day, will have his teeth pulled, and cursed that they might never grow back. Additionally, he must Oath that he will abide by a seelie interpretation of the Escheat until the end of his days, though he himself may remain unseelie." She looks over her shoulder to check that August got all that.

"That's CRAZY, even Gwydions wouldn't..."

"DO I LOOK LIKE A GWYDION TO YOU?"

he recoils and shrinks

She doesn't pace now so much as stalk. "You bought yourself leniency. You will live. Ah! I just thought of an addition...if any asks what brought you to your pathetic, miserable state, you must itemize your crimes. Yes, that cinches it all nicely. Do not mistake me, Norm...if I hear about anything I don't like, from anywhere you may run, I will find you and I will turn you over to the Liams."

A sibilant breeze from the shadows. "I could certainly give advice on coping without teeth. The gentleman may wish to invest in a cuisinart."

Coradel turns. "Miss Zara. I did not know we had a witness. Have you anything you'd like added?"

"No. I wished to see the murderer. I was curious."

'what I'm a show now?"

"Oh, I think he will be a curiosity for many, for as long as he lives this life."

the redcap looks to Zara and whispers something

"If I wish it, yes, you are."

"Much as the murder of animals was a show you put on. Fitting"

Even after speaking, she is hard to spot - secluded in the shadows, a spattering of grey against stone.

She blinks and looks to Zara to see her reaction to the whisper.

A rasp, a rattle - a ghastly, hollow sound of... mirth? August knows her laugh.

more mutters

Coradel is getting a bit impatient on being left out of the joke. "Perhaps you could let our Scribe know what was said, that he may have a complete record?"

Zara wears a secretive smile and shakes her head.

((Shakes her head to Norm or to Coradel?))

((Good question!))