#earthrunes

"Well... I can't remember all of it clearly, of course, but.... I know it felt like I was... in the Dreaming. I wasn't, but it felt a lot like it and... I had to help people, people who were depending on me. I had to fight, like actual combat."

"You did? Memories can appear as dreams, a'times..."

He nods. "There was... there was a touch of memory about it." Another shy grin to her. "Memories I wouldn't have if not for you."

A soft rattle. "Practice quest."

He shakes his head ruefully. They were such children!

"Doesn't it feel so long ago?"

"Seventeen. And a senior..."

"That's right!" Quietly delighted. "You graduate in the Spring."

"I must needs pick a college!"

"Oh!" His eyes glow, warm silver. "Where are you thinking of?"

"Ah... somewhere small, I think. With good libraries, of course..."

He nods. "In Apples?"

"Likely... my family..."

He nods. "Of course. But you'll still come here? I mean, if your class load allows?"

"There are a few of the Seven Sisters nearby..."

"Oh, certainly!"

He smiles again. "That's good."

"Vassar is quite close, really... to home, that is."

"Vassar is wonderful." He praises.

"Or Sarah Lawrence... so many choices, nu?"

He nods. "I remember." Gently. "If you get feeling overwhelmed, I'd be happy to be a sounding board."

"Thank you, yes. I... I have considered, say, Yale... or... oh, Oxford... but that's so far..."

"I'm not sure you'd be happy, because of the distance."

She nods. "I... I fear I do not wish to leave them so far. Even though I want to grow up, too..."

His grey eyes are warm. "You will. You -are.- In time."

"Earl has joked that I shall end up buying my own house... across the street from Mama and Papa."

He chuckles as well. "I could see that." He agrees.

"Would that be so bad?"

"I don't think so." Solidly. "I think if that's where you want to live, then that's where you should live."

"I don't know. I think it is, aye... but... oh, I would move to have a library. The Firnost trods help here..."

"Well, this library is pretty much as much yours as mine." He makes several notes on the card.

She looks around, and smiles. "It is, isn't it?"

He nods, then touches her hand with a light gesture. "Can't think of a better partner."

"No - I'm very glad to share this with you."

Another sunny grin.

A silent smile back, moon to sun.

And... back to work.

((Fade?))

((Fade))

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Of all the creations to try, the stable sweeping device was ...interesting. Take a mortal roomba, make it outsdoor worthy, set it to follow the stink, and then pop what it collects into a far pile before getting rinsed out. The results have been..mixed. But it's not nocker works, and it is clear by the H on it, the creator was Squire Honoria. No doubt trying to impress her horse loving Baroness

Coradel laughs a bit as the little thing trundles around its messy business. "Well, Samson..." she asks her steed as they return from a ride. "What do you make of that thing?"

Samson winces. Apparently it follows him a bit too closely, and the noises it makes? A bit much. Still, as devices go. It's a good start. //"I'm still working out the bugs" A certain Squire says

Coradel dismounts and sets about Samson's post-ride care, smiling at the girl. "Can you decrease the noise, and perhaps increase the distance?"

"Oh, I'm sorry, it's getting too close and I forgot the horse can hear better than... than..." She blinks, "Of course." A bit monotone. "That will prove no difficulty"

She puts the saddle and bridle in their places, and gives her a look. "Honoria? Do you need help?"

"A. moment. Please." She turns... there's a winding sound, and she takes breath and "I'm.. fine thank you. I'm really sorry about the noise part. Yes I can work on both" SHe's smiles again.

A slow nod. "Good." She goes back to tending Samson. "Squire, how often does your heart wind down?"

"It depends on strong my feels get" she says biting her lip "I...the more I feel, the more energy it uses."

"Really? That's interesting. Here...would you like to help?" She offers the girl a round curry comb. "You go along his side, brushing the hair in circles, like this." She demonstrates.