#earthrunes

Some time after the Squire Dinner, Sparrow may notice Colton brooding. He's not a brooding boy

Well, unless something is really bothering him

The Liam plunks down beside him, casual enough. "Hey."

"Hello, my liege." He says a bit startled, "I.. interesting dinner, wasn't it?"

"A bit, yes. Seems like part of it got to you... Lesleagh?"

" Lesleah" He admits "I...should always be honest with you, yes? you're my liege"

"I do appreciate that, yes. If I were to guess, I'd think she knew you from before."

"You guessed right. She was a fledge, she used to... Practice on me" A flush of... anger?

"Practice... manipulation? Seems your old liege enjoyed having others abuse you."

"She was the 'helpless fledge' and she needed my help and so on... yes. She played me like a violin, more than once. She made me care about her, then she broke my heart. Shetold me not to take it personally, it was just part of the training.' mmphh

"It's very hard not to take that personally"

"I... understand, yes. And it's alright to be hurt."

"But... it shows how shallow she is. It reflects on her character, not yours."

"It's not just that... I AM shallow. When I knew her, she wasn't sained yet right? but signs were strong into her House..and her title. They were sure she was like an Ailil Countess at the Least , most omens pointed towards Duchess.

"

"So when I saw her come in, a 'mere squire'" A smirk "...oh, I'm smirking again aren't I"

"You are not shallow."

"A... little schadenfreude, well... that's part of being human, and we are half human."

"I guess we are aren't we?"

"She's dangerous, my liege. I...think we should be on guard against her, but I'm not sure how much of that is experience, and how much is resentment?"

She shrugs. "You can't be sure. But.. you can take extra care to examine your response to her, to make sure you are acting honorably. You can be cautious, you can verify, without cruelty."

"It'll be hard." he says " But I know her best, It's why I had to turn down Honoria"

"You did? Damn. I was hoping she'd ask you..."

"She did" Colton says then pauses, "wait...you want me to.. I don't understand. Don't you need me here?"

"I am happy to have you here, Colton - but I also think a dreaming quest would be a good chance for growth, to learn more about yourself, and to put your abilities to the test."

"Also, a knight needs some brave deeds to boast of."

Colton looks at her "Well, I'm not a knight yet. And, what of Lesleah? What if she tries something?"

"Then I am warned, thanks to you, and can watch her."

"I might put some boggans on it, too."

"And you need bold deeds before your vigil, too."

a smile "You're trying to give me a chance to earn my knightood on this quest, aren't you?"

"Well..." She grins, and her wings shrug and fluff.

"I...thank you I..." Aguilty look, "Do you think maybe I could, while we're questing, get her to let us stop to say hi to Sylvi?" an admission "I miss her."

A soft laugh. "Maybe. You'll have to work that out with Honoria."

"I guess I'll go then, but, be careful. You taught me to try to believe of the good in folks, so maybe Lesleah isn't all horrible, but..I wouldn't lower my guard" A warning of concern

"I won't."

"And I'll talk to Delores. You want a watch hound?"

"I'll talk to Sir Sergei about it" He says "That's...not a bad idea"

"Oh.. wait, what?"

"One of the hounds from the kennels for the quest if allowed" He clarified "That's what you were suggesting right?"

"I wasn't, but that IS a good idea!"

"Oh, what did you mean by Watch hound then?"

"Delores."

He snerks

"If anyone could keep an eye on an Ailil..."

"I'm sorry, just it's funny to.. oh I find the metaphor funny and now I feel bad." A guilty chuckle

"Yes, but she's very busy. Still maybe she knows other boggans. becareful though, boggans aren't immune to flattery and manipulation"

"There's also August's new squires. A sluagh and a boggan? I swear, he might well be a secret Eiluned with those two. What kiths are better at observation?"

"Well, I try not to judge sluagh but they do sometimes make me wonder what they're up to." He says "But a sluagh friend? Invaluable." Showing his own Unseeelie background where advantage is stressed

"They creep me out a bit, but... yes."