#earthrunes

"Yes. And that seemed to hurt her."

His grin fades. "Oh. I'm sorry to hear that, Deryn." A small sigh. "I guess Fiona attitudes don't work for everyone."

"I want her to be happy, certainly. I don't know why I can't just..."

A slgh, feathers rumpled. "Sorry."

He hugs her gently. "I'm going with "Because it's not right, right now."

"Right...." Another sigh and she closes her eyes. "So. Coradel."

"As long as you treat Jeannette with honor.... and of course, you will." He is certain.

"Coradel...." He shakes his head, relaxing his arms around her to release her. "Nevermind. I'm sure she'll speak with you before she leaves."

"I would hope!"

A quick, nearly-sunny grin. "She will." He nods, straightening his voile. "Ok. I'd best move along."

"Okay. I'm going to Shady Acres this afternoon with Ladybird. Want to come with?"

"Can I join you? What time?"

"After lunch, around 2."

He nods. "I have swim lessons in the morning, but I'm off in the afternoon. I'll meet you there."

"Sounds great."

"See you then." He grins again, and departs.

And she floats off to the garden.

-----------------

Deryn has gotten one or two texts from her squire, but they have been brief "stopped by Bert for some supplies. Honoria worries it's cheating" one day and "VIsiting SYLVI! :)" another.

"Not cheating - smart use of resources!"

"Tell Sylvi hi!"

"I know, right? Dougals are weird"//"I will!"

That was then, today she gets another one "Going into the Deep Dreaming. Maybe out of contact for awhile, or hardly at all. I Hope you are well and sorry I'm leaving you squireless"

"Be brave, be smart, come home!"

"I won't let you down. Hope all is good for you?"

"Totally!"

"Is it uhm.. un squire like to send a hug via text?"

"I won't tell." She grins as she sends the text, and gives Ladybird a pat on her side.

"gotta go. Say hi to everyone for me there. Bye " Another hugs and..well, that's probably the last she'll hear of him until they get out of the Dreaming

Coradel meanders down a garden path, having been advised by one of the boggans that Deryn was last seen out here. She smiles as she spots her and the puppy. "Deryn."

Ladybird wags to say hello

"Yes, hello, Ladybird." Coradel crouches to offer her fingers for the pup to sniff.

"Hey Cora. Colton is heading into the Dreaming with Honoria.. so... quest!"

"Oh, that's good news! Incidentally, did you know that the symbols on Sir Almandine's star chart light up when one is on a quest?"

"I didn't - that's kind of cool!" Her feathers fluff out gently and re-settle. "Time for a sit-down, Baroness?" She gestures at the grass beside her. The Liam has her sketchbook and pencils at her hip.

"Yes, Baroness." A smile as she settles gracefully on the grass. "Actually, I was looking to talk to you about a few things."

"Well, a little bird said you are going on a trip?"

A slight laugh. "News travels fast. August told you?"

"Yes, it was a tall and sad bird."

A sigh. "I hate that it makes him sad. It's not like...not like I'm abandoning him, for Dreaming's sake!"

"I know! I don't know what's got into him. Where are you going that he can't know?"

A suspicious look. "Now, if I won't tell him, why would I tell you, Derynwydd?"

Suspicious, with a grin.

"Well, because unlike him, I am the Regent."

"And if you are gone, who is in charge here?"

"Well, you are, which is why I was looking for you." She smiles. "But please don't ask me where I'm going. I won't be gone long, I'm sure."

She raises an eyebrow. "Coradel. I have a duty to this hold - as do you."

"Of course."

"You can't go off without telling anyone where you are going. I understand if you don't want it bandied about... but... what if something does go amiss? If not on your quest, but here?"