#earthrunes

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An afternoon, and light slants through the windows in a southern gallery, the spot where Coradel is. She's asked a boggan to find the Regent for her, and to bring her here if she's not busy at the moment. "Nothing terribly urgent," is the description provided.

Sparrow arrives shortly. She has a spot of blue paint on her nose, but on her, it's almost fetching.

While waiting, she peruses the paintings on the wall. Some of these are from the works she collected during her fostering, and some have been added since.

Coradel smiles. "Hello, Deryn. I'm sorry, were you painting? I could return with you so you can get back to work while we talk?" An offer.

"Oh... no, I can take a break. Unless you really don't mind?"

"It's oil, so..."

Her wings rustle in a little shrug.

"I really don't! I like watching you work." She gestures that they return the way she came. "Where are you set up?"

"In the garden. I like painting there... probably not ideal, but it's just.. well, nice."

"It's for class. We had to pick one color, so everything is blue!" She grins, feathers fluffed out.

"Even your nose," Coradel points out with a smile. "But it's actually kind of a cute touch."

It's not far to the garden, and they're soon out in the sun where Sparrow can return to her canvas.

Coradel takes a peek at the image there.

"Oh jeez..." She grins and rubs at the paint. Her canvas is a landscape - the fountain and surrounding foliage, but in shades upon shades of blue and teal.

"Ohhh...that's interesting. It's like looking at the scene through a blue veil." Coradel considers it.

"It's really interesting to play with value... but I may have taken liberties with hue..."

"Perhaps..." An art collector's eye. "But it seems to be working. I don't think a slavish attention to accuracy was the goal, was it?"

"Well, no.."

She watches her go back to her brushes.

She picks up her palette and knife, cutting a strip of white to mix up a new shade. "So - what's up?"

"Well, I wanted to ask you about Colton and what you think of his performance on the quest."

"From what was reported, I'm very proud of him. And he's been handling the new influx of squires here very well. I think he's well on track."

"Good. I don't think the quest went quite as he expected, but as you say, it seems he's doing well. I'm hoping he's not envious of Honoria's advancement?"

"I don't think he is. I should check in with him... honestly, my intention was to elevate him after a year and a day, if he stayed on track. Not that I would tell him he was THAT close..."

"But I think he's got the right attitude for a knight, don't you?"

"I don't know him nearly as well as you, but he does seem dedicated to a task once he commits to it. How long has he been your squire, again?"

"Just before Samhain." She wrinkles her nose. I do not like the idea of elevating in THAT holiday..."

A curious look. "Well, it wouldn't do much good to elevate on that holiday, as it wouldn't be very memorable. But certainly around the holiday would be fine?"

"Also true. Maybe after Samhain, charge him with his own quest - Honoria had the limelight here, which is proper. But he needs a chance to shine on his own."

"I was thinking something similar. Do you have a quest in mind?"

She purses her lips. "That's the problem."

"You mean, no ideas?"

"Not precisely."

"I want.. I think... something to help guide him to a house? He likes Fiona, you know."

"A quest to...study the houses?"

"Frank aside, I wouldn't expect most to seek out Liam."

A sigh. "I wish Liams wouldn't think that way about themselves." A vague mutter.

A resigned shrug. "You are biased."

"I am glad of it, mind. But the world sees us as it will. "

"Well...." a pause. "Maybe."

"So...a quest to find out all he can about...all the houses? We don't want him investigating Balor, do we?"

"Colton has had his experience with the Unseelie houses - more than most here."

"I think he needs a challenge to prove his own grit. And maybe some bragging rights." She dabs at the canvas.

"True. So...we can take Leanhaun as a done deal, yes?" Thinking. "How would he demonstrate success? It doesn't sound like a particularly physical challenge, which one might expect for a troll."

"A physical challenge might be right for him. Ideally, there would be someone to rescue."

"Know any dragons?" She looks back, flashing a wry grin.

A laugh. "Only the two-legged variety that we have in-house. Perhaps a good connection to start with, though."

"Maybe Zara or Almandine?"

"For research? Or connections to dragons? Or to seek people to rescue?"