#earthrunes

'"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." ' Cadman quotes then says "And the hermit pulled out the last and only seed of these trees that he knew of, and handed it to the boy. Asking him to plant, and care, and maybe , one day, the wood spirit would return along with nature's treasures that he had never appreciated in their own right. It's a good story. I tend to enjoy more action, but I can see why she..." His eyes run over the covers and he pauses.

"Children's section, she told me it was a great myth" Cadman takes it up

"...and who better to foster myths than the hearts of the young, and the young at heart? Are we not children's tales?"

"It is. Foundational." The Sidhe agres.

Cadman breaks into a laugh, "Does Clem always enjoy cutting a man's legs out from under him when she thinks his stride is getting a bit long?"

A quiet grin.

A gentle smile "I could not say."

He's sorting through the book, his fingers better suited to weapons than paper but he takes care with it, "So this is the seed I'm supposed to seek out, and bring one to the mortal world. Truffula trees might grow, at least near holds."

"Now that... aye, that is a worthy quest."

"So it would seem. Miss Zara, for your help, that did not violate my restrictions and still sped my journey, I find myself in your debt. Never let it be said the the son of the Worldshield forgets his debts. Can I do something for you? You want a seed for yourself if I should find more than one?"

August is quiet.

"I shall bear in mind your debt. But seeds are rare things - I would not hold you to such. Though I imagine the Opossum would delight in it."

"Possum?" He says "Is that a title like 'the oncler'?"

"She is the gardener. A pooka. Have they no opossums from whence you come?"

"My..home is more European than American so no, never seen one"

"Ah. Well, they are nocturnal creatures. Shy."

"Are they good eating? Not the pooka, the animal"

The young man is sorting colors vs... a sensible order.

Her eyes widen. "I wouldst not eat the Gardener!"

Cadman says "Neither would I, I was asking about the animal mundane." A chuckle

"And... I do not believe opossums are kosher. They are... opportunistic.."

August frowns, pausing.

"They are not commonly eaten, though I have heard stories of.. ah.. people of the land, so to speak... making a delicacy of them."

"Hard times no doubt" he says "Starve a man enough, he'll even try beets." A shudder

"Precisely."

A nod with a smile "Maybe I'll talk to Clem get her to show me the wild life. She'll light up at that I bet. She's an odd girl, could butcher a hog if she had to, and still delight over the sight of a faun."

"I suspect Miss Clementine would like that, yes."

"We all benefit from being able to listen, a'times."

"If I had not listened to you, I would have been searching much longer, as an example" A nod "I thank you again. Did you have business with the sidhe? I can withdraw."

"I believe my friend August is in hiding.... aye?"

"Hiding? " he looks at August "From? if I might ask."

Seeing AUgust seems reluctant to answer, Cadman shrugs then looks back at Zara "Do we have the books back the way you'd like it? "

She nods. "Very orderly, thank you. If you could help me replace them?"

He does, putting them where they like "Tall places are easy for us. Obviously, I don't need to keep trhis child's book as I know now the source. You're a good friend to Clem, I can tell. I don't suppose you would consider telling me how a fellow might impress her?"

She considers. "Clementine is my friend. You must understand, firstly, that I care for her more than I care for you - yes? I mean this not as an insult to you, or to imply any hostility... but she is dear to me, and, therefore, I shall protect her."

"I come from a mostly trollish culture, less interacting with other kiths and it was not for a time on even terms, something w'ere not proud of. But absolutely I understand. " A grin "I have female cousins who are as dear to me as sisters, but if I were to hurt the feelings of their lady friends, they would proceed to make my life such hell that I would envy the dead and gone. I don't know if it's biology, or something deep in the dreaming- women move in circles and they draw tight. Woe betide the wrong man who sticks his head in that snare and wounds anyone of them." a nod "She is your friend."

"She is my friend. So. If you hurt her, I will bring hell's wrath down upon your head." Matter of fact.

" Thought I just said that" He nods

"That being said - she is proud. A Chieftain years before the title reflected it. You must needs allow her that pride. Some men would be cowed, and cover their insecurity in arrogance. Others would seek a mistress to take them by the reins, as a dog at heel..."

A snort "You're talking about men, right? I wouldn't do either type the courtesy"

"Good. What she needs is a partner, one who may be equal - may support her, yet stand on his own, and knows too when she must be the Cheiftain, must do her duty. Trolls, as a rule, seem quite keen on Duty."

"It is strongly tied to guardianship, and that's a large part of who we are. Duty is the set of legs that honor rests upon. Without Duty, Honor goes no where, has no movement."

"Mmm.." A noncommittal sound. "As you says. But to Clementine, her first duty is to the Farm. She is a loving soul, she has a giving heart, a brave spirit, is loyal and true - but her charge, her duty, her first priority is the Fire she holds."

He nods "Any man who hopes to take her must realize he will always share her with the farm and all that entails. Heavy thought."

"Some - lesser men - would be jealous of a Bale. But some, I think, would understand that duty." She nods. "And some - rarer yet - would understand what she needs, and may not like to admit."

"She needs to smile, and I don't mean to look pretty, I mean she needs to let herself be happy however she expresses it. " He says with a thought "And she needs moments where she lets go of control and realizes it's okay. She's a leader, but it's okay to look away from the watched pot now and then. "

A solemn nod. "And it is a thing she will fight. But... what she needs."

"Never been afraid of a fight" A grin then, "course, never faced a woman who could turn me into a gerbil and stick me in a cage either. Oh well, what's romancce without risk?"

A soft rasp of a laugh.