#earthrunes

Where DOES one find a Herald? He seeks out Inish in the Herald's chambers, in the kitchens, at the tavern, and finally is wandering in one of the Audience chambers. "Do I have to just walk in and out of this room until someone shows up to announce me?" Vince asks no one, plaintively.

Innish is actually in the Audience Chamber "Well, if it'll help" A raised brow "But court is closed"

"It can't be closed if we're both here. Ahem." He pointedly steps out the threshhold, then steps in again, bows with a flourish, and waits...?

The Herald's brow rises higher, but he clears his throat and says in grand tones "Presenting, his most luxuriously maned citizen, mixologist, and friend to the court- Vincent the Lionhearted!"

"Thank you, thank you!" He bows regally, turning to sweep a courteous flourish to the entire audience chamber, then joins Inish. "One always MUST observe traditions, after all. How are you this afternoon, good Herald?"

"Baffled at this sudden display of interest" Innish says "Surely you didn't come up here through all that just to chat me up?"

"Whyever not? Surely we can talk a'times, outside of the tavern. It may be that we share interests that are above and beyond liquid form. Hmm, perhaps not above, as mixology IS an elevated art form."

"I do enjoy a good drink now and then," The Clurichaun says to no one's surprise, "Well, you like Rugby?"

A slow blink. "I like... reclining upon a rug before a raging fire?"

"So the theory about us having a lot in common fades further from sight" The Clurichaun says "What can I do for you?"

"A little bird told me that a larger bird once told her, that sometimes a herald may also be a bird, traveling hither and thither, carrying word of quill upon quills on the air. A Remarkable tale, and one that does indeed interest me. Now, I only have interest in birds as far as batting around kindly donated feathers, puss that I am, but the mechanics behind this, ah, now THAT is a curiosity that interests the cat."

"mmph, someone has a big mouth" A scowl "Aye. I practice a bit of metamophasis, but what of it? My spying days are long behind me."

"The only big mouth is mine, the better to roar with, but I do say that I can keep myself to the quietest of mews. And Muse indeed is what I might ask, if thy would be my muse, and share with me thy knowledge?" A hopeful smile.

"You want to learn metamorphosis?"

He looks surprised.

A simple nod.

"Well, mmmph why?" The Herald says.

"Why does the sun shine, why does the moon glow? Why does a Pooka do anything, do you really want to know? Surely for pranks alone, and would I tell you, you'd be seen as accomplice."

"mmph I confess I did wonder if this was meant to be some gag," He ponders "or used for same. Very well. Not to be rude, but one should pay their mentor in one coin or another. How do you plan to?"

He rubs his chin thoughtfully. "Are you warm enough at night? I can offer mine own luxurious fur pelt to keep you snug in bed. Or I suppose, like begets like, and should you wish to know of my small skill, I shall endeavor to show you how to toast thine own blankets to a cozy degree, and chill thine pillow delightfully without having to flip to the cool side. Or, pray, should thy seek out mortal coin, I have a fair stash in the kitty."

"Hffmph. " A snort, "I'll tell you what, your whiskey making any good?"

"Ah!" He brightens up, and holds a finger. "Wait... right.... somewhere else." And he... leaves!

.... 🕐 🕑 🕒

And comes back a few minutes later, triumphantly holding forth a flask! It... gleams, mysteriously.

A sniff sniff "what's this?"

"Now, I'm sure you've tasted many a fine spirit in your time... but have you EVER had the experience of letting a unicorn's magic dance upon your tongue? I dare say, this may be the only one of it's like. A rare batch indeed." A pause, turning the flask to admire it for a moment. "And of little enough consequence to me, that they might understand that learning this skill is also of only small import, I care scarcely at all."

"One drink? Just one drink? For weeks or even months of lessons?" Dubious

His expression falls for just a moment, and he produces a small shot glass, opening and pouring juuuust a taste of the liquid within to offer to Innish. "I have not yet been able to replicate the method of infusion, my memories of the Dream wherein it occurred are faint indeed. But though it is a work in progress, I would give you the master source, and as the secrets come to me, every batch a little closer, though I may never match this mastery, I would share with you the triumph, the knowledge, AND the results, mentor to mentor."

He sips it, and his eyes light up.

It's only a small smackeral he's been given, but he says quickly "Fair trade I'll take the flaks " and he does SWIPE"How's This afternoon for your first lesson sound?"

"It sounds delightful. I'll just shuffle around my meeting with King David, he'll understand. How's 2pm?"

"Open" He holds the flask dear

"See you then, lad" and he rises

He watches the herald leave, then chuckles to himself. "The fool - I would have shared it with him for free." A grin, and he wanders off to while away time until his anticipated lesson.