#earthrunes

"That's just it. You're asking just the essentials, but to us, it's all essential.. the fighting, the lessons in seduction and romance, the history, the philosophy, the poetry, the dream... horse and bow, dance and song, fluffing the lace from your sleeves just so, lifting your head off the toilet bowl's edge... daring the dragon, cheese and wine with a sphinx, and so much much more. Now no Fiona masters them all, and we tend to specialize, but I can't just say 'here's the cliff notes'. I want you to see how huge and immense it is..and wonderful too."

Adam is muted with yearning. He just nods, slowly and sadly.

"That said, Da'an has a funny way of washing ashore the things we need. I'm not sure if I'm the mentor for you lad, but I think I undersstand you a bit better. What other questions?"

He shakes his head. "No, Sir." Quietly. "But... is there -anything- I can do to... to change your mind?"

"I haven't made it up yet" he says "ANd there are others who might teach you even if I don't." Bachdion says "So don't give up hope eh?" friendly "Now, you've been here before. Tell vme, what did you enjoy while you were here? I understand you learned a bit of massage, and also worked with the falcons?"

"Yes, Sir. I loved it, both lessons." Earnestly.

"The massage I understand, but what is it about the falconry you liked?" he says

"It was Cool! Like, first, I've fought with a dig before. I mean, on the same side. And he was awesome, but what if your battle buddy could fly? Totally different game, right?"

"And then, like, there aren't many falconry schools for mortals. So that's neat."

"And Sir Sergi explained everything really well, made it interesting. You can tell he cares."

"he's an isolated man in many regards but yes, he cares about his charges"

"Well, he seems cool to me."

"Does he? Interesting" A nod at something

"Anything else you enjoyed here that I'm missing?"

A longer pause. "Meeting the Baroness." Quietly but honestly. " And the other ladies and people here."

"I am very proud of the Baroness Coradel. I trained her, you know?" Bachdion smiles "oh what a firebrand"

"You must be a real good trainer." He agrees.

"You know, that's flattery, but I'll take it" Bachdion says

"I mean it."

"Thank you" He says "but sometimes even the best teacher and the most attentive students are not a perfect fit. " He says "Are you hoping for a sidhe teacher?"

He drops his eyes for a moment. "Not... no, Sir. Like you said. Best, uh, fit."

"All right"

A nod "So have a drink, and tell me more about yourself. Not just the fae stuff. You play basketball you say?"

He takes another sip of coffee; clearly he isn't thirsty from the amount he's had so far.

"Yes, Sir. Varsity. I did, at least. Now.... not sure I'd go back to it even if I could."

"I mean.... I'm pretty busy."

"Seems like. Do you have any time for fun? I don't mean to make light of duty, but Fiona tend to mix duties with pleasure if we can"

"Uh..... it's complicated. Can't hang with mortals. My Fae friends have been great. My girlfriend and I broke up and uh I just got shot down by someone else so... and there was a party recently and I went. I tried but... Just couldn't make it work. Hung out with a buddy the eldest of the night. My Chimera helps as much as she can."

*rest of the....

"Chimera?" A pause

The first smile of the meeting; small weak and maybe lonely out on its own but there. "Yeah. We're bonded. Nab. Nabuni. When we met she said it meant Naughty but Nice. And she is."

"Ah, a dream of desire manifest.. " He says

"Some kids have all the luck" Jack joins in

He nods, sobering again almost against his will, or nature.

"Love to meet her sometime, and not just out of the shallow aspects The way you talk about her makes it sound like she's got true character" Bachdion nods "Good allies are hard to find in our world"

He nods. "She's special." softly.

"To Nabuni then" Bachdion raises his glass

Adam nods, and lifts his mug in return. "To Nab."

and a few drinks are had, mostly coffee for him, and then? "Care for a tour of the place? I guess a 'retour' but there you go?"

"I... yes, Sir. I would." He puts the (largely untouched) coffee down and stands.

"This way.." And he leads him on a tour, to observe what rooms and areas seem to light up the lad most. he has.. a theory.

Adam follows, on his best behavior. Although where and when his gaze wanders well.... he's only Human.

(End scene)

Zara is used to finding Earl when she seeks him! But.. he's not painting , nor in her bedroom.

Feh!

She goes to check the garden. Artists!

The only troll there is Oswald

...

She checks with her ladies - have THEY seen him?

As point of fact, Numbers three and four admit- that he got a phone call, panicked, and vanished- in that way he does