#earthrunes

"Can you teach me about that?"

"Sure, you'll find me a gentle lover" he says

Adam blinks.

"Uhhhh....."

"Relax. Bit of fun at your expense. " He says "Also I'm married and the wife is strict"

"Uh." He blinks. "You're... married?"

"Dame Claire, now she IS a swordswoman "

"Oh."

"Now, what I do in my mortal life is a private investigator... a detective. It can be unexciting work ..until suddenly isn't"

Adam is interested! "Yeah? Uh, yes, Yes, that's cool. It's interesting. A detective.... wow, hey, that's......" New worlds unfolding in his head.

"I don't need a junior detective" He says "But I do have guns pointed in my face so you understand why I asked about danger"

"Danger is part of life." A shrug.

"So is body odor, some would not suggest seeking it out " a smile "But Fiona do have a tendency towards doing just that... the danger, not the body odor" he says

"Depends on the body." He says, then looks like he wishes he didn't.

Magnus looks amused then says "I've done some investigations on you. I researched. I know more about you than you might be comfortable with. All signs indicate you don't play with others well."

"Huh? I mean... I don't?"

"Apparently, if things don't go exactly your way, you see it as an attack. The word 'no' makes you break out in resentment. Folks are either for you 100%, or they're the enemy. You believe you are entitled and you want to be the hero... you have improved over the last year, but my investigations show that most tutors find you an immense headache that seems deterimined to make them miserable for trying to help you. Am I off mark?"

The boy smolders. "Yes."

"So what do you offer that makes you worth the hassle? " Curious "Why should I? Why should anyone. You know the Escheat. That's all some changelings get"

"Everyone tells me I have a Fiona soul, right? So.... someone has to teach me something sometime, right?"

"point of fact, no, no one has to. You may never pop, and even if you do, until you do... it's a 'your problem' kind of thing at this stage. " Magnus says "Beyond right of rescue? No one owes you a damned thing. It's how the world works. Repay all debts is in the Seelie code.. not 'hey, free food.. oh too much salt, take it back, cook it again'"

He studies the younger wilder "You're a curiosity, I'll give you that. But I want you to understand, if you get a mentor here, you need to understand no mentor 'has to'. you're the one who is indebted. you're the one with the hat in your hand. It may not sit well, but you need to be honest with yourself about it"

Adam is in a slow burn but he nods. "Got it."

"Good. Because my research indicates that lesson has totally evaded you until now...and not to your betterment. I blame the modern education system. Free Education is wonderful, but we don't always value what we don't pay for.... so you get brats who treat their teachers like they're failures at life despite the fact without the education the teachers are providing, those students will be failures themselves. Not talking about you specificaly, just an observation on our cultural flaws in this country. I'm an Autumn Sidhe. That means I'm more in tune with the Autumn world."

"Can I ask something?"

"You can, but recognize actions have consequences and proceed"

"Ok, so.... let's say, just for S&G, that I don't get any help now and later I become Sidhe. And Fiona." He's not trying hide his language anymore. "And no one helps me now. So....why would I want your help then?"

"For the same reason a person whose been deaf all their life might want.. no, need someone to teach them spoken language"

"Or, you know, keep using sign and screw the ones that didn't help?"

He laughs , really laughs "Oh that's a special kind of stupid there. 'I'll show them, I'll shut myself off from the other 90% of the world and decrease my opportunies and experiences.. that'll teach em'"

Adam almost visibly wants to stand but doesn't.

"But, let's say you deserve to know what I can teach. I'm damned talented at magic. I can bend time itself. I can command and over ride the will on many. I can read omens and more. And I can veil myself from your and other senses.Add to that , I'm an amazing dancer and detective."

Adam is quiet a moment.

"I'm stupid about magic. I can only do one thing, and only if I have help."

He sighs, resigned. "Maybe.... thank you, Sir, for meeting with me. I'm sorry if I...... I'm sorry."

"Sorry? For what?"

"Wasting your time."

"Ah yes, leaping to assumptions, that's another bad habit, but to be fair I can see why you would. I never said you wasted my time per se. Just that my time was valuable. Adam, I am not sure if "m going to take you in or not... but If I came at you all smiles and warmth.. gave you my best.. when you saw me at my normal you'd think you'd been lied to. Instead I offer you me at my worst ...because that does come up and it's best you be braced. I can do a lot for you." A pause "Including.. finding your biological father"

More than a few expressions and emotions flicker across Adam's face in an instant before he shrugs. "I don't care. Don't want to know him. I have a father."

"Yes, you do, but if anyone OWES you lessons, wouldn't it be the man who skadaddled?"

A shrug again. "If it were me, maybe he should talk to my mom first. But it's not, and I have a dad, and I don't care about the other guy."

"Do you mind if I track him down for my own interest? "

"Whatever."

"Ah, 'whatever', ye olde wall of indifference. Well can't say I've never used that myself" A shrug "Adam, magically speaking, you're fascinating. And you seem like a nice guy- with some issues to grow out of. I think maybe you already are on the way" He ponders "Bachdion and I will talke later. Maybe one of us is a better choice than the other. Now, " he rises "You want a pizza or something? "

"No, Sir. Thank you." He stands slowly.

Magnus texts

"Siv is ready to pick you up around the corner"

"Oh.Yes, Sir. I wish....." He stops. "Thank you again, Sir." And he departs.

"Adam,..a moment. What do you wish?"

The boy stops. "Wish?"