#earthrunes

"Nor should you be. The lesson to learn is not 'don't trust anyone' the lesson is 'life can be Confusing and that's okay'. I don't want you hating it, I want you rolling with it"

Adam takes a deep breath. "Ok, GrandDame. I mean, if you think I need it."

"Well, I have to discuss it with your knight mentors besides myself" She says "But I thank you for your trust. Mmm when you met Shalimar, what was he talking about?"

"Uh...." he thinks "I -think- he was asking me what people think is funny these days."

"What did you tell him?"

"I didn't get a chance to tell him much at all. That was about the time Dame Honoria came by. I was working at the pell."

"I see. And ... did you perchance begin to ah, admire Honoria?"

"Well..... yeah, probably? She's beautiful."

A soft laugh

"Oh my. You won't agree but yes that is funny"

Adam grumbles.

"Come now, Adam. It's like a rick roll or joke video where it starts with what looks like fantastic female cleavage only to discover it's an overweight midddle aged man who shaved his chest and is mashing his moobs together. The funny is in the dashed expectations and being suckered in. You want to groan at having been had, but darn it, they did get you. You were admiring this attractive young woman, and then suddenly...well, freak show. Must have been like someone changing the station from Gospel to Death metal"

"It confused me. It doesn't take a lot, you know?"

"I think sometimes we take for granted how well you've adapted to a lot of strange already"

Adam shrugs. "I don't mind. And I'm not going to, like, go after Shalimar or anything for what he did. Like you said, it's his job. I just hope Dame Honoria is ok. Is she?"

"She found it kind of funny, but feels worried about YOU. Don't worry, her heart will wind down and she'll stop caring if need be"

"Huh?"

"You didn't see the keyhole in her chest? She has a mechanical heart"

His jaw drops. "A mechanical -heart-??"

"Oh yes. When it winds down, she becomes almost robotic"

"Woah......" He frowns "That's awful."

"Yes. It's the most horrible Dougal 'part' I've ever seen" She agrees "It's ironic, because she's a loving ray of sunshine normally"

"She seems nice." a bit shyly.

"Hey, GrandDame?" A question occurs. "When I'm around Sidhe..... I get, like, really lost. Distracted. Some more than others but..... I'm, like, super aware of them. Do Sidhe have the same effect on each other?"

"She is. Sorry your getting to know her went south"

Then she ponders this question "It depends partly on their title, and how beautiful they are. Take Sparrow, she has a beauty that cannot be denied"

"However, for most of us, we're aware, but it's like swimming. Working the currents and bouancy to your advantage."

A longing sigh at the mention of Sparrow.

"Yeah."

"Yes. You learn to appreciate, and how to lean into it. Choose how you react to the beauty"

"Huh........" thoughtful, he considers the idea.

He glances at her.

She smiles "Yes?"

He grins a little and looks away. "Nothing."

"I was quite the dish in my day. I'm going to assume that's what yoiu were thinking" She chuckles "Anyway, sidhe know how to direct HOW they feel about the beauty. Is it some horrible tyrant? Then it will be ll the sweeter to watch her eyes, her beautiful eyes, narrow when you best her. Is it some handsome young lord? You can gape llike a codfish, or draw inspiration instead. YOu cannot escape the intensity any more than you can escape a wave, but the best courtiers learn to surf, if that makes sense"

"You're still beautiful, GrandDame." Earnestly. "And yes, it makes sense."

"I mean..... when I'm around Sir Magnus, yeah, I want to be like him. I guess that's a good thing?"

"Certainly, find what's best in the sidhe that's impressing you and learn and emulate as betters you. Just the best parts mind" A smile "You wouldn't want to take after my video game skills. I'm just not quick enough at those"

"I don't play video games much." he offers.

"Well there's something we have in common" She looks him over "You feeling better ?"

He nods. "Yes, GrandDame, thank you." sincerely "I'm sorry about how I reacted. It was just.... "

She pats his hand reassuring

"Now I feel kind of stupid about it."

"As long as you learn from it, it's not lost or wasted' She assures "We all have moments of stupid, not everyone uses those stupid moments to make themselves smarter"

One of his hands kind of traps hers, holding it gently. "I guess that's the best I can hope for." A sigh.

A chuckle "Best any of us can some days, dear. You'll make it"

"Well." Adam takes a breath "I guess I should get out there......."

"Emma might get other patients, so.. shoo"

Adam stands, keeping her hand, offering to escort her.

She rises and allows him to guide her away