#earthrunes

"For samhain and halloween I mean?"

A shrug. "Dunno. I mean, I guess I'll see what happens? Be here, anyway."

"I'm sure they won't sacrifice you to the balefire or anything" He says

"They DO that?!?"

"They " he jerks his head at the hold around them "don't, some fae? Would. Dude, there are rumors of some changelings who really want to do the old time religion, like tithes to hell and or elder dark, and a blood sacrifice fuels them. Some used to say that was what the Shadow Court did. Of course, the Shadow Court came out claiming all they want is fae equality so maybe that was just hearsay but I still wonder about them. Some of the shit I've heard about the Balor though? Brrr"

"They're one of the Unseelie Houses, right? But Unseelie doesn't mean Evil, you just said that. Hell, I met a -Fiona- that was Unseelie, and he was an complete douche."

"Unseeliee is not evil, but Balor... I don't know man, others know better than I. Ask miss Zara the librarian about House Balor, she's tangled with them more than I have. But I've seen them involved in human traficking, heard of them taking to torturing other fae way too happily, and the fact they seem to handle cold iron more than anyone else spooks the hell out of me. Every Balor is.. marked. Some are deformed physically, some are batshit crazy, and a few are just... it's like their souls are warped. The fact they take their name from THE Chief of the Fomorians, the ancient enemy of the Tuatha, should tell you plenty. I'm not saying all Balor are bad, but I am saying they are tied to something bad."

"Shit." impressed.

"They also try to control the trods. Rovers? Like Mister Davidson? They keep the trods clear, they protect travelers. They can be jerks about it, and they can be nice. Balor will set up a toll road practically and act like they're doing you a favor. I hear they DO fight things that threaten us, but between you and me? It's like the worst cops you hear about, the ones who bust five innocent heads for every actual criminal they find"

"And.... trods are a way into the Dreaming, right? So if they control those....."

"Then they control the non mortal ways to get to holds. They control the roads of dreams and thus who can move where. Fortunately, a lot of folks don't buy their shit. But underneath their bad boy flaunting, they're soldiers, so be careful . In our world? The stormtroopers can actually be good shots"

After a moment of thought, Adam says "I bet the eshu -hate- them."

"I hadn't thought of that, but.. yeah, probably. Some Eshu have a chip about ALL sidhe but they're not crazy about anyone who tries to block them or pin them down. Ask Alanza for an inside view there. But clearly you noticed your co beast apprentice is prone to vanishing for days at a time?"

"Yeah, but I cover for her."

"Me too" he says "Okay, is it weird for you that we're ah.. " He looks around as if expecting a woman to appear and report to the sister hood then seeing it appears to be clear he finishes "Sharing a girl?"

"Well... sharing how?"

"Well, we're both dating her, and I don't know how far it's gotten with you and her, but for me and her? Well, not as far as I'd like but damn nice"

"Damn nice." Adam agrees for his part. "We go out, we work with the animals together, we make out, but we're not exclusive. And you're a good guy. Sometimes." he ribs "What's weird?"

"Just.. most guys would get jealous" he says "Not satyrs..,we're pretty relaxed about that. But... you sure you're okay with it? I don't want to burn my best friend, you know?"

"Dude, not jealous. I know she's seeing other people, she knows that I'm seeing other people. And she knows about Nab. So."

"I'm not getting into -that- situation again."

"She's cool with Nab? Huh" A nod "Rare girl"

"I haven't made, like, a big deal out of it but she knows and we're still dating, so...."

"So... it works" he nods "I'm glad, man. "

"Yeah. Kinda seeing Stevi too."

"Ah, I 'saw' Stevi last week" He grins boldly "Damn, that country girl can ride"

"And she has such a sweet voice, too...."

"I know right? I'm not a country music fan, but her twang is sexy as fuck... and she can play a guitar like she was ringing a bell."

A happy sigh.

"Anyway, I figure if it's weird, we're both already past it, right?"

"Looks like we are" he looks relieved "now... what's this about you tackling autumn people?"

A shrug. "Not really. I mean, I met the asshole but after that I'm kind of off the case I guess? The Baron's handling it."

"Oh? Whew. No offense, that's scary shit." A nod "You felt the banality right?"

"Yeah." quietly "It sucked. But... it got better."

"Some folks don't, get better I mean. It can cap on you, and the next thing you know, it's overwhelmed you"

He nods. "Yeah. The mom and daughter he was evicting...they're close. Sir Bachdion was talking about, uh, helping them."

"Oh..." A blink "OH... Yeah, gift of pan, wining and dining. Helping them realize how wonderful they are. It can help"

"Also, he might loan them his apartment." A beat "Is it weird that I'm worried the gift, the wining, the dining, the.... you know.... could be weird?"

"You're one of the most open minded guys I know, but for you? It IS weird. Right? It's new... you don't want to take advantage, and you're not sure what 'taking advantage' means in this context. I mean, it's at least as questionable as catching a girl on the rebound right? "

"At least." He agrees. "I mean.... I trust Sir, don't get me wrong. I do. But...."

"But you're a good guy and want to be on the good side." Zane nods "I think satyrs will never believe the gift is a bad thing. It's too much a part of is. I sure don't believe it. I've seen, felt, the good it can do. But that doesn't mean your feels are without worth. So... what worries you specifically about it? Maybe I can help ease your mind"

"Well. I mean. Mom and daughter? Together? Uh.... kinda.... West Virginia?"

"Oh. I don't think he meant to take them at the same time, dude."

"I mean, I don't know him as well as you but... I see why that would freak you out. Hell, that's ..yeah, too west virginia"

"I mean, he hasn't said exactly but it sounded like... you know, a double date? And, uh, the Gift and.........."

"I hear you... definitely something ot ask for details about"

After an introspective pause "I don't even know if he wanted me to date the mom or the daughter."

"I kinda tried to ask how it would work and he went into defense of the Gift. I mean, I didn't even talk about that but....."

"Yeah, that's a classic problem. We satyrs are so used to defending the gift or assuring others that it isn't like mind control, that we're used to that. Makes sense. You should talk to him.. or want me to?"

"No, he's my mentor, I should talk to him." reluctantly.