#earthrunes

Adam is working with the hounds and birds again.

"Adam," Sir Sergei says "A moment when you have the time"

Not a request, but he is letting the boy finish his chores

"Yes Sir!" Adam hops to it, takes care of the animals but doesn't dawdle. Shortly, Sir Sergei has him.

"I understand you are displeased with attending school at the farmhold?"

"Yes, Sir, I am. But I'll do as I'm told. I can follow orders."

"But do you follow them to your best of your ability?" A brow

"No." After a beat, and honestly. "But I do what I'm told."

A look of stern disapproval "Do you? Unless you are told to half ass it, I very much doubt it. What if they wree to start adding "Do your best" to ever order?"

Adam doesn't flinch. He lifts his chin. "What if they did?"

"Then would you do what you were told and do your best?"

"Maybe? I mean... 'best'....." with air quotes "... it's relative. I'm going, I'm doing. I don't want to make friends there but it's not like I'm spitting on anyone there."

"Careful, Adam." Deadpan "Such high bars you set, you might strain yourself. " He makes a slashing motion with his hand as he cuts this train of thought "Your sabotage of your education and chance to gather influence is short sighted and it is disappointing to me. However I did not call you hear to tell you what I am sure others have said. Rather I am considering helping you spend less time there"

He is clearly suspicious. "Yeah? I mean, you are?"

"Yes. Though your immature behavior is off putting to me, I am nonetheless fond of you. Did you know I am a registered falconer by mortal standards? Permits and so on? Similarly I am a liescaned animal trainer for dogs. What this means is, should I sign off on it, you may use me for both community AND biology credits . "

His eyes light for a moment, then dim. "What's the catch?"

"There is no catch. Though there is no cure all either. This but adds a few credits and speeds your progress. You'll still have to go. I could demand you DO your best for the other classes and stop embarrassing Earth Runes but you really should come to that choice yourself"

"I'll pass my classes." he says with bravado.

"If you expect applause for that, you have to search elsewhere. The merely mediocre intereests me not all. You work here, you work hard, you DO give your best with animals so I will sign off you have done so. this may make your school day shorter, or perhaps even your semester. Frankly if I were you, I would learn of farm living for practical reason. Animal husbandry of any sort is useful knowledge. And you would do well with most animals I think. However this will free up some time for you which I think you will appreciate."

"I appreciate that, Sir. I do like working here; you're a great teacher. Thank you."

"It is my job. While I am , for reasons I do not always understand, fond of you, I do my best at everything I do. Not for the glory of others, but my own. Still, you are welcome. "

"Yes, Sir."

"I'll fill out the paperwork to send to the farmhold. I've already done so for Alanza as well"

"Oh. Thanks. I mean, thank you Sir."

"Go on back to your tasks. Samhain is soon, I want the animals ready to be bedded down for a night safely. Not that anyone would hurt the animals, but some think to do pranks involving them under the cover of the msits"

"Should we set a guard? I could stand guard, Sir." Adam immediately volunteers.

"No.The animals can guard themselves. I have the larger dogs ready"

"Oh. Ok." He glances at Dumas.

Dumas wags

"Mmmm perhaps Dumas would like the farm" A thought

"Huh? No! No, he doesn't have to go."

"Have to? no, but he might like it."

Adam is torn; he hates the idea but.... "He likes it here."

"Of course the dog does. But what is his basis for comparison? " A pause "Adam. I am not saying sending him to the farm forever. I thought he could just go and play a bit there and then come back with you"

"Is that an order, Sir?"

"No, just a suggestion . " He shrugs "If your dog is not worthy of this treat in your view, so be it"

"That farm isn't a treat......"

"For a dog?" A brow

A shrug.

"Regardless, its your dog, your choice" A shrug

"He likes it here."

"So he does. Anyway, finish your tasks. I have my own to tend to. "

"Yes, Sir." And Adam does. Dumas might come along with him for some of them.

Dumb dog spends more time in the kennel now anyway.

Dumb Dog has been sneaking into Adam's room a lot

Dummy has been welcomed, really.

And possibly nab feeds him snacks

Nab IS a snacc.

Zane waits for him "HEy man. Ready to go to school? I figured you wouldn't be so bummed if you had someone to go with"