#earthrunes

Then Madame Gray BLINKS at something. Startled. By what, others do not know

"Um. I have one other to invite." And he... stretches the collar of his shirt, looking inside. A frown, and neck twists to check his back. Finally, he whispers down to where Lily is under the table as he jerks up the hem of his jeans. "Check my Ankle, will you?" Somewhere, a dragon tattoo lurks. He prays, to what he is not sure, but all the Elder Gods, that it is not somewhere INAPPROPRIATE, at this time of all times, in front of the ladies and cousins of his kith.

Zara lifts an eyebrow.

Marzanana hides her face behind her fan

Below "You have a mushu on your calf"

He sighs in relief, and gives himself a pinch where indicated. "Imoogi, please come out."

And ink flies up into the air, and turns into rain of sorts.. not true rain that would endanger the books but a sense of it reaedy to break.. and that vapor settles into a dragon form "And once again you summon me, insolence , as if I were your genie to rub. I am no genie. I am among the wise. Among the old dreams of dragons of the east and...Ah, you have company"

Bronte trills - oh, this is interesting!

Bronte gets his interest "Ah, a keeper of the Words. "A glance to Symon "It took time, but you're keeping better company"

"I would beg your wisdom, O Imoogi. Much as you loathe being trapped upon my skin, there are those of my kin who would be trapped as well." He explains, though he suspects that the dragon listens to more than he admits. It turns out that Symon CAN be silver - or wyrm- tongued when he tries.

"Your kin often confuse secrets for wisdom, I find, but I understand why imprisonment is unpleasant. More than most" Huff "What is it youw ould know, unworthy maggot of a child boy who... did someone justpoke me?"

a girl's finger darts back under the table

"I would look back in time to see the truth of what happened with Siv fought the Baron who steals freedom. An Imoogi's eyes are clear and wise. Will you help me to see?" He struggles. "Or at least know what to look for? And I promise I won't bother you for a long, long while."

"And you need me for this? What of your learning? Ah, but I see. You hope to augment your power... as if I were dross between your fingers. Very well. I shall help you see what the girl her self did not see"

He bows his head and whispers his thanks in Korean, using an elder's honorific. And dredges his own pockets for dross.

"I'll be stretching a bit... so it will take some juice." He explains to those watching, trying to focus on the cantrip center, the fabric, and NOT those watching him. He exhales, and... tries another tactic. Whispering to himself, as though in the 3rd person.

"The slug sat at the table, surrounded by his Fellowship. He prepares to cast the spell that looks into the past." Oh... if Dagmar was here, she'd know this. He's using his Dungeonmaster Voice. When people are listening the to the story, they're paying attention it IT and not HIM, really.

Some of the grumps look baffled. Safe for Mr. DeVere, who looks.. a touch amused and nostaglic

He brings forth his dross - slimy and forgotten things, shells of insects and notes stolen when passed in class - other people's secrets as yet unread, and crumbles them, releasing what glamor he can to assist in the casting.

Zara works quietly, drawing a bubble around the table - to prevent the magic from drawing outside notice.

Mister DeVere snaps a Hello Kitty bit of dross. Glad to be rid of it.

and they see....

...but it is Wenceslas that Zara and Symon focuses on. Oh the Chain moves with him, writhing, matching him. But when the fight has begun, it pens the sluagh, holding him ..

Lovecraft reaches a paw onto the table, claws stretching to grab that Balor... He lightly moves her aside. "Game night rules. Shh."

"Dry tears.. in texas... everyone works... dictums in effect. The crownheart... in the hold's basement..hidden! Get it. He values it more than anything"

He watches intently, stroking the cat now on his lap. Yesssss.

Narrowed eyes.

"Dry tears and a drowned heart." He mutters, then shakes his head. "Crownheart."

Others observe other things "he favors an Itallian style... built more for offense " Mr. Grimaldi say "the better to get taht hit in with the poison"

"Wenceslas works outside in the sun , see the tan?" Marazan observes "Not properly pale even though his skin would favor that"

"A back up dagger in the Balor's boot, the handle has an eye, the eye moves" Madame Gray informs them "it watches his back"

"The Balor enslaves his people."

"Through magic - think you this hidden crownheart ties it all together?"

"Wenceslas has numbers on his neck but they don't look artsy at all.. more like... the stuff the nazis put on the people's wrists" Jacob says with a hiss

Zara recoils and hisses.

"He marks his cattle" DeVere says "his..property. It might even make Wenceslas easier for him to track."

"Crownheart... interesting name. A treasure he values more than the chains, or is it related? that is a question" Madame Gray considers Zara's comment

"Good question."

Harrowstep speaks "A crownheart is tied to the hold. it is a useful but foolish treasure to have. It allows for the maintenance of your hold, the control of it, from a great distance... but it has a flaw"

this surpirses ..well, everyone, but the noble knows something they don't

She sighs "what I will tell you, would not please fellow nobles to be shared, but , i am not ruling now am I? Share this secret only at great price."

"And it shall stay amongst the whisperers, aye."

soft agreements

"We are, after all, civilized" Madame Gray says

"Just so," Ruxandra Harrowstep nods "You all know of a Count's pennons.. how the sidhe can use it to lay challenge to any bale? They must still duel but it can be done? The flaw of the Crownheart is that while it allows a bale to stay strong even a world away, and lets you see through the flames and so on... it also can be gained by another and used as a Count Pennons against you. Even the lowliest boggan could seize it and declare a fight with the ruler. Thus, these are kept in great secret in the hold when they are used at all"

"Ahhh..."

"Mmmmmmmmm." He muses on this, petting his cat, and looking positively supervillainy.

"I had heard of this sort of thing, but only as a rumor" DeVere says "ha. More thorn than petal this flower of a treasure"

"Give his hold to his subjects." He nods. He had a chance to grab hold of a Balefire once... but who wants that responsibility?

"Surely SOMEONE there would champion the others."