#earthrunes

Adam requests neither privacy nor company. He doesn't curl up facing the wall, nor does he engage and chat. Silent tears appear on his cheeks and trickle away. Eventually he sleeps.

***************************

Every day, Adam's mother brings him food. A lot of times the boggans are the ones who make it, sometimes she does, but she always brings it. Concern in her eyes if she sees him sleeping, and a hopeful greeting if he's awake.

The day after Vince's intervention, she finds Adam sitting on the edge of his bed, bare feet on the floor. He is dressed; black pants, and a black shirt if he has one. If not, he wears his black Highwayman's coat over a bare chest.

He is also completely bald.

"Adam? Did someone shave you while you slept?" Jester or no, if that skunk did this, she'll SHAVE Him!

Well, 'completely' bald; a closer look shows there are a few patches that didn't get a close shave, and the back has a spot that is cut very close but not exactly shaved at all, but the -intent- is bald. That much is clear.

"No." quietly, his voice uneven. "I did it."

"Oh" And her eyes well with sympathetic tears threatening to escape "An old mourning custom. I see." She sets the food down, glad he's talking at least "Would you ...would you like me to get the patches you missed?"

He nods. "Please. Did the best I could but...."

"Of course, Adam," She says "It's not easy to reach all the spots." She gets some hot water, and some cloths. And yes, a razor soon , the cream over his head, she tends to it with almost professional skill "I shaved my head once. I was young. A best friend had cancer."

"That's a good reason. Not that you need one." he responds. He still sounds listless, hopeless, but at least he's saying -something-.

(Does he have a black shirt?)

He does have a black poet's shirt

(Then he has that on.)

Soon, his head is cleaned, and smooth "There you go" She says "take a look" She shows him the mirror

Adam looks, nods. "Thank you."

"You're welcome" She says "And I'm sorry for your pain. I.. know what it's like to lose folks. Can I do anything else for you?"

He shakes his head. "There isn't really anything -I- can do for me. I just... have to keep going."

"Oh.... I need some fabric. And thread. And a needle. And paint that will stick to fabric. I guess.... ask the Steward?" Adam has NO known sewing skills.

"What do you need them for? " She asks

"I want a pocket on my shirts. And a badge, or armband. Both, I guess."

"oh. You probably want to talk to either Innish the Herald or Vashti who handles outfits" A pause "Vashti is really good."

"I know what I want on the badge. But I will let Herald Innish know. I was going to sew it myself......"

"Okay. Do you know where his office is?"

"Yes."

"Well, " She looks at the food she brought "I brought you a small burger and fries. Maybe have that before you go?"

He nods, and sits to eat; not much gusto, but he puts the fuel into his system.

His mother watches him

He always had manners, his mentors polished them, but now they come with an easy grace, without effort. He wipes his lips when he is finished. "Thank you."

Adam gets socks, and his boots. "I guess I'll go see the Herald, and Miss Vashti.

"You're welcome. Good to hear you again, son. I'm sure they can help you with your clothing plans," She gives him a brief hug, then goes

As does he, to seek the Herald first.

Innish isnn't hard to find. His office was in the same spot even before Coradel became ruler. There's a sense of dignity to it

His door is open.

Adam taps at the door. "Herald? Do you have a moment?"

"Mm? Pardon me, sir not sure we've met" He rises then puts on his glasses "Oh, Adam? Sorry, first time I've seen you as a sidhe. Please, please come in"

"It is a recent development." quietly "My mother suggested I speak with you. I want a badge; I have a design in mind."

A brow "You've certainly right to come to me. What's the design?" He pulls out some papers and pens

He describe a solid black heart shape with a set of red horns in the top half and a red arrow-tipped tail in the bottom half.

"Well, black isn't a traditional Fiona color but then not everything is traditional" the herald takes some paper, and soon draws three different examples. "And this is not ...typical blazon charges. "

"Maybe it won't be official." Adam offers to take the pen and paper and draw the design he wants. "Until I'm Sained I won't know if there -is- an official one, or if I'll make my own. But I want this."

"I can certainly make a badge" He lets the lad do his own design, then improves on it , he can draw and makes sure the touches are acceptable "But in the world of nobles, wearing such things when you are not entitled to them can get you grief. HOWEVER.." he says "You took down a Hidden One Mage, and Nabuni's loss is..well tragic and heroic. I think I can get a special approval from the Baroness, sained or not for you. Perhaps it might even become your official blazon if you wish to keep it in perpetuity"

Adam is quiet a long moment, then says "Thank you."

That seems to cover it.

"I lost someone when I was young once too, she was.. taken far too soon" The herald says "Folks will tell you your pain will lessen, and it will. You'll know joy again, think about the loss less and less. You'll remember the good times with her more than the loss and be glad she was in your life for as long as she was and count yourself blessed for having known her. And then, now and then, even years from now, it'll all rush back and the loss will stab you in the heart one more time" he writes down a letter of recommendation to the baroness asking for special approval of the symbol "It will get better, and you'll be happy again, but the loss IS a part of you now. Happens to Fiona, non housed, commoners, nobles and humans. Let me know if you ever want to have a drink together, we'll compare talk of the ladies in question"

The young Sidhe's expression twists to a more obvious grief and he doesn't speak but nods at the offer.

A nod back "Get Vashti to make up the badge with that design. If anyone other than the Baroness or Baron gives you grief about the symbol, you tell them to take it up with me"

And he hands the boy a paper with a writ of HIS approval

"I will, Sir. But I'm not worried about getting grief for this badge. I am getting the badge -because- of grief." He nods and goes to seek the oddly morbid Seamstress.