#earthrunes

Adam looks at the sword hilt. "Come give me a hug."

Coradel shoots a look at Magnus, then steps up to Adam with her hand out. "Give me your blade."

He draws it, slowly, and hands it over correctly.

BEFORE he does...

he feels her hug him

"Nab?"

It's warm... and soft...

"And the scabbard," adds Coradel, who cannot see that he's receiving a hug.

Adam is still as though paralyzed.

"We are linked, you jackass" She says "You can hear me in your head.. I can make a whole fantasy for us..a place in the near dreaming where we can both make love for hours"

"it was an EARLY trick when I was a simple lust imp" the sword seems heated

Coradel drops her hand and frowns. "He does not deserve you, Nabuni. He wished you back, but only if you could please his body. He's an idiot." she says again, then turns on her heel and moves for the door.

Bondraste wakes gently "Go.. go easy on him please"

"That's -not- why I wanted her back!"

He looks up at the other Fiona. "Can you tell me you would not seek revenge if someone you loved was taken from you?"

"I must return to my guests. Our guests," she adds pointedly. "Granddame, please remain here as long as you need. Adam, I will decide what to do with you later."

"Yes, Baroness."

She doesn't bother to respond to his question, but puts on her beaming smile again as she sweeps out the door and closes it behind her.

Magnus says "if Claire was tkane from me, and then returned, no I would not want revenge on the DEAD mage that did it... I would move to my wife and comfort her, tell her the truth that the world was wonderful. I would no declare war against the innocent along with villains"

And once out in the larger chamber, she glides to August's side to bolster him in his attempted schmoozing.

August's smile brightens considerably when he sees her.

Nabuni has gone cooler, and quiet

Bachdion says "Adam.. she WAS taken.. and then you get her back and THEN try to take revenge on a dead woman while ignoring your lady who is clearly scared that you seem to be about to harm yourself and don't want her or don't consider her real. Do you know what that stunt made the Baroness look like? the Namer may censure future fledges here "

Bondraste says "Adam... I don't understand... i's one thing to be rash, but who told you genocide on a whole prodigal group was right?"

"We...." he stops.

"I think I need to spend some time figuring things out. With.... Nab."

"I'm sorry things happened the way they did."

"You know what?" Bachdion says "Maybe it's the satyr in me speaking... but you've shamed my liege, clearly ignored my teaching, FOUGHT against learning about magic every step of the way then seemed surprised when it included things you were already told about if only you HAD listened.. and you all but dropped your returned love on her proverbial ass out of some vainglorious revenge against a dead woman. I'll flicker flash you to and from school.... but for now? Don't talk to me, don't go near me unless you have to... I'm washing my hands of you ... " And he storms out furiously before Adam can reply

Clearly, that stings.

Bondraste gives a groan. and Magnus winces

Adam glances at the others.

Magnus says "Adam... 'I'm sorry things turned out the way they did' is probably honest, but it's also the king of non apologies. Do you admit NO wrong doing in this?"

He takes a deep breath.

"Sir, I promise you. I'm not... I won't make excuses. I'm impulsive and I want to take action. I thought, a -lot-, about what I planned to do. Still want to do, truth be told. But. I recognize there's new information I need to think about, and probably more new information to come along. I'll take the time to do that; to think about it."

"Adam... if you swear an Oatth against All Hidden Ones.. the technocracy... it's dangerous enough. If you swear war on all will workers, you'll end up killing some of their changeling friends." Magnus frowns

Bondraste is crying

"GrandDame....." Adam swallows, stricken, and kneels where she sits. He looks up at Magnus "Sir, in the moment I was trying to make that Oath, I would have been ok with those Changelings taking that chance. I was going to make that Oath publicly, and anyone who wanted could know about it and yes, I was willing to bear the consequences."

"That was then. Now.... things may have changed." he touches the sword hilt.

The sword is cool. empty

He sighs. "I think she's pissed at me."

"Oh Adam, don't you see what you did?" Bondraste says "You spurned love for vengeance. Your love returned and you used her as an object.... she was there, and because she came as a sword you treated her like a sword. And the Dreaming is punishing you"

Magnus kenss "oh shit"

"What??"

"Nabuni's gone" Magnus says "That's why Bondraste is crying. The Dreaming has taken her back"

"No.. she LET the Dreaming take her back" Bondraste says "She's tied to the blade, but no longer in it"

"What....?" He stands and draws the blade.

He draws it. It's edge is sharp, but the luster is gone

"NAB?"

"Oh Adam...no wizard did this. Your rage and pride..." Bondraste inhales "Do not whimper. Stand up. Now, are you, for once, willing to listen and RETAIN what we tell you?"

her eyes blaze