#earthrunes

"Yes, gears and pulleys and counterweights and so on...though I'm probably not doing them near the justice they deserve by that description."

"There have been a few explosions, too." August reminds quietly.

"Oh very hard ware" He says

"True," Coradel nods to August. Then she looks to Hume again. "I don't mean to be rude, but I truly don't understand even half of what you tried to describe just now."

"Oh" he says and he sighs a bit "Well, not everyone is into computers. Let's just say it's like... crafting with very specific linquiestics?"

She nods at that. "Perhaps there are others here who speak your language, and I just don't know it yet," she offers. "But still...I may ask the Duke and Duchess whether there is some mistake. It seems your talents would be put to far better use if you were surrounded by those who could support you properly."

"Maybe they figure that's why you need me? " He points out "If you can't name your tech support you probably don't have tech support and now adays even freeholds could use it"

"Well...perhaps?"

August checks the drink level in everyone's glass, and offers to pour if needed.

Hume blushes "not that you need anyone, Baroness"

"Oh, no, Lord Hume, I absolutely need others. Any noble who pretends otherwise is an idiot. EarthRunes wouldn't be half of what it is today if there weren't a skilled staff and talented courtiers here."

A fond smile to August at the refill.

"Right" He says and goes back to sampling a few foods

Coradel seems at a conversational loss for the moment. "Baron August comes from a Dougal hold," she mentions, lobbing it over to him.

"Oh?" He perks at that

"Ah. Yes. Alabaster Hollow, in the Kingdom of Apples. It was... some time ago."

"Oh yes, quite the display there I hear?" He says then frowns "Shame about the poor behavior of that knight"

"Ah?"

"Sorry Baron. I don't mean to disparage your old ala mata or whatever, it's just well... she was a guest"

"You mean Mirwin?"

Then a blink. "I'm sorry...she?"

"I don't know who Mirwin is.. yes, she" he says "AH, what was the name? Dame Colybia? She was more than a little rude to some commoners in the duchy. Presumptive while she visited"

Coradel frowns. "When was this?"

"About a week.. maybe two weeks ago?"

August glances at Coradel.

"A week" he says "It was still in march"

"Hm. That's...interesting." August knows that look. It's the I-was-fostered-by-an-Eiluned look.

The one that gives him a headache? Ah yes, THAT look.

"A dame from the Hollows was rude to commoners here in -this- Duchy?" he repeats for clarification.

"Oh yes. I don't remember the whole story, but it was to a satyr trago? And ..well the Duchess is a satyress herself when she found out.. whoo. " He nods

"A coincidence." August murmurs.

"Did she come by here too?" Curious

"I don't think so," she murmurs back.

Then to Hume, "No, not yet."

"Oh I think she went back to the Hollow... that place seems to be getting a bad rep. Online chatter is't positive"

August spocks an eyebrow.

"No... it isn't. And...I think we may need to take a trip to Alabaster Hollow, August."

"None of you go on Chimerical or changeling only forums?"

"Or use an Accord account?"

"Ah... no."

"A...what?"

"Accord, like DIscord for changelings.. the .. the social media program that..." He looks at them "Please tell me you've heard of Discord"

"Oh...perhaps? I think some of my college classmates have mentioned it."

"Oh thank the.." He catches himself "That's good." A cough

A confused look. "How did we get from talking about Alabaster Hollow to Discord?"

"Because it was on Accord that I found out about the bad rep the Hollow has lately"

"Ah. Now...hm...that's interesting. I may not have been involved in that, but I imagine some of the boggan staff are, or would be grateful for access, if it provides news of that nature."

"I can set up a group account sure" He says

"That might prove useful, thank you." But she seems distracted, gears turning.

After a moment, "Lord Hume, would you be able to find out where else Dame Colybia has traveled recently?"