#earthrunes

She raises her hands. "Fine, fine..." She looks irritated. "Can some of it be cleared, at least? The things that can be found?"

August looks worried. "How.... bad is it?"

"What is it you want cleared again?" He asks

Coradel looks to August, then back to Hume. "There's some information about my mortal host. If it got out...it could compromise my ability to pursue my studies, or maintain a career that I care for."

"Better option might be to flood information that's misleading, alternative stories, create so many alternative stories that each seems equally likely, better yet, the ones you prrefer made to seem MORE likely"

"Could we strike a balance between both approaches? Remove what's possible to remove, and.... ah, prepare alternatives?"

She frowns thoughtfully. "I think I like the flood idea...and striking a balance," she nods to August, "but I want to make sure that causing that flood doesn't draw attention that we don't want."

"Until and Unless it's needed." August agrees.

"To do this I need to know what I'm supposed to be erasing"

"Would you like me to wait for you outside?" August offers quietly.

Coradel shakes her head at August's question. "Lord Hume, you understand that I expect you will keep this information confidential."

"Of course" He says

She nods. "My host, Chloe DuBois, apparently killed one of her horses through abuse and neglect. This is an unacceptable history for somebody who wishes to work in the field of equine work."

"Wow... your host was a bi" He catches himself "Unpleasant woman. I'll look into it"

"She was a bitch, indeed," she says matter-of-factly.

"This will take a few hours."

"I don't -think- there is a rush, although we certainly have a sense of urgency about it." August checks with Coradel.

"Oh, I don't expect it to be quick. A few hours would be remarkable. Thank you, Hume."

"Could take longer, dependson if anythinng is easily accessible. Also, don't forget. People I can't hack"

"Yes, but...I believe hearsay is weaker evidence than written records."

HE nnods "In that case I'll get to work.. unless therre's anything else?"

The Baron shakes his head; he has nothing further for Hume.

"Thank you," Coradel says again, then she takes August's arm and allows him to escort her out of the room.

Hume begins to ttap away

Which he does.

And immediately into a handy alcove.

Coradel is surprised but pleased when she's drawn aside. "Mmm, hello!" she purrs, putting her hands on his chest.

"Ah, hello. I went to the DuBois. Coradel, something wasn't right. I went to your room and looked for a journal or diary. Cindy, the maid? She almost insisted on helping. So I allowed her in and asked about a diary; she said you had already come and taken it."

Coradel is only half-listening to him as he starts, leaning in to nuzzle his jawline, his neck. But when he finishes, she pauses, and moves back a bit to look at him. "I...did?" Puzzled.

"I don't think you did." he says, shifting to look into her eyes "I think you'd remember, but you didn't even know if Chloe -had- a memory book like that. I asked Cindy, on a hunch, if she felt compelled to come and help me look. She said she did."

"Something's not right there."

"No. It's not." She frowns. "Who would have...I suppose Baron Nemauses might have sent somebody to gather up my things...."

If so, there's two folks to ask... the herald, and the jester

"What would he have done with them? I can't believe they're in the library, and his rooms and effects....."

She takes his hand. "Come on. I think Shalimar might be able to tell us something." She leads him out of the alcove and off towards the audience chamber, hoping to find Shalimar there, or to find somebody who knows where he is.

August goes with her.

She finds Shailmar juggling pomegranates

"Stone seeds, soo... heavy"

he bends as if the gravity the circle of flutering fruit was creating was crushing him

She can't help but smile at his antics. "Oh, my poor suffering jester!"

He collaspes onn the floor annd they land about him in a perfect calculated circle "Hades is going to make me his bride now" A look up and wink "How fare thee , Baroness ?"

"Hungry, not so much for pomegranate seeds, but for information. And I think it might be in your possession." She takes a seat on an upholstered bench near where Shalimar has collapsed. She still holds August's hand, and he may sit with her or stand by her, as he chooses. "It's about something that happened while I was still a fledge."

He stands beside her, keeping her hand in his.

"Oh? Are we talking aboutt when you devoured my flowerhead among a field of maidens?" A long siggh "Strawberry wine, first taste of spring was bitter sweet"

"I think you and I remember spring a bit differently." she winks. Then more seriously, "My wonderful Shalimar, it seems that when I was a fledge, somebody went to my host's house disguised as me, and removed my personal journals, among other things. Do you know anything about that?"

The sudden 'uh oh' look hints that yes he does "tis possible I went to a rumage sale. Father wanted me to learn about making good investments"

She tilts her head. "You never told me. Why?" A little hint of hurt in her tone, but more curiosity.

"Because father was father," He says "The moon tattoo over his heart."

He does look apologetic as he sits up right "Like a cat who was out of his ninth fur"

A sad little smile. "He was curious about my host...and I couldn't tell him much. So he asked you to find other sources." She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Shalimar, can I have Chloe's belongings back, please?"