#earthrunes

Bachdion is still recovering by the balefire when Coradel goes to speak with Hume. She knocks on his quarters.

One of the sisters (Neuf) has taken up a tail of Coradel. It's hard being some of the ones left behind.

((Presumably, this is a tail that Coradel would not likely notice?))

((Up to you! Neuf is lonely, she might be willing to be seen.))

Hume opens up "Hello?"

((She probably won't notice Neuf. She's preoccupied.))

"Lord Hume!" Coradel smiles. "How goes the great quest for information?"

"Quite well, actually, I think I've got at least ten folks original locations down"

"Splendid! I knew you could do it. May I see?"

"Sure" He presses something on his smart phone, and HER phone beeps

She looks at the screen and scrolls through the lists. Nods. "I'll start reaching out to some of these Freeholders."

"Some are offering rewards for the return of their fledges. " Hume says "Part of me thinks that's great, another makes me think that might be... opportunistic?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, Right of Rescue shouldn't be CHARGED for" he admits

"But if the freeholders are paying, they're hardly being the opportunists. More like the victims, right?"

"Well...yes."{ he says sounding confused

"I meant US charging them?"

"Oh! I certainly don't plan to claim any such rewards!" She sounds a bit insulted.

"I agree that it's great in the sense that it shows how much they value and desire their fledges back."

"Maybe suggest a charity?"

"For the holds that can afford it, yes."

"Okay. Anyway, I'm still running a search on the others in White Trillium too. TO help them out"

"Well done. Hmm...I don't suppose you can tell me which of these freeholders are wilders and which are greybeards?"

"I could look into it" He says\

"Good. I'll text the wilders, but the grumps will prefer a voice call."

"Truly, they deserve our pity" He nods sadly

"Can't blame them for the impairments of their age."

"Maybe we should start a charity for Grumps and getting them more tech savvy?" He po9nders "Mind you, some kiths don't need the help as much, but grump trolls? Those big fingers and traditional mindsets"

"That sounds like a project that would be right up your alley, Hume."

"Uh.. on second thought.. nevermind. I don't have the Social skills or the patience for that"

"Hmm. I didn't say you had to do it alone. Now, let's see...who might be somebody with strong social skills that you wouldn't mind being teamed up with for a long time on a shared project."

"Well , not my girlfriend. I'd get too distracted"

A curious brow. "Someday, Hume, you will be in charge of this barony. Will you abandon your girlfriend then, because she'd distract you too much from your role as leader?"

"What you suggest is a fairly low-stakes task. Perhaps it would be a good way for you two to learn how to work together. Work and play, in balance, right?"

"Uhm" A blush "I suppose that would be a Fiona lesson, huh?"

She smiles. "An important one."

"I'll let you tell her the good news that you'll be working together. Let me know when you have more freeholder contacts for the fledges." Coradel waves an airy farewell and departs his quarters.

"I will" He bows and masks his sigh

She goes blithely down the corridor and away.

Yet oddly, he's not looking forward to that as much as he might

(End Scene)