#earthrunes

It all comes in a rush!

August pours the tea while Antony spills it.

Coradel accepts her tea with a grateful smile and nod as she listens to Antony. "How did you become his squire in the first place?"

"It was horrible... I was minding my own business, climbing into a crack , when I saw a pretty maid under an attack. The maid was trying to scream for help , calling for anybody or somebodee, but I look around and realized the only other there was me? So I climbed upside the shelf full of chahies and knick knacks, and since NO body saw me, I simply transformed back, to this hideous form of a common average boy, but it was enough to make the shelf fall and end the bad guy's ploy? The maiden called me hero, though I'm not a sandy witch, and the Duke said "Well let's title this brave little son of a bi.." before I know knew what happened, I'd been raised to a squire, but most thought a pooka in service was something of a diversed hire, so the Duke asked for volunteers and said 'who wants this kid to serve'? And Nasty hair said sure , a squire he deserved. So I worked for him for years and years, or maybe it was just one? He taught me very little craft, and very little fun, but I learned what I could, like how to change a chamber pot, but I didn't know he was a snake until his tail got caught. I should have really seen it, I shouldn't have been surprised, just because you're a pooka doesn't mean you fall for lies? But now I'm knightless as Norweigan summer time, and my name is Mudd because folks think I aided his crime. But I was told August would take me down below, and he said 'hey there there are knights that you should know' and now I'm really hoping to have a knight that's really true. Have you got a spare, with space for a squire or two? I promise I will walk them, and learn to fetch their stuff. I already know armor polishing and other squire stuff. I don't eat very much, and I'm honest to a fault, at least by pooka measurements ignoring the default. So this is now my hope and dream, to continue as page or squire, I'm really rather rather young, it's too soon to retire. Just give me one more chance, or maybe four or five, I'm very grateful to join this place, and bee part of your hive. You seem like a nice lady and I hope you like me lots. I think I've rambled on too loooonng..."

A breath "And that is all I got"

It was almost musical in the cadence attempt, but no one will pay for tickets

Coradel listens, delighted by the manner in which the tale is told. "Oh, you simply must meet Shalimar, I think he'd be very impressed with your talent for word and rhyme. As to the Balor, you are far from the first who has been fooled into thinking that a Balor is actually a Dougal. It's in the physical irregularity." She sips. "I tend to believe your story. Don't make me regret that, hm?" A smile.

"I promise to commit sneakiness on you and yours in only the nicest way" The boy says

"There certainly is a time and place for that," she agrees.

"So...what it is you'd look for in a knight of your choosing?"

"Thank you. " He sips his tea, then looks to Baron August "The August Baron is the one who gave me the tea.. oh and the trip, but Tziporah was nice even if she had trouble with the double, and Miss Zara seems very nice too even if she's fit to spit about the lack of monogrammed towels there. " At the question he ponders "Nice? Uhm... fun? I would like to learn something useful, like underwater basketweaving or making tiedye shirts for the colorblind, but mostly I wanna feel... I want to be the jedi? Not the sith? "

August clears his throat gently. "I suspect a Dougal might be a good fit, at first blush. Antony has expressed an interest in Legos and building sandcastles. Building, really. Which makes sense. A natural affinity."

"Yes, he does seem to be a maker at heart. But back up a moment...you mentioned a double?"

"Uh huh, her torso was more so" The boy looks at his feet

A blink, and she looks to August. "I don't understand."

"It's okay, it's all De escuflated now" The boy assures "The Moth took her threads back"

"Well...alright, then. Ah, do try this." She offers a plate over. "It's called baklava. I think you might enjoy it."

"Back Lava?" he takes it, "Won't I get burned?"

"Trust me," she smiles, and takes one to nibble on for herself.

And he does try it, and his little eyes widen, then he says "it's not even poison!" And devours more

"Only if you eat too much," she cautions. "Your teeth won't thank you for that." She gives August a pleased glance. Antony has definitely won her approval.

August clears his throat and looks a little pink "There was a shape-changing cantrip, ah, involved. It's worn off."

But he offers her a small smile at her apparent approval.

"Ahhh." A nod of understanding.

"Oh I need to save my cavity space for Howl Do Ween" A nod