#earthrunes

She tries to get a better look without pausing too noticeably right away.

Oswald distracts the lady while she gets a peek...

There's a little girl in there. She seems to be positively comatose sitting upright in the tiny closed tent. Clearly beyond their ability to tend, while she is kept clean and such.

(Perception plus Kenning, please)

/roll 7 explode

Coradel silently feels grateful for Oswald essentially reading her mind, and tries to get a better look, but doesn't linger so long as to be caught.

At first, she almost ignores it then ... this must be the child that the others spoke of, the one who kenned oddly, like a bell ready to be struck. This girl is not just autistic, there is something aobut her. Her banality is so very low, and yet she doesn't seem to register a response. At this point she might wish she were more lore wise. But something about this girl is .. she feels like a present unwrapped, like a rope ready to pull a bucket from a well.

(Int plus Lore or Graymare)

/roll 6

/roll 2

(total of 2 sux)

She isn't sure of the lore, but she realizes what this girl is... this is what happens when there is supposed to be an arcadian sidhe swap but while the mortal soul leaves, no sidhe soul comes in. This girl is an empty vessel long ago left so... perhaps she was born to be an open cup, perhaps she was just cursed, or maybe something went wrong. But what she is is ... she could be used as a new home for a sidhe soul out there that needs a home. In fact, she feels made for it. It's a DELIGHT AND WONDER on one hand. So easy to bring another lost exile from Arcadia to a safe haven. On the other hand, it's a bit chilling that somehow something lead to this: one who is not autistic, she's soulless.

She fights her instinct to swoop in and grab her away immediately...but that would lead to all sorts of inconvenient reactions. Instead, she quietly reasserts her presence in front of Miss Tank. "How long does the program last?"

"We'll be closing up in another four days," the woman says "SUch a shame, these kids really are progressing thanks to our hard work. Maybe you'd like to contribute to our cause? Just a hundred dollars could do so much?" Hopeful hint.

Oswald mutters in her ear "I think any progress is more due to our kids helping these kids than these slackers actually hitting a goal."

A slight nod to Oswald, and a carefully pleasant smile to Miss Tank. "I believe something could be arranged. However, I would like to make an appointment to speak with your program's director. Who would that be, by the way?"

"Oh, well, I'd be happy to pass anything on to him, of course, but Mr. John B. Taney is our core administrator," She answers. "I'm afraid he's not currently here."

"Oh? When will he be back?"

Taney? She knows that name. A family in the upper middle class than used to be higher, but poor choices and bad luck caused them to slip to nearly middle class. Now they have a rep among the well to do as sleezy scramblers who long to be the next Leeman brothers and or pyramid schemers , anything to get back among the truly well to do. John could be son number three or even nephew number four.

"Well, Mr. Taney trusts US to be able to run the camp so I'm not sure if he'll be back for the close up," She hedges.

"Oh, really? He's travelling?"

"Negotiating with more backers at a business retreat," Ms. Tank smiles.

"Pity. Well, do let him know I look forward to speaking with him about this remarkable endeavor," she gestures to the tents, "and I will return tomorrow to provide a bit of a donation...and perhaps something more." Another smile.

"Certainly, I can give him your contact information if you wish?" SHe says.

"Of course." A business card is handed over bearing a phone number that forwards to her cell phone.

And soon, Oswald and Coradel are walking away. Oswald says "Baroness, what do you think?"

"Beyond being disgusted, you mean?" She slides into her seat in the sports car. "Well, if this program is to continue, it will need to do so under more trustworthy and capable oversight. But more to the point, let me tell you about who I saw inside that little tent....."

He tilts his head and listens.

And as he is told, the Jedi loving troll grows quite somber indeed.

(Fade to update)