#earthrunes

Soon most of them are there, gathering around, a few still were away or got caught up but she has a group.

It is, of course, a meeting over dinner, and while Coradel is clearly troubled by the situation, she invites everybody to begin eating before they discuss the matter.

Zara.... shows up. Invitations? Who dey?

There is a small plate of sluagh worthy food, never let it be said Steward doesn't have Boggan prep time.

((LOL))

While she rarely eats in company, she can nurse a cup of curdled tea like a champ. But the plate is, nonetheless, appreciated. Nobody actually spies her taking a bite, but the food does slowly disappear.

After the first course has gotten underway, and everybody's had at least a little to eat, Coradel clears her throat. "There is a matter of some urgency that must be resolved within the next day or two at latest. Preferably tonight. And, while I dislike the way it was done, we have the stablehands to thank for bringing it to my attention."

She nods to the childlings who have been invited to attend.

Siiiiiip.

Eungenia the boggan girl and her pooka friend both give weak waves and bows, the boys pause from eating long enough to smile. Good grub is good grub.

Coradel continues, "The property bordering ours is hosting a summer camp program for children who are, as the mortals say, 'on the spectrum.' This seems a worthy goal, but in truth it's something of a money-grab. They are taking in tuition for promised activities, and then hiring underqualified staff and purchasing inadequate supplies. The children who are most 'afflicted' are left alone to do nothing for the most part. They are fed, they are clean, they are safe...but they are not nurtured."

She pauses for a sip of wine.

"... are any of them caterpillars?"

A slight smile at Zara's phrasing. "Ah, and you bring us to the urgency of the matter. One is most unusual in that the child has all the makings of a perfect host...and has no presence of their own. The child is, for all intents and purposes, an empty shell, waiting for an occupant."

Almandine looks up at that, "one of those?"

A nod. "And as the program only lasts for a week for each set of campers, we need to address that child in particular immediately."

Her eyebrows quirk and her head tilts.

"One soul fled ere the fated one settled? That..."

"....that is dangerous, for a vessel shall be filled."

Rosco scratches his chin, then looks to the sluagh, "There would be wards laced about the shell so only a sidhe might fit. Like a weaver ward for an empty aura."

Almandine says "The wards do not always hold, Miss Zara is right to be concerned. This needs to be filled soon for more than one reason."

"Know we this for certain?"

"Not the least being that the shell itself will languish without a vital essence within."

"I saw no wards. However, I also did not have much time to inspect...the mortal who was giving us a tour was right there."

Rosco admits, "To be fair, this ... empty shell technique is said to have been crafted by the Shadow Court Houses so I do not pretend to be an expert in it. Yet even Seelie houses covet such finds."

A soft hiss.

Almandine looks at Zara, "Some consider it far sighted, that the sidhe would need easy access to returns."

She rolls her eyes.

A frown. "Far sighted, perhaps, but...well..." A delicate harumph. "Finders keepers, as it were."

"The harm cannot be undone, but further harm may yet be prevented."

"I'm with Miss Zara in that I find the creation of such empty shells a touch revolting," Bachdion says "But yes, the Baroness should seize the poor shell before someone or something else does."

"At the minimum, to ensure that one of the Court is not invited into our midst." She somehow gives the impression of spitting without spitting.

"So now it comes down to the when and how. Suggestions?"

"Steal the child, unfortunately."

"Yes. But I'd prefer it be done such that the authorities are not involved. I get the sense that most of the children in the program are from local families who have enough wealth to provide decent homes. Perhaps it would be best to abduct, imbue, and return, all in one night? Rather a shock for the new arrival, not to mention the parents and program staff...but we might then supervise the child's further upbringing."

Eungenia speaks up, "They really are wonderful kids. They're our friends. They just are different is all, and we liked helping them" She admits.

"Incidentally, Eugenia, I did see some of the children who were still affected by your influence. Very happy, engaged, and creative...to the point where the counselors didn't know quite what to do with them. BUT...what you did was still a threat to the Right of Ignorance. Do not forget this."

"My chicanery skills are.... middling. But that art would be of great use here."

Eugenia looks at her feet at that.

"With the child in the hold, with the strength of a fire - twould be possible to follow the threads of fate to find and call an Arcadian." A pause and a wry smile. "Any errant Truthbranches still on the far side?"

A startled blink. "I hadn't even gotten so far as to consider...." A thoughtful pause, and she looks to Bachdion and Almandine in turn. "Are there any others in waiting?"

"I mean, as far as lore is concerned."

Lord Hume looks up from his lap top, which he somehow snuck in past the others, "Chicanery is easy to find around here, but I .. ah.. well, I was looking up the kids at the camp, getting names, identities, that sort of thing. I could delete digtial trails and so on, but that's not what I... okay, I am notn that political but I'm well aware what this means for me, and if it helps. I understand."

"With you and August here, arguably, a Truthbranch soul might be the easiest to reliably tether." A glance at Rosco to confirm.

Coradel regards Lord Hume curiously. "Actually...what I'd truly love to see you do, perhaps in addition to all that, would be to reveal the misuse of funds going on at that program. Maybe 'accidentally' include the parents' emails on an exchange about how much profit the camp is making, or costs vs. donations and such."

A soft rasp that resembles a laugh at Cora's suggestion.

Hume smiles, "That I can do." He coughs.

"As to the notion of a new Truthbranch...I wouldn't know whose name to seek, but if any of the House seems within reach, yes, please bring them over."

Delores ahems, "Your pardon, Baroness, but I think you miss some of Lord Hume's point that he was suggesting on how this affects HIM."

Her brow furrows delicately. "Please explain," she says to include both Delores and Hume.