#earthrunes

(("...because my player is rather dense, sometimes."))

("It's okay, boggans think that about sidhe in general" 😉 )

(("Hey!....Okay, valid."))

Zara taps her fingertips against the delicate rim of the teacup, pondering.

The Steward nods "What was done to this child was wrong, her true self kicked out into the dreaming from the start if I understand this right, and her left like a stolen car for anyone else to take. That horror aside... Hume means this could be where you geet his replacement as his heir. One YOU select, rather than one pushed on you."

She's mildly surprised at the notion, then looks to Hume again. "Lord Hume, you have rendered service after service to this barony and its people. I don't foresee what you suggest coming to pass...but let's jump off that bridge when we come to it, hm?" A kind look.

A soft huff.

"It maybe whoever you find will be my better for this," Hume admits, "But thank you."

"I appreciate that you are considering several angles of the situation."

"Shall we check the Truthbranch lines from the archives, Baroness?" The steward offers. "Your husband keeps excellent records."

"Yes, of course. Perhaps we may find August on the way. Everybody, please excuse me," she rises from her seat, "and continue with the meal."

Some rise, bow and reseat, but the conversation continues as Coradel heads out.

Rosco mutters under his breath, which, as he's loud in more than one way is easy for Zara to hear "Bloody Shadow Court, they'd try to control Da'an if they could."

Zara's nose wrinkles. "We shan't allow them to lay claim to her."

Rosco nods heartedly at that, "Agreed. One has to trust in fate some time, or at least bow to it, and fortune also has her say. To try to pre-script over D'an is... well, it can lead to banality if one isn't careful. Where is wonder, where is the dance?"

Almandine says "Even I agree, we can fudge the numbers, take out one card in a deck , it's what Seers sometimes do, but to replace the deck entirely? Even the most daring Eiluned knows better."

"Fate may be persuaded. And I may have... an edge, at least, at barring Balor, if not the whole of the Court."

"Thank goodness for that," Bachdion joins his voice as he makes out Zara's whisper and so he moves closer, "Arcadian arrivals... pardon me, Gents, can be iffy as is, but I truly find this whole situation reprehensible. it would serve the Shadow Court right if whoever settles in that poor abused girl proves to be an enemy of the Shadow Court."

A thought occurs, telegraphed by a twist of grey lips.

"Fate tends to enjoy irony."

That gets a chuckle from the Almandine, "It does , doesn't it? It maybe the Baroness will be guided by more than just our counsel."

"Look at this practically - we need not a name to bring a soul. We need a shape of Destiny."

"Fate, woven into a net."

"One shaped to capture the correct soul. The.. ah... downside, methinks, is such a thing will likely draw a whale instead of a guppy."

"With Fate so involved, Destiny must needs be at her side. They would not travel alone."

"Intriguing," Rosco says "List the qualifications, and let the Da'an provide?"

She nods.

"And to invoke Da'an so... " She purses her lips again, thoughtfully. "We are like to bring in one whose name shall be sung for seven upon seventy generations."

Bachdion's chest swells, "Okay that appeals to my Fiona sensibiltiies."

"It would do little good for the child or for Coradel to know this."

Almandine NOW Looks intrigued. Secrecy is his house's bread and butter.

"Indeed, this is but speculation on my part. But...." An elegant gesture of upturned hands. She looks at the Seer and Namer to see if they feel the same.

Rosco snorts , then says "Speaking for one loud Namer, I agree. The Shadow Court is so obssessed with Control, they don't always grasp the raw power of faith and trust."

"I am not sure we should keep it secret from the Baroness though," He adds.

"It is not a secret, it is a theory."

"And.... every child deserves the chance to be a child."

"David was once but a boy, too."

"Interesting comparison," Bachdion says, a learned man , "Whether you speak of the more famous David of Changeling kind, or of the boy with the sling... both became Kings. Zara, dear, you're not hoping to play Kingmaker are you?"

"Ha," Rosco chuckles "I doubt even a sluagh of miss Zara's skill aims so high."

She sniffs. "I would see the crown rest on an empty chair and gather dust. I would not wish that fate on a child."

"A commoner to her core, and proud of it," Almandine smiles at Zara, "We titled fools are still glad of your company, Miss Zara. And your insight as a commoner is needed."

Zara notices Eugenia, the boggan childling who's overly kind heart started this all, is trying to eavedrop on them.

Zara levels a flat look at the childling.

Oh. Oh, the Library Witch does not blink, does she?

Eugenia gulps takes one step back and wiggles her fingers in a 'just saying hello' attempt, but then backs up more. Childlings must be polite around the librarian: It is known. There are rumors that unruly children are turned into flowers and then pressed into the pages of blank books.

Or that they are transformed INTO books and offered to the Bookwyrm.

Zara does nothing to dissuade this. Lily and Tzipporah seem to delight in elaborations.

Yes, her dear eshu sib does take liberties, but they are entertaining ones.

Eungenia has safely retreated to her fellow childlings, who take turns either insisting she is lucky to be unpressed, and at the same time admiring her daring bravado to get so close to a witch and remain unfrogged!

"You enjoy that," Bachdion accuses Zara fondly and softly.