#kc_necropolis

-----------

August goes home to his place in KC.

Someone must have left the lights on

He walks up to the porch and lets himself in. "Hello?" calling out to see who's there.

No response.

A faint frown. August sets his bag down in the foyer and takes his 'pocketknife' out, holding it ready. He does a check of the ground floor.

He enters a room, a large chair spins, and there is... Jude, with an eyepatch.

August's eyes go wide. "Excellency!" He bends abruptly in a bow and shoves his pocket knife back in his pocket. "Welcome."

"No need for that, Sir Knight. I'm trespassing. I would have had stroked a cat while I turned but didn't see one handy.." He lifts the patch "Good to see you. I understand you're banished for three days?"

He blinks. "Ah. Well. Yes."

"Great, got plans?" He asks

"School?" He's off-balance and that makes the response a question.

"Huh, you don't play hookey do you?"

"Not unless it's necessary, Excellency. So close to the end of the semester.... and then next year, I'm moving schools. I intend to study law." A beat. "But.... forgive me, Excellency.... somehow I think you might know that already."

"Well.. I had heard from some sources. Mm no, it's okay, August. I'll hold you in reserve. I have others in the file ."

August shifts in place. "I'd... I'd like to help but.... ah, can I ask what the nature of these plans are, Excellency?"

"I thought the eye patch would make it obvious," He smiles "Avengers Initiative type stuff"

A smile in response. "That sounds.... " he pauses, shakes his head "I'm not really good at combat, Excellency. If I could help with resear.... looking into things on background, I'd be happy to make time for it."

"Well, it would play to some of your strengths..and I don't mean combat. Mmm maybe you can help me...but by all means focus on study first okay?"

"Yes, Excellency." Gravely.

He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a file "here, take a look."

August approaches, bows as if they were at court, and takes the file to flip through it.

Notations, various changelings, many of them commoners.

The paper is chimerical, which is good, keep it out of mortal hands

Couple of trolls 'Siv Waveborne' 'Sylvi Davidson' both of Rivervale. Sir Earl???... these are houseless nobles and commoners who might be elevated. It's an evaluation on who they might invite to join

August's eyes widen. "Excellency?"

"I know, asking folks to join House LIam is like asking people if they'd like to join a leper colony as they see it... but omens are showing me that now might be the time. I'd like you to sort out who you think would be a good candidate to approach"

(Pause)

August seems flabbergasted but nods obediently. "Yes, Excellency. I'm honored." A pause. "Some of these... are personal friends, Excellency. I may have bias."

"Then make a note about your possible bias for or against"

He nods. "I will. I may have this?" He indicates the folder he holds. "To work on?"

"Yes, but it mustn't fall in the wrong hands, or even non Liam ones"

"Of course not." He thinks. "I have desk drawers. Derynwydd and her squire live here but they respect my privacy. My own squires won't pry." A pause. "I'll make that clear. Coradel... She won't either. Will that do?"

"I'm more worried about a pale friend of yours, talks soft. Didn't seem to like me. " A sigh

"She, ah, she doesn't visit much." Quietly "I don't think it's an issue."

"All right, then yes, keep the notes. "

"Thank you for your trust, Excellency. Of course, I wont speak of with to anyone."

"I suppose it's best I go then. Thank you, Sir. I know it's a somewhat tense time for you" He rises and straightens the chair properly

A faint grin. "I've had worse, Excellency. Thank you for coming."

"My pleasure. I got to wear an eyepatch and act mysterious. Great fun" The wilder of several decades grins and moves off

When he's gone, August drops into the vacated chair a bit hopelessly. "Wow."

After a moment, he looks at the file in his hand.... then opens it to begin reading.....

So many names, some he knows- some he doesn't, but he's learning

(End scene)