#odyssey

"No Baron" She admits "I have been played for a fool. I am a known leak of information to the enemy, and may have aided him without realizing my own betrayal to my liege and friends. I am not very well at all, but as you say, his discovery was necessary."

August's empathy is visible "Love makes fools of us all."

"So I'm learning" Gelcura nods "I will throw myself into my work for a time if I can. It is what we Dougal do."

"I have found my own outlets in research and learning." he agrees "In my work. For a time, it can be enough. You will know when you are ready to risk your heart again."

"What is your work if I may ask?" Dougals tend to consider that important to know

"I am a scribe. And, ah, I lead a bannerhouse."

"A scribe?" She looks intrigued "How ironic. I craft, fix, and improv on printing presses, Printers, and so on"

His face brightens "I'd love to talk with you about your work. My own craft is by hand, but mechanical solutions have their place."

"They do," She smiles, glad to hear he is not offended by her craft "While I've yet to match the artristy of a scribe , the craft of printing machines can be a great boon to those not able to get a scribe's services. It allows poorer folks to read more. Guttenberg changed the mortal world after all. And the variations on Inks is certainly something we can talk about."

"Do you have time now?"

"I.. yes" she says "Would you mind talking while I worked on one of my machines?"

"No." a gentle smile "I would not mind waiting to talk, if your work would be better comfort."

"No we can talk while I work is what i was trying to say," She clarifies "Trust me. I can keep the noise of the machine down so it is possible"

"Certainly." and he will follow her to her work space.

The work place is further away from where folks hold court or dine, but not so far he needs fear a surprise attack. They move past various hydraulics, at at least one HYDRAdraulic ... but nevermind that. When they get to the area she works, she flicks on the sconces, and the light reveals various printers, Printing presses of various styles and era. She moves to a steampunk one

"This is my own creation" She smiles "Steam filters to keep it from getting the paper wet while reserving the heat. I can even hook it up to a coffee maker"

"Does the coffee improve the paper?"

"If I let it set long enough it can make dark brown ink" she answers