#rivervale_lodge

"Now a lot is made of High King David, but True Thomas... geez, without him David wouldn't make it that far. For years and years he was mentor, and then later most trusted advisor to the High King. And.. the greatest bard who ever lived. I don't mean musician either. Bards know their shit! They're like scholar poets and more"

"Is he still around?" Adam is eating every word up.

"Hasn't been seen since the King's vanishhing. The king came back, but True Thomas is rumored to be wandering. I Hope so.. hate to think he's dead. He does prove it can be done. True Thomas was..well shit, he knew cantrips that few Kinian could reach. My own theory is his blood was strong...maybe stronger than yours ,but he also had other means of power... ones we don't fully grasp. I don't think he was a will worker, but he was as tied to Da'an as any mortal born. "

A wistful sigh.

"Yeah. He had to have some kind of advantage." But he doesn't sound jealous or bitter.

"Well, sounds like a lot of his advantages he did on his own to be fair... treasures he found or earned, lore he collected over decades if not centuries. I'm sorry no one mentioned how important he was and is to you. I guess sidhe focus on David, commoners focus on the rebels and so on"

"I guess. And High King David -is- pretty cool."

"Well ,some say he's not what he was when he returned to us," Zane says "But that's way beyond my paygrade. My dad knows more but even he doesn't get an audiance you know?"

"Would he tell me about it?"

"Sure, it's getting my dad to SHUT up that's the problem" A pause "Don't tell him Isaid so"

"Ppppsschht." A scornful, dismissive sound. "Like I would. But yeah, I'd like to hear more about it."

"You know, Dad's focus is NON sidhe and how they rule in the sidhe system, but he's got all you need to know about sidhe courtly set ups, positions and more"

"Would he teach me?"

"I think he'd be happy to give you the basics. Sure. You got to be patient with him. he sometimes flies fast and loose. Just ask him if he could explain what he meant by..and he'll rewind some"

Adam nods. "Got it."

Zane sips his drink "So.. why dO you want to learn all the court stuff?"

"Better question is, why don't you? You remember EarthRunes? Have you -been- to Caer Falken, like, the actual court there?"

"I do, and once yeah" He nods "I DID like learning massage" Fondly

A purring groan of agreement and Adam flops back in his seat. "The more court I know, the better I might fit in."

"And plus, it might help with my family."

"Okay.. fitting in.. I guess as a servant? But .. how would it help your fam?"

"I'd be a servant if....." wistfully. Then he sits up. "Well, if I can put things better with words, maybe they'll stop hearing every word like an attack or disrespect or something."

"If? Oh.. dude. I'm not sure how learning how to placate a father and placating a Count are the same thing. The lingo is different isn't it?"

"Well, the idea is the same, right? Put things in a way where they want to say yes, where they like what you're saying? Shit, dad does it all the time."

"Well, your dad IS in the bullshit biz" He nods "Sometimes I chuckle at that. Trolls in Advertising"

"Yeah, I don't know how he's surviving...."

"Hey man, what happened to you and them was unprecdented. It was Nadeen's dad who got this crazy 'you get a kith, you get a kith, everybody gets a kith' plan like some deranged Sidhe Oprah"

"Sometimes I think it would have been easier if they were all satyrs. but that could be personal bias"

"Hmph. Yeah."

"I don't think it was her dad, exactly. I mean.... I think there was someone else behind it. But, whatever."

"Oh yeah..dark forces using him too.. fascinating" He says

"Anyway. Figure if I can talk like Nadeen did at Caer Falken, things have to get easier."

"Mmm Nadeen 's got talent and kith helping her there plus training. That's a pretty high mark. Have you tried just .. I don't know, counting to ten before you speak to your folks?"

"Hey, I have at least a bit of the kith thing. And I'm trying to get training. And I like to think I have -some- talent......" he shrugs "Not really? It just... comes out. Sometimes."

"I know.. I blurt too. For me hoof in mouth"

Adam nods. "Right. But if I can learn to do what Nadeen does...."

"She said I should ask Sir Vali." A frown.

"Well, ah.. I think your chance of wowing them at court are limited by the circumstances of your nature, but maybe they can help with the parentals sure. So, did Leya and Lola make good?"

A shrug. "I guess."

"Good. " A nod "Sorry man, I know you're a live and let live kind of guy with the ladies but it's good sometimes to clear some stuff up"

Adam considers. "Hey, I like dealing with shit directly. Guess I'm just... surprised that all it took was money."

"It's not all, really, but it's..the most obvious part of it? see, changelings are symbolic by nature"

He's heard THAT before.

"Yeah, but what does money symbolize? I mean, really? It's just money."

"For them? Their crime or shame maybe? The money is illgotten goods."

"I guess."

"I mean... for me, it's more about the trust, right?"

"Maybe it shows to them they have a CHANCe to earn your trust back" he says "I got to admit. I was pissed at them"

"How come?"

"Dude, I get blue balls from all sorts of girls.. but drugging me and robbing me? "