#rivervale_lodge

"So, how long, where to?" he says "Because I can guess their reaction depending on that"

"Well, it was going to be all summer but with Piper .... I mean, we changed it to three weeks. And, you know, all around! Probably some freeholds and places we already know about but we're looking for new experiences too."

"They had a cow" he says "Right? I mean, they freaked out"

"No, they started too and then said they were going to think about it and talk about it and get back to me. Which they haven't. "

"i'm impressed. " He says "With them. And... well, you guys had some serious shit hit between then." He says "The whole body swap thing must have been hell on everyone. I'm sorry about that"

"Just glad someone finally got here to save the Balefire."

"Man, part of me wishes I'd seen Brekke...you have never seen a Gwydion's ire , not beserk, but blazing.. .and while it's more noticable among their sidhe, ticking off a troll Gwydion is like finding out a glacier can grow volcanic."

"I guess she handled it pretty quickly."

"Well, from what I heard it was a team effort... " He rises "Okay. Let's focus on the parents part second. Courtly manners are based on title, duties, and a subconscious ranking of sidhe, not sidhe, and not kithain. Do you know the most common titles? THe ranking and the terms? "

"Knights are called Sir or Dame, Barons are called Lords or Ladies....." he continues and lists them all basically, and correctly.

He stands.

"Good... now, it's more complex at times. A Sidhe Count might prefer the title Earl, or Viceroy , the last rarely used, but still , best to study even those rare ones. Some are more cultural, Russian titles for Varich for example? "

Adam looks blank and shakes his head. "I don't know."

"That's all right. I'll teach you, part of the package." he nods "As well as manners of other sorts. We'll practice your bows, where to stand ... who to ask for aid and who to leave the hell alone depending on the subject. Got an hour to kill?"

A grin. "I got all day. Sir."

"Good, now, you know the fun part for me in this?" Amusement

"Nooo.... " Cautious.

"A lot of 'alternative titles' are in French, so I guess you'll be learning SOME French from me after all" A wink "Isn't it fun how things work out?"

"Yeah. Definitely."

"Aren't you glad I'm not a Gwydion?" then he waves it off, "No problem. Normally,these lessons require service- some sort of payment. But... I have my own reasons for teaching you this."

"I can pay." Stoutly. "I have dross and cash. Some of it yours."

"Not normally the form of payment I take. You and your family need the dross more than I do, and cash, well, I'm doing fine. "

"What form do you take, then?"

"I don't need payment at all" he says with a shrug "I guess you get it for free"

"Gotta repay debts, right?" He folds his arms.

"It's just money" he says "or dross, or service." Something..familiar about this

Adam turns and walks away from the troll to stare at the Mountain's bookcase.

"Yeah." Finally. "Maybe this wasn't a good idea."

"Because I'm not charging?" A brow

"Naw. I just got to feeling like maybe you're not out to bust my chops every chance you get and if we're going to go down that road with this, then maybe I shouldn't go at all."

"Adam. Your definition of bust your chops is a bit hair trigger. You go into a court with that attitude, it won't matter what you know, they'll make you a laughing stock in 10 words or less. I'm not trying to bust your chops. I'm not trying to give you hell. I'm trying to understand your values and get a feel for how best to teach you. What motivates"

"Needling me about sh.... stuff isn't it." He says firmly. "My business with Lola and Leya and my family, together or separately, is -my- business."

"Two things. I'm not needling you about it. I'm gauging your values, seeing your abilities to make connections." he says "you can put me before any Gwydion you want and I'll testify to a lack of malice there. Secondly, if you hope to hang out in courts, one of the things I want to teach you is how to have folks pry into your every breathing moment, and you not blink. The ones you saw Nadeen verbally sparring with? They would not hestitate to bring things like that in her life to her face if they thought it could score them political points. Words are weapons there, knowledge is power, and you won't be the one to set the rules in the dueling that goes on. I can help you learn how to parry"

Adam turns and gives him a -very- guarded look, reluctant, but .... willing to try again?

"Three services. You will owe me three services. I warn you, if you take on this debt, one could be as deadly as a quest"

"How big a service? Just... you know, asking."

"You heard the word 'deadly' right?" He says

"Are the lessons deadly? I mean, is it.... even? Equal trade?"

"help with your parents? probably not. They haven't killed you yet despite temptation, I doubt they do it now." He says "Could you suffer a fate worse than death mouthing off to the wrong noble without training? Absolutely"

Adam considers this for just a beat. "Yeah, ok. Three services for these lessons. Till I can pass in court. What kind of services are you talking about, like.... labor? Or rides? Not sexual, you have a girlfriend, right?"

"For a guy who complains about having his chops busted..." he says "Nevermind that you should be so lucky to get a piece of this?" HE flexes, then says "no, this isn't a Greek philosopher arrangement. And you'll get more than three lessons, it'll take longer. Three favors to repay me for the lessons period. I'm talking about if I tell you to go somewhere and fetch me something ,you do. If I tell you to guard something for a bit, you do."

Adam nods, arms uncrossing. "I can do that."

(And it seemed like a fairly innocent question at the last there; at least in intent.)

"And you've met my Fiance I think. Thane Tiffany? Bomb Squad trained, crack shot. "

"Yeah, I met her. She's... direct. Like, she tells you want to do you and you do it."

Then he grins.

A chuckle, "Anyway, it seems like we have a deal" He offers his hand "Ready to learn?"

Adam shakes. "Yes, Sir."

"Great.. now, titles, bowing... and where to stand... part one..." And Vali begins to instruct, explaining not just of bowing, but how DEEP to bow to convey what message. What stresses on which titles... and how a knight who is just a knight must be respected, but how you best be careful around a knight with a title and duty for that's double power...

Adam listens and copies carefully.