#scarsdale

"Sluagh and boggans both have unique vulnerabilities."

"And all commoners are at a disadvantage in a noble context."

August frowns. "I should have Father B talk to Tylar, perhaps. And.... and perhaps Velvet should talk to the Countess? Or is that ... overwhelming?"

"No, I think that is fair."

"But you understand why, nu? "

"So they.... they can understand what they might be getting into?"

She nods. "Aye."

"And also... so you understand, August, that you have a duty to them - one you might not fully understand, because it is... different, aye, to taking on a sidhe squire."

"Doubly so, since they are childlings."

He almost looks affronted, but then tames it and nods. "Will you tell me what that is?"

"You must be their advocate, and you must be able to.. ah.. make them feel safe enough to disagree with you."

"Well....." Nonplussed. "Of course."

She sighs.

"I know, you don't see it - you are Liam, you were long bullied by other sidhe. But August, you are sidhe."

"And when you are angered, it is as if the sun has caught the air on fire."

He looks down. "I try not to get angry."

She shrugs. "I know. But we all do. We have hearts and souls, and they flare."

"But.. I tell you, August, sluagh are... have you ever had a cat?"

"No."

"I have. And... if they are hurt, they will hide it. Seek solitude, and pretend all is well. Lick their wounds or weep in pain where none may see."

He frowns, and nods. "I.... I can understand that."

"I think, mayhaps, you have seen some of such tendencies?"

He nods introspectively.

"I will admit, I... am not above such. It is as much a part of my nature as curiosity, or my love of quiet. But... those, not sluagh, they might not see the signs of trouble if they don't know to look, or what to look for."

"Well, I think that's one of the things we have in common." He murmurs absently.

"Aye." A sniff. "Half-undone at college."

He looks at her blankly for a moment, then offers a sheepish smile and a shrug. "I miscalculated. Thank you, again."

"Well. You are also a cat, and I watch. You are my friend, I love you, so I watch."

He offers her a smile, and after a moment says "Love you too." Taking her hand to squeeze it.

A squeeze back, her touch cool and faintly clammy.

"Ok, so.... if we have this arrangement, watch for those.... silent signs."

"Precisely."

"Boggans... they are different. Dogs, perhaps? If you seem displeased, they will internalize - look for some inner fault or failing. Try harder to do better, even to their own detriment."

"And that, I know, is something you can understand. I have seen you striving."

He sighs, and nods. "Maybe it's two sides of the same coin?"

"Mayhaps. But... August, I know that you want to do well, to do right by any squire you may take. So I tell you this to help you do better, and be better. We all have our blind spots, nu?"

He nods rapidly. "Of course. That's why I wanted to talk to you."

"So. I help, I hope!"

He gives her a fast sunny grin, and it's gone. "Of course you do!"

"What about Squire Honoria, do you think? An augury?"

"If you want to work with Sir Almandine, or not...."

"I... would omen, first. Augury can sway fate, not just predict it."

"That is a rather ominous da'an, as reported."

"Oh, right, sorry." Sheepish. "I ... I don't have the, ah, Art. And yes. And if Coradel takes her as a squire...." He frowns.

"Coradel is not a knight, that is a fair argument."

"I think, mayhaps, there is a different connotation to being squired to a knight than being the vassal of a liege..."

"Yes, of course."

"I will inspect her da'an. I have met here, but do not know her well - it would aid me greatly to have a token. Some of her hair, or a drop of blood."

He nods. "Are you going to be at Earth Runes this week?"

"I mean, could you talk to her soon?"