2024.01.23: Armor for Fish

Armor for Fish
Miranda meets with Zeller in the Capricorn Glade to discuss recent events. Zeller asks for help, and Miranda makes a deal.
IC Date	January 23, 2024
Players	Miranda, Zeller
Location	Capricorn Glade
Spheres	Changeling

Miranda is walking through the Glade tonight, a Unicorn chimera with her. She seems a bit shy, the unicorn, but then she gallops off toward the gazebo, up the hill and the around. Miranda just laughs a bit and waves to the girl.

Zeller is headed to meet with the Baroness himself, but stumbling upon her in the maze and watching the scene with the unicorn unfold he chuckles, smiles, clears his throat, and offers "Good Evening, Baroness" along with a deep bow. "Was that the same unicorn from the other day?"

Miranda smiles as she turns to Zeller, "Yes! That is Elara. This is her home now, and I'm glad to have her. A bit headstrong, but she's settling in. Especially after I gave her the jewelry from her mother it has made a big difference in her life." She asks, "How can I help you? You mentioned you had something to speak about?"

Zeller's expression turns a bit more somber. "Yes..." he begins. "Well, the thing is, I hate to admit when I might not be the best at something I might have considered myself to be the best at, but..." he sighs heavily, "I guess, I'm not. And it's really kinda shaken me." He fidgets as he speaks, but continues. "I almost died... twice. Within three days. On the training fields, I'm almost untouchable, but when it came time to put those skills to use, I failed. I failed my friends."

Miranda understands and listens. "Sometimes we need more than our skills. Sometimes we need a little more luck on our side. Especially in the Dreaming, you never quite know what it will do. The extra bit you have behind you, the more it can help. Now what in particular did you feel was lacking? There are ways... treasures. In fact I was just speaking to Sealgaira about making her an item for one of her adventures."

"I don't have much in the way of armor..." Zeller says, "...but having studied jousting and the tilt, there are breast plates that have lance rest affixed, and it makes it easier for the lance to be guided to its target. It also braces it for a stronger impact. But... I think that would make it a bit easier for me to hit my mark with more reliability." He frowns, "I'm not quite sure I've earned such a thing though."

Miranda replies after some thought, "Well, here is what I suggest. I can put together armor for you, something that will help with that. You have certainly earned something. You have been here and tried to help, which is more than some have done. Later, as you prove yourself further, we can always get you something better as a reward. I'd prefer those that perhaps could end up a Knight in the County to be prepared and protected."

Zeller blinks, "What?" One corner of his mouth ticks up in half of a grin. "You mean it? You'd make something for me?" He shakes his head, but the grin widens despite it. "You know... I really do respect you. You actually care about your people. That means a lot to me. You're different than some that I have experienced in the past."

Miranda may just stand a bit taller at that. "You will find that those of us of House Dougal, we care about hard work. You have tried, you have worked hard, and I respect that. I could see how much you cared when it came to Eirlys. I saw you when we went up against the Thallain. You have earned that. We have worse things out there to deal with, that we should be supporting our citizens of this County. I'll leave it to others to be more selfish."

"I can be selfish. Too often I am, but I am realizing more and more the responsibilities I have to others. The fact that I shouldn't squander my own freedom, and the fact that I should do everything in my power to make sure others can enjoy their own freedoms." Zeller replies. "It's something I'm working on. Is there something I can do for you in return?"

Miranda smiles, "I'm glad you asked. I could use help to be transporting crates of fish out to Thunk. Deirdre has agreed to supply it. If you could take a few days a week to transport the crate from here in the Glade to him in the Woods? That would be a good trade for me."

Zeller smiles, "With V's help that should be easy enough. It'll be good to see Thunk again anyway. He's an alright guy as long as he doesn't try to eat V." he chuckles. "You sure that's square on your end?"

Miranda replies, "Yes, yes it is. It's important it gets done. Not just so Thunk has food, but so the herd of the Woods is not in fear of him. While I know many are ready for battle, there is a balance of eliminating threats with arms, and eliminating the problems that lead to these issues. Your help with this will be huge for me."

"You have it then." Zeller says, bowing once again to the Baroness. "Thank you."