[ Indeed he can. She always seems to be smiling at him. He hopes it's not because she's laughing at him, in some way. Though he wouldn't put it past himself to have done something amusing. ]
I have... Made a mistake. And I would seek your aid and advice in seeing myself through it.
[It oddly takes some time for him to build himself up enough to be capable of calling someone that he has only heard spoken of to him. But it is better than appearing before her and demanding an audience. He hopes.]
Lady Granger. My name is Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. I feel it would be quite impertinent of me to suddenly arrive without warning, and so I am asking if it would be possible for us to meet. I have heard extremely positive talk of you, and there is something that I must discuss as soon as you are able. Thank you.
[ Hermione isn't surprised to hear that people have spoken of her - she's Marchioness, it happens - and the Lady Granger is familiar as well. It doesn't take her long to respond and she sounds professional as she does. ]
I'm free whenever you please, and I can tell the guards at my office if you'd like to some sometime soon. Just let me know when and I'll have it prepared, how does that sound?
That sounds more than fair and kind of you. And if I may be so bold, I would like to meet with you as soon as possible. Within however long it takes to transport.
Fine. A little shaken, but... fine. It seems it was a good decision in the end to try and avoid going, apparently the management of Lucky Penny remember Faolan even though we were sure he was not seen. They let us know this morning.
I did what I could in Treun. Put the fear in a few of the fuckers who were robbing folk on the roads. It probably won't do much for long, new people'll take their place, but for now it's dealt with.
Otherwise... shit. You probably need about double the amount of people working on building things to keep up with the amount of refugees they've gotten. Not much I could do as one person on the building front, but... I've got something set up with a few of the local churches or whatever. They've been running low on supplies to hand out to people, and I've got a few connections.
May not have been able to put much of a dent in the homeless refugee population, but at least the folk who can't find a place to stay won't likely die of fucking starvation.
If you need anymore details or work done in Treun, let me know.
-Kenny
[It's much lengthier than the last text he sent. Admittedly, he would have liked to have done more- but he's only one person, and a single extra hand hitting more nails isn't going to make work any faster.
But he did have money from a certain benefactor and could divert a bit of doomsday prep supplies and funds to Treun, at least for a little while.]
It's more than enough to start, which is all I could ask for given the circumstances. Nothing is going right there, particularly, and things have been getting harder and harder - any help at all is welcome, and I appreciate you going out of your way to provide it.
I'm going to send some more people as soon as I can, and I'm going to help send supplies and tools for the refugees. We're in a desperate situation, but I'll do as much as I can.
I'll be sending you your rewards soon, I promise - and thank you, so very much, Kenny.
Yeah, its a bit of a fucking shitshow out there. I know some folks who moved from Leathann to there a couple months back. They're barely making ends meet, and they got a hand to start with from some family. I reckon it's worse if you got no ties there.
When you get things set up down that way, give me a heads up. I can't make any promises, but if I ain't on the otherside of the damn continent, I'll do my damnest to offer a hand.
[At one time or another, Hermione will find a special little parcel left for her at the White Citadel—waiting inside her office, or wherever's appropriate. From "the Orphanage", it says, in an adult's elaborate hand.
Inside is a beautiful flower crown of light-colored blooms, obviously put together by the orphans. It's a bit sturdier than usual due to some sort of magic, and it glows faintly, almost barely noticeable. Kirei probably blessed it.
Accompanying it is a small piece of paper with a scribbled message in wax crayon: Thank You, Marchioness. For keeping us safe. And they tried to spell "Marchioness" correctly several times by the looks of it, but eventually succeeded.]
[ True to his word, it only takes Leo three and a half days to finish a bracer fashioned to hold a wand. The last half-day had been dedicated to engraving the designs he’d created to reflect Hermione’s status as a marchioness of the Seelie court and a witch, the steel antiqued so the design stands out where people will see it. The other side is deceptively decorative, the better to hide the frame underneath that will hold her wand until it is needed. Leo has no way of knowing for sure if it’ll be comfortable enough for Hermione to wear regularly; he’d tested it on himself first, but they are obviously not a perfect match for size.
As soon as he can declare it finished, he makes for Hermione’s quarters in the Citadel, knocking hesitantly on her door. ]
Hey, Hermione? I finished the thing you asked for.
[ It isn't the only reason why he's here, but it's the one everyone else will hear. ]
[ Hermione is quick to rise up and move, stepping out of her room and walking through her office to let Leo in, softening when she sees the familiar face. It's not that she's been avoiding him, really - she spoke to him on the lockets, after all, she wasn't pretending that their quest hadn't happened - but she doesn't want to let on just how badly she's been taking it and how rough things have been for her. She does soften, though, her smile sure and gentle, welcoming him in with a nod of her head. ]
Leo, thank you so much. Please, come in, help yourself.
[ Not that she imagines he'll want much tea or biscuits, but she's too polite to not offer. ]
[On the 21st, a two parcels arrives at Hermione's. One is small; a piece of deer antler, carved to a fine point and wire wrapped, a protection rune carved into the bone, hanging from a chain. A faint whiff of healing magic can be gleaned from the antler itself, there since it was on the Hart.
The other is a much larger package, and Hermione will find a hand carved long bow, smoothed down and elaborately designed, along with set of fully fletched arrows in a woven quiver. In the woodwork of the bow is runes, designed to make the arrows fly faster and aim straighter, even if Hermione's own aim isn't perfect. A pair of deerskin gloves lay beside it, clearly intended on being used with the bow.
[ Very early on in September a neatly bound packet of papers will appear in Hermione's offices, tied together with waxed stringed and sealed closed with red wax and a neat stamp of a dagger in a sun.
With it is a note from Lancelot saying he has done his best, and has learned a few new things. He hopes it is of use to her.
Ideas about how shards function and how their memories can influence users if one uses a shard belonging to another, how the power levels can advance to warp memories and minds and walk in dreams (and, he posits, if Reynard is any indication: when enough are amassed effect the landscape on a grand scale and raised the dead) and a few historical examples from books, with the book in question noted. ]
[It hadn't taken long for him to realize that upon returning to the Drabwurld the lockets were no longer court-bound. It took him even less time to realize there was someone very important missing from his contacts list. But if anyone would know, it's Hermione Granger. So...a text it is.]
...Hermione? Hey, uh...I know we don't really know each other but I wanted to ask you something. Important. Do you have a sec?
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