zerotohiro | I'll be the watcher of the eternal flame [Eachdraidh IC Contact]

[He doesn't mind having a cat using him as a perch. She's light and her fur tickles his neck a little but it doesn't matter much. Occasionally a hand comes up to pet her but his attention's mostly fixated on the structure of the outpost. He moves quietly, peering into spaces and fingers running over walls and wood. He's careful not to jostle Trout on his ascension of the stairs and not to step on Grell either by moving too fast, eyeing the beds on their way up to the deck. When Grell stops he doesn't even bother looking down. He's looking out and it's clear that he's more than comfortable being so high up.

Truthfully, he's missed flying more than he's ever said. Being up here in the trees is refreshing. He looks at her though and continues rubbing Trout's ears, not at all missing the signs of destruction but unsure of how to approach the subject.]

It's okay. The introductions can wait for when they're not busy. [She's right though. There are questions.] It's bigger than it looks from the ground…but what happened to it? [Recently. May as well be blunt.]

The Seelie had someone attempt to destroy it. They half succeeded, but no one died in the attack and they underestimated that I know enough people to have it rebuilt in several weeks. Now it's warded better than it ever was, along with being more stable overall.

[Trout's eyes are half closed, her tail lazily flicking every now and then.]

Which means they shouldn't be able to find it so easily next time, right? [What if the Seelie had succeeded? What would that mean for them as a court? He doesn't know. He doesn't want to think on it too much and instead he focuses on the cat.]

Why were they trying to destroy this specifically?

It would free up this fairy ring to be freely used by the Seelie, for spying and the like. As well, it would send a message. That they failed sends one back.

[she steps close to Hiro, reaching to pet Trout, who is soaking up the affection. yes. pet her, big ones. she deserves it.]

I've spoken with the others. If you find yourself in danger, if you need to hide away from other shardbearers, be it for a few days or a month, you can come here, and you will be safe.

There's gotta be something we can do to lock the fairy ring so it only works for our side no matter what. Even if the Seelie somehow managed to be smart enough to take our outpost couldn't we stop them in their tracks that way?

[He shifts the cat on his shoulders, grinning lightly at the way she reacts. It's Grell's next statement that really draws his attention.]

...really? [It's something he hasn't thought of, if he's honest. He...always sort of assumed he'd just figure it out when the time came.] Are you sure?

Positive. If there is one thing that lacks in this world, it is the ability to have sanctuary when times get too difficult. And we're both the sort of people to accidentally gain someone or something on our trail. If you need it, I promise they won't ask you questions.

[The sheepish grin that follows is enough to say he totally agrees with that. He agrees that they're both the type to gain someone or something without meaning though.]

Thank you, Grell. That means a lot to me. [There's a thought though and he shoots Grell a tentative look.] If…something happens in the future, think I could talk to the guards about maybe letting someone else stay, too? Y'know. Just in case.

Of course. They're reasonable people - I'm sure you can work something out with them.

[the way she says it, it's not a dismissal, but rather trusting Hiro that he'll be able to navigate the nature of that request. honestly, she should have put a third structure section in when she had a chance with all of this.]

Obviously I'd tell you first before I told them. It's still your outpost. [And no matter how close he thinks they are, it's still important for him to know that there's trust pretty much from all sides. The idea that she trusts him enough to handle it on his own is daunting, but it's...nice, all the same.]

Who else from our side knows this is here?

Those more involved in the military front of our war should at least have heard the rumours. Anyone in the closer area has confirmed knowledge...and anyone Saber would have told. It was her request that I see to this ring's security in the first place.

[she doesn't know who Saber told, but word got around.]

Saber had a lot of secrets in this place, didn't she? [It's an idle comment, but still one searching for an answer. It's still weird without her here, and it's disconcerting that someone like Saber could just be crushed the way that she had been.] Sorta makes you wonder what else we're missing here.

Everyone has secrets in this place.

[that look at him is a little pointed - she hasn't forgotten that quip from earlier so soon.]

I'll be the watcher of the eternal flame [Eachdraidh IC Contact]

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