The Ballad of Adler Young, Canto 2.5

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"Well, what happened so far was this," Rebecca began to explain. "First Vernier and I got a message from Lord Randall's bug servants that he was back and wanted to have a meeting. Vernier leaped up with a yell and knocked over her chair when she bolted for the door. We rabbits are fast, but I practically had to run to keep up with her. When we got here, we saw Lord Randall summon a giant pile of books that fell on top of him. This was obviously to show off his power and resilience, as well as to test our loyalty, so Vernier and I dug him out of the pile. Vernier started shaking him and he got that strange look in his eyes again. Then he got a really intense look, the kind that makes you melt when he looks at you, and he started doing that funny voice that's maybe his impression of a mortal? I think he does it to protect us from what would otherwise be the irresistible power of his smoldering glance. Then he said-"

>Vernier: Gently inform Rebecca that she does not have to recount the entire meeting step by step and word for word.
>Adler and Vernier: Give Burnside the bullet points.

"Rebecca, dear," Vernier interrupted. "I don't think Miss Burnside needs a fully detailed recounting of everything that happened."

"Yeah," Burnside agreed. "Just fill me in on what we're doin' now, and what my assignment is."

"Basically the same as before," I stated. "Vernier is second-in-command and will be coordinating things outside the tulgey wood. She is to come here at least once a week with food and a detailed report, but I encourage her to come as often as is convenient. Rebecca will gather her coven of witches and bring them here for a mission focus meeting, after which she will learn magick and be my liaison with the witch community. The Ixies will find Oak Marten and request her to come here for debriefing. I, of course, will remain here and practice several magickal skills which I need to refine - and work on developing a lesson plan for Rebecca."

"What'll I be doin'?" Burnside asked.

"What were you doing before?"

"Patrollin' the woods for interlopers, an watchin' for you to reappear."

"You can continue your patrols," I decided, "and help me with my magickal experiments."

>Adler: It's odd she passed out like that. She's usually very resilient.

"Are you all right, Miss Burnside?" Vernier inquired. "You were passed out cold when we arrived, and you're usually so resilient. I didn't think anything could faze you."

"She did freeze up twice from shock," Rebecca pointed out. "She stood motionless while I did her hair and makeup, remember? The insects were betting on it."

"This was a completely different circumstance," I insisted. "All I did was pick her up and spin her around a little and ... uh ... well, I spun her around a few times."

>Burnside: You blush at the memory and avoid eye contact. Yeah, that could've done it.

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"That was pretty much what done it," Burnside admitted bashfully.

"Why were you spinning her around?" Vernier asked. "And why would that cause -"

"I was happy to get away from Lana, and to find out that it had only been three weeks," I asserted. "ANYWAY, before we got sidetracked I was asking if anyone had any final thoughts or concerns before we adjourn."