Nope, that sounds about everything they might need.

Good. She finishes up the shopping, packs up the seeds, and arranges for the live plants to be delivered to the suite at the end of the day. There's just a little bit of money left over - they could pick out a few decorative plants or save it for something else.

Save it, definitely.

Sure.

She'll head back, then; the Quendi shouldn't have much trouble catching up with the other group if they want to, but she needs a nap.

The Quendi catch up with the other group.

The plants are waiting for them when they get back from dinner; Nidela is curled up on the couch with a book again, taking notes.

There are no further repercussions from Tyelcormo's unusual display. They stay in the city a little longer for the meet-and-greets. Then they go home.

Nidela takes the afternoon to translate the care instructions for the seeds and plants, and then informs the stable manager that she's going to need a day or two to unwind and lets Ila herd her home.

The kobolds are still holed up in the original's room, with a sign on the door warning that it shouldn't be knocked on or opened.

The Quendi are delighted to have the seeds, and plant them at once.

And after a day or so it gets back to the kobold that the group has returned. Hey, Tyelkormo?

Yeah?

Pretty sure I know the answer, but did you enspell the other kobold directly, or did you manage to get them to use a spell somehow?

How would I have done that, I take it this isn't a talking one.

Osanwë might've worked, or something. Probably not, though, if you didn't try it.

I also didn't have time.

I know; I didn't think it was very likely.

And I might have kind of told the elves he wouldn't go home and encourage all his friends to try it. Stealing is fucked up. In a society like the elf one, it probably does mean that people are gonna go hungry or not be able to take time off work when they're sick or not be able to travel or marry, and it means people can never ever feel safe, and things can be magic or sentimentally valuable.

I know; I'm not saying they're right. I don't steal, I know what a big deal it can be. But I'm not sure we're going to be able to keep them alive, here - kobolds need companionship like Quendi need beauty and they're terrified of you.

Because we look vaguely like elves?

That can't be helping, but most kobolds are like this about anybody who isn't a kobold. Even I'd've had some trouble if I hadn't had time to get used to the idea before I came here.

Are there any kobolds really far away from elves?

Somewhere, I bet, but I have no way to find them.

Can't do it the way we found humans in our world?

Mm-mm. I can look for places where there aren't many people, but I can't check that none of the people are elves.

Stupid idiot.