She nods again, carefully. For me personally it doesn't seem like it'd matter - I can't go back anyway, after all. For kobolds in general, if there was a way to fix it for them... I don't know. It'd change things, definitely.

And you've said they don't usually like change.

Yeah. If people just stopped aging past a certain point that wouldn't really look like a change, though, at least if the age they stopped at was old enough and it happened to everybody at the same time. They'd be confused but I suspect they'd adapt to it.

But would they want that to happen?

I have no idea. I'd want to talk to the Speakers about it - I'm going to try to come up with a way to let them come see me during the summer meetup anyway, I can ask them then if it looks like we might really do it.

Okay. It's not as if we have the means, yet.

Yup.

I should probably get going; do you want anything while I'm here?

No, thank you. Good skill.

She grins, and leans, just briefly, on his shoulder, and then teleports away. You too.

He closes his eyes and stops deliberately controlling his heart rate, probably unwise to do that too often.

She cleans up their dishes without comment and heads out to hunt; a few hours later she brings a trio of giant beaver and some more fish to the Ñolofinwëan camp.

Thanks. How's it going?

Pretty good. She snuggles up next to him. Maitimo's siblings haven't gotten much of anywhere on defending against mages, but they say I should tell them you have it anyway, I wasn't expecting that.

Maitimo's never going to tell you to keep important strategic information from his brothers, he needs them to trust him. And they can't possibly expect I'm going to go murder them all. They'll be upset but for political reasons, they won't do anything.

She nods. Okay. I'm going to do that tomorrow morning, then. How've things been here?

They haven't had much chance to change. No signs of danger.

Good. Any news from the scouts?

He sends an updated map of the area.

She considers it and suggests changing a couple of spells around to better cover the area.

Can do, though I'm really not afraid orcs will sneak up on us, not now that we're established here. Still, if it's no trouble - 

It really isn't.

And any news about your potential city location?

Area still seems safe-ish. There are locals. They are not thrilled at the idea of getting neighbors but haven't said no.

Nod. If there's anything I can do to help with that, let me know.

I certainly would, thanks.

Good.

Have you had a chance to work with the magic yet?