33041 and the chat is set.

Samuel said. “I might just have to use that. I don’t have any problems with you defending yourself or saying what you think. You were a bit carried away, but so was he, and he has more years than you do. Have a good evening. Just try to leave the dragons alone for today.”

Martha said. “I don’t see that happening. I have already been asked three times if Yuma had said anything about seeing a black one when on the trail. I take it that there were reports of one.”

Mr. Edity said, causing them to jump as he had just walked in. Not that it was unusual for him to, they likewise were expected to do at his house. “Only a dozen or so, in a normal year it would be noticed, but with the books that were found everyone is a bit on edge. If there were books, then well people are looking for problems. We are explaining that they are just hunting, but as we can’t prove it there are some wild stories out there. I do hope that it won’t scare them out of doing the patrols. We would be lost if they didn’t take out the killers. There are too many for use to handle. It can take twenty people to take out one hydra as they are so hard to kill.”

Yuma said. “I can’t be too sure, but I did ask that a body of one be left where the ranges could find it so there would be evidence of them. I know it will cause alarm of its own, but better that than witch hunts, I thought. There is already too much unrest in the area.”

Mr. Edity nodded. “Good thinking, and the traders will see that word gets to them. The Outsiders have more since when it comes to the dragons. We need to start taking a lesson or two from them and see what we can do to stop this fear about them. It is just causing harm and unnecessary panic. We need to improve education in that area so that the friendly ones are not seen as a danger.”

Yuma had to laugh and Samuel shook his head. “Come on, we had best leave the ladies to their tea. I do think they would much rather go over the arrangements for the season then here more talk of dragons.” Mr. Edtiy looked at him oddly, but he could see that some there were indeed looking a bit upset so just nodded.

Mrs. Edity looked around at the others, but waited until the last of them was here and seated. “Now then one thing and then we will leave the dragons unspoken of, for I do think there has been a bit too much chatter around them. However this needs to be asked. Yuma we all know you were on the trails yesterday, so I am hoping you can help. There is a story out there that there was a big mean steaming dragon carrying people off them from the look out.” She didn’t look at any of the laides, but didn’t need to as two of them flushed a bit.

Yuma said. “I heard nothing about it, and did stop by the ranger station before I left. I went to the high look out not the low one, so I can’t say what was there. However I am sure that they would have said had there been a problem at it. Now there was a red that came to the high look out when I was there, but she didn’t carry anyone off, and reds do not steam. It was just Ribbon, she is one of them that grew up with Outsides that run the stall off trail. I called her over and gave her a piece of candy, to give Dr. Inkos a thrill as he hadn’t been that close to a flying dragon before. I know her from visiting the stall, and they know that I always have some candy and fruit with me for them.”

Mrs. Edity nodded. “Thank you, it is odd how things grow when they get repeated. The reds are not flames, and are of course not a threat nor that unusual to see close to the trails. They do like to play.  So now then does anyone have any thoughts as to the menu for the opening? It is far to dull. We need to spice it up. We should have more wild foods, after all we are honoring the Lands Act, don’t you think?” With that the talk lighted and turned to the upcoming Season. Yuma was glad to just sit back and listen, and was pleased that she was not the to suggest that the serve dragon stakes at one of the diners, for all she thought it was a fine idea, a few did look a bit alarmed at it.

Sure enough the conversation got to the diplomats that would be here. Mrs. Flipadilly said. “Agatha says that there will be a guest here from France and Egypt as well, but they will not have their families with them I don’t know if that is better or worse, where they will be here for the whole season, so though the Holiday. Christmas is a big event even over there where things are so strange. I can’t see wanting to be away from your family then, but it would be harder to bring them here when we are just as strange to them.”

Mrs. Rockford nodded. “It has to be a hard choice either way. I am not to sure about it. It is scary to think of being open, yet the trade will be welcome. It is going to be an interesting Season, even with the trouble. I do worry how that is going to go. It is so sad that they got caught up. I do hope they will explain. I just don’t see how it can be. How did Misty even know them? The only one that was ever around was Tom.”

Tulip said. “I never heard of any of them I just don’t know how it could be. I was worried she was getting a bit too comfortable with Tom, but she swore they went no further than a few kisses. I never would have. She was so dead against anything that spoke of it. Misty was the one that said we shouldn’t buy Adions foot wear as it was named after a pagan idol and should be banned just like it. It was a silly protest, but she was that way, I just can’t believe that she was even look at that little own be pretending to or attempt to use it. I just. It is unthinkable. There is more to it, but I don’t see how it can ever be explained.”

Alice said. “I know it is just unbelievable. I don’t get it. However as you said this is only half the story, if that. We just have to see. Still to make it public. It has to be so hard for the families. Mrs. Murphy isn’t teaching, she took a leave for the year, it has upset her so badly. Richard says she didn’t even get out of bed for a week, she was so ill over it all. I fear that have the outsiders here will just make it worse.”

Mrs. Edity said. “Actually it should make it slightly smaller, but it is going to be hard for the families. There is no way around it. However making it public will help see that they get a fuller answer. We may never know everything, but this makes it easier to know all that it is possible to know. It will not be the top line story that it would have been any other time of year, the news from the Season and the ambassadors will see it gets second page. That is the best that can be done. It is not enough, but that is why they are not being put off. The key is making sure that there is enough news come from us, that we stay the headline, which means a full month of events, and some outrageous bills getting debates. It is not something any who know any of the ones involved can comprehend. It is senseless, which just proves that we have yet to learn the whole story. I do wonder how the visitors will cope with being here. I fear they are going to be vastly unprepared. Not knowing our traditions. It is not so bad for those coming alone, they won’t be so pressed by the events, but the English advisor is bring his whole family! Can you imagine? And of course it is a man who doesn’t understand a thing about the importance of looking right. They never do. Yet he does have some daughters, who are in their teens or so, and well. They might not be from here, but you never know when you will find a young man you fancy at that age.”

Yuma had to smile a bit, but before she could say anything her Mother did. “I know, and I just can’t believe it. I would hate for it to be me. I can’t imagine going to some place so strange with no guide. Why even just going to the Seasons I was checking with my cousins about the dress worn there and making sure that we would have fitting ones. I truly don’t know what I would do if there wasn’t family in the area, and that is in country so we are fairly close when it comes to trends. Still the little things can have a big impact.”

Yuma said. “Well, do to a phone call that happened I learned that Dr. Inkols is related to the Ambassador, his niece was asking about lace. Sadly he thought I might be able to answer, but you all can just imagine how much help I was. However I did say that I might be able to get her an email of someone who would be of more help. I was going to ask , but well I see now that it is more important then I understood. So maybe it would be a good idea to get a chat room set up and not just an email? If it is done now I can give all the information to Dr. Inkols tomorrow.”

Martha said. “That does sound like this the thing that will let the girls be involved as well. I am sure that will help, that way you are not complete strangers. So he works at the clinic?”

Mrs. Edity had her laptop out and was smiling, so likely she had some plan of her own to do something of the sort. She wouldn’t normally be carrying around a computer. “That is perfect. I had made a room and was going to see if you all would make an account then pester Hsomething to send them the information next time they met. I am so glad I don’t have to, as he truly doesn’t seem to understand why it is needed and fears that they would be offended or some such.” Yuma fought but failed to keep from laughing. “I take it the girl said something along the same thing? Men! Honestly I don’t see why they have to dance so. Well what do say ladies? See this is the room, it is an open sight, so I know they can get it. The room is closed, but I will give Yuma my contact information for the site and it will be no trouble at all to get them in.”

Mrs. Rockford said. “I know you said it was open, but are you sure they can get it? I know they are supposed to be international, but well. Do they have a network? Joe was unclear when I asked him, just said not to worry as he had a satlight link, which in no way answered my question. I knew that, after all. I wasn’t worried about reach him when he goes over there but of course that was what he heard.” She shook her head a bit.

Mrs. Flipdippty said. “I can assure you that they do have the net and use this site, I am on it and one of the people I exchange knitting patterns with is in England, and another is in Turkey, which I find even more amazing, as so little seems to have survived in that part of the would, yet there is some civilization still. The world is a lot more empty than it was, but it is still hanging on. I am Criftynit22.” She then spelled it, to be sure that they had it right. “These rooms are a wonderful way to start getting back out there and exchanging ideas. However some out there do have the oddest ideas about us. I was asked once if I was risking a stone for talking to them. We do need to have a bigger representation so those myths get cleared out.” Soon the others were making an account, or sharing the one they had, and laughing over the fact that they had bumped into each other and not know it.

Yuma was wondering if she should share hers or just make a new one, as it did show which boards she followed. The ones there weren’t bad, but she did use the same tag on others. However it was just science pages, so it shouldn’t be to shocking. Well that wouldn’t but the nick would be. Still it would be easier to use what she was used to. They looked at her and she flushed a bit. “Well um it is a bit silly, but it is from a book. I go by dragonriderr, with two r’s on the end.”

Mrs. Rockford smiled. “So it was you Joe was talking with the other night. He wouldn’t tell me just who it was. However I do agree with you, that picture looked more cold than charming. How hard did he have to talk to get you to use that nick? I can tell he was involved in it.”

Yuma shrugged. “I used it a few times when we passed notes, and thought we were behind sneaky. I don’t remember who thought of it, but it is something I recognize, unlike the sincebooknerd he tried to talk me into using. Come to think of it he did make and email for me using that. I should likely see if he sent anything to it. I haven’t looked at it since he made it.” They laughed, and Yuma relaxed as even her Aunt seemed to accept that it was just a holdover from childhood. Though if they ever did a search there might be more questions, but she would just have to remind them again that she was going to be a Doctor.