Previous Brennan, Maia file.

Maia:

It's like gardening to them. Have you ever planted carrots? You start out with lots of little carrots, but you pull most of them out and thin the plot by throwing them away. Then the other carrots grow better, stronger, bigger... Some of the Council believes that is the Proper Way to Manage all of Nature. Thin the crop and it grows better, whether it is carrots, trees, rabbits, deer, or humans.

I may be shortsighted, but I don't think that is the Right Way to Achieve Balance. I also think there is *some* potential in Others to make almost reasonable decisions if they are given the right information. Just because someone is Ignorant, doesn't mean he's Stupid.

If Gallilei *is* talking to the Council and taking advice from them, his point of view will not likely be favorable to any humans. If he *isn't*, who knows what he wants? The elves have always been happy to be separate from humans.

Narrator:
She stops talking abruptly. Brennan is aware that she is passionate about these things, but at the same time *very* uncomfortable talking about them with him. He's also been fair near bursting to interrupt at points, but knows better lest he stop the flow of information prematurely.

Brennan:
Gaaah! If the Council is as you describe it, then there are no doubt quicker and more coordinated slugs! [breathes a few times] Ok. Thank you for your confidence and trust. I know it's uncomfortable for you to talk about these matters with me...

The gardening analogy is nice... I agree with your stand - I tend to think that nature does a pretty good job of thinning on it's own. It seems very intrusive for one to eliminate some of nature from competition in order to facillitate the growth of the rest. I have seen sections of forests maintained that way on some nobles' estates, and they grow quite beautiful. But then when a disease, or insects or a windstorm, or something else wipes out those favoured trees, the land takes decades to recover. It's even worse for animals -- they forget how to solve their own problems and so become dependent upon the maintenance. And easy prey when it stops.

I don't see how that philosophy applies here, but then again, we don't know very much about what's going on. If the Council _suggested_ that you come and observe, then let's do so. Unless you object, I intend to "borrow" eyes and maybe wings to check up on Gallilei and Jhereg during the day, and then use my own

to do so at night. Of course, you might think it's a good idea and join me...

We haven't flown together for quite some time...

Maia:
I don't object to you "borrowing" eyes and ears and wings, as long as you ask Properly first. I never do it. I wouldn't want someone else borrowing my eyes and ears and body, so I don't do it myself.

However, I'm not limited by day or night, so I can do my own observing. I went to Jhereg's party as a cat... It was boring up until the time I came back in my usual shape and started to play music. I'm not going to another one.

I thought Jhereg had joined all the Others with Blackbird. Gallilei wasn't there. So which one did you want to observe? Can't do them both if they're not together.

Brennan:
He did... [gets thoughtful again] You know, I've been expecting that you all recognized each other as decision makers here, and that they would come to you, or you to go to them... And I've gotten impatient and assumed intrigue since that hasn't happened. If it didn't happen because it's not appropriate (and it looks like it isn't), then maybe I just need to give Jhereg a chance to tell me about what's going on. Maybe skulking around is premature... I'm going to go talk to him to see what he's willing to tell me about the situation before I do anything else... I don't suppose you'd want to come with me? I guess it would be kind of awkward since Jhereg doesn't know you...

Hmmm. No-one would be surprised to see that I've picked up a stray kitty...? No. I haven't seen much of him in quite a while, but Jhereg's still a friend and I've got to be upfront with him so long as he's upfront with me.

I'll be back.

Narrator:
With that, Brennan turns and heads back for the encampment looking for Jhereg. Brennan finds Jhereg just as he's finishing a conversation with James and Kel.

---next file

Editor's note: More time warping. The conversation they have get's delayed a few days while other stuff happens that are precursors to that conversation. Not everyone kept a timeline J

Brennan has a talk later that afternoon

Days later we see Maia