#anywhere

---------Trolls are so LAST night-----------

To those who have never seen the Ducal hold or St Louis might not know what to make of the Eros Bendato. the hollowed out statue head is to mortals an artistic oddity! to fae? A rath entrance to the Holding where their graces rule

"This way please..." Dandrin asserts and...

Sparrow flashes August a reassuring smile before heading into the rath.

It is a bit unnerving going into a giant's neck

When they enter, and cross through: If one can imagine an inverted face turned into a mutlilayered framework of a building, that might describe the seat of power at the Duchy of Hawthorne. Far bigger than the mortal creation that gave it shape, One can see the balefire burning where the brain might be near the top.Balconies, stylish ramps, and catwalks of a sort abound. It is potent, this hold.

August is clearly impressed, and seems to be trying to take up just a bit less space.

They appear tobe in the midsection. Heck, Sparrow could fly in here, though there are some cross walks that she'd have to weave around

Sparrow, however, half-mantles her wings, adding height and breadth.

A boggan herald calls out "Baroness Derynwydd Truthbranch, Savior of sprawls, gardener of the seeds most precious, and Ogreslayer and with her knightly Escorts"

It would appear Magnus earlier suggestion for titles, has been remembered

Her smile tightens as her cheeks turn pink.

A pause as Dandrin whispers something to the boggan "ALso Chancellor to the ever stalwart Earth Runes Hold, and Heir there of. And with her Sir August Truthbranch, scribe of Earth Runes and consort to Baroness Coradel."

August straightens up, squaring his shoulders.

"Ah! She's here!" Hoof steps and coming down is... the Duchess! An African American woman who looks like a young Dorothy Dandridge, she certainly could hold her own with some sidhe, but she's a satyress in pale purples. The symbol of House beaumayn is on a delicate sash.

... and then he bows deeply.

Sparrow flashes a smile at the satyress, dipping into an elegant bow with a flourish of her tawny wings. "Your Grace"

the Duchess inclines her head, "Sir Dandrin, any trouble in the escort?" //"Nay, your grace"/"Then you may return to other duties." //He bows to his liege, then to the two of them, "A pleasure" And withdraws.///The Duchess moves to Sparrow and looks very tempted to hug her, "You look very well, Baroness Derynwydd, and I thank you for assisting us in this also. "

When August straightens, he is swallowing a look of pride.

"I am happy to help any way I can. Your Grace, this is August. My soul-father."

He ducks his head against a shy grin.

"Ah, yes," the Duchess says with a smile, "you must then, Sir, be proud in ways few of us can understand I think. Please, will you forgive if I take this discussion to a less crowded part of the hold?" This is a Ducal hold and the crowds are busy.

"Of course not, your Grace. Where shall I wait?"

A look from the Duchess to Derynwydd, "If you wish him to be in on this, it is well, but it is your suggestion I would hear."

"I trust his discretion, your Grace. If you would welcome him?"

"I would, please accompany, Sir August. I am a Beaumayn and my Husband a Gwydion, one of the things our Houses have in common? We consider Liams allies. " She guides them up one walkway then another, and under flickering lanterns soft hues.

"August was the first Liam I ever met, actually. In this life. I'm afraid I remember very little of Arcadia."

"Thank you." Softly, and he follows, taking an escort's position.

"No one remembers much, no matter what they say. Even those who remember the most but hold a small fraction. "My Husband is busy I fear for the moment, and extends his apologies. Baroness, have you told him what this is about?"

"I haven't. I wasn't sure if I had the freedom."

"I appreciate that, but, go ahead." She directs her

"August, you know we need a new person in the County seat, right? I... their Graces asked for my opinion on the matter. Of course, I only know so much about the political situation, but I would like to advocate for the interests of both Earth Runes and the dreamers..."

His smile is proud. "Yes. Of course."

"And, your Grace - I am a Liam, and seelie, and I know I have my biases."

"They will be taken into account, indeed, we try to take our own into account, but in the end we do rule and those seeking to be under us cannot expect us NOT to be biased in one way or another, and I do not expect you to leave all you know and feel behind either"

"And, really - we want people we can trust and work with, right?" She flashes another smile. "If not too bold - you seem happy. I hope things have been going well?"

"Oh, my husband I can barely stand each other some days, isn't it wonderful?" She smiles

"Yes! And then you get to make up, hopefully."

"Hopefully, but truthfully it's the politics I miss. Before I couldn't think of anything but..well , you know. Now I can finally rule..well, co rule"

"Of course! And much to do with that... I can report that the Barony has been peaceful. Adjusting to... well... Fiona-ness. Carnival was, I think, a change of pace for the people."

"Well, Fiona will be Fiona" she says "Everyone seems surprised that's not the House I'm in" the satyress says, "I am glad all is going well"

Behind them, August lifts an eyebrow and nods.

"I don't think kith is that predictive of house. I know trolls in both of our houses. And a boggan Dougal."

"mmm yes, that's true enough, I'm sure few expect a Countess of any sort to be a sluagh, yet we have one in the applicants."

"....a sluagh?"

A curious tilt of his head, thinking.

"Of my own house, thus a bias in a way"

"I think the only kith less likely might be redcap. But... Beaumayn? Well, I know sluagh are inclined to magic."

"I she was an ally in a past life when we began to remember ourselves, she remembered that allegiance."

"And you elevated her?"