#anywhere

Shortly there after, Count Honeyblade returns, dressed in lavender tights and a poet's shirt with exquisite lacings. There is a rapier at his side, "The ladies are safely on their way home. Thank you for your patience"

"And you for your indulgence. Earth Runes is honored to host a Count."

"Oh, how can I refuse when I see such a passion for your home in your eyes? both of you so full of pride in this place I have not seen. It's a glamorous world filled with glamorous people" He says "Shall I follow you in my car?"

"I think so, yes. I fear the wings take up more room than you would think..."

"Perhaps for the best. I'd be riveted by such beauty, I might not hear anything you said as I watched your lips move" He opens the door for both women.

"Save the honeyed words for my baroness. I am the messenger."

"I meant no insult," he says "But, "A smile, "I'll take your command to engage her so to heart."

"No insult taken! The opposite, in fact."

"I am glad" The Count says, and looks to Delores, "I fear I am an outrageous flirt at times, women such as you and Deryn are proof to me that the Dreaming loves us and wants us to be happy. " As they get out there, he goes to a very nice car, sliding into it to follow them.

And Sparrow is back in Delores' sedan, with much wing-wrangling.

Delores is pleased, "He does make me realize how proud I am of my position now that I have it. " A pause "The flirtin is nice too"

"Oh, he is trouble."

"Can get away with murder with a silver tongue and an angel's face."

"But.... Fiona. I think he does mean the compliment."

"Yes, you have the right of it, the House has been kind to me, but..." A sigh "They are dangerous in more ways than one. You learned that the hard way and I'mm sorry. I worry he's getting to me a bit. And I like it. A little change is good, now and then"

"Delores!"

"What?" A pause

Well, she keeps driving, but pauses in her talk

"Do you hear that? I think... oh, Fiona is a seelie house..."

"Well, yes," She says

"But I think... oh..."

"I'm afraid my kith's knack for readin things isn't as clear when we're IN the picture, please, spit it out. I have a task to perform"

"I think he may be unseelie. And a rather seductive one."

"I promise, Delores, you do not wish to see me in my winter coat."

A blush "Oh my ... a bad boy? This could be a problem in al ot of ways"

"Well, if you want to have fun with him, I won't tell you no..."

"Well, unseelie doesn't mean evil, but... oh my. You say you are worried about your winter side? Was he appealing to it?"

"Yes. Very much so..." She frowns. "I felt it stir."

"I think I felt mine too. I.. oh my. He seems to have a knack for knowing what winter side lurks. or..maybe he's just lucky? "

"It could be a gift. A treasure or something innate... but.. I don't like that."

"If he has a knack, or a treasure... then it seems he's an Unseelie who likes company, and I don't mean just in bed. Why would he want us to join.. I mean, with looks like his, plenty of seelie girls would surrender to his charms"

The vehicle behind them follows as they head to the hold

"I think we need to be very cautious. Did you here of what happened in Topeka last highsummer?"

"Oh yes, it was like samhain without the mists. I know a fellow who makes hats... oh, I won't go into that story, too tawdry"

A sigh and a sad chuckle. "Poor Dio..."

They pull into the hold's parking area, and step out "Well, you observe as best you can. I worry one of us maybe winter coated by the time you're done, but remember, no rule aainst Unseelie applicants"

"No rule, no. But I am Liam, and I know where my duty lies."

"Well, I suppose. If he is unseelie no doubt he hopes to keep a Gwydion Duke and a Beaumayn Duchess from learning it. On the other hand, certain members of the Unseelie Court would be delighted for the representation. Oh, politics." She sighs "Fortunately, as you point out, it's your call. Also... oh, he's coming out."

"Well, their choice in the end. My advice."

A nod and they move in, the Count rejoining them