#anywhere

-------------------

The Star Bear Barony's hold turns out to be in the Three Saints Bay area , one of the early russian settlement attempts.

While it failed mortals, the dreams of it make for a damn fine freehold! Firnost maybe bigger, but there's a very 'Old Rus' meets' 'Old West' style to the whole thing. like a palace and grand ranch combined though Celtic patterns seem restored . Banners bearing the signs of House Gwydion flutter. It was a long jagged trip here, no quick trods.

But now that she gazes on it, she's glad she was outfitted in warm gear and garb. The place is beautiful, the nature around her gorgeous, but it's Summer and it feels like.. well... it's not that much over 50 deegrees f and thats in the daylight

Sylvi adjusts her big pack on her shoulders and fights off a case of stomach-butterflies as she looks upon her...well, her station for the summer.

She is utterly alone. Insisted on it. Told dad now that she was here to go back. Shhe's coming as an emissary, not a rover's daughter. Suddenly she's almost regretting that.

She can see thanes at the front gate, fur trimmed voile.

She herself is in her best voile plus a long fur-trimmed coat, and she takes a deep breath and holds her head high as she approaches the thanes with as confident a step as she can muster.

...and, well, it's her best travelling voile, not what she'd wear to formal court, but still, she wants to make a good first impression....

She finds herself approaching and notices even newer designs, and another banner this one colorful and not of any House she's ever seen. It has a Salmon of ivory at the top of it much like some flag poles might be capped with an Eagle. the thanes look up, nod to each other, and one approaches. He's a troll, most thanes are trolls. In the past, Sylvi has wondered about that , are all her kith so eager for servitutde guarding and obeying while Sidhe rule?

She pauses and gives a half-bow to the thane. "Hello. I come to present myself as Emissary from Rivervale to the court of Starbear. My name is Sylvi," That's the short form. And she managed to get it past her tongue without a stumble. First hurdle down.

"You're a bit later than we expected," the Thane says , "We feared there might be trouble. The baron was about to patrol. Do you wish to be announced, or an escort? We're not veery big on ceremony here"

"Oh, I...I'm sorry...the trods were a bit...." She stops and presses her lips together, swallows, and takes another deep breath. "Whatever is customary will be fine."

At the top of Sylvi's pack, nestled into her hood, is what looks like a good-sized hare-hide bag. She reaches back to poke at its side and says, "We're here." A pair of long brown ears peek up over her shoulder, followed by a curious nose and soft brown eyes.

"I'll escort you" the one that came out, " I am Logu. "He notices the ears, but says nothing of it. "This way please." Assuming she follows, Sylvi enters into the hold and almost immediately sees his lordship.

His white hair (Which he wears long) makes some mistake Idris as older than he is. Still, the man is only in his forties, with a full beard that is neatly trimmed short, and blue eyes that are bright, if a touch sad. He wears a button up shirt of dark green and blue jeans over hiking boots. He's attractive, if you're into the rugged sort. Of course, in fae mein, the graybeard sidhe's full birthright puts points on his ears and makes his face almost divine. His voile now consists of a dark green breast plate with the Gwydion Symbol upon it, while close chain of black covers arms and legs. A hand and a half sword (or bastard sword to the less delicate) is fashioned to his back, a griffin design on it's hilt

"Baron Idris Snowmantle ap Gwydion, the Emissary Sylvi of Rivervale is here" Logu says

She pauses, trying to remember her name for a moment, but then Logu says it, and she's fine, and she gives a full bow. "Your Excellency. Thank you for inviting me to your Lo...your Hold." A blush darkens her features as she straightens up.

He inclines his head, "Was just about to go on patrol. Its a pleasure to meet you, Emissary. I'm not too big on ceremony when Court's not in session, but don't worry, I'll make it fancy enough that you don't feel short changed." A bit of a smile, "You want to be shown your room, or want to hit the ground running on a patrol?"

"I..." she stammers a moment, then says, "If I might store my gear in my room quickly first, I would appreciate joining you on patrol, Excellency."

"Definitely," He turns, and smiles, "Ah, Steward Dawson, this is the Emissary from Rivervale, Sylvi. Emmisary, this is Steward Dawson" A boggan has appeared.

the boggan has his own tuffs of gray hair, and is dressed quite formerly , more so than his lordship, "Allow me to escort you Emmisary Sylvi. We'll make sure you have proper gear for your patrol. I see you have a weapon" He notes the knife approvingly

"Yes, and thank you." She follows the boggan quickly, Flopsy's ears bouncing a bit over her shoulder.

the room she's given is large and spacious and clearly prepared for a troll. While it has a ranch old west feel as it's base, they have taken the time to add touches that might make her feel more at home. There's welsh love spoons (Okay, that's probably mroe a Gwydion thing) hanging on one wall, but on the other art work

And that art, when she turns her head just right, goes BLUE, and ridges of horns appear. Tis Sif, as a troll!

"Oh...oh, it's lovely." She looks around the big room. "This...is just for me?"

The bed is large, but it has to be, with a canopy she can lower for even more privacy. "You are a guest of honor," Dawson says "But to be fair, the luxuries can be deceptive. The Baron has returned with something of a working vengeance. He always took his duties seriously but he's been a bit more hands on. And Nightmare Chimera , would be trouble makers, and folks in need get his attention daily. For such a small unpopulated hold, we're also on something of a frontier. now armor and gear is..ah here in this trunk if you like ,should be sized to you by magic. You have a closet for your clothes, and every morning a servant will knock on the door and offer to tend to your clean up. If you don't want her to, just tell her no thank you that day, or leave out a ribbon on the door. The Baron enjoys hearty breakfasts, but you'll not be required to jioin him on those. Dinner however, is a time you will probably be. Please let me know of your dining preferences. "

"Oh, I...ah...I'm not sure what to say about dining preferences. I don't think I'm much of a picky eater. Um...etiquette question...should I ask the Baron to call me Sylvi, or keep with Emissary? I know you say you're not formal here, but....?"

"His lordship can be difficult to gauge if you don't know him' The Steward says "But definitely call him Baron, and he should call you Emissary in return, when formal court is on going. On more relaxeed times like this? i imagine he may drop the formalities himself, and he'll certainly try to respect your own preferences regarding your own title and name"

A pause "One more thing...regarding titles."

"Yes?"

"the Nunnehi, the native dreams of this island? they have aided the Baron, and he they, in friendship and alliane. indeed, he would admit they helped him get his hold back from the Varich, and they would aedmit he helped them AGAINST Varich take over. They have their own ways, culture ,and titles... I dare say he will insist you show as much respect to those ways as you do to the Noble system we are used to. though he won't expect you to know them. Some of them are hideous. Try nto to flinch, but they'll understand if you don't look at them direct. But do not disrespect their leaders."

"Oh. Okay. I mean, yes. I've never met a Nunnehi personally, but Chieftain Brekke talks about a Nunnehi she used to know, Stonehands. She always spoke of him with respect. I'll try to do the same."

"I mean, I will. I will do the same. And thank you."

"Good. I'll leave you to change and get ready." A pause, " ISee your chimeial companion is a rabbit. I'll make sure he gets options of vegetables"

"His name is Flopsy. And thank you." She helps Flopsy down from the pack to the bed, then sets down her pack. "Well..I'd better hurry." She opens the trunk to see what's inside.

the boggan gone, Flopsy talks "Well, this is a nice place, but I don't like this 'frontier' talk. Seen too many westerns with jackrabbits on spits while Cowboys dine. don't like it"

And she finds a chain shirt with fur lining, and gloves of stiff leather with surprisingly delicate workings. the hide leggings also have some fur adornments.

"Wow...this is nice." She starts putting it on. "Well, I'm okay with you staying here for now if you'd rather not come on patrol. At least, this time."

"thank you. "

Sylvi gears up quickly and efficiently, makes sure she still has a Rivervale insignia showing somewhere, checks her blade...."Be back later, Flopsy!" And off she goes.

Sylvi finds tthe Baron, who nods to her "Shall we?" And he leads her out to what appears to be a Woolly Mammoth with more than enough seating space for both. It's purely chimerical. "This is Heineken"

Heineken trumpets lightly a greeting, and takes his trunk down to allow the Baron to step on it, and then lifs the baron up to the harness /saddle

"Hello, Heineken." Sylvi watches the process, uncertain of whether the available space on the mammoth means that she's also supposed to ride, or if that's presumptuous of her.

Heineken solves the problem for her, but offfering the trunk to lift her in the same manner

She does her best to follow the Baron's example.

And UP she rises and finds that she has a saddle horn or sort she can hold onto from her part. They almost immediately start to ride. "That's the nice thing about Chimera, they keep dreams of the lost alive. Heineken's a good mount for this terrain, sun or snow. Not bad in a fight either. I named him because that's what I was drinking when I first saw him. I suppose I should be grateful he's not pink"

She doesn't chuckle, but he might hear a grin in her voice, "He's very impressive, Excellency."

"Oh, I didn't want to mention this in front of others, but you're getting it wrong. The title I mean. Excellency is for Counts. I'm just a baron.'

An almost audible wince. "I...I knew that, too..." she mutters just within hearing range. "I'm very sorry, My Lord. I practiced, but...well, noble titles...." she trails off, realizing that she sounds like a bumpkin.