#anywhere

The childling sidhe looks tempted to say something.

"And counties have more than one hold. Okay. It's noble, right? Are there lots of sidhe here?"

Adelaide raises a brow, and smooths her dress, the childling says "She's curious enough, that's something to admire, even if she forgets titles."

"Oh. Right. County. Your... excellence?"

A faint smile to the childling. "Adelaide Ironbrow, this is Siv Waveborn and Dagmar, of Rivervale Barony in Bergan County, Kingdom of Apples."

"Ladies, this is Adelaide Ironbrow of the County of Charm, Kingdom of Willows."

"Hey." An upnod to the childling.

"Excellency." She corrects kindly and smoothly. "Yes."

"Pleased to meet you" Adelaide says, "Gerd is, well, I would not say friend, but sometimes playmate of mine. She is winning me over a bit I admit"

Now the Countess gives Adelaide an eyebrow.

Siv smiles "Well, any near friend of Gerd's is a near friend of mine, ladyship" to the childling, then to the Countess, "I admit to sharing Dagmar's questions about the place. I've never seen a hold quite this grand. It's like twilight dimming is writ in the very marble of it."

"It's really pretty. Are we allowed to look around?"

"It was an Eiluned holding before I was Countess here." She agrees. "Will you take refreshment?" She gestures towards the sideboard, set out and tended.

"Eiluned...." A quiet look of concentration, then a nod to herself.

"We'd be delighted, thank you," Siv reaches for a refreshment then stops, "Ah, forgive, there isn't some...well, that if we eat or drink here we must remain kind of story we don't know about?"

Sir Vali enters just intime to hear that, and winces

Is that smile just a bit pleased? "You are under no obligation; it is I who am. Hospitality."

"Thank you, your excellency, I was born in the dreaming, can't be too careful about some things" She does partake. They were waiting for food after all when they left

"I don't think I know that story." She eyes the food, considering.

The Countess pours herself a glass of white wine.

Adelaide says "Those that come to fair feasts, a fine meal they shall know, but a bit to dine, a touch of wine, and when they turn to go, they find themselves walking back, bound to their host. And fate help them if they were not invited, and stole a slice of toast" she curtsies, Clearly she practiced this and is taking classes "So mortals believed, and there is some truth to it"

"Okay, that's creepy."

"THe fact she said it, or the fact there's a poem about it?" Siv mutters perhaps agreeing

"Both?"

Adelaide looks a bit pleased actually at something

"Countess," Vali says "I feel I should apologize for this attack on your larders"

"Hey Vali!"

"Hey, Dagmar" Vali says friendly but also raising abrow, "You two gonna fess up which one of you started up the egress?"

The lady turns.... and there's a look of confusion before she smiles. "No apology necessary, Sir. This is what it's here for."

Vali bows before the countess, the other girls have seen him bow before, but there is a profound look of respect in his eyes for the lady before him and yes, fondness.

"I'm glad they're no trouble then. The others are likely on their way soon and.."

ANd a avoice, Baron Rostislav's, announces "Guests: Presenting Baroness Brekke of Rivervale, and escorts. Here on the matter of lost wilders."

"We're not lost, " Siv pouts, "We know where we are"

"Ah."

Adeliade notices Dagmar has thus far evaded Sir Vali's question. She nods in silent approval

Brekke takes several purposeful strides into the room, keeping her expression as neutral as possible, and delivers a formal bow to Thea. "Your Excellency. Please excuse this intrusion." She straightens and looks at Siv...a hint of you-are-going-to-be-the-death-of-me is quickly squashed.

The Countess nods pleasantly. "Welcome, Rivervale."

Siv gives her mother a smile, the sort that's meant to mollify or at least show 'I'm still too adorable to destroy'

"Excellency, you have met Sir Franklyn. This is Jaymes King, Sir Franklyn's brother."

"Dagmar, are you okay?" Jaymes says to Dagmar concern in his eyes

"We are here, Excellency, because these are our children and they were taken unexpectedly. We pursued them, and were led here. Had I known this would be the destination, I would have contacted you first."

"Taken?"

"Some sort of...bubble?" A look to the girls. "I am not sure how it happened. But I expect they can explain better." The undertone of they had better be able to explain better.

"I'm fine..."

"WE are fine."

"We're both fine" Siv says but noticing her mother is not likely to let it go, adds "See, there was this bubble with a key... and it was very curious. Said 'this way to the great egress' and we didn't know what an egress is..."

Adelaide says with an ahem, "An egress is a 'way out'."

"It is an exit."

"Turning the key, it was just WHOOMP, a bubble."

Brekke hadn't noticed Adelaide at first, but now nods respectfully to her.