#anywhere

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Ardent Harbor's roller coaster slides to a stop, that last stretch of August's trod hops were rather nerve wracking if one doesn't like such curves and twists. did he loop once? Hard to remember.

Blinking hard, he gets out of the car carefully. He likes roller coasters... but one in the Dreaming? Coradel would -love- it.

The amusement park thrives, even if it's nnot on the map. There are at least as many mortals, many of them enchanted, as there are Kithain.

One woman, a sidhe Kinian judging by the small touches of the ears and the beauty that shines through, comes forward "Sir August?"

He bows politely. "I am."

"Squire Bobbi, at your service, Lord. Also House Liam. If you'll follow me, I was asked to escort you straight away."

"Ah. Well. Yes, then, thank you." He follows her.

They make their way towards the heart of the place, the Ferris Wheel/Fairy's Wheel, ignoring the snorting horses of the carousel, the screaming flying dutchman, and well away from the fun house that has sinister glamour within. Bobbi gets greeted by two Selkie who walk past her, and they nod to the (to them) strange sidhe.

He is dressed in his scribe's best. A blue poet's shirt, grey leggings and black boots, his scribe's case, and a grey cloack.

He nods back to the Selkie.

Bobbi smiles "Hi Jeff, Hi Geoff. Pardon, no time for niceties" And they enter the rath into the hold proper

"I, ah, oh, nice to......" And he's led inside.

The Count greets him almost as soon as he steps through , with a handshake "August, you made it. Thank you, Bobbi. I appreciate you standing watch for his arrival"

August tries to bow and almost hits the hand, avoids that, does some weird almost-pop-and-lock due to it and then straightens and offers his hand. "Ah. Excellency. Thank you for seeing me."

"you're the one who answered my call, where as I am not your liege" Jude says "Bobbi, make sure no one else gets too curious bout this mmm?"//"Yes, my iiege" she heads out after another bow to both/ Jude directs August towards a seat "Please, can I get you something to drink? You're not a big drinker if I recall but we do have wine if you like, but I also have fine selection of teas."

"I... Earl Grey would be, ah, nice, Excellency."

he prepares it himself "Excellent. " Handing the cup over, and prepares himself one "How's Coradel and the kids?"

The question brings a quick grin to his lips. "They are very well, Excellency. Magnus has married Claire, and Derynwydd and I yet reside in Kansas City, and Coradel... ah.... she is very well." Bashful.

"I am glad to hear it." The Count smiles "And I am glad to see how happy you are. You and Derynwydd have done wonders for the House in that area."

He clears his throat. "only our duty, Excellency."

"Duty, Sir August is often waved off as if everyone embraces it. The point of fact is, many of us fail to even try let alone succeed. Better world if more of us considered it a default as you and your daughter do I think. " A sigh "Ah, forgive. I'm torn between making small talk or cutting to the chase. Will you forgive me if I do the latter?"

August sit forward. "Yes, Excellency."

"Thank you," A sigh "As you know, Samhain can be a fascinating night for prophecies and so forth. A few were so cryptic, due to memory loss and more, that we're only now getting details."

August sits back, retreating. "Ah."

"Yes, well, it turns out that at least one of the insights might be in your area.. 'A ghost shall pluck from the fell father a prize, but silver branches needs reach'"

August listens.... "Ex.... Excellency, could you repeat that?"

"'A ghost shall pluck from the fell father a prize, but silver branches needs reach'" He repeats "Does that mean anything to you?"

"Nothing... ah, nothing concrete, Excellency."

"Odd... " He says raising a brow "We think it has to do with a new Liam.. one returned to us or awakeneed after a long rest. We have other omens regarding the house but they're not in your area. "

August looks honestly boggled. "Excellency?"

"Mm yes?"

Then he seems to try to swallow his face. "Ah. Ah..." A throat clear. "I, ah....."

"August, please, spit it out. what exactly are you hoping to say?"

A long moment. "Excellency, I am hoping not to say it. I may have.. an insight. But to speak it would... hurt someone I care for very much." Humbly. "May I have some time to find my way through this?"

A sigh "Oh August, are you telling me you DO have the answers I seek, or suspect you do, but you're going to hold it back because of some non Liam association?"

"For... for love, Excellency." He sounds breaking, or broken.

He stops "Coradel is involved?"

August does not answer, or look at the Count.

Jude pinches the bridge of his nose, perhaps to keep the headache from rising

"August- is Coradel somehow involved?"

"I, ah, not... I think not, Excellency. Not as, ah, described, but if I could have some time, a day, perhaps two, I could get more information...." He hastens to assure.

Jude tilts his head to look at the young man, "August. You've never struck me as a gushing sort of fellow, so when you said love.. I thought Coradel. I will assume this is in the more familial or friendship sort of love. And I bet if I took the time to sort out who you have called ally in the past I could narrow a list down to ten and work down from there. We keep excellent records as a house. Hell, you gave some of those records to us. If someone is holding a possible Liam from the House, shit man, we've broken into strongholds for less." Agog "FIne. I give you a week before you give me a report. I am not your liege, but I am a house superior, and senior. I recognize we Liam have a limited number of allies and can't afford to burn bridges lightly, but this is a matter of family. Surely your source will understand?"

August stands and bows. "I understand, Excellency." And he stays bent.

"Please, August. Rise already, Rise and go. And it's a report I need, not sepukkko if you fail, or a thouand apologies. Learn what you ccan, tell me what you can learn, and give me your honest view on things... I'm not calling for a crusade over a lost brother or sister. not yet anyway.So close to yule, crusades are tacky. Go on. Bobbi will be at the door and show you how to get home"

August bows again, and goes. With a mission.

Of course, August will be escorted . Jude on the other hand, sighs "Ringo wept" he mutters and turns back to the other omens "I wonder if it's Karma for Petalmourn's intrigues? Nothing can say simple when Truthbranchs are on the march"

(endscene)

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(BOrrowing this for the lodge)