#anywhere

"You want someone who will not challenge you?"

"No" She admits "I suppose I do not."

"...because an enemy you face outside the ring assuredly will not." The Countess finishes for her.

"Yes, well, I suppose so... but I confess I can think any number of things I'd rather study"

"As could I, at your age. And I did. And I suffered for it. I have scars too." Mildly.

"The most accomplished warriors of our House combine the Arts and the blade effortlessly. Think on that."

"If I might ask? Are you pleased with my discoveries in the Farm hold? I..thought it quite the coup"

She exhales. "I am, though less so as to the -how- of your discoveries. Still, I suppose it is to be expected."

She looks pleased "Well, I do have the urge to.. solve some questions. Perhaps my methods DID lack a certain..subtlety. I shall have to refine those." Adelaide ponders then "I will try to at least learn the basics of self defense and how to blend it. Though I do not see myself as a warrioress of the House. "

"Not everyone is, but we all seek to serve and not be.... dead weight."

She stiffens at that "I will never be that. Whatever I am, I will be of use to the House and the land I am bound to. "

The Countess nods. "Good." Firmly.

A nod then "I suspect I will be a wilder sooner rather htan later. Then I'll be able to assist you more , perhaps as your eyes at some functions?"

A head tilt at that turn of phrase. She asks "You feel ready for you Togail?"

"I know it's dangerous, but I've been omening myself. And...not yet no.. but I would not be surprised if a year would do it for sure"

The Countess sits forward, alert. "You have been -what- !?!?!" Clearly and sharply.

"Omening myself to study my nature in case it changed"

She does not shrink back, no never, but she does swallow a bit

Akanthea is honestly agog. "Adelaide...."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

"Not often, just once a month, on the nights of the new moon" A pause

"I was curious"

"You must stop the practice, immediately. I see I have been remiss."

"As you command, your Excellency" She curtsies "But I.. I have it handled"

Ah, the certainty of youth

"You do -not-. We do not use Soothsay on ourselves. Blessed Maid, Mother, and Crone, Adelaide, the simplest commoner knows that."

A very stung look. She will not cry. She will not.

She sits back, still stunned. "Da'an does not like to be searched, Adelaide. It will rebel."

"I..meant no insult to Da'an, or disrespect to the Art. I meant to search only myself."

"-It- does not know that, or care."

"An ocean is not overwhelmed by a toe stuck into it, surely?" She says, not so much protesting but seeking to understand.

"The fairy condemning and cursing an entire kingdom for a single insult is a tale based in our reality." Firmly "Da'an is blind."

At that, she does not look stung, but rather.. concerned "I endangered you with this?"

"And the county?"

"In that is may have put my heir, the county's security, at risk... yes."

Now realization "I... I fear it was not just Da'an that was blind. I regret my actions. Is there some step I should make to..placate Da'an and or the Dreaming beyond ceasing that action?"

"Mmm... perhaps. I will think on it. But you must cease doing it."

"I shall" She says assuredly "It is one thing to chance myself, I did not think of the ripples it..oh.. "Yes it sinks in more "Ripples" Yes she's realizing why poking a toe in the ocean might be more dangerous than she thought

Akanthea watches it sink in.

Ack, Flee the Dread Sovereign

"I made similar mistakes , and when I was older than you are." Gently.

"You did not have the advantage of you teaching. I do. This is.. most mortifying" She confesses

"You will learn from it." Confident.

"I shall" She agrees "Perhpas I should hold off on any soothsay for a full week?"

"That seems wise. A littler rest."

A forlorn sort of look, "yes, I suppose melee practice will serve more than one use this week. " A thought "Might you have time for a meal with me?"

A kind smile. "You know, I do feel a bit peckish. Hm. I wonder... I'm not sure I had breakfast.... yes, let's. " She rises and offers a hand.

Adelaide takes the hand and lets a relieved smile of her own escape. She has erred, but the bond is not harmed by it, not as long as she has learned, and she has. I imagine I will never NOT learn from my countess and mentor

"Breakfast sounds wonderful"

(End scene)