#anywhere

She chuckles.

"So you're saying the maturity one gains is the very sort of thing to help one put one's insecurities, if they're are any, in perspective even if one never fully can be rid of them? That that's an advantage of the Autumn part of the cycle?"

Sip. "One advantage, yes. You put it very well."

"No wonder Frank seems so annoying zen at times"

A beat. "Ah, The Liam. Perhaps so, yes. I do not know the gentleman well."

"He's a good man. I know House LIam has a history, but we Beaumayn take our allies where we can and he's a remarkable individual. He's not hte most magic heavy shaman but he has insight. "A thought "As Beaumayn, would I be welcome here as a regular if it came to that?"

"It was Elyon who took issue with House Beaumayn. Not I." Quietly.

"I remember" He looks down, "When he... I'm sorry, I know he was dearer to you than life, but I think for a time I hated him because of how he spurned Small Anne. I'm sorry."

She nods. "I know. We were not without conflict on the subject. But. He is gone now. So, no. You will be welcome here so long as I am."

" I thank you. I'd rather not have to scrape some smack talking balor lord off my boot ever few days. Gets tiresome and I think infectious."

"Balor." With dislike. "So tedious to have to deal with."

"I know right?" A nose wrinkle "Mind you, my House is teribly seelie so not friends with any of the Shadow Court Three... not that that court is what it was... but Balor think 'claim the trods' is the height of cunning. Surely no one has ever thought of that before" a roll of eyes "Sorry, if you're making Dougal look devious by comparison, you're doing it wrong."

A soft laugh.

"There is merit to the strategy, but their tactics.... " She shakes her head.

"Agreed. That's one reason I tend to sing the praises of Rovers.... they do what the Balor claim to do, but the means and ends are both more to my liking. Oh, Rover Olgar says the trods around here seem tight but you might want to adjust for a gradual leyline shift brought on by global climate nighmares. Apparently it's causing some trods to tilt, a few to have their silver fade."

A blank expression. "That sounds..... bad."

"Major league bad.. more dangerous chimera can pass onto them without granted permission, ditto for dark kin IF it goes out entirely. I don't quite understand it, but the dreams folks are having about barriers open and shut, the fears on all sides, and the changing climate and how it makes thing of the mortal land scape changing has dreamers sending something a push through the Dreaming... nothing.. united, more like new pulls here, tugs there...distorts it. I'll ask him more about it if you'd like? Pass it on to whoever you have handling your in county trods"

"I'll mention it to Janet."

"Whoa, Janet's still alive? " A grin

A chuckle. "Who's VW Van do you think is parked in my Garden?"

"Oh wow. I'd forgotten about that. Amazing. I honestly thought she'd have passed away ... not that I wished her harm, just.. I envisioned some kind of aurora boreallous type explision in the near dreaming, possibly raining candy for the kids"

Her expression is wistful, nostalgic "I wouldn't have imagined it that way but.... happily, although -she- travels widely still, she is still with us."

"I'm glad then she's...wow."A silly grin "I remember the childlings had a dare to try to steal this balloon thing from her. The sort you travel in. None of us had the guts."

"If you had, I'm sure -she- would have had -yours.- Guts."

"On a platter" A laugh warm and deep.

"Yes." Fondly. "Good to hear you laugh, Vali."

"It feels good to laugh" As if he hasn't done it as often lately "Thanks. I'm glad you have friends from the old days. I know we're close, but I'm sure there are somethings my generation may never quite understand"

"And the same for mine, I'm sure." Sip.

"Oh when I became a young wilder I realized how clueless all ya'all were. Did you know there were injusticees in this universe? Gasp." straight faced

"Mmm." Dryly.

"Recently Gerd has caught onto this and is shocked my generation hadn't fixed it yet" dryly

A sigh. "Each generation tries, I'm sure."

"Hopefully making a better chance for the last." A sigh "It's probably not fair to Gerd how many hopes I have put on her shoulders. If she knew just how much she'd be stunned"

"It can be a heavy cross to bear."

"you feel that way about Adelaide? I notice she is close to you now"

A thoughtful pause. "I did not choose to take an heir. But it was necessary, and I do not regret it. I am fond of her; she has great potential, a sweet nature, and ..... she has been through her own battles."

"yes. I did a little research. It's why you've encouraged her friendship with Gerd... caution is one thing but she shouldn't be paranoid or worse yet scared of common kith" A nod "What those people did to her is... I don't care what politics your'e in, that was flat out evil"

Akanthea nods.

BOW your heads, Peasants!

"She's been good for Gerd too. I think Adelaide was pulling her away from Erica, the bad mortal influence. I Didn't realize it at the time... but Adie played the 'jealous friend' to do so"

"Hm. I was not paying too-close attention to the matter. I thought it best to let Adelaide work on her own."

"I think you'd be proud. She showed a little of that four dimensional thinking your house respects. What is it Eiluned Say about the truth? Something about it's a multifaceted gem, not a simple surface at all?"

"Truth is a jewel with many facets." She quotes.

"Poetic" he says "Annoying to the rest of us who wonder what the heck, but poetic" A smile and he finishes his tea, "Aunt Thea. Thank you. Not just for the tea. I was worried I was being selfish about this Togail thing. I think you revealed to me I might be also a bit scared. I don't know what I'll be like exactly as a Grump, but I know I'll never be too 'mature' to stop caring for you as family." Then "I take it you'd like to be at my Togail when it happens? I wanted it small but I think some folks, you and Tiffany, might get fussy if I just did it Vegas style?"

She nods slowly. "I think that is a safe assumption." She agrees.

"And yes, of course I'll come. I'm honored you would ask me. You wish it at Rivervale, I assume?"

"I'm very tempted to have it here, but I think some of the other wilders are cautious around you and might be shy about having it in Charm. A shame really. I am tempted to have the official ceremony there, and then... if it's not too pretentious, ask you if we could throw a party or even a ball here? No one would have to come, but Adelaide might like it... and I could show how big a part you and this county were and are in my life too. Besides, I'll get to see Tiffany in a dress. I mean, her hard body looks good in her usual thane out fit, jogging clothes or army navy chic, but getting her into a dress is a special treat."

"That is, Togail at RV... but extra party here?"

"Of course." She agrees. "Shall I trouble you with the planning of it?"

"As long as it goes easy on the Chieftain if she does decide to come to it, then I'd be happy to leave it up to you. It it were left up to me, I'd just get silly" A smile