#anywhere

She bites on her lower lip. "I don't like it."

"Of course not, I don't like it when you go into danger either. You're my... friend"

She smiles. "Yeah. Who'd'a guessed that one a year ago?"

"Well, not anyone who saw us no" A chuckle at that

"...I'm glad you came. And I am glad you stayed, too."

"Thanks, but I'm not sure what I'm doing here. I thought.. the Liaison job would matter but the Chief seemed to forget about it."

"It does matter. You've already started doing stuff, and it's barely been a month."

"Oh that's.. something I needed to tell the Chieftain, nothing crucial"

"You get sidhe in a way none of the rest of us do."

"Yes, but the news isn't about Sidhe. But trolls. "

"Yeah?"

"Every hear of the Brotherhood of Thor? "

"No, but it sounds cool!"

"It's a group of Troll nobles... The sidhe worry about them, but from what I Understand they're not a bad lot"

"I'm sort of a noble..."

"You ARE a noble" She says "And I think could be a member. Though the name is a bit sexist"

"Ehhh"

"Apparently it has many powerful troll nobles, but it actually is a very old organization. The sidhe worry it's getting too much political power, but.. I suspect the Brotherhood wants to invite the Chieftain."

"Well, she's a legend." Oh, is that a note of disappointment?

"You do realize you are local legend?" A brow almost troll like

bzzzt bzzzt Dagmar's phone is chiming it's text noise.

"I'm not the Chief." She checks her phone.

Surprise, it's from Symon Hey, what's up? i'm behind on giving you the dish from rome. heard some weird shit went down w Adam. u okay? all okay?

bzzt You should get details from Siv, am on mission w/Nadeen for more info from Charm Countess.

bzzt Oh. probably don't want me around then. but if i can help, u tell me ok? i'm here if i can help.

Nadeen eyes the texting "Tell me it's not Symon"

bzzt Will check in when we get home. I know you two don't get along

"He was checking in, he doesn't know all that's going on."

bzzt yeah we don't. but that doesn't mean i'm not there if i can help. and if helping her helps you, i'm not gonna be a dick 😉

And finally, they are shown in to the County's Great Hall in the dark castle of Ellicott City; both mortal and Fae sides show the ravages of man-made natural disasters over the last several years. There, on a dais past the Balefire, is the Countess.

bzzt 👍

bzzt gotta go, we're next!

"Good, i Know you like him ,but he's the last.." She silences as they are summoned

Phone in pocket. "He's my friend, too."

As they appraoch the Countess, she curtssey's gracefully "Countess. I believe you know my escort, Dame Dagmar ap Gwydion"

A courtier leans to whisper in the granddame's ear. "Ah, yes. Of course. Welcome, Dame and Baroness."

Dagmar bows.

"I am come regarding what we spoke of when last I was here. If said aid is still available?"

The Countess accepts a scroll from the lady courtier and glances it over. "We discussed.... possiblities, I think."

A brow for a moment..patterns and.. she nods "We did, your excellency. Alas, I fear a new urgency has arisen to it, and other surprising angles to it as well."

Dagmar hangs back, in silent guard.

"Really? Do tell." To a servant. "Ask Baron Rostislav to join us."

The Baron joins in. He's.. gorgeous, of course. Dagmar sees so many sidhe, but this one is fit, a warrior aristocrat, yet polished. He bows low to the countess when summoned.

She beckons him to stand at her side.

Dagmar is silent - perhaps a bit overwhelmed. She's mostly gotten used to Nadeen... but a whole court, a hall of shining hosts... there's a certain safety in formality, in simply sticking to her role to stand guard lest she totally succumb.

He does and smoothly so

Akanthea waits to hear Nadeen's story.

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

Nadeen explains, quietly enough so on the countess and those closest might hear , what happened at Adam's.. those she refers to him as 'the kinian boy' his sister as 'hjis sister' or the 'kinain gir'... "It appeared to be no dream, but actual transformation that had lingering effects. " And yes, she mentioned the pain being used as a gate way plan

Dag might be silent, but there's obvious tension at certain points - there, at her jaw, there, a clenched hand... she does NOT like the idea of torturing an eight year old.