#anywhere

"Yes. I would see beyond the face, to be sure." A nod

She rises and paces slightly.

The hem of her gown whispering on the carpet.

"You understand, this is more complicated than the bargain you brought the other day?"

Dagmar is silent but watchful.

"Yes, increasingly so, " She says "With greater rewards even if only in occult knowledge. But yes, I am aware there are few who could do anything with this as you can."

One can sense some.... irritation..... in the Countess.

"Baroness, I understand you are on something of a schedule. May I ask where you go from this place?"

"Back to Rivervale, " She says "The Chieftain was reluctant to let me out. If not for Dame Dagmar's escort, for which I am grateful, I'm not sure she would have"

"There are... steps I can take without your blood." Slowly. "Understand, Baroness, when you look into the Void, it looks back. I am not sure I wish it to see me. To take these smaller steps more covertly will take time. Ask the Baroness of Rivervale if you may come spend 12 hours with me after your time with her is up. I will let you know within the first hour here what I have learned, and within the first hour and one minute if I am willing to continue in this situation."

"Perhaps I am a terribly selfish woman ," She says upon speculation, "I am so frustrated, but you are right, of course. One can hardly come and speak of respect for your expertise and then ignore the wisdom that comes with the power. But what if my father... tries to breach things again? Tries to find another source of pain?"

"The one he .... attempted to sway this last time. He survived, and refused?"

"The Kinain ..yes, apparently he wore Fiona colors at first... possibly tied to his true heritage? I know not, but he refused and ... " A pause "Interesting. Transformation possible, but pain had to be chosen?"

An expression behind the dark lenses of exasperation. "Of course." Then she takes a breath, setting it aside. "Transformation is often painful, true, but it was not the Kinain's transformation that required the pain. That would be the power of it, the sacrifice that the Formorians would want."

"The betrayal of a family member of loved one would fuel the ritual my father would use? " A pacing "Thatk, would make sense, though... "Concern and doubt "Yes, I will ask you to move slowly and carefully and see if the Chieftain agrees."

Akanthea nods, coming to the Baroness's chair. "I will see you tomorrow, in 12 hours. You, and your Dame-Escort."

BOW your heads, Peasants!

She curtseys "Thank you, Countess. " And the audiance over, she heads off with Dagmar

She looks far more troubled than when she came in.

A tentative hand on the baroness' shoulder, trying to comfort.

"Baron..... attend me in my chamber, please." It might startle him; he's not been invited to such a private meeting before.

The Baron bows "Of course, Countess. It is an honor to serve" And he does.

And as they leave the hold, and Dagmar's hand goes to her shoulder, Nadeen turns and the looks at her, "I will... he will be all right. He must be."

But troubled are her eyes.

"I don't know. But... if he needs rescued, well, we'll do that."

"Thank you but... the Countess had a point, the pain.. was only a part of it. Oh Dagmar, I never thought he'd want pain from a loved one even for a ritual? I know he needs it, but how... I ..don't... know if I"m strong enough to help him with that if that's what he needs. I'm..weak, and I'm going to fail him"

"You don't know he needs it, though. Like you said - he loves you, he's not evil, this.. do you really think this sounds like him? Do you think doing this magic won't affect him in negative ways?"

"I know what you want me to say, that he'll just have to..deal with it"

"No. I mean - maybe it's not him, or maybe he's being deceived, or maybe coerced."

"If it's the first, then the imposter can sit and spin. If it's one of the other two, he's in trouble and needs help."

"If it's the second...and he is deceived, I have to defy him to rescue him." A pause "I've only defied my father three times I can remember. It never went well"

"But better to do what's the best thing for him, yeah?"

"We will find out everything we can, and not rush in half-cocked."

"yes., the countess agreed with you there." A sigh "I'm going to be holdless and helpess.. and my father is goign to look at me and shake his head in that 'I expected so much more' way"

Scowl.

"You aren't helpless. Lots of nobles are holdless. But you have a place, and allies, and that's a start."

"Assuming any o them besides you want to talk to me after this. Siv looked like she wanted to punch me "

"Siv'll calm down. She's like a satyr."

A smirk "I assume you don't mean in the way most folks think"

Then she sighs "That's not fair of me. And the Chief? She is NOT like a satyr. I may have... I don't know, damaged our relationship."

"Chief is worried."

"But Chief is fair. Hey, upside of Gwydions being sticks in the mud - right?"

"Yes, I suppose, you are all too drab to be unjust" a soft nod, side glance

"Exactly!"

She leans her head against Dagmar's arm as they make their way to the trods

"The Countess says we need more info, Chief says the same, and we're all gonna face this together." A little blush at the contact, but she also doesn't pull away... no, there's a supportive arm there. Protection, right?

Right "I guess. Imagine that. The Countess and the Chieftain agreeing. " She doesn't move her head really.. and soon they are gone back

(End Scene)