#anywhere

That from the Aesin

"She is kind."

"Too much kindness can make one soft," Vaeltilde says

"I would not call her soft."

"She slayed the Dark One with her maul, and did not falter."

"This is not soft," The Aesin agrees and nods

"She cares much for her people."

"Tidemarch knows which people need to be used for the betterment of the barony" The Aesin says "And, that's good. I think"

"Varich are good at tactics..." Diplomatic.

"Yes. I hope to learn that from him"

"You can learn from anything or anyone."

Sayda nods "Yes. Shard taught me how to escape a choke hold"

"Useful!"

She pouts. "I tried to fight the bad guys, but they defeated me."

Sayda says "I'm sorry."

"You should not be sorry," Vaeltilde says "You fought to the defeat! You would have let yourself die rather than surrender! This is worthy of Valahalla!" the girl says "It is how we will win against the Elder Dark. Though we all die, we will keep others alive for our sacrifice! The Elder Dark are cowards, and they will not understand as they see their plans turn to ashes upon the blazing glory that is our burial pyres!"

Sayda blinks at that

Ellie listens, somber, and nods.

"The good news is that the Countess got all the other girls to safety. She brought me here, since I'm fae."

"Yes"

"It's very nice here." Softly.

"Course it is," a voice the others don't know but Ellie does say "It's awesome here"

"It is! Ariel, this is Vaeltilde and Sayda..."

"Baroness Valetilde" Vaeltilde holds out her hand.

palm down

Ariel takes it and pumps it up and down "Nice to meet you!"

"Ariel is my other companion. She's a healer. From a farm."

"Yes, she's not well trianed is she?" the Aesin says at the arm pumping

Ariel stops pumping the arm "Beg pardon?"

"Courtly manners are different from commoner ones..."

"Yes, but we are in a hold," Vaeltilde says "SHouldn't you educate her?"

Ariel's jaw twitches and some of that satyr dander rises

"Courtesy is about making others feel welcome."

"Ariel has greeted you warmly." A little chin lift from the countess.

"Well, she seems to be doing it wrong" Vaeltilde says

"A sign of true manners is rising above."

"Aint' NOTHING wrong with the way I do things" Ariel says and scratches her hoof on the ground

The Aesin says "I think she's challenging to a fight. Do you have a dueling chamber?"

"She is not challenging a fight!"

"Oh I don't know about that," Ariel rolls her sleeves up

"Axe or swo-" But before Vaeltilde can mention the two weapons she's willing to fight with.. there's a clatter

"Nope, you're not..."

down the hallway

"What's that?"

Ariel turns.

It would appear Azul has skidded into some furniture and knocked a tray over

the dog looks VERY confused

"oh! the poor dog" The Aesin says

Ariel says "Azul, you okay boy?" Suddenly the snobby sidhe forgotten

"Oh! That's Azul, he's a fae hound!" Redirect, redirect...