#anywhere

Countess Akanthea ap Eiluned has two guests.

Ack, Flee the Dread Sovereign

She listens to her briefing before they are brought into her presence. There are, perhaps, index cards.

Thane Tiffany, and Sir Vali!

Both are dressed very nicely, good courtly voile

She reviews the information carefully, and nods that they be admited.

"Hello Charm Boss," Thane Tiffany bows and wags "Remember me? I chased my damsel off the yard and never came back?"

Vali smiles at that

"Yes, of course Thane Tiffany." she smiles gracefully. "And Sir Vali, how wonderful to see you again. It has been too long." Slightly chiding, but fondly; she extends her hand.

They both stepforward to take it, look sheepish, and Vali wins out, taking her arm in his, "Aunt Thea, I apologize. Busy month so we fell behind. How have you been?"

"Oh, fine." She pats his arm. "This illness has required a bit of juggling. And there was another flood some months ago."

"I was worried about that" he admits

"Has it hurt your dreamers much?"

"We have lost a few." Quietly.

A frown "I'm sorry." Vali ponders "Maybe Tiffany and I should see if we can muse a few folks in your fief, see if we can find some new dreamers ,if that's okay with you? It's hard, but as an author I have an avenue to connect with some book lovers"

"He won the pillsbury award for his last book" Tiffany says proudly "I burned it myself"

"I have people to do that, Vali." Mildly. "They might be put out."

"Only because they're professionals who know the terrain better..." he says with a sigh "Experts. What do they know?"

"Indeed." Bemused.

Tiffany says "Damsel just wants to do nice things for you because he knows how hard it is being the queen of air and darkness. Hey, how's hair apparented?" Meaning Adelaide

"She is well; I believe she is doing some kind of mortal distance learning in addition to her study of Arts."

"Remote classes are big " Vali nods "Our own school system is flakey about it. I maybe teaching French almost entirely online"

A smile on the pooka's face "Ah, growing up to hex folks. It warms the heart"

"She shows great promise."

"I warned her about making those" Tiffany sighs

Vali shakes his head but smiles "In that case, Would you ladies like to have tea, and you may pepper me with a dozen questions on my life. Tiffany already knows but she seems to think my answers will change"

"AHEM" Tiffany says and waves her left hand at him

A ring flashes

An eyebrow.

'Oh that " Vali says "Ah, didn't we tell her about that?"

Tiffany says "If so, tell her again"

Vali says "We're getting married, and ..we wanted to ask you to please be there."

"I will need tea for this." And tea is arranged for.

Tea is arranged and, well, it sounds as if Vali popped the question finally, and no one was more surprised than Tiffany when she agreed "I think he bespelled me" Tiffany admits

An eyebrow. "Did you?" With every expectation she will be answered.

"Only with words and really hopeful eyes" Vali says "Possibly the element of surprise"

"This is ... quite a step." she observes.

"I know, I've barely got him house trained" Tiffany says

Vali says "I know... it's.. big. " he squeezes his Fiance's hand. "But I love her and she loves me. And maybe it was the grumphood talking but I thought I better grab her before she wised up"

"Mmm." Sip. "Do you plan to start a family?"

The two look at each other as hoping the other speaks first

Then Vali takes a deep breath "Not for a few years yet"

"There are severe fines for careless littering" Tiffany looks relieved

She nods. "And you are able to sustain yourselves? Mundanely speaking, I mean."

"Royalties are steady, my teaching job is iffy but supplments" Vali says.

Tiffany gives him a LOOK, then she says "We have a ward, not a burt ward, a nocker ward.. she's learning how to use the boomsticks ... anyway, I have a night shift growlilng at folks"

"Ah" Vali says "margalita's a pip. Tiffany's kind of a big sister to her. And yes , she has a part time security job"

"Different shifts?"

"She works three nights out of the week" Vali says "And, of course, she's a thane at Rivervale"

"Different shifts can be challenging." Sip. "I trust all is well at Rivervale?"