#anywhere

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Inish the Herald comes up "Baroness? I bear news"

It's been a very odd month, the sort of September that seems to just evaporate under one's feet. At least, that's what Coradel is musing to herself as she grooms Samson in the stables after a ride.

"News?" She finishes up with the brushes and pats Samson's shoulder as she offers him an apple. "What news, Inish?"

"We have a new Sidhe arrival.. a dream dance has occurred."

"Really?!" A beaming smile. "Well, that's exciting! A new sidhe! Safe and secure, or in need of a rescue?" She looks ready to get right back up on Samson's back.

"It would appear that she has been rescued. She's at the hold now. She had a dream dance while at a date with young Adam... there in lays some complication. The mortal in question was one Minvera O'Connel. the..ah, folks who had been expelled by the Autumn Person."

"Oh? And...ah. He had grown attached?"

"I'm not sure... but I think it was a rather extreme..situation. Young Adam tried to..assualt the arrival. Tried to drive her back"

"Oh, dear. Take me to the new arrival, Inish. Which of them ended up more harmed in the conflict?"

"Not sure.. the Lady Minerva , for that is all I know to call her, seems well enough. A million questions. Adam seems unhurt, btut his friend Zane fears he is more than distraught. Dame Bondraste sees to her. Please, follow me then" He bows and will lead

A final pat on Samson's neck, and she follows Inish. Yes, she's coming directly from the stables, but still lovely and fresh.

Somehow sidhe pull it off. In the throne room, Delores greets her friend and liege "She's getting dressed and will be here shortly, Baroness. Oh this is a pickle. Mostly the mother concerns us..has Innish told you?"

"The mother? No, I don't think I've heard the whole situation, yet."

"Sir Bachdion had lint Lesley and Minerva O'Connel use of his apartments. Sir Bachdion thought to charm Lesley, the mother, and muse her ...to help undo the banlaity..." Delores says "Adam had been a good friend for Minerva.. and those two went out to have coffee. Of course, with Minerva now a sidhe... it maybe hard to have her mother and she stay together depending. There are options.. memory wipes , enchantment and service, just hoping the ruse can last... or letting them think her daughter ran away or died. You see the problem?"

"Hmm. I do. I suppose...oh, it's cruel, but it might work for a time. If we were to convince the mother that she has contracted this awful virus, and must remain in isolation to protect her daughter? A bit of distance for a time, to get Minerva settled in her fosterage. And the mother may be pleasantly surprised by her mild symptoms."

"That's brilliant!" Delores says "Using this horrible time's plague as a way to give the mother a reason to be separated... and think it's for the best" She beams "I knew there was a reason I kept you around, my liege"

Inisshes fusses "Steward"

"Yes, Delores, we all know who's really in charge here," Coradel teases wryly.

"Baroness" Innnish hurumphs. The old herald is a bit of a fussy conservative compared to others

"I think Sir Bachdion might be a good soource of distraction and comfort for Leslie.." She curtseys "Shall I ask him to tend to her?"

"Well, she may ask why he can attend her but her daughter cannot...."

"Oh. I meant.. that Sir Bachdion should seduce Leslie and distract HER, not her daughter. But I think we can use chicanery to create some false memories if need be?"

Innish coughs

into his hand "me thinks, Steward.. you misunderstood"

"Oh, I understood the plan," Coradel smiles. "But either way, yes, I'm sure Sir Bachdion could seduce her into happy distraction. Please ask him, Delores."

"Oh.." The Steward blushes "yes that might work even better. Apologies. I'll ask regardless"

Coradel waves her hand airily. "Either way. It's easy enough to convince mortals they're a danger to their loved ones right now."

"That said, I'm eager to meet our new sidhe!"

And on that note, out comes Minerva. Oh how lovely! What was adorable is now breath taking! Her raven hair falls like black silk... her eyes glimmer with a newness

"Ahh...." Coradel smiles in appreciation. "There. Lovely." She goes to meet her and extends a graceful hand. "Welcome, Minerva. We are glad you're here."

"An honor" She takes the hand, "Forgive me, " she lowers her head to touch it, then rises "I feel so clumsy.. like I've woken too quickly and stagger. "

"Yes, it's very odd. I remember that. But you'll soon get your feet properly steady. Have you eaten yet? Had something to drink?"

"oh... the.. the host..she had a scone.. I remember the taste" Surprised "Quite good"

"Is that what started it?"

"No I.. I think she was imagining... the boy she wanted to impress him, but he also made her believe and that was enough. Oh I came close to withering... but it was meant to be. " Assured

Coradel glances over to Inish, "She means Adam, yes?"

"Yes" Innish says

"Oh, yes" Minerva says then frowns "Though he nearly dest.. he was difficult."

"Yes, I heard something about that. Come and sit. I think we should have some tea, and you can tell me what you recall." A look to Delores so she can ask somebody to fetch tea and refreshment, and then Coradel leads Minerva to a quiet place to sit at the side of the audience chamber (though not the private chamber).

She moves to sit even as Delores nods... soon, the two sidhe are seated, tea in hand.

Minerva, for there is nothing else to call her, explains "it was cold, and .. there was a grayness aobut her that hard parted. I had to move with.. speed I am sure. Then suddenly.. he tapped into the glamour and she was hurled away.. her body was.. but I had already seized the mortal soul. I cast it to the winds and found haven.. oh those few feet in the mortal world were painful. "A frown "What IS this Adam? he.. he should be like me, but he is not.. his soul sleeps"

"He is a conundrum wrapped in a rather attractive mystery. We're not quite sure why he hasn't woken yet. Odd background, there, and one I'm not quite sure I fully understand myself. I hear he fought your arrival. How did you defend yourself?"

"mostly I used deception" She admits "Mortals were not enchanted, they saw only a helpless teenage girl being attacked by one who had taken her for a drink. I played the cards that were in my hand and begged for assistance." No guilt at the manuever

"Oh! Well...clever, of course." She looks to Inish. "Have we checked that Adam hasn't been arrested?"

"Fortunately ZAne, his friend, was in the area, and fuddled people into think he was a police man, and 'took them both into custody' Clever lad" The Herald admits "If he weren't of Rivervale I'd suggest pinching him for service"

"yes, his magic was quite potent and skilled" Minerva looks intrigued

"Hmmm...Well, it wouldn't be the first time we've inherited from Rivervale. Let's keep an eye on that one, Inish," Coradel says with a smile. "Now, Minerva, have you any inkling of your true story? Who you are?"

"I remember bits and pieces.. odd thoughts... I remember powerful spells bursting from my finger tips.. I recall a silver trod crumbling, giving orders to my son and daughter..." She sighs "I cannot remember their names... Elyonthea? No.. that's not it"

"Well, it's a start. And there's a chance you'll find your children again. I was actually the last of my family to arrive." A smile. "That was...complicated. But we managed."