#anywhere

"Well, that's just damn rude"

***

New Agengard... Vali arrives in his finest armor and gear

And requests a meeting with the Countess.

Vali has standing privileges; it still takes a few moments, but he is made comfortable and eventually she joins him. "Vali." she offers her hands for greeting.

He takes her hands in his and looks down on her warmly "Auntie Thea. How you feeling?"

She can ken something within his cloak with powerful magic.

"Oh, I'm fine." she assures him; physically, she's not frail although she uses a walking stick.

"Good. I don't know where to start. I have something to offer, and I don't know if you'll take it" He ponders how to ask "It's a form of magic that happens but once a life time I think"

"Well, you have my curiosity.... do take a seat. Something to eat or drink?"

He says "Thank you" and takes a seat "But no need for the food or drink for me at this time. Enjoy if you wish I shan't be offended. He says shan't unironically. Courtly training "And it is quite the news."

Akanthea dismisses the server; the guard remains. "Do tell."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

He looks at the guard, "Would I be trusted with a bit more distance?"

"Oh, of course. Dame Sage, thank you." The Dame bows and withdraws.

"I have a limited window of opportunity to take someone to a place where they might, in this same life, become a childling again. Both their youth, and childhood restored. Even if they never arrived as a childling. It even works on sidhe from Arcadia. Winter's grip unwound a great deal, and a hopefully long life again. "

She is no Gwydion, but he seems utterly serious.

"I have come," He continues "to offer that chance to you"

A long pause.

"Tell me more?"

"On the quest long ago, on the Dawn treader.. we established the island, a hold for childlings only, and only a childling can set foot on it. Oh the magics woven, the treasures used. One treasure was given to me... a means to return there, and if I wanted, reclaim my youth. I've always known that wasn't to be my fate. Neither to become a childling anew and grow up in the autumn world again in THIS life, nor to become a childling and stay there. But I took it knowing one day it might be a way to help you- if you wanted such help"

She tilts her head. "How do you see becoming a childling would help me?" mildly.

"Perhaps it would help me" He admits after pondering "I do not wish you to die even of natural causes. Selfish. It might not help you, but it would gift you. A chance to learn the world anew? To rediscover innocence? Da'an's okey doke to get to the next spin of the wheel while in the same skin and idenitty?"

"You are very sweet, Vali, thank you."

"You're welcome. " Vali says "I know you have duties, but Adelaide is of age now and has able supporters IF you want to do this. She can take those duties up. The real question is, do you want to? It's a gift, not something I can or would force on anyone."

She considers the question, and sighs. "I... don't think so, Vali. To go through all that again? No.... no, I don't think so. Thank you, though."

"Bad childhood? " A frown "I'm sorry. " A sigh then he looks at her "Well, I shall not try to sell it to you. You are a stubb-" A smile "A woman of incredible focus and will"

A Mona Lisa smile. "I was never a childling. I had my Dream Dance as a wilder."

"I thought so," A nod "I tthought you might like the experience.. but I understand. How are things here? "

"The usual challenges. We're recruiting warriors, holding some training for them. Planning a tourney. Yule, of course, as well."

"You may have competition for warriors" he says "Brightwinds is making noise about recruiting" A thought "Might even have them try to pinch a few at your tourney though that's not Baroness Derynwydd's style"

"MMmm.... who will tell Brightwinds about our little tourney?"

A pause "A VERY good point. I think the smart and adorable thing to say is 'Not I'?" A smile

"The smart thing, at any rate."

"I suppose adorablity is not the province of young grumps" A concession "No wonder Tiffany doesn't let me get away with much"

"And how is Tiffany?"

He frowns "She's delayed the wedding again. I mean, she said yes, but then things come up. The odd thing is she seems happy as a lark. She patrols, the others like her, she has her own adventures with and sometimes without me. Really she's been a godsend with so many questing or going hither and yon. Fair piece, yon. But I worry she's gotten cold feet.. or is it paws? " A frustrated look "Aunt Thea, communicaiton with her. I thought I had it down but, she is still a pooka and few evade like them. I can't just seem to get her to talk about what, if anything is wrong about the wedding."

"You say she seems happy?"

"Yeah, we've got a foster kid who she's like a big sister to... we've got Gerd living with us and. they're getting along great because she can get Gerd to cook. ..It's almost familial llike.. except with shooting and explosions... but the actual ceremony makes her skittish. I don't get it. The woman disarmed bombs for a living, in the middle east. how can she be scared of a wedding?"

"Vali, have you -asked- her directly?"

"I have, and she pooka speaks... she hints that there's too much going on. That something not so close to the holidays, but by the time we get going, it seems another holiday is here. I can't quite decipher" he frowns "I know she loves me, and I love her. "

"Is the wedding that important to you? Clearly it isn't to her."

"I guess it is" he says surprised "I want the world to know we're man and wife. I love her. More htan that, I love who I am around her and how she makes even the worst times a bit better. Why wouldn't I want to marry her?"

"Also, I bought the tux"

Attempt a humor there

She is quiet a moment. "Is it possible the two of you want different things?" gently.

"It's possible, but I thought .. " His brow knits "I thought we were in accord on this. "

"Actions speak louder than words."

"Her actions have been fully supportive, loving and happy.. until wedding talk comes up." A nod "Yes. I suppose I need to get some insight. I think maybe it's time to spy and sneak around the problem and see what I can learn. Don't tell the Chief, but I think I'll figure this out Eiluned style" A pause "Okay, a clumsy immitation of Eiluned style"

"And what will those actions say, Vali?" an eyebrow.