#anywhere

"Hey, Gerd," Sylvi smiles.

"Gerd.. thank you for ..well if you hadn't BROUGHT sylvi here.." Nadeen says

"Yeah yeah, I know, always the hero support never the hero. " Gerd looks at Nadeen "IS Aiden really going to be a decent dad when he visits? or is that Connor's natural sweetness covering again?" Stark

"He was SCARY last night," Sylvi comments.

"Aiden damn well better."

Nadeen looks surprised, then a bit affronted "he was only a 'bad ' father because his mind had been warped by Calanthe. Thank you all" Firm "You do not know the guilt that is eating at him over all this. I Do. He meant everything he told Connor last night. You know, Calanthe robbed Connor of a father, but she also Robbed Aiden of a SON. "

"Yes. And Connor is a kinder and more forgiving soul than anyone deserves - but there's still years of hurt there. Connor is entitled to take his time and have his space." Protective.

Sylvi looks apologetic. "I believe it, Nadeen. It was a sick, messed-up situation, and it wasn't his fault. I'm just saying he was SCARY, but it was scary on the side of good, y'know? I'm really hoping he turns out to be the kind of man you know he can be...but he's going to be figuring out who he is, and that takes time." A fond grin at something.

A nod to Dagmar.

"Sorry, I mean...Baroness."

"He is... I'm just saying that Aiden is also a victim in the regards of family, and not ALL by his own hand. I won't have the man I love take crap for things that aren't his fault in his own home." Nadeen insists "he's got enough REAL crap to take blame for and he admits it"

Gerd holds up her hands "Okay okay, but you love Aiden, Dagmar and I love Connor. Hes' my little brother... and I'm gonna be looking out for him a lot more than anyone else's feelings." Flat out honest

"I swore to keep him." Simply.

Nadeen looks at Sylvik, then "Thank you for .. understanding. But.. you don't have to call me Baroness when it's just informal like this. "

A wink. "I just wanted you to say it was okay. You've earned this spot, and I don't mind you reveling in it. For a while."

"I'm going to be too busy to revel. I have the auctions, two of them, Gwen's saining is almost imemdiately after this, I have pennons to prepare for... Reeve duties... oh we're going to need a new Reeve. I have to hire new folks. And I guess there will be a ceremony of sharing power... after we decide, he and I how to do it. some folsk do the traditional split of summer and winter courts, others side by side all year around... then there's... I'm going to have to wait on the revels. THe thanes must be attened to. Both women damaged by this"

Sylvi grins, listening to the familiar sound of a litany of tasks. She's rattled off a few, herself, recently.

"New Reeve and new Chancellor. Unless you and he take turns."

"Then I tell you what...I'm going to head out, but keep me in the loop if you need anything from me. I'm still hoping the SilverWolf contingent can come to the play, though I know things are going to be weird while you're all in transition like this. Dagmar, I think let's make the decision for Connor. He'll want time alone with you after all this craziness, I bet, so he should ride back down with you." A breath. "And I think I'm ready any time you are, Gerd."

"Oh, we could stop for road-trip ice cream..."

"And maybe McDonald's."

"Ice cream? McDonalds?? We can go INSIDE?" Connor has snuck up, as he is so clever at!

"Yeah, kiddo."

"Argh" Nadeen fusses, but then.. gives each of them a hug again "Let's stay in touch, busy or not, all of you. Sylvi, I know you'll be a fine leader for Goldfinch, don't be afraid to rely on Piper but don't overwhelm her, she's insecure in some areas. And don't let Siv coddle her too much on the other side... Gerd, you're an honest witch and ... should talk to Wudlig. He has a surprise for you. Dagmar ? Joust Club. Lots of Joust club"

Carrying a MASSIVE basket that smells of fresh and good and delicious things. Apparently a lunch has been packed.

"Is that lunch?"

"Sylvi, this is for you. I heard about the popcorn." He wrinkles his nose a bit. It's a lie, Dagmar can tell, but Connor sounds SO excited about the McDonald's...

Sylvi blinks at the hug from Nadeen, but then hugs back. "Thanks. And don't worry...we're going to be talking a lot, I think."

"Oh, wow!" She accepts the basket from Connor. "I know a freehold that has people who are going to be glad to see this!"

Gerd blinks "Does this mean.." She looks at Connor "you'd rather ride in a motocrycyle side car, wind in your hair smells in your nose than simply flicker flash right away? Oh sharper than a serpents tooth"

Connor throws himself into Gerd's legs! "You have to get back FIRST so you can pick a movie for us to go see. WITHOUT sneakin'!! And that means we can BUY POPCORN!"

"Lots of things to try, for sure."

"Maybe... MAYBE... "Shadowpaw Chi and the Ten Frisbees?""

Sylvi wonders to herself if this means that Connor is going to be enrolled in the mortal school system...but she leaves that thought unspoken for the moment.

"You got it" Gerd hugs him ,then looks at Dagmar "Dagmar, action movie okay?" Clearly making it three

"Connor" Nadeen says gently "I have to go see to some folks, but I Hope you visit, and I may have a few kids here visit you. You should get to know them.. one day you might..." She almsot says lead them, but then says "Well, Shadowpaw clan might need new recruits"

"Hup." He says, to Nadeen, and then bows to her, a proper little Squire.

She inclines her head

He has as well, a book in his hands, now that the basket of food is gone. Nadeen may recognize it... it was buried in that box of keepsakes way in the back storage.

"I like Marvel movies, so sure."

And Gerd takes Sylvi "Shadowpaw troll surprise tackle!" And Both vanish!

"Whoop!" Sylvi's voice echoes after her as they vanish.

"Alright, Shortstack. Is there stuff you need to do, or do you want to get ready to road trip?"

"Enjoy your book" The baroness says when she sees what it is

He nods! "He gave it to me. AND I got pancakes."

Phrased as though both were equal delights, though he is very very VERY careful with how he packs the book into the sidecar.

"mm knowing Marigold, Gerd got packed with a lot more than pancakes. Did you say good bye to your father? If not, it might be nice to give him one?"

"A good bye, not a pancake"

"He got a goodbye." He says, nodding solemnly. "AND a pancakes. Miss Mary-gold MADE him." He looks tickled. "She said she'd feed it TO him if he didn't sit down and stop fussing!"

VERY amused at the scolding that the Baron apparently took.