#anywhere

"well, thank goodness for small favors" Flopsy muters

"Thank you," she says to Nadeen. Then she gives Flopsy a look. "This wouldn't be an issue if you were with me and not out here trying to raid the carrots or whatever."

"i wasn't raiding..." He says offended "I was.. browsing"

Nadeen looks amused at that

"Mm-hm." Sylvi doesn't sound convinced. "Baroness, is there any chance Flo could provide us with some carrots for him? Ones that are fair game?"

"Absolutely. We offer food to all our guests, Flopsy. No need to 'browse' for it" She says and opens the door to say "Flo, a plate of carrots ,please"

"Yes, My liege" From inside

"Thank you," Flopssy says

"Thank you," Sylvi echoes. "Should we go back inside, or would you rather stay out here in the garden?"

"Your choice" she says "the garden is lovely, but it's cooler inside"

"Inside, then...." She follows Nadeen back in, keeping an eye on Flopsy to make sure there's no desperate last minute hawk attack.

None!

Nadeen says "i have missed you a bit, you know? ' A smile "I'm glad you moved up to holder, but... we have this trod to Rivervale and few use it"

She gives a sheepish grin. "I know. It's just been kind of busy, and when I do get up here, it's usually to see Colton, and then get right back to Goldfinch. You know you could come down to see us, too, right?"

"I have a barony to run, I mean, there's land and people attached to it. I'm supposed to do more than collect dross or hold fine dinners" She says "You're a holder, and don't 'rule' anyone and you're still busy" A reminder

"My point, exactly," she says with a wink. "However, you also have a baron who runs that barony with you."

"I love Aiden, " She confesses "I do. He's brilliant with animals, and he can inspire but I'm nore detail oriented... he's more let it flow"

"Which is why he also has a staff who were running things for him before you even arrived. BUT...it's a good thing you're here now. They needed you."

"The staff's reach only extends so far, but.. " A pleased look "Yes, yes they did." She looks about "it's a lovely town, with dangers to be sure, but the people really are lively, and there's so much I can do to shine this already precious stone into the gem of the Golden Sigil crown" She says using the duchy name of New York State

Sylvi chuckles a bit. "Not that you're proud of it, or anything."

"Obnoxiously inordinately proud" She says "Oh the ties to the land are so strong here. I can feel it in my bones, Sylvi. I Have cried with the rain and drifted with the snow flakes. '

A grin. "I'm so glad. I know you wanted a place to rule, but I'm so glad you also got a place to care about. And people to care about, too."

Nadeen tilts her head "You know, that is a very sentimental way to put it, but yes. It fits. I was looking for a place to rule, but I did one better by finding a place to care about. And I like to think they care about me too. Vanity I suppose, though in Marigold's case, I am sure of it. if she thought i was a threat to the hold when I came in, I'd have made no headway at all"

"Oh, guaranteed." She nods. "And if that had happened, you'd never have helped release Aiden from the whole Calanthe curse thing, and you two wouldn't be in love...overall, definitely a far worse outcome."

"Yes" She grows serious, not somber "Love is not ..normal for Varich, some say we never feel it in full but I do love him. It's a bit scary'

As if summoned by mention, a wild mourning dove perches on the windowsill for a moment, before fluttering back off to the garden.

A brow lift, "too soon for that anyway"

A glance at the dove, and then more quietly to Nadeen. "Yes, I was kind of surprised to hear you say it before. But to tell you the truth, figuring out that you love somebody, for real? It's a bit scary for everybody."

Then a blink. "Too soon for...what, exactly?"

"Calanthe's possible return. The mourning dove. Could be chance, could be Da'an giving me a warning"

"Oh! Oh, good grief, NO. Can't there be some kind of binding to keep her away? Let her go start a new life somewhere else? She can't be trusted here."

"There is a binding, it's called Right of Demense. As in I say "I order you off my lands, deese mines'" Dead pan delivery

"Ouch" Flopssy looks up from his carrots to comment

Sylvi was sipping her drink at that moment, so Nadeen very nearly managed to get a spit-take from her. Fortunately, she catches herself in time.

A wicked smile "So close"

She clears her throat. "Almost, almost." A grin, then she shakes her head. "Also, you did it again."

"Did what again?" She arches a brow

"I just got you started talking about you and Aiden, and you changed the subject. C'mon, Nadeen..." she says informally, as if they were back in high school together. "Girl talk."

"Oh you're more invasive than a boggan pooka combo" A grumlbe "I can't give him the oath of truehearts. He did for me, but I can't return it. I .. gave him the Varich Oath of challenge accepted" Cooly "If you laugh out loud at that i may never talk to you again"

Her eyes get wide, and she smiles, but doesn't laugh. "That's brilliant."

"But...it's not enough? I mean, the way you were looking at Bluebell's ring. Or more accurately, weren't looking at it."

"I thought we'd be married, to mortal eyes. You know? I am younger than him but rich people have done far worse and we're closer in age now, looks wise anyway" She does look more mature 'i thought there would be...well, of course, legal paperwork, practical that. I have access to his accounts etc. But I... " A sigh "A wedding, a marriage ceremony? A ring?" A hapless look "I feel ike a Fiona twit pouting about this"

"Let me guess, you haven't quite gotten around to talking to him about it?"

A lift of her chin and graceful turn of her neck "I am a baroness of House Varich. I don't beg"

Sylvi considers her a moment. "So...how does that challenge accepted oath thing go?" she says in a seeming non sequitur.

She shares it, cautiously... (And I can't find it right now, not the one she used)

"Why do you ask?" She says

"Sooooooo..." she considers a moment. "If somebody were to challenge you to talk to Aiden about how you feel about having a mortal marriage...and you accepted that challenge...it wouldn't be begging."

"Honestly, you're not going to see this as a compliment but with word games like that, I think you missed your calling as an Ailil kngiht' an amused look "I could arrange that by the way, with effort"

"Bite your tongue. Or have the baron bite it for you. Ailil knight? Ick. No offense."