#anywhere

As they drive home, she calls the Baron

"Baron? " She says either to him or the voice mail "This is Lavender. My lord, would you be able to find a mortal child with a picture on a cellphone? With tattle tale?"

The Baron did answer, but is quiet for a moment, considering.

"To utilize Tattletale, one must be working with an item you have encounted in the past, or know the true name of. An image would not suffice, no. To that end, even if you did know the target's true name or have sufficient knowledge of their character to attempt such a thing - to find them? No promise, not unless they were standing betwixt a road sign and a national monument. Dame, please explain yourself."

"If someone has gone lost, the most simple solution is a Seer's wisp."

"I see. who has that? Pardon Lord"

"I do not appreciate guessing games."

"Oh, sorry, my lord I.. I'm a little shaken. A baby has been stolen, the mortals unaware thanks to all witnesses being chicaneried. Janice the selkie has a child taken from her womb and all believeing her dead. "
\

"Janice dead?" Startled. "You had best return to the manor so we can have the entirety of the story."

The satyr feels the urge to fucking SCREAM

A DEEP Breath

"NO, lord, pardon, Baron. Janice is alive. Her daughter is alive, but STOLEN and believed dead by the mortals"

"I... see." His voice dry. "We will await your return for the entire story, then decide what action shall be appropriate. Has Thistle been informed?"

"No my lord, she has not. I apologize for my failure in saving her sibling"

"I will have her fetched. Report directly to me on your return."

"Yes, Baron. She was babysitting so there maybe a delay on her part I suspect"

"Do not tarry." He adds before the phone line is cut off, and the Baron rubs his temples for but a moment before turning and striding out into the hallway.

He sees Julius first. "Send for Fledge Thistle, immediately."

The satyr's brows raise, and he starts, "She's in the next town over-"

Lord Aiden's expression is unyielding. Julius has known him long enough, and smoothly changes his sentence to,

"I'll coordinate having her brought in immediately."

And, he does. With mental note to apologize later for co-opting her handmaiden, Miss Flo is promptly called up and sent to take over watch of the young kinain, and Thistle asked to return with all due haste.

Of course, such things take some time, even if a Dragon orders it.

Bluebell pulls into the drive just as Flo is leaving. The kinain maid waves to them as she drives away, back in the direction they just came from.

Lord Aiden is waiting to hear the full report.

Two grayer kithain enter in, Bluebell more faded still, but even Lavender's horns are smudged and her hooves less shiney. She kneels before the baron

He frowns, concern warring with his cold expression. "We shall discuss this by the Bale." Leading both there and seeing that both women are seated in the glow, before listening to the full story.

They go to the bale and she waits for permission to speak

He gestures. "Speak freely."

....

Some time later, after listening, questioning, and prizing out the details - with no little amount of Frustration on Bluebell's part, though she is given a bit of leeway- the Baron sits back and frowns deeply.

And Dee closes her eyes , and relates the tale. Praising Bluebell, and taking the bulk of blame for hte failure herself

He listens, and his frown deepens. "I see one major false omission with this story." Bluebell starts to protest, but he holds up a hand to still her speech.

"Dame Lavender, the timeline for your blame does not add up. The photo you forwarded over is damning to their tale of a babe lost at birth, but the nurse stated that the woman Janice was ready to go home. Hospital recovery time following a cesarean, without the blessing of magical healing, is at the very least several days. It is clear that the babe was long since taken by the time you were sent in. This is not a failing on your own. I make an allowance for your feelings on this matter, however I refuse to allow misplaced blame to rob me of my Knight's service."

"Yes my lord, sorry to pull a Gwen" She sighs "I do feel I was too long in deducing the possible link to Selkie Kinain being a factor. It was what bluebell said that made me think of it at all":

"My initial thought is that the babe may not be in any immediate danger - kin, taken by kin. I will seek an omen into this further. When Thistle arrives, we must ensure that she is informed, but prevent her from rushing off half-cocked. In fact, let it be known that I have ordered her to remain on premisces until I have finished my soothsay."

A thought, and, "I will also send for Fledge Arthur. I will have him attend my work."

"That will be all. Your quick thinking has provided clues that otherwise may have been lost. Rest for now."

"Yes, Baron." She rises and bows

He nods, and strides out. Soon, Marigold is fussing over them both with hot toddies and drinks. Bluebell has already dozed off, and soon, hopefully, Thistle will be brought.

(scene)