#anywhere

Nadeen sighs, her coffee cup empty.

The fire pops in announcement, a flicker of a wavering purple star coming to Nadeen's mind's eye even before soft footsteps and a knock.

"Enter" Nadeen says

The door is carefully cracked and pushed open with his hip, as Art carries a plate with a pastry - looks like a pistachio blackberry croissant, fresh this morning - and a mug of coffee. "Am I interrupting, Baroness?"

The baroness looks more flush than she did with glamour before, but not yet at peak, "No, Squire. I was merely... taking a moment of recovery. " She eyes the coffee mug and pastry "is this for me?"

"That was the plan. Unless you'd prefer something else? I came from the kitchen." Stepping over and setting the plate on a side table in her reach. An appraising look, "Is all well?"

She says "Very kind of you. And all is as well as can be, Squire Arthur," Nadeen says "I have warded what areas I can against pollution alone, areas with childlings, and the very elderly kithain. The smoke cannot breach those, but it costs. As an Unseelie, I would say glamour is free, but cantrips? Cantrips cost. And as a ruler, I am the one who gets the bill." She takes the coffee and sips "Quite nice. Now how are you?"

"I am well... I thought to ask you for assistance with some protective gear for Briar's hunt, but I do not want to put you out. Perhaps... I have plenty of glamour, if you could guide me through the cantrip?"

"One thing at a time" She holds up a hand "What's this protective gear you need?"

He brings out a box of masks. "The thought was that I - we, could use Dictum or warding to keep smoke and chemical contaminants out, since Briar and her crew will be face-to-face with the smog creature."

"For Thistle, I would add a welding mask with Oakenshield if Danica will oblige, as she has aspirations towards some... volatile potential solutions."

"Perhaps on all of the shirts Madern acquired, if it is not too big an ask." He muses.

"Mmm, we could get a welding mask from Darkgate, I'm sure. Willie might have one as well but I think she'd be skittish about sharing it" She ponders, "Weaver ward is rather advanced for Soveriegn, not sure you could achieve it even with my guidance. Shirts? First I heard of those. " She takes a slow sip "We'll need dross for all this. Best check with Julius for the reserves and see if he thinks we can spare them."

"I have glamour in reserve as well." Art volunteers. "Briar has not actually requested my presence on the hunt."

"She has not? Mmm, perhaps she fears as a sidhe you will assume command"

"Or she surmises that I am a liability rather than an asset in direct combat."

He does not seem to have hurt feelings on this.

"How was your combat training under the Count?"

"And, for that matter, Under Sir Vali, who I do believe visited you from time to time?"

"I am less likely to cut my own legs with the sword." He says, with a grin.

"However, I also recognize the boons of leading or guiding from the rear, and playing to each individuals advantages.

"Baron Aiden is not the greatest warrior here, but his tactical acumen is quite better than most know" Proudly "There's no shame in that"

"Count Harner has a lot of respect for our Lord, and what has been accomplished here. Though, he says that the past couple of years, the Barony has really started to shine."

Nadeen glows with pride as much as glamour at that

Silverswerve is not their Count, true, but it never hurts to be recognized.

"I am glad he recognizes our advances. Most flattering," she says "What arts have you advanced in most while there?"

"He mostly centered his attention on Soothsay, and how to weave the cantrips to work best with our own Beaumayn foresight. I hope to conquer Tattletale before the year is out. I am yet to gain much traction in the realms of affecting Mortals, but have grown better with props. He did not have a Namer at court, so I am yet to advance in those areas. He advised that I must seek the guidance of the Crystal Circle to truly learn the proper uses of that area of magic - and to avoid censure for using it unguided."

"Naming? Oh my" A breath "yes, that is a grave responsiblity, not that soothsay is for casual use. You are a deep lover of knowledge, Arthur. It does make sense that you'd be intrigued by such arts"

"The count was less than pleased that I could not share the source of my original knowledge with him. I told him it was knowledge I arrived knowing at his court, implying it was remembered. Which is not untrue, I had flashes of it before I even reached the isle of the Redfin. But perhaps not the whole truth. Though, he did not pry not threaten to force my tongue, for which I am grateful. I suppose there is much politically to be said for those who recognize that some secrets are held by every noble."

"The Selkies have a namer" A sigh "Trolls, now Selkies. It's no wonder the world is an uncertain place. And yes, every noble has their own secrets."

Though, Art has entrusted her with his. Or rather, theirs. A feather in her cap!

It is, "As for the Circle, one must be remember, every secret organiztion has their own agendas"

His eyes glitter. "But the knowledge..." He breathes. "Untold secrets to be revealed!"

"And THIS is why we thought you might be Eiluned" Wryly "Yes, the knowledge is both the prize and the bait. Becareful you don't end up a hook in your mouth and your new lore now used for someone else's purpose."

"Lore, or Lure?"

"Both" She says wryly "But yes, lore. If you learn more, but under someone else's control, who really has the knowledge? you or them?"

"Well, both. There is a price for all knowledge, and it is up to each to determine what cost is too high."

"That is a truth" She nods and is now eating the pastry, "Arthur. You are of Silverwolf, as long as you want to be. And I hope you want to be for a long time. You have been missed."

"Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." He recites, having no musical talent to speak of.

"Count Harner's troubadour is very fond of folk tunes."

At the word 'troubadour' she mmms

"They seemed slightly aghast that I had no formal musical training. Apparently that is an etiquette lacking in some circles. I did tell them of Bluebell's poetry recitations."

"Did you tell them of the dance lessons? "

His ears blush a bit scarlet. "I was able to perform adequately in waltz during the Beltaine Ball due to your teaching, Baroness. Dame Roisin ap Fiona said I was a credit to my teacher."

He blushes a bit darker red, and does not elaborate.

"Ap.. Fiona. Ah, well then. High praise"

He is very grateful that she doesn't pry further.

She does not. It is possible it was a dig, it is possible it was honest praise but involved an overture of favors. Either way best not to know. "Yes, I confess, while I'm grateful for Dame Lavender sometimes taking up music for us, we have been lacking in a professional musician far too long. "

"They scarcely have any vagrant chimera at the county seat." Art muses. "I almost missed the things. I mean there are chimera, of course, but not wandering ones like we have here."

"The Count's court jester is actually a chimera. I understand he once was the mascot of a baseball team, and when abandoned, the Count gave him a home at court lest he fade away."

"How sentimental. As for our chimera, well, Thistle's natural pull ensures it's quite lively. We had a rash of songbirds , lovely really, but all they did was mumble rap... hawks had to clear them up"