#anywhere

"Oh dear. Well, perhaps that is the hold trying to draw in music."

"Mumble rap?" She makes a face "I suppose it's music. Maybe. I've had to hire out during some of the balls and parties here during the year while you were gone... you missed a lovely one with a star theme"

"Their Yule ball was impressive, but they did not do any autumn hunts. I missed Marigold's hand with wild game."

A small sigh at the astral party he missed.

"No Autumn Hunts? Oh Aiden would be bored silly there" Fondly "And yes, Marigold knows how to make the spoils of the hunt delightful. "

"About the masks, however? Perhaps Dark Gate will contribute dross, as this fellbeast threatens their lands, air, and folk as much as our own."

"Darkgate DO see themselves as protectors, mostly against the fell, but yes, this does threaten to them too"

"I am told that they have a resident magician, a satyr, who is quite skilled in cantrips, but not, obviously, Sovereign."

"Zane Wayburton, 'wizard'" Amused "I used to tease him for that. But damned if he didn't grow into it. It is his passion, magic."

"He is not the Mountain there, but he's on his path to sorcerhood"

"Lodges only appoint trolls to positions of power, I believe."

"As a rule, yes. It's a conversational situation, one that makes them vulnerable to political backlash. I must give credit for Rivervale expanding it's reach to non trolls in other areas"

"Tradition is a powerful force in it's own right. I do not blame them for keeping to what is known and familiar."

"Though, they run the risk of stagnating."

"They do, and yet, they have taken in a noble sidhe ward more than once. How many troll lodges could say the same? Have you heard of Goldfinch?"

He shakes his head.

"I may lean Seelie myself, by both House and nature, but a wise Baronial couple taught me the wisdom in Change and accepting and treasuring Winter as well as Summer."

"I feel that more fledges might benefit from cross-fostering with opposite aligned holds."

"Goldfinch is a small hold kindled in Rivervale Barony. A commoner mews run by our former resident in the area, Sylvi, by a democratic method mostly. I don't know if it's how I would do things, but it shows Rivervale is willing to experiment in outlets for political needs"

"Perhaps it is a political measure to show that other common kith are welcome in their Barony, whilst still ruling from under the Baronial thumb."

"Oh, if they're doing it right, yes" A nod

"Clever." He smiles.

"If done well, even if the common folk suspect, they may be grateful enough to let it go as though unnoticed."

"Oh, the cunning of them will try to build up it's powerbase. A risk, but you must always give folks a sense they CAN achieve some gain themselves. Now I believe in meritocracy, but I prefer to control the pipe line. Many Kiths make fine knights, for example, and they earn that, to the betterment of not just their station but the noble holds they swerve. Better than than a rag tag group of frustrated modernists forming their own milita"

"Though I am certain that the cause seems just to them, their fight is only harming both sides." Clearly no modernist here.

"Very possible, now there are sidhe who choose tyranny over leadership, and some complaints are legitimate, but there it behooves the machinations of the court to find a new and better lord to challenge the old, within reason" She explains

"That is why there are Sidhe who will rise against such and overthrow their tyrannical rule, teaching the common folk that justice will always reign. I seem to recall hearing a tale of that here."

The balefire pops and crackles contentedly.

"Well, Ambition is no crime if one doesn't let it turn one into a monster" Nadeen almost blushes "And, ironically, had I not had the tacit approval of some non sidhe here, I'd never have succeeded. Marigold read me well and early in fact"

"She is a keen one at that."

"Yes, sidhe pride is earned, hubris is the enemy of any leader though. Tricky line. " She looks thoughtful "It was not my intent to grow so ... emotional about the place"

"Is it so bad to have done so?" He asks, thoughtfully. "The Count offered me residence at County of the Diamond, if I were to serve as squire to... one of the county nobles. I turned down the offer... perhaps that was premature. It was a good offer, and one he said he would leave open... but I missed being here."

"There was a time I would have told you it was," She admits "We Varich are cold hearted, by a curse brought on by cruel deception. It is hard for us to always empathize . Yet we also value passion even over duty, at least many of our unseelie do. If an opportunity , an ambition, does not stir your passion, is it really a gain? I think now, after experience, it is not. My hold, my part of this rule, means MORE to me because I am passionate about it, and the people here, than it would even if I were a duchess ruling a duchy. "

"Passion before duty, am I right?" He says, with a small smile.

"For the Unseelie. But the Seelie Code might also push the same loyalty... after all, Honor includes loyalty to friends. Love Conquers all, and there is more than one sort of love. Why even Beauty is life ... I far prefer the beauty here than say some desert area"

"There is equal beauty in a winter's snowfall as there is in a sunlit garden. Different, but not lesser. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day, people remember, but forget that it goes on to, 'Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, and summer’s lease hath all too short a date.'

He smiles. "One might as well compare someone to a winter morn, the leaves of summer dried and torn, the buds of summer closed and cold, yet the flowers of frost so clear and bold?"

She may almost suspect him of flirting with her! Though, his gaze is not quite on her, but a little distant.

She's pleased, "Arthur, you've learned poetry quite well. Might I suggest you share some of that with Thistle?"

"I, uh." Bluescreen.

"I doubt she'd be interested." Bashful.

"Are you interested in her?"

Ear tips BURN, and his lips clamp tightly, gazing at his feet. "Uh, we were speaking of... dross. Dross, from Dark Gate? I could go, if you trust me to parlay the request..."

"You're a young man, you're allowed romance," She says not letting him off the hook yet"And faint heart neer won fair lady, Squire. I know you to be a gent, not an oaf. If rejected you will know some pain but it will build character. If you are accepted, then, well, who knows what strength can be found in such? I cannot order you to approach Thistle, or ANY other young lass... or lad for that matter, but I pray you, in this, cheating yourself of life's joys can lead to emptiness . "

His throat bobs with a swallow, and he can only manage a nod.

"Now, as for dross. Normally I let Thane Linae handle interaction with Darkgate. But if you wish, you may accompany here on her next trip"

"Oh. I'll speak to Linnea." He nods. "If I may take my leave?" A courteous bow.

"You may, and thank you for the coffee, the pastry, and the conversation" She nods

The squire even gathers the empty dishes and takes them with him when he goes.

After the door closes...

Crackle-pop-pop, the balefire says.