#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Bluebell's wonderful" A nod "But hard to decipher"

"Gut, Axel" She repeats "How many languages do I need to learn to be a good kennel master?"

An amused look. "Languages are a hobby. I am not fluent, no. But training a hound to obey commands in a different language means that they will only listen to you. It is perhaps less necessary with Fae hounds, who are generally wise enough to know who they should and should not trust, but precaution costs little. ...I will teach you, if you wish."

"A few commands might be good to learn" She ponders "If we ever get a Chinnook I suppose I could use Native American words"

"Draft and sled dogs, are they not?" He ponders this. "If there are fae breeds, one may need to trade with the Nunnehi. If they were even willing to give one up."

"Official state dog of new Hampshire"

He looks thoughtful. "Perhaps for a future line." He rises, covered with dog hair, but he doesn't seem to mind other than a cursory brush at his pants that does little.

She rises too, "Yes, Baron. Should I tend to the dogs and pu them away or put them through some paces?"

"See if Ivan can keep pace with Glass, Axel and the other lightweight hounds, without overheating. It would be good to know if he can accompany on hunts, or would bring up the rear guard. Let me know how he does."

She nods "yes my lord" A look to Ivan "Come on, Ivan, it's make your mama proud time"

A nod, and he heads out, leaving Gwen to her practice.

And Gwen puts the dogs through their paces

...

Meanwhile, the Baron goes to seek Nadeen.

He finds her in her bedroom in the hold, at a desk writing "Enter" she says if there's a knock

"Nadeen." He says warmly as he steps into the doorway after knocking. Then, he frowns, a touch sheepish, realizing he's still coated with dog hair. "Pardon. I should freshen up before I shed upon your room."

She turns and beams "Aiden.. oh no need" Nadeen glides from her desk and puts arms about him "I know your profession."

He protests, "Your outfit..." But wraps his arms around her as well for an embrace. "I was speaking with Gwen. It's hard to believe it's nearly been a year since she came to us."

"She's a lot less drama than I was in my fledglng year" Nadeen gives a chuckle

"Oh? I can only imagine." Amused. "How DID you come to spend so much time at Rivervale? You said that Dame Dagmar was previously sworn to you - but why not take her with you to a proper noble hold?"

"Ah," she looks down at her feet, "You must understand, there are few nobles of Unseelie houses at the Autumnsbane Court. No known unseelie barons or baronesses rule any of his baronies and certainly none of any Unseelie House. You might find a knight or two but even there it's rare? So when I arrived, a Varich, a rare house in the area AND Unseelie, I was... directed to the Chieftain perhaps so I could not... well, I guess hatch any machinations?"

He lightly lifts her chin with a hand. "A Varich, yes. A great and noble house, once worshiped as gods, kings and queens who ruled Rossiya from castles of ice. A proud house, even if not everyone is able to see it as such."

Her chin rises and her eyes shimmer with old dreams, "We were one with the land, and felt every shift of the wind that howled over it , and felt every sun beam that touched it. The hearth spiris and wild spirts alike knew us and we them." The young woman strokes his cheek "Perhaps the Seelie sidhe there DID remember somewhat, and feared ? I don' know. That said, therre was much to be learned at the lodge. My house is not always an empathic one. Working with commoners and troll nobles did give me.. new insights, my Dragon"

"If fledging at a Gwydion hold made you the Sidhe that you are today, then I am grateful to them...." A pause, and deadpan, "Not that I would ever admit such a thing to them."

At that her simmering delight at his talking of old days, is intruded on by a rush of laughter

Soft and bell like

"Your secret is safe with me, my lord" Her eyes dance

He brightens as well at the sound of her laughter, and leads her to sit at her desk, pulling up an ottoman for himself. "Gwen mentioned to me that you had plans for an auction, but her details may have been a bit pooka-muddled. Tell me about this?"

"Oh. I was.. going to have it be a suprise of sorts, at least until I worked out more details"

"I was surprised." He admits. "While it is admirable to want to raise funds for the less fortunate in our community... Nadeen, I do not wish for you to sacrifice any of your own belongings. You brought so little with you here, and I can only imagine that they are reminders of your foster family, if mundane, or of precious previous lives, if treasure..."

Quietly earnest.

"You have given me so much, provided so much, it's nno trouble to.. gather a few things from my own devices and others for donationn"

"Allow me to make a donation as well. Shall this be an auction to the well-to-do of the mortal or fae of the area? Either way, we have much that can be spared." A small smile. "And the Tax write-off would not be inconsiderable either. Julius is quite skilled at manipulating the rules in our favor."

"Is he now? Mmm" She confides "MY thought that we should promote to the well to do, mortal or fae, I think Bluebell thouht we should make it more to changelings onnly in tiers. I can'be sure. Pooka are difficult to comprehend"

"It is not a bad suggestion. An early auction to the wealthy, and a later, exclusive auction. If nothing else, it may cause the mortals to think they are missing out, and reverse it next year, having them pay for entry to the later auction whilst simply reversing the time frame." He muses. "Assuming it goes well, that is, and you may wish to make it an annual event. Hosting a recurring charity event allows even more leeway."

"that's a ..devious twist," Nadeen looks at him admiringly

"What can I say? You bring out the best in me."

"Yes, weallthy first.. exclusive 'changeling but they don't know that' next" Nadden kisses him "And we flip next year as you suggest. And you, Aiden, have a lot of best to bring," Her fingers move along his shoulders

"Will you come look through some of our store rooms? I may not have much of an eye for what will attract the highest bidders. Marigold once told me that a jar I was using for mixing a tonic for colicy mares was an antique vase."

"Oh Aiden," she leans against him "Yet another reason you could use a woman such as myself by your side"

"The mare may have appreciated it. She recovered." He says, earnestly... it may take a moment for her to feel his chest shake slightly with laughter.

An eyeroll

But she chuckles too

"Shall we discuss the details over dinner? There is a bistro in Watertown that I believe you would like."

"Now for that" She smooths dog hairs off his outfit "We both need to change, but yes. I like that"

"As my lady wishes." He gives her a bow, though without lowering his gaze from her eyes.

Her own gaze grows warm and she curtseys, a touch of décollage on display , tasteful "She does, and she will dress in hopes of pleasing her lord"

"You would have to work hard to displease me, if you managed it at all, it would be a feat impressive in itself." He bandies back.

"Oh, then forgive my sloth, for I plan to save my energy for you in otherways. What time need I be ready by?"

"I shall pick you up at 8." He says, "If that suits."

Perhaps a jest there was well, for it is but a few steps from his bedchamber to hers.. (Though at times, it may seem much farther...)