#baronyofthesilverwolf

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Another Monday, and the week has already filled up for Nadeen. With Julius's help, she was able to cast a fairly wide net out to request donations and send invitation to the mortal charity auction.

Only a little over half of the inquiries she sent to mortal agencies regarding the auction are coming back with responses, and of the responses, only a quarter of them were confirmations. But, of the ones that confirmed, three quarters of those attending are also interested in providing a contribution to the auction.

Some, like the Baron himself, have family heirlooms that they find they can part with for a good cause. Others are finding this an opportunity to take advantage of free publicity, donating time or services from their businesses - a gift certificate for a deluxe couples massage, a 3 month pass for unlimited luxury car detailing, dinner for two along with wine pairing at an upscale bistro, among others.

A surprise hand in Bluebell is offered in sorting and managing the responses - the pooka proves a deft asset in helping decline the few donations that were inappropriate or unsuitable to the nature of the charity auction.

"Why, we would love to accept your set of custom minted Commemorative Trump 2020 Election coins, but wouldn't you know it, we already received three?"

Nadeen looks over gratefully at Bluebell at that, on her own call where she finds she must make her own choices "An Edsel?" She googles while she talks. A failed car? And failure made it a collectable "How amazing.. I'm sure you've worked hard to maintain it?"

It turns out that maintenance has become a hassle for the elderly lady who fancies that car, and her kids aren't interested in it either. "It was underappreciated when it launched, and underappreciated as the classic it is today. Oh, this younger generation." She sighs, and seems as happy for someone to talk to as she is interested in donating, and will talk Nadeen's ear off, if allowed... "These electric dealies, it's just not the same as a good American car... yadda yadda yadda..."

"Yes, Mrs Clutterbuck" Oh dear god, she married into that willingly "There's something to be said for a classic" She ponders, some of these sell for a good price, but are they respected? Well, some nocker might want it, or a Dougal "Your patriotic pride is increasingly rare, more is the pity"

"Patriotism isn't what it used to be." She clucks her tongue. "Back when I was a girl, my mother told me of how her generation fought to get the vote. It hurts my heart, dear, to see the flagrant - FLAGRANT disregard for the voting process. I tell you, it's a travesty. I might be 82 years old, but I still go out to support voting rights, the signs get heavier every year..." She goes on for a while, before finally wrapping up, "But I have to get to my appointment, Miss Brown, you're a sweet girl. I'm glad that you'll find a good home for my Edsel and for a good cause too."

"America's flame still lights the world, Mrs. Clutterbuck, and one day I hope to have a flame of my own, folks like you give me hope that anyone in this country can prosper"

"From your lips to the lord's ears, Miss Brown. God Bless!" The phone clicks off - an actual click, is she using a rotary?? One more line to check off as done on her sheet... but she's getting there.

"How's it going in here, ladies?" Julius is at the door with a fresh pot of tea and a plate of cookies. Bluebell's ears perk up happily at the intrusion.

"We have an Edsel" She says without context just to see the man's reaction

"That's great! Is it in mint condition? Some of those die-cast toys go for a few hundred, but in a charity auction it could bring more. Now, if it was played with extensively, that will affect the value I'm sure." He is grinning a bit goofily over towards Bluebell.

"No, a true Edsel, the car, not the toy. " She looks at the information taken "I think it's a mint color?"

"Oh, that's nice." He says, sliding the tray of treats - there's some correspondence on there too - over onto an open spot on a table.

Then he pauses, and peers over at Nadeen. "Wait, what was that?"

Amusement in her eyes. The love the couple expresses almost imoblizes them. she finds it adorable "We have an Edsel automobile"

He clears his throat a few times. "An Edsel. A Ford Edsel. A mint, original, Ford Edsel. And they're giving it up for charity auction?"

Nadeen looks at him, "Julius, I am surprised at you," She adopts a somewhat cheesy overly saccharine tone like a girl selling beauty products in the 1950s "We live in AMERICA. And golly," her eyes growing vapid, "In America if you just believe hard enough, you can do anything" Then her voice snaps to normal tone and her expression shows her intelligence again "Including listening to Mrs. Clutterbuck ramble on for.. good lord, over a half hour in step ford wife's meets red scare fashion about how great things used to be. I nodded a lot, and praised this great country and voting rights and I may have commented how Charlton Chew was the best invention since sliced bread which, of course, was also invented in America. And I got a car. A mint colored Edsel. It may not be mint condition but it's close. Is this a find?"

((Outside)) The Monday trod flickers and flares. Somebody approaches.

Two somebodies, in fact. After a moment, Baroness Coradel Truthbranch ap Fiona of EarthRunes steps forth, dressed in a crisp riding habit with crimson jacket. Following her comes a boggan carrying a large, flat item wrapped in brown paper.

Coradel looks at the item. "It came through unscathed, I hope, Gideon?"

Gideon says "Yes, Baroness"

"Excellent." She brushes her jacket smooth with her hands, and turns to face....

Julius starts to to tell Nadeen ALL ABOUT the classic car market, even as he rapidly Googles recent listings. The tea he brought may be replaced by champagne...

MEANWHILE:

The glamour ripples as they come through the trod that is set in an abandoned gas station along a quiet road on Silverwolf Lands.

A warning bark, followed by the sound of hoofbeats, as a silver and black steed approaches. Mounted on his back is a sidhe- his tack of silver and black speaks to his possible house, though his outfit is not that of nobility ready to hold court - rather, he is wearing somewhat worn, comfortable clothing to mortal eyes, and simple riding wear to Fae.

"Down, Fort." Lord Aiden speaks to the wolfhound, nearly half as tall as the horses, and he dismounts.

Coradel regards the new arrival curiously. A nod of acknowledgement. "Good morning. Are you the guard here?"

The boggan seeing the new sidhe bows his head

Coradel's gaze goes past the sidhe to admire the steed. Oh, my.

The horse SNORTS at that, and the sidhe reaches to stroke his nose. Reins left on the stallion's neck, he does not tie or harness the horse in place - seems that he trusts the steed to stay where it is and not wander.

"I suppose I am the guard today. Who might I have the pleasure of greeting?" Handsome, cooly polite - even if he has a bit of hay in his loosely tied back black hair.

She smiles. "I am Baroness Coradel Truthbranch ap Fiona of EarthRunes. With me, I bring my troubadour, Gideon," she indicates the boggan. "We bring an item requested by Baroness Nadeen at SilverWolf, and I have business with the baron there. Is it far?"

The boggan glances over at the interplay between them

The boggan will note that the sidhe bows his head in greeting, the appropriate amount for a Baroness. A small smile plays on his lips.

"Lady Coradel, Troubadour Gideon. Allow me to extend to you the greetings of Silverwolf Barony. It is not far, a short ride to the East. A slightly longer walk. It would be my pleasure to escort you."

"We brought no steeds, but I do not mind a bit of a walk. Can you manage with the burden, Gideon?"

"You're too kind, lord" Gideon replies, feeling he's missing something, "And yes, Baroness. I can. "

"That is a shame. The steeds of Earthrunes are known to rival nearly any other stable."

The flat rectangular package Gideon carries is almost as tall as the boggan himself, but seems to be very light.

Coradel smiles at the complement to her stable. " Nearly any other? I see. Though I must admit," she says as they walk, "your own mount is quite impressive. And I have heard much of SilverWolf's reputation for breeding from my huntmaster."

"Sir Sergei doesn't praise lightly" Gideon admits

"No, indeed," Coradel agrees.

"Yes, Sir Sergei is well known here. Better known to the Lady Chancellor. We've just received word from the two, in fact. They are finishing up their work - the wildfires are still a threat, but lesser, and more contained. I understand that they should be returning within the week."

He smiles as she compliments his horse. "Telperion is one of our finest stallions."

Said horse is following after them, without prompting.

"Ah, I had not received that news, but I shall be glad of their return!"

"Telperion seems to be aware of this," she replies, noting the horse's proud bearing.

"May I ask the nature of your visit? Lady Nadeen will surely be glad of the company and RSVP for her fete, but the Baron seldom entertains guests of your standing."

Then a slight pause in her step before she continues walking, and she gives the sidhe a second look before responding lightly. "Well, I could have sent along our donation without my accompaniment, of course, but I had a whim to come along. I also hope to inquire about an acquisition that the baron seems to have made from my barony, several years ago."

He looks somewhat puzzled. "From your barony, my lady?"

"Apparently, yes. Before I was baroness, of course."

"Ah, from the Baronial area, not the Barony itself, perhaps." He nods, and looks thoughtful. They approach the manor, coming up a side trail that leads into a long drive, through green lawn surrounded by foliage that fades back into surrounding forest.

It has the look of a grand mansion, perhaps in the style of a hunting lodge for the elite... sprawling and elegant, yet with a rustic charm.

"It's all one," she says as she makes an airy gesture.

"Oh, lovely. My compliments to your groundskeepers."

Gideon admires the hold "If it's not above my station to say so, I could see one finding a song in them easily in such a lovely place to inspire"

"I encourage you to go with that inspiration, Gideon. I'd like to hear the result, when it's ready,"

"It is, and it is not." He answers agreeably. "For we haven't had to pleasure of your acquaintance, as Kithain and Nobility, before more recent times. And not the pleasure of meeting in person, until today."

She gives the sidhe a side-long smile. "I suspect, lord, that I am not speaking to one who is simply a guard."