#baronyofthesilverwolf

He bows to her once more, and gestures towards the Manor. "Baroness Coradel, I welcome you to Silverwolf Manor. May you find welcome here to equal that which my people had enjoyed at your own hold."

Straightening, he offers her his hand. "Baron Aiden Lowell ap Ailil of SilverWolf, at your service.

She rests her hand in his and executes a graceful curtsey, laughing lightly. "Of course. Even the most generous lord would be hard put to provide such a fine stallion to any other than himself."

"I should chide you for attempting to play me for a fool."

The manor sprawls over the lands, with kennels and stables and mews hinted at in the distance, down trails and nearby. It is not so large as EarthRunes, quite, though still an extensive manor - and looks certainly less populated. It could easily support bustling activity, surely large enough - but seems to have a bit of a lonely feel to it - that it could be much more.

He gallantly kisses the air just above her hand, close enough that any watcher would swear he made contact, and yet, gentlemanly his lips do not quite touch her glove or hand.

"My lady, you had but to ask." He smiles - a touch amused, but neither calling her out or rubbing it in her face.

Gideon hmms testing tunes, not ready to sing but rather composing in his head

Movement at one of the windows, a sash thrown, and then elsewhere...

"Lady Nadeen, oh gracious! Come to the front hall at once, m'lady! There's a high Sidhe come calling, and the Lord himself her escort!" Flo is beside herself!

"Touche," she says, "or it could have been offered, unasked. But still, a pleasant jest."

Nadeen smooths her outfit, and looks herself over, she is not suited for high court, but she hopes this will do

"Please, come in. My steward can provide refreshment. I trust your travel was not overly troubled? We have not had issues on our trod of late, but there are always rumours." Aiden escorts her in.

"My thanks," Coradel accepts the escort easily. "And if there were troubles, we seem to have come through unscathed, so the must not have been much to mention." She admires the architecture as they enter.

They are greeted by a mortal retainer - kinain, dressed neatly in clean and proper garb for a handmaiden, and she sinks into a low curtsy, her voice a soft, polite murmur.

"Lord, Lady, the Baroness Nadeen will attend upon you in the east parlor, if that suits your lordships, and your servant may attend as well, with refreshment to be provided."

"Ah. Thank you, Flo."

Aiden says, perhaps a little nonplussed, but he plays it off well, as though he is waited upon every day in such fashion.

In the east parlor, Nadeen makes sure everything is set just so. Thank the Dreaming for Flo's help.

"That sounds lovely," Coradel responds almost automatically. She's quite used to such treatment.

Marigold has used her boggan speed to quickly set up the parlor to Nadeen's request, including refreshments, and whisks out of the way before they enter. Gideon may catch a glimpse of her, and she gives him a small wave - he knows that if he so wishes, he may join her for gossip in the servant's areas, Boggans have a silent language just as much as Trolls...

The Troubladour gives a subtle nod of gratitude, but he's carrying something and duty well

Coradel seems to pause as they enter the East Parlor, possibly waiting to be announced...?

And Gideon says "May I, your lordship? Your ladyship? I am no herald but if it doesn't insult whoever you have regularly to attend to such duties, I would be honored"

Aiden clearly is a bit dusty on courtly etiquette, but he recovers quickly. "I would be obliged."

A nod to Gideon, and a smile.

"Introducing the Baroness Coradel Truthbranch ap Fiona, ni Bannerhouse Truthbranch, beloved sovereign of Earth runes barony, Champion of the the Siege on Felll fall night, and lioness of Hawthorne Duchy"

He lacks the full gravitas of Innish, but there is passion and dignity in it

Coradel's eyes gleam as the words of praise ring out, and she wears the titles as a mantle as she steps forward into the parlor. "Baroness Nadeen." She pauses to offer a curtsey, then rises again to say, "You look lovely today."

"The Baroness is lovely every day she rests within my sight." Aiden says, seemingly without even thinking.

"And you, Baroness Coradel, look as lovely every day I suspect, for I remember you well from Parliment, you are no less stunning now" But Nadeen, flashes a pleased look at her lord, then curtseys to both "Please, sit, have repast"

"The Lady Nadeen Dancingsnow ap Varich, Reeve and Champion of SilverWolf, beloved of Lord Aiden, Apprentice Mistress of Hound and Hawk, Allied of River Vale, and acting Chancellor..." Flo speaks up, pride in her lady giving her bravery.

Coradel glances back slightly at the Baron, and then gives Nadeen an amused smile. "Your lord has quite the silver tongue, when inspired." She takes the seat indicated.

A bemused look at the kinain, and she nods at the somewhat awkwardly timed but heartfelt pronouncement.

A deep chuckle, "It would appear between my Baron and my handmaiden, I am besieged by praise- it would be a lie to say it did not please me. Thank you, Flo, please serve drinks when folks are ready"

Flo's cheeks go red at the look, and she ducks her head! Hopefully speaking out of turn will not get her scolded later, and she moves to serve, gracious but not offensively attentive.

"The Baroness, that is - Coradel - if I may dispense with some formality?" Aiden asks her.

Coradel nods permission.

Gideon has bowed a lot , with his package in keeping

Coradel catches Gideon's eye and makes a slight gesture to assure him that, yes, she will relieve him of that burden shortly.

"Coradel has brought what I believe to be an entry for your auction." He nods to Nadeen. "As well as some additional business we may attend to in time?" Clearly curious, but he bows in favor of his Lady to go first.

Gideon is also served, just as graciously, though after the sidhe.

"How generous," Nadeen smiles, "Coradel, I am incredibly curious now."

Coradel smiles to Aiden, then says, "Nadeen -- if I may? -- I hope you will not be offended by my unannounced arrival, but I wished to bring this directly to you, in response to your request. Gideon, please..." She beckons him to come forward and unwrap the item which is shaped in a way that suggests artwork of some sort.

When he does so, what is revealed is a painting:

"This is a Karel Appel. I've had it for couple of years now, but I'm ready to send it on its way. The title is 'Nude.' "

"Are you familiar with Karel Appel, Baroness? Baron?"

Aiden gazes at the painting for a time - judging by his decor, abstract and modern art is not quite his style.

"I am afraid I am not familiar, but the skill of the artist shines through, despite any such lack."

He does seem intrigued.

"Avant Garde, I think?"

"In my eyes, it takes the shape of a horse, and a rider..."

Apparently, this is an acceptable answer, as Coradel smiles. "Appel rejected all forms and structures as much as possible, and based his paintings on the lines of children's scribbles. He liked to say that he painted 'like a barbarian'," she adds, pleased by the idea.

Coradel regards the painting again, tilting her head a bit to see it as Aiden does, and does not seem to disagree. "For me, it is the riot of colors contained within the dark borders that initially appealed."

She looks to Nadeen again and nods. "That is one of the possible schools his work might inhabit. You know something of art?"