#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Sorry if I ever do that! I try not to put the whammy on."

"I know. I don't think you ever do it on purpose."

"Though... like.. you understand that you look less like old Arty every day, right?"

He blinks. Extending a hand, and turning it over, looking at it. There's no mirror handy... a glance at Thistle. "Is that... a bad thing? I know that you and he were companions." A little concerned.

She watches him.

"It's.. no. It's not a bad thing. You are you, you're not Arty. But that also means you don't need to accept the things that limited Arty, either."

"I... I hope Arty's happier, exploring the dreaming. He wasn't very happy here."

"I wonder if one can scry into the dreaming."

"Probably?"

"It might be harder, but somebody skilled?"

He sits back into one of the chairs. "Sometimes, I wish he was still here. I don't regret who I am, but the changeling way has it's benefits. He could help me navigate this autumn world with more grace and skill than I bungle through it."

"Well, that's why I'm here to help. Maybe that's why I was in the library that night."

He gives her a smile, reassured. "Yeah? I admit, you've helped me more than I can say. Or imagine being able to repay."

She shrugs. "Nothing to repay. We're friends, right?"

"Definitely! Best friends." Only friend, more like it, but he doesn't say that. Then, feels a little guilty at the thought. Gwen isn't BAD. They just don't connect the way he does with Thistle.

A grin. "Best friends. Now, let me show you how this audio setup works, in case you need to put him to bed..."

"Oh, yeah." He comes over, and they set to work!

*********

As scenes rudely shift, Nadeen does indeed go to find either her thanes or her co ruler...

She remembers how nice it was to say hello again to Aiden when she returned.

She finds Aiden and Linnea, and double-whammy, out in a training yard near one of the paddocks. Aiden has doffed his jacket and has the sleeves of his button-up shirt rolled up, and the collar loosened against the day's growing heat.

A bale of hay is the target, and he draws back, sights along the arrow, and looses.

/roll 5

He hits the target, though outside of the bullseye, and Linnea nods. She looks up, ever vigilent, and straightens to bow to Nadeen as she approaches. "My Lady."

"Ah, my Dragon is a hunter" Pleased then she looks to the Thane "Thane Linnea, I have you as well as my Baron here. Wonderful. I have plans I wished to share"

He lowers his bow and moves over to pickup a cloth to dab at his brow. "Yes, my love?"

"SOmetime in the next two weeks, I'll be escorting Thistle and Arthur to the New York Public Library so they can look into aiding Fornax. I might also head to a Broadway musical, do some shopping. Hope to fit it all in a day" She looks at her Ailil "If I can find a good Musical, would you like to go ?"

Linnea's eyes brighten a bit at the mention of 'musical'.

Then she straightens up, squaring her shoulders, remembering her duty.

The Varich notices this and looks at Linnae with a smile

Aiden considers this. "It has been some time since we have had a night out. That sounds like a delightful outing. I am glad that Thistle may be making use of the museum passes that we gifted for Yule. I had started to worry that it was not to her taste."

Linnea murmurs, "We will be sure to keep the manor well guarded in your absence."

"Wonderful" A look at Linnae "Linnae, would YOU like to accompany us? The two fledges seem to resent the idea of a baby sitter but I had noticed your interst when I mention a musical. And you would see to all our safety, not just the fledges. Or.. if you prefer, perhaps we could arrange two tickets for you on another night. You and. whomever" She does not name Chief Hewitt

Her cheeks color slightly, though she maintains a neutral demeanor. "As my lady wishes, I would be happy to accompany you as guardian. Though, ah. I would certainly not decline an offer of tickets as well..."

Aiden raises a brow, and then chuckles softly. "Perhaps both, if you are certain you can remain focused on both duty rather than just the stage."
She colors again for another reason, and quickly responds, "I would never-"

He holds up a hand, and smiles easily. "It was a jest, good thane. I know your worth."

"Indeed, it has been proven time and time again" Nadeen nods then a look to Aiden "Perhaps both. After all, we have certainly been generous of late." Amused "Bluebell and Julius could testify to that"

Linnea smiles. "Bluebell mentioned your generosity, as she was showing off her ring. I could barely believe it - I thought they would never wed. Santorini - the white homes on the sea cliffs - it looked a lovely destination."

Aiden tilts his head, puzzled. "I received some photographs as well, but it was not Greece. They sent me a wilderness retreat, in the mountains..."

"Montana, I believe, some resort that advertised... what was the term. Glamping?"

"Oh dear.. and I saw Alaska. Whaling ships" a shake of her head "Clearly this one will be a veritable tangle to figure out in full. Either they went many of these spots.. possible, or they have fooled us for fun, but the marriage? THAT is real. And what matters. "

"Whaling ships?" Aiden looks surprised. "I'd have thought Bluebell too tender hearted for such endeavors."

"Pardon, whale WATCHING Ships" She says

"Ah, that seems more likely. Though I wonder if Bluebell would mind if she knew of the uses for precious ambergris..." He muses, perhaps not aware that mortals scarcely hunt whales this day and age.

"Perhaps along the shore one might find such a treasure" Her own eyes grow distant. A vague memory of a perfume adorning her sheets in another world that was then she shakes her head "Perhaps I'll ask Lady Captain Siv if she knows of any. Regardless, I am happy for them."

Aiden gazes at her quietly for a time.

Linnea discretely averts her gaze

Nadeen meets her Ailil's gaze, then says "Well, you know of my plans now . I'll finalilze them. How fare things here with others of the hold? After Wudlig told me of our fleges growing resentment with 'babysitters' it occured to me I may have missed more in my abscence than I thought. "

He gathers her hands and presses them as one to his lips. "You are here now. Fledges - and wilders - rebel, it is part of who and what they are. That we are unseelie invites change and chaos. All will be well."

"Mmph. Well, I fear Dame Gladiola is burning out her welcome with her fellow wilders. Briar was showing signs of frustration before I left. And frankly, our Thanes would not complain if I set them on fire" A look to Linnae at that 'Or so I suspect"

"As you wish, Lady." Linnea says, droll. "Shall I fetch marshmallows?"

Aiden considers. "Briar is a childling yet, I did not think her close to togail for another year or two. I wonder what is bothering her. Does she chafe at restrictions? She has been given much free reign, to tutor as she wishes, more or less, with the DeBukes rather than a mortal school, to train with the hounds, and to hunt on our grounds..."