#baronyofthesilverwolf

Gladiola pulls Briar to the side, once they get home, "Briar. I have to talk to the Baron, maybe the Baroness. Do you want to talk to them first? "

"I ain't talkin' to no body." Stubborn scowl.

"Okay. Look, in the end, you fought to defend my dog and your fellow Silverwolfers. And you did hope to set those bastard ghasts up. I'll tell them that" Gwen looks at her "I want to say I'm sorry. I do that a lot. Something goes wrong for someone I care about and I try to take the blame somehow. But in this case, I wasn't there when you bit down on that trapper jerk's knee. D'Lavender may have mentioned it, she might not, but I can't know what goes on in other's heads. So I'm not going to make this about me. I'm trying to get over that. I am however gonna support you, you were one of the first folks to make make me step up my game when I came here. Remember that? Showed me not to be a rock skinned wimp? " She offers a fist bump

Briar considers this. She still looks a bit wary, but grunts, "Whatever." A reluctant fist bump, not meeting her gaze.

Danica waits nearby, after several tense, private phone calls and one conversation on a walkie talkie. "Briar - shower, or hose?" Neither is not an option, it seems.

Hose it is, and soon Briar is cleaner, if wet, and the three are heading in to meet with the Baron and Baroness.

Briar mutters, "Hate going in when they're all on their business - sittin' there and watching you like yer on trial. Can't they talk outside like a normal person?"

"You answered it yourself" The knight says to Briar, "What sidhe noble ever wants to be thought of as 'a normal person'?"

A snort.

Gladiola has taken time to clean off a bit herself, armor and weapons clean at least.

Aiden and Nadeen are in one of their offices. There are papers nearby, but they appear untouched, a pen still capped. Aiden's collar is loosened and his hair is ruffled.

Nadeen touches her own hair, smoothing it into place

And when there is a knock at the door, suddenly the last of a kertle laces up and the Baroness says "Enter." Very calmly

Aiden looks both pleased with himself, and mildly annoyed, it's hard to have both those expressions at once, but a sidhe manages it.

His phone is not out - quite possibly left in another room, or a drawer, or not even charged at all.

Gladiola enters with the others, and bows "My lieges, it has been a most eventful evening. I am here to report upon it . As I was told I have left Chastisment, or it's lack, to your domain as is proper."

Nadeen looks to her consort at that bit about Chastisement

Aiden's brows raise a little, and he gestures for them to speak.

Danica stands like a statue, hands loosely clasped behind her back, and speaks up before Gwen can continue further. She is smooth enough to frame the interject as a continuation of Gwen's report, rather than an interruption. "There was an altercation that involved 5 thallain conducting an orchestrated attack on Dame Gladiola as well as several other fae. They were soundly routed, with no survivors on their end and no casualties on ours. Cleanup is being conducted as we speak, with no mortals involved nor threat to the Escheat."

"I see," Nadeen says "That's an excellent ending for our side. Excellent job as always in seeing to the right of ignorance being secure, Thane." She looks at Gladiola "But how did this altercation come into being in the first place?"

Briar sullenly offers no explanation.

Aiden's hand drifts over to rest on the inside of Nadeen's arm, fingertips lightly stroking the soft skin there. He doesn't seem even completely conscious of it, just seeking her out without thought.

Gladiola straightens "I became aware of something odd going on , and begged the Baron's leave to attend to it. He allowed this with some proviso, and I began my investigation for one of our own, who was at the time missing. I had reason to fear that Thallian were possibly involved, given the history of them plaguing the area. I stumbled onto Thistle and she aided me in the tracking of said individual ... with a wisp! I had no idea she had such ability but it was essential. We came upon the indvididual , surrounded by Ghasts. THey were caught off guard, and fled. Said Individual was Briar. She had concocted a plan to use the ghasts to devour Mister Blaine, and remove a threat to us all. I don't think it would have worked, but in tthat regard she was trying to find a solution to a long lasting problem. Unfortunately, her plans cost her somewhat. I THEN reported for back up as I tried to get our group back home. No sooner than I had, when we were besieged by Boggies , Ghasts and I'm not sure what else. Birar leaped to Ivan's defense, while my dog is formidible, she helped him greatly. Arthur appeared, and lured the Thalllian away. Thane Dancia arrived, using light to pierce the darknesss and took to battle... I used a cantrip to slow Arthur's pursuoes and... I must say, Thistle was most decisive, RAMMING the police car into some Thallian and changing the tide of the fight "

Unlike Dancia, apparently Gladiola believes in the info Dump. It's said some Daireann CAN talk too much. Maybe there's some truth to that

Briar is giving Gwen a baffled side-eye. Or Maybe a stink-eye. She has both, it might be both.

Danica's expression is stolid, but there is a flicker of a wince as her car is mentioned.

Aiden looks... vaguely annoyed. Or rather, irritated.

Nadeen processes this

"I must say, The Fledges acted with amazing courage, they are well into 'Phase 2' and I see now I have been too looming a presence over them. Briar, as always, was fierce ,and the Thane an amazing fighter," Gladiola offers noting the vaguely annoyed look.

Nadeen looks to her co ruler "Darling, this is news to me, and most extrodinary"

"Thallain are, and always have been, and likely always will be, an undercurrent in any Barony. They are vermin - it's best to clear out nests when discovered, lest the tide turn in their favor and they start to get... ideas."

He gives Briar an appraising look, and then includes Gwen in that assessment as well. "I do not condone this half-baked plot involving the Autumn person, whom I recall was to be avoided at all cost." A hint of warning there, though it smooths as he continues, "However, as the threat was neutralized, even sloppily, I suppose I do not have any particular complaint. In the future, I would advise that any such antics be curtailed. One does not idly kick a hornet's nest."

"Yes, Baron" Gladiola says then looks to Briar "Briar, would you like to tell them anything of how you had to.. play along with the Ghasts?"

"No." A grunt. Well, she asked if she'd like to tell them anything.

"They're dead. Did you know if you rip out a beastie's tongue, it'll spray gore like a f-ckin' fountain?"

The Baroness nods "yes, I did. Briar, you've been aloof and even hostile to us of late in attitude. It has been noticed. This is beyond your usual natural fiestieness. Thallian are an unhealthy, even madness inducing influence on anyone, even fellow Kithain, and the the fact you have spent time with them has me concerned. "

"Well, they're dead now, so unless yer gonna kill me, I ain't like to spend no more time, am I?"

The Varich looks to Gladiola, then to Briar, then back again

Gladiola tries not to squirm

"I sense, there is more to a story here" The Varich steeples her fingers, "Dame Gladiola, Briar, as my Lord seems satisfied with your telling, we need not continue this particular meeting tonight. However, I will have more questions later, for you both. I'll talk to each of you in the morning. Briar, stay away from Thallian however noble your cause. "

"Yeah, whatever." She mutters. Danica clears her throat, a warning in the rumble there. "I mean. Yeah, Lady."

"Good" A bit crisply there from the Baroness at the near insult, then to Dame Gladiola "You say the Fledges aquitted themselves bravely?" A look to the Thane, "Do you concur, Thane?"

"Thistle showed ingenuity and adaptability in a time of crisis, which is to be expected and lauded of her kith, though I would have preferred use of other tools. Art was headstrong and foolhardy, but his timing was impeccable."

At the impeccable timing, Nadeen looks to her Ailil "My dragon, Art shows 'timing' once again"

"Perhaps he is favored by da'an. Or a tool of fate." Aiden considers. "Both are to be approached with caution."

Dame Gladiola says "He's had visions before. " Then rrealizes she spoke out of turn "Your pardon, Baron, Baroness. But they seem to recur with him"

Nadeen nods, then looks to the Thane "The vehicle was damaged? Would a donation from a local citizen of means to help repair it or buy a new one be amiss?"

"No ma'am. Lady." Danica bows slightly. "Nothing that won't buff off. Begging your pardon, but the less your names stay out of the public record, the less song and dance on my end."

Aiden nods approvingly.

"Yes. It is best to avoid potential trouble rather than seeking it out." A pointed glance towards Briar... which is likely lost on her.

"Noted and thank you for your counsel, Thane." The Baroness says seeing her point

"When you are a Wilder, you may go seeking all the danger and adventure your wish, on the road or along the trodways, outside of Silverwolf. While you are here, however, I will appreciate that you do not bring the wolves, as they were, to our door."

Briar blinks, puzzling through this. Aiden sighs, and leaning forward, says sternly, "I do not want to hear of you seeking trouble again. If it comes to you, then deal with it as you must. But until then, enjoy the privileges that you have been granted, and know that they may be taken away."

Dame Gladiola winces a bit at that

Briar swallows her grimace, eyes locked on a spot on the floor. "Yeah, Lord."

Baroness Nadeen decides to play good cop and says "Know however, Briar your courage in the fight mentioned by Dame Gladiola was noted as well. It is because you are such a fine example of Silver Wolf's living fangs that we have such high expectations of you. You are savage and proud, Briar; one day you will be amazing, it's our hope to guide you there. You are no pet of Silverwolf, you are a pack member and your howl carries far." Then she looks to the Baron "But my Dragon's words for he runs this pack, well, he and I. "