#baronyofthesilverwolf

Julius is a good steward, and he has a clever manner of approaching things in an explanatory way that clarifies without inferring that the listener may not have been aware. Nadeen may be a powerful Mistress of the Fae of Olde, but in this life she is rather new to the duties of Baroness, and to Silverwolf, but he manages to provide information in a helpful manner.

"It's become clear to us that one of the local childlings is ready for her Togail. Generally, but not always, the Wilderday ceremony would be handled at the freehold of the local lord, that being, Silverwolf. However, in this situation, it looks as though the plan will be for a smaller celebration held outside of the Manor."

She feels a tad snubbed, "I see. Why aren't we offering to hold it at the manor? And who is this child?"

"Pardon, who is this wilder to be?"

"It is your call, of course, if you wish to extend the invitation, but with the caveat that doing so will generally entail the promise of a boon of choice to be granted to the new wilder. It is, or rather she is, Miss Lizbet, a sluagh childling, niece of our town Historian."

"of course" Nadeen sighs "I see why it was outside. My House and her kith have been at a very cold war for generations. We Varich are thought of as bigots towards them, and there's some truth to that as we are biased. They often work against us, and their very culture offends. We're part of the land, we enjoy our privacy and they worm in, wiggle about and violate all since of knocking first while insisting on hypocritical manners first."

Nadeen ponders "That said, I am supposed to rule ALL the kithain here, not just the ones I like. What do you think, Julius? I give you leave to speak your mind. I need some of that 'satyr wisdom' born of greek philosophers" a pause "I want to be a good ruler. Maybe it's for pride's sake more than honor, I don't know, but I want my people to prosper"

"There are a few elements to take into account. First, would Lizbet be more comfortable elsewhere? Second, would you be comfortable with the possibility of being requested a Boon from a sluagh? While of course that is an if, if it did occur, you could choose to deny it, but that would reflect poorly to many." A pause, and he adds, "If I may offer my suggested course?"

"Please do, and I'll not hold it against you, I did quite litterally ask for it"

He considers, tapping a hoof.

"I would extend an invitation to Lizbet that her togail may be held at Silverwolf Manor, if she wishes it. The invitation may be from both yourself and Lord Aiden, which would be fine and appropriate. If she chose not to, then that would be her right. Either way, a boon should be offered, but this needn't come from you, it could be extended by the Lord himself, and neatly forgo any chance that it might be something discomforting for you.

Now, the other option would be that you could make a point to extend this PERSONALLY - which may be viewed as an olive branch, if not for House Varich, at least from Baroness Nadeen ap Varich, to this one little girl on her special day. Then again, it may be seen as a trap, I can't tell you how kids minds work, not normal kids, let alone sluagh."

"I'd probably send her into a panic" a sigh then "But I had actually considered the last. This could be a good chance for me to show that while I do not like slaugh, I recongize they are equally entitled to the rights of any changeling. You think the first option is better though?"

"Honestly, either has it's pros and cons. The biggest part I'd say is extending the offer of hosting. Else she might take it for granted that she's unwelcome."

A pause, then he says, carefully neutral, "Though if you wish to retain that aspect, that would be your prerogative." Allowing that perhaps Nadeen DOESN'T want Sluagh to feel welcome there.

She does not, but what she wants, and what's best for the hold is another matter "Yes, a welcome for an event does not give carte blanche to come back anytime. That said, even sluagh have the right to redress" Yes, Julius may noticed the 'even sluagh' slips out innocently enough. It would appear Nadeen thinks this is incredibly open minded, and perhaps by Varich standards it is "I don't suppose I could pull a malificent, crash their togail and offer a boon , I could bring a loom and spindle along with me"

"I think you could." He says, perhaps to her surprise. "If you extended an offer of hosting and were declined, it would not be untoward to attend anyways. As the local liege, it is perhaps even your Right to do so, to welcome the newest wilder on their Gailday."

"Now you're appealing to my seldom indulged sense of the theatrical" She cautions him but also warms to the idea

"Consider, it gives Lizbet the comfort of being on her own turf, yet allows you presence and reaffirmation that you are not shunning even the least of your subjects."

"That is fair. Of course they might surprise us and accept. Of course, there will be other sluagh.. oh damn" SHe fusses "The thanes will have a conniption if I go there alone won't they?"

A simple raised brow. "Do you expect an assassination attempt at a childling's party?"

"Well, Dame Gladiola is acquainted with Lizbet and may be expected to be invited, if that might be protection enough. Otherwise, it would not be amiss to bring an accompanying guard, if not an entire squadron, which may appear to be a declaration of war or invasion."

"A childling who may have older sluagh there? Oh yes, Varich have vanished such things" She says matter of factly They don't know, do they? mmmph. They really think all Sluagh are academics

"But I have Pyshka, and yes...Dame Gladiola might be a comfort both ways. " A frown "Of course I may have to deal with this infestation of coma causing chimera first"

"You may wish to find out the venue first, before deciding on entourage. Dogs are not welcome everywhere. Also... though we know Pyschka to be of a guardian breed, her presence may evoke memories of those Varich who do retain hunting hounds."

Again, very politically deft in phrasing.

She notes this, and nods, as much to thank him for his care with her pride as agree "A fair point. I tell you though, every sidhe woman I know of unseelie bent has secretly rooted for Malificent, long before the newer movies" A smile then more soberly "Nevertheless, I don't think I can afford not to send the invitation and offer while also offering to visit there instead. The illusion of choice should be mannerly enough to placate them . Either way I cannot hide from the sluagh society here, nor can I come at them with lash and snarls. Boundaries maybe needed, but ignorance on both parts won't help"

He nods. "I'll have the invitation drawn up for your signature and seal... unless you'd prefer, I can sign as scribe, and use Silverwolf's seal." The new one with the Wolf and Golden Star, finally the replacement seals arrived.

"The new Seal, oh my. Which ever you decide is best Julius. "

"I'll write it up for approval, and then add the seal." He nods. Not certain if much dark magic can be done with a simple signature, but who knows with Sluagh?

Soon he has the invitation, dictated per Nadeen's instructions. "How's that sound?"

Congratulations to you on this, the cusp of your Togail! Silverwolf Barony does thus cordially extend invitation to Miss Lizbet to host your Wilder-day Celebration at Silverwolf Manor, along with any guests you may choose to invite. Should you desire alternate accomodations, the Baroness Nadeen Dancingsnow has thus decreed that invoices within generous reason may be forwarded to the Barony accounts, and will attend to witness this happy day as well as gift a boon as is customary.

Dictated by Bss Dancingsnow, by my hand, J.G., Stwd

As she looks it over, he readies the wax.

"I think I'm going to want anti toxins" She says dryling then "Any guests seems like it could be a rather large number"

He considers, and rephrases as "Intimate gathering of family and peers."

"Then again, most sluagh don't have the most extensive social circles. Not that they wish to be known publicly, that is."

"Oh go back to the any guests" She waves "Peers isn't any better when I think about EVERY Sluagh showing up"

An amused sound, and he scratches, and adjusts the parchment.

"I think that will be fine. She may be terrified, but I tried."

Julius considers, "If she does choose to host with us, requesting a guest list in advance would not be out of order."

A brow then "That is..very tempting. How about this, if she shows up, guests will be asked to sign the guest book as they might at a wedding or funeral. Anyone who acts suspicious and is not on that list has only themselves to blame if they recieve greater scruitney, and yet when it is done, we hand it over to her as a momento. I'll get a nice antique one if I can find it. Maybe one that is used for fifty year old funeral but hten repurposed?"

He smiles. "I think we can manage that."

"Thank you, Julius. And thank you for understanding my biases without open judgment, while at the same time helping me oppose them for the good of my barony. It's a narrowline for anyone's hooves to tread"

"All personal judgement comes from a place of personal experience or knowledge, and it is a Steward's job not to judge, but to serve to the best or our ability, within the scope of our Liege."

"Besides, how could Marigold be expected to prepare proper provisions without a kith-specific guest list? It's just sensible." He taps his nose, blows on the sealed letter to set the wax, and sets it with the outgoing mail.

"That's true, they must have suitable food" SHe says actually troubled "I will not have it said SIlver wolf leaves empty bellies and neither would Marigold"

"Don't worry. Between Mari and myself, we'll be sure to cover everything. Trust us, mm?"

"Coups have started with those words" A brow, then she laughs "I do trust you, both of you. ANd there is a danger to ruling so tihgtly one micro manages. Make sure Dame Gladiola is informed please. SHe is back from her camping I believe."

A nod. "Right-o! I'll go find her now." A door slams, "Sounds like Briar's home, by the by."

"Lovely" She rises "I'll meet with her. Dirk seems to have been an influence" A beat "Hopefully a good one"

"He was an influence on the good china, too." He says dryly, bows, and heads to find Gwen!

"I'M STARVING MARIGOLD! IS IT DINNER TIME?!" It's barely past four...

"Briar, I wish to talk to you" The baroness says

"Awwwwwwwwwww MAN." A grumble comes from the hallway.

"It involves a plan to kill things" She assures

"Bitchin! Smell you later, Horsebutt." Briar heads in the sound of Nadeen's voice.

"Actually, Blossom, come with her"

"What? I was good!" Blossom declares