#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Selkies in the Carribbean?"

Mister Elias Aberdeen raises a brow. "Of course. There is unlikely to be a welcoming saltwater port on the planet that hasn't met one or two over the decades. Mmm, this 'Redfin' though. That rings a bell."

Fledge Artie is made to wait, quite torturously, as the elderly Sluagh checks first one, then another reference, and then even leaves the room to make a few "inquiries".

The clock ticks, and he doesn't even have a book to read. It is a sublime exercise in patience.

Madern walks in carrying something "Found just the sort of thing you were looking for, Mister Aberdeen. Where would you like it put?"

He shows it to the sluagh to make sure it's okay

The piskey doesn't seem to notice the sidhe, which is an odd turn of how it is elsewhere

Elias is deep in the middle of a number of documents, but looks up at the Piskey's entrance. His lined face cracks into a small smile.

"Excellent. I trust it wasn't difficult to acquire?"

"Nah" He says "didn't even break when it fell off the truck" Piskies will tell you they don't steal. However, they might borrow something that was seized by a bank from folks drowning in debt after the bank had paid for it

"Very well. I am quite pleased." He does not, pointedly, as for provenance or specifics. "It will make an admirable gift for young Lizbet's Togail."

Art winces a bit in his seat, at some internal thought.

"Hope she has a great one, sir" Then he sees Art "Hey, Art. What's up? Oh man I intruded didn't I?"

"Nope, I'm just waiting." Art says.

A brow raises from Elias, and Art adds quickly in a meek tone, "Quite comfortably, no rush, none at all. I am much obliged to you for this, Mister Aberdeen."

To Maddern, in a hushed tone, "The Historian is helping me look up some fae records. It's taking some time, he had to requisition... I think... records from someone? But I think we have a lead or two to help Thistle."

"Oh" Madern nods , he's kind of behind the others but even he's heard of the baby missing. Dee was NOT quiet at the hold about it. Outraged in fact. "That's nice of you, Art. YOu're a good guy. Frankly the whole story is creepy"

Elias remarks, in his soft, dry tone, like old paper rustling, "It would have helped if we had clearer intel. "Red Fin"? Nearly Red Herring, if you ask me." He adjusts his reading glasses. "And you DID ask me, after all."

Art blinks. "What does that mean, please, sir?"

"It means that there is no man, or woman, for that matter, by that name." The sluagh closes the large volume with a soft thump.

"Shoot" Madern scratches his head

"There is, on the other hand, a... I'm not sure how they would refer to themselves. Tribe? No... Society, lineage - perhaps Clan. Of Selkies, who associate themselves with that title."

Maddern pats artie on the shoulder "A lead."

Art had slumped over in defeat, and now he straightens up again. "Excellent!"

"Nice. Any belief system or the like for them? I mean, society and lineage sounds a wee bit different"

He turns pages very slowly, agonizingly exact as he reviews.

"Clan, society, and lineage. Selkies can pass on their fae heritage to anyone, but they generally don't. It's very rare that a skin is shared outside of a family line. The redfin name appears to go back generations."

"Cool" he says

"I have a contact I could put you in touch with, on Montserrat."

Artie starts to thank him, but Elias holds up a hand.

"I can. I said. Not that I would. Information is not free, my lad. Surely you have learned this by now."

"Oh." Art says, and fidget a little. "I'm not sure what I have to offer, that you would need."

"I just brought in a phonograph, could I pay that towards Art's debt?" He winces, that's money he could have used but...heck, missing baby

A thin smile. "No. Admirable, but no. He must learn to pay his own way."

Art frowns a little, "Then.... what?"

Thin, skeletal fingers steeple together. "I will grant you the knowledge you seek, for a future boon. Once sained, let us say. To be called in at my desire or whim, and because I am grown kindly in my own age, not to exceed the value of that which I will provide."

"Careful, Art, that sounds awful cart blanche" Madern whispers to the side, then realizes "Of course, I shouldn't whisper' He says still whispering "He can hear this too. Might want to put in a proviso regardless"

Art frowns a little, listening, but sticks out his hand anyways. "It's a deal." Elias reaches out before Art can change his mind, and gives his hand a shake. The frail-looking fingers are surprisingly firm in grip, and glamour flows. "It is a deal, yes." The Historian says, and then turns back to his desk. "If you will excuse me now, I have calls to make."

He does give Madern the agreed upon payment for the gift he has acquired. "Along with my sincere gratitude. It is a pleasure doing business with you. Both of you."

Art looks to Madern, and says quietly, "This agreement is between Mister Aberdeen and me. Please allow us to keep it that way."

Marden blinks as the glamour flows, then looks at Art, then looks back at Mister Aberdeen, and takes the payment "You have a nice day, sir." He pulls Art along

"oof"

And once they're outside, "Dude. Did no one tell you about making bargains without THINKING about it?"

Art looks offended. "I did think about it. It was my decision to make. Moreover, the boon will not come up for collection until after I am Sained, so it will not affect our current lieges, either."

"I suppose... but from what I hear you may not get sained for awhile at this rate" A concerned look "Given the Baroness bias against sluagh. "

"I knew coming in that there would be a cost for the information. The sluagh actually provided me with quite a bit for free before offering to make a contact. That may be invaluable."

A small smile. "Then I hope Mister Aberdeen is prepared to wait."

"I mean, I don't have a problem with them, they'rek ithian like us, but ... sshe might be .. oh. I see" A look "Dude. that's an interesting tactic, not a wise one, but an interesting one. Does Thistle know you're going this far for her?"

He pauses, and asks, in an odd tone, "Are you saying, before - 'given the baroness's bias'... that you plan on telling her of my arrangement?"

"Well, you asked me not to" A sigh

Art looks relieved, and smiles. "Nor Thistle, please. To answer your question - does it matter? She is my boon companion, and closest friend. What is a boon, compared to that bond?"

"Because once I gave an Eiluned a boon, and I ended up betraying a bond because I had to. Our debts can hurt others we care about, or be made to. "Madern shrugs "I won't tell. Well, unless Thane Danica puts my face on fire again. Geez not sure I could hold out to that"

"Puts your... face on fire?"

BLINK

"Well, not quite.." And he relates what happened "All because I was sneaking around, snatching food ,and acting mysterious on teh roof. I ask you, is that fair?"

"So she BURNT your FACE?"

"OH."

"Well, if you're wise enough to be wary of Eilunid boons, you should also be wise enough to avoid Ailil ire. Sounds like you got off light."

"No I got off LIT." He explains

Art takes a moment to follow, but then laughs.

A grin "Okay. I know you have to help Thistle, but later if you want to hang sometime?"

"Sure. After all, I'm going to have nothing but time on my hands if I'm not getting sained for another year. Then again..." He sighs, "I should use that time in solemn contemplation and study, thus to better prepare for my eventual Fior."

"I thought Fiors were like big SCA events for sidhe where you had to duel a lot to prove yourself, and maybe do a fashio nshow?" He is not as familiar with FIor

"A Fior is a challenge, a trial by Ordeal. Specifically, a Fior-Righ is the Trial Of Kings. It is the tradition of Nobility to test a fledge before they are sained, to prove us worthy of our True Name, to give honor to the challenger, and weed out those unworthy of being inducted to the court.

The details are quite secret, you know. It is a matter of Sidhe pride and honor, and only attended by Nobility. All I can truly expect is that I will be tested to the standards of my fostering Houses, which are Ailil and Varich. A Fion might have a trial of Fashion, I suppose. I doubt that would come into play here. Though, should I fail, I do have the option to supplicate to another Noble for another chance if I don't want to wait a full year and a day again."