#bergen_county

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In a bit of a turnabout, rather than asking Nadeen to come attend upon himself at Silverwolf, Aiden has come to her. Or near enough without intruding directly into Gwydion territory, and requested her company.

The Rockleigh Equestrian Centre is a mere 15 minute drive from River Vale, and has horses for lease for trail rides. He waits for her there. Outside of his own manor and comfort zone, he wears more casual clothing - yet still fitting his normal style - trim-cut black jeans, a buttoned shirt and long black woolen coat. At the desk, he is speaking to one of the mortals to negotiate the rental.

She is with him and might have things a bit fancier than he, but still came in cold worthy clothes that one can walk in

Or ride in

A smile over to her. "It looks like they have a few horses available. I vouched for your riding level - I hope I did not overstep?" A touch of glamour on a page he had handed over apparently was all that was needed for the two to be shown to all of the available horses without further ado or worry.

"Thanks to the company I keep in two locations, I've become ... proficient" She blushes lightly

"Of that I had no doubt." He reassures. "It just occurred to me that I was speaking on your behalf." He inclines his head to her. "Thank you for coming out. I wanted...." A pause, and he continues. "Are you well? There is surely much that you'd had to take care of. I hope you are not overwhelmed, though with your network here, I would expect you have many hands to lighten the load."

"I am fortunate to have friends and allies" She says "But I confess, that first week or so after the loss was, very heavy. In fact, your own support was-" A look at him "It meant a lot"

He smiles at her, as they reach the stalls. "I realize that my hobbies may grow stale, not everyone has the desire to live, breathe, and ride to the extent that I do. I hope that sometime you may introduce me to something that is your own." Reaching for a set of reins, he looks over the gelding with a critical eye even as he speaks. "I would not wish you to think I merely enjoy company on my own exploits, and not your company as a joy in and of itself."

"I enjoy ice skating, I enjoy the ballet," Naddeen/Tanya looks at the horses "But I do like riding. I'm just not as good as others of the lodge. There is something very liberating in regards sharing the wind with a fine animal. " A look at him "And I ratther like your company as well, sir. I share in your delight with animals vicariously. It makes you happy and I.. I like that" She says "Do you skate on ice?"

The horses are soon saddled up. Pleasant, gentle-natured creatures - none of the feisty spirit of fae steeds here, but sweet rides ready to accommodate any visitors. "I did, when I was young. There is a pond that freezes over in town - in winter, folk would come out to skate. Around Christmas, they put up a tree and sometimes even do pageants or nativity plays... it's been many years since I've gone, though. I assume it is still a tradition..." A sigh. "I worry that I am too removed from my people. Our common folk, as well as dreamers and mortals. My people assure me that they are looked after... Danica and Bluebell, Calanthe and Julius... But is it enough?"

"I think you're a wonderful man , and it's a blessing for others to know you. I think maybe some folks you'd like in return, but you also are who you and like what you like. I do not think that you'll ever be a social butterfly," Nadeen says as they start the ride, her horse a sweet tempered thing going along, "but a few more interactions might not be too bad, in moderation. Nothing as... bombastic as Calanthe would have it be as a norm. Still, one needs now and then to check the pulse of a place for themselves."

"After my fledge found her eshu... it became clear to me the dangers of inattention. Assumptions made on the nature of travel, led to him being Forgotten. That was a failing, and something we must correct. If our people do not feel that they are... a part of the barony? Welcome, and included? There will be more losses. A liege must lead."

A small frown as Calanthe is mentioned. "My Chancellor tells me that it is not my fault, and I should not concern myself with the minutiae. But if it was a failing of my people - how can it be otherwise than a failing of my own?"

A frown Calanthe wants you to leave the power in her hands, I think, but how to say that? Then she says "I think you have reason to be concerned. If you see a rift hurtingg feelings it may matter little, if you see it hindering your ability to practice right of rescue, then that means the rift has gone too far. But, to your credit, itt appears Gwen was trained enough, even unsained yet, to rush to the rescue of your Eshu friend. If you take the blame for too much distance, then at least give yourself some credit for your training "

He nods, taking her words into account. "I appreciate that you listen. Often... I worry that what I am told is what I want to hear. It is a common issue with Ailil lords. No one wants to be the bearer of bad news to a Dragon. Or, they wish to spare me the worry?" He frowns. "A leader who is a burden..." He doesn't finish this train of thought, instead kicking his mount into a canter and heading a bit further down the trail for a bit.

"You are not a burden" She feels a fire rise up, "You may be under utilized atimes, but you are not a burden. You can be stubborn, and prickly, but most Ailil do not have the strength of will to admit they are wrong. Yet here you are, evaluating the chances of just that! You always say you are not the best example of your House. I say you are a fine example of a man, period, and when I have seen or heard of you leading, it has shown well on you. Gildas' folly? The seizing of the raiders? Your going into Bergen and you and your hold achieving quite a few victories?"

A touch startled at the firey response, and he looks at her in a new light. His lips curl in a smile. "Nadeen, you are... amazing. If I can live up to half of what you see in me..."

"Well, I... I do see it, Aidenn" She looks at him, "Do you truly wish my advice on your current situation?"

They come up to a clearing, and Aiden smoothly dismounts, offering her a hand. More than anything, he thinks. Aloud, "I would value it."

"Fine. You do need to interact with the commoners about your area more but in your own style and terms. If you try to turn Sivlerwolf into some grand saloon where anyone can walk in, drink wine, complain and scarf fancy cheeses you shall go mad with boredom. Have an open court now and then, but make it infrequent but known. Say once a week. In the mean time, get a reeve, or a bridge... to use the term Sylvi shall have, someone whose main task is to go charm the commoners, hear their complaints, and go to you with them to plead on their behalf or suggest how to aid them. And... you will not like what I say next but Calanthe is not suited to that. She is not likable, she is not sociable, and she is not empathic. Not with commoner kiths at least" A look at him "you need a partner who can be on your side yet look you in the eye and tell you what is real since you fear you hear only what they think you want. Find someone who will look you in the eye and says 'Baron, we have a problem' when there is a problem"

"Calanthe has done much for the Barony, and for me... she is sociable on her own terms, but... you are not wrong." He allows. "She is not approachable. Marigold would be a fine choice, but I rely on her too much elsewhere, and though she is still a force of nature, she is not as young as she once was, though you must never tell her I have said as much." Fondness evident. "She was steward when I was a fledge myself..."

He looks to Nadeen, searching. "Do you think that a sidhe noble could do well to relate to the common folk? Not Calanthe, no. But another who has lived and known the commoner ways, and can understand their needs and dreams?"

"Well yes," She says "As long as they're not devoid of empathy they almost have to be. It is a survival skill among other things," She explains "I've lived among mostly trolls and I assure you, they are far more nuanced than we give them credit for. We sometimes think 'oh here's a troll, give them something to protect and their good' but it's more than that. They need to feel import in who or what they serve and protect, other wise they'd be little different from rental cops of mortal type. Pooka are harder, They want to be understood but also enjoy confusing us. They're torn between a desire to rattle cages and ease your burdens. Boggans are very underestimated and they like it that way, but never assume their call to help those in need puts them in your power, they decide what the cure is and you may not like the taste of it. Nockers will NEVER be satisfied and trying to do that is a recipe for frustration, rather give them things that they enjoy to distract them from that frustration ... worst case, they shut up grousing at you, best case? they make wonders. now Piskies are easy to forget but.." A blush "Pardon, of course you know all this"

He nods, smiling - not offended by her telling him, rather enjoying her take on the kiths. "Then, will you tell me what you think of this?" Aiden offers over a printed pamphlet - actually, a real estate brochure.

She is surprised, then looks it over, riding slow

He rides alongside, letting his horse lead hers with practiced guidance. "I had thought at first to purchase this myself. A guesthouse, perhaps. But then I thought... if you were so inclined. Having one's OWN place, without any sense of obligation or feelings of being beholden..."

Nadeen reads, and her eyes widen "I..." her mind reels a bit

"You want me to.. move closer to you?" Cautiously "May I.. know why?" It's important

Aiden reaches for one of her hands. "Silverwolf needs for their leader to have a partner - ay my side, and yet able to look me in the eye. One who can relate to my people, and be there for them in ways I cannot. One who understands both the noble and the common viewpoint. We need you, Nadeen." And he takes the other hand, pressing them together in his own, and raising them to his lips. "And... I want you." He admits. "Perhaps I am greedy, to wish to steal you from Rivervale, and your people. But I am Ailil, and all know that dragons are greedy, prideful beasts. Help me return Silverwolf to a place we can all be proud of."

What's that stupid thumping sound? I can barely hear him... Realization Not now, you stupid chest muscle. I'm trying to focus!

She gazes into his eyes and squeezes his hand, "I am of equal rank, that.. would allow me perhaps an easier time of providing the honesty you need" A swallow "Yes your logic is sound" That thumping again. Oh you are pissing me off you 4 valved weak link And yet... her eyes get very large "You do know that we Varich can be equally territorial about places in our way. Once we have our light shining on something, we are loathe to give it up. You should be warned"

"Your light will make our hold shine all the brighter."

"Some will think I have designs upon your affection, my lord" She says

He inhales, and his breath catches for a moment in his throat... and a flicker of glamour - one might not have even noticed it, were they not close - so very close at the moment, mere inches apart. The Baron's eyes close, and it is faint, like a string snapping. Then reopen, seeking in Nadeen's face. "I am one of them. And I hope that they... we... I. Am right."

"You are right, and I share such designs on you too" She leans forward and kisses him. She will discover the source of this glamour ,she will free him! She believes it, as her heart clubs her logic and reason from behind and shoves it into the 'shush box'.

He hesitates only a moment, as something painful clenches in his chest... and loosens slightly. There is still a pang there, an ache... but it is lessoned, just a bit, at this moment. Aiden returns the kiss, soft and sweet, undemanding, and perhaps even shy.

Sweetness, softness, undemanding... even shy? All of these traits are not how one would describe an Ailil and yet she adores this dragon, her dragon? all the more for showing him this side of himself that he dare not show to others. She savors the sweetness, finding her own gentle nature exposed in return, and when they part she blushes "I.. hope you think me not too forward, but I have wanted for so long to do just that"

"I worry more that there are those who would see me as taking advantage of you, in your youth." He admits. A squeeze of her hands once more, and he moves away, a small distance, though. Not leaving her side. "Forward is good... I fear I have spent very, very long in one place."

"Some unseelie, I." A small smile. "It is long since time for embracing change."

"Change is good" She laughs softly taking her reins again.

A smile. "Indeed." And they ride, and discuss... possibilities.

(Ponies and hearts! err end scene)