#brightwindsbarony

August steps up and follows suit.

"Sorry, mom. I totally missed Thanksgiving."

Ladybird bounces about their feet. Life is good again! Sparrow is near!

"Forgiven." Coradel stands from the curtsy and tilts her head. "I don't suppose you'd allow your parents to do something so common as to give you a hug?"

"I am sitting on the floor with a lap full of labrador retriever."

"So, provided Ladybird allows you room..."

Those who are ground level are in licking range. This is fine

"I can manage!" Coradel drops easily to her knees and wraps both Sparrow and the puppy in a hug.

Bap bap bap. If not licking, then happy-tail.

August follows suit, on Deryn's other side.

"So, things have been insanely busy..." She gives each of her soul-parents a squeeze.

Conquering Balor (Siv's shenanigans), Varich chains and sluagh, glamour-draining parasites, forgotten childlings....

"You have had quite the victory here. And I want to meet all of your people!"

"Oh, yes! They're great. Hope has been serving as Steward - she doesn't have much faith in herself, but that is more a holdover from the harm done by Harkson." She frowns. "These people were hurt, hurt badly, and for a long time."

"You will help heal them." August says, confident.

"It's your nature."

"That's the hope. They need a gentle leader. They need to feel safe."

"And with the negotiations happening with the Rovers, I can hopefully cut down on one avenue where the Balor might strike back... they're good people, but few warriors in the mix."

"The Rovers are good people, not the Balor, I assume?"

"Of course, August." She nudges him.

Food is brought out as hope brings out a cart with that and drinks

"Sorry. I mean, the populace. The people here are good. I am trying to bring in fighters to help defend them."

"Oh, Hope, thank you!"

August has a small smile; was he making a funny?

"I'm happy to serve.. now the coffee I have about three types, but i also brought some champagne..."

"Ahh, thank you, Hope." She goes to help herself to a drink. "I think a toast is in order," she suggests.

Sparrow gets to her feet. "It might be! Welcome to Bright Winds!"

"Hear hear." August agrees.

"Oh, I mean..." making sure they both have drinks before raising her glass, "a toast to Baroness Derynwydd Truthbranch ap Liam, liberator of BrightWinds and its guide into a wonderful future."

Sparrow blushes. Moms have a talent.

"As did I. Hear hear." He takes and lifts his glass.

"Here here" HOpe says

Sparrow makes sure Hope has a glass, too!

And serves the Southwestern Casserole on plates

A drink. "Now...let us try some of the cuisine of your hold." Seeing that Hope is eager to serve.

"I don't think I've had this one yet. Ooo, cheese..." She takes a bite.

August accepts the plate and finds a spot for his glass so he doesn't have to balance it before trying the food.

"Oh, that's tasty!" Coradel approves.

"It's a Southwestern style.. my mother taught me, aher mother hers."

"It's good! I am being spoiled."

"Very nice, Hope. Reminds me of my early schooldays. Thank you."

"Hope is a wonder. She and Clarence have been fitting the whole place over to make it..well..friendly."

"That's quite a task in the wake of Balor occupation. Well done."

"The previous administration basically locked the hold off from all but his minions."

"I just don't...what's the point of that? It sounds tedious."

"Well, he was extracting everything he could from the land and its people..."

"Hoarding power."

"A joyless thing."

Hope says "it was horrible."

Coradel looks at Sparrow. "It was a satisfyingly horrible death?"