#brightwindsbarony

"As it pleases" He says

A thoughtful nod. "When I was still going to private school, we were at a slumber party for one of the girls birthdays? And she got mad at her maid for interrupting a movie and slapped her. And her mama told her someone who can't respect the help doesn't deserve them. All of our parents got called to pick us up, and the lady got the week off. And Paisley had wrinkled jumpers for the rest of the week."

Hope smiles "Her mama was a good one"

And soon chattering and clinking of dishes... as Sparrow gets a group of kids to learn tto do chores without much complaint

(End Scene)

And just like that, it's done. The paperwork went smoothly, a few minor cantrips, Clio's scribing and a bit of processing online

And Hope, who runs a coffee shop and knows a bit of finance, hands over the notes to Sparrow "there you go. You're a widow now. "

"Just in time for yule"

And Sparrow looks down at the bank account which is now open to her.

"If I'm reading that right, you have immediate access to $500,000 worth of assets. And stocks and things that will get you about.. oh, 9000 a month" Hope says and offers "Want a shot of liquor in your cup to help that news go down?"

.....blink.

"I've never made that much in a year."

"Have a sit down" She motions and guides her to her throne..which has altered thankfully

"Right, right." She sits.

"This - oh, this means I should be able to offer a salary for some of the more intense household positions!"

"Within reason. Might want to think long term.."

"Right...if I spend it all, that won't last forever. And I want to be sure there's an allowance and savings for Grete..."

"Well, that's not counting Grete's parents funding but yes"

She shrugs. "Her parents will do as they will. But my sword went against Harkson, and I... I believe I have a duty of care."

"You're a responsible young woman"

"Well, I think it'd be folly to think that all of that money is for me. It should also go to the Barony."

"Well, yes, but you direct how it's spent" She says

"Do you think you could work out some base monthly costs for the hold? Food and supplies and whatnot..."

"And I can just straight up set aside, oh, ten percent for need-based giving. Folks who need rent or emergency groceries or the like..."

"Well, all that food from the DeBukes cut our food costs to ..well nearly nothing for this month and janaury"

"Which is good! But - long term. I know there are short term costs, renovations and the like..."

Hope looks at her, "Baroness. I don't know how much lee way I'm allowed to.. speak my mind?"

"Sure."

"You need to spend some money on yourself and your OWN interests"

"otherwise you risk the right of ignorance, and the well being of the land" A foot tap

Her eyebrows scrunch.

"I'm not sure how... Hope, I didn't... I don't want to screw this up! It's not really my money..."

"You think it was really his?" she snorts "Now I won't judge lost souls looking for warmth out of desperation, but that money, much of it, belonged to a mortal man who is no longer among us long before his body passed."

She falters. "...true..."

"And what money he did make? he didn't make honest that's for sure. Let me tell you... if you go around living like some sort of homeless person when word is out you're a wealthy widow, someone will get suspicious. Further, bread and butter fill the belly, but they do not fill the soul. You love to paint. Do that. And if you feel so bad of doing something for yourself? USE the money to give lessons"

"The soul does benefit when the belly is full, mind you."

A brow, a boggan brow. Maybe the fear of sidhe is finally gone, or at least dimmed.

"I mean, I am a semester away from an Art Ed degree..."

"Even if you were not tied to the land, you would still be entitled to SELF Care... and pursuing your own happiness as well. If you were serving yourself at expense ofo thers it would be one thing... but you can do things for yourself ANDO thers"

She bites on her lip and nods. "I.. I hear that. But you understand, I want to be different from him. I want to do this right."

"Want to be.. darling it's not in you to be that man. Grete sees it... you see how she trusts you? that's.. well, it's not because you have wings. It's because you are so very NOT him with every breath you take and word you say"

A smile. "That's... really nice to hear, Hope. And I do believe you mean it, even if my own head likes to fret."

"I wasn't always the most... lucky... in things, before coming here."

"of course I mean it" She says "And well, luck is fickle but you've been lucky for us"

She smiles.

"And maybe that empty belly before will make me a better liege, now."

"Perhaps... " a nod "But just for kicks and something different, enjoy being rich juust a bit."

She blushes!

"You'll need some new clothes. " A frown "I think you should shop local for that if you can . The backless stuff may confuse them but that's fine. they'll be happy just to have a customer. And yes, you need to paint those halls anyway so now you can do it instyle. What kind of job do you want? you should invest in your own long term happiness, and you have the money to do it"

"Well... it beats putting in slits, let me tell you..."