#brightwindsbarony

"Stewart! It is not nice to scare Mrs. Rose!"

"GO!" Rose snorts athe boy and points into the hold, clearly angry at this prank. "Go inside RIGHT now before I swat your ass with this arrow "

"Ah, see.. I'm a troll and we're a joking...." He starts to say

"FIVE...." She starts a count down, and without meaning to, hoofs the Earth once.

Stew looks down at the 'horse countdown' and realizes the universe is very cruel for surely, if he laughs now, he may have that arrow shoved somewhere delicate

"Please, Mrs. Rose, please don't be mad forever?"

"Pooka like to prank..."

"Four..." SHe says

"I think I hear my mother callingg" And he flees covering his mouth and goes into the hold

Once he's gone, she takes a long breath, okay, more than one, then says "I won't be mad forever, but he just scared the dickens out of me"

Irene bobs her head. "That was a scary prank." A gusty sigh. "BOYS."

"I'm suddenly glad I never had one" A wry snort then she takes another breath "Sorry about that, Irene. It's just weapons practice is never the place for jokes like that"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"You? You're an angel. You were raised right. Now, a few more practice shots and we'll take you and your little friend back inside for an ice cream"

The litttle friend being her pony toy, not her pooka bud

"I like ice cream!"

"And that one is Rainbow Dash. She's the fastest flyer." Helpful.

"She is?" And there is practice, and a tolerant Rose listening to MLP Lore (Which Irene clearly has at at least a 4 for free) and yes, ice cream

(End Scene)

The Chancellior says "Baroness?"

"Aye, Dubh?"

"Regarding Imbolc festivities, I felt you should know how things are going. We've encountered some problems"

"Oh no. What's up?"

"Apparently the craftsmen of the area want to know if you will be taking the 'usual' amount of their work for Imbolc. The former Baron took the lion's share of the creations for his own, as his due" A frown . Dubh is a stoic man, but sparrow knows his ire is smoldering as Harkson's hateful works linger beyond the grave

"I.. what?"

"No!"

"It.. no. They should come show off, and then.. oh, prizes yes?"

"Just so" he says

"Some dross, some laurel crowns..."

"Well we have a large collection of dross to be sure" A nod "Then there's the matter of the firebrands"

"That man." Huff.

"The Rovers are on extra alert, yes. I've talked to Hope about thanking them with a special dinner after."

"Hope mentioned much the same. She also says it might coax others out to show their BEST crafts if..." Ahem "You had as many of your sidhe present their own works and crafts"

"Not many of our knights are crafters, but I could ask..."

"I don't see why that would be such a draw, in truth."

"I think our kith mates might be mortified for none of us are Dougal.. and I think, Hope suggests, that's one of the reasons it would sit well. If the common folk see we're willing to risk a loss to them without retaliation...it means things really have changed"

"Ah. Sidhe can be very proud, mind. But I can ask."

"I suggest pushing a bit . They're members of your court. It is not unreasonble of you to expect participation"

"And as this is the first Imbolc of my court... we need to show faith, yes."

"exactly, and..." A sigh as if he'd rather have a dental drill "I am aware that means I have to contribute something. This will be a disaster but.. a necessary one"

She leans in to give him a peck on the cheek. "You are a dear, not a disaster."

"You haven't seen me try to make an ashtray" a grumph that would do a troll proud

"Well, consider it a noble sacrifice for the health of the barony."

"...Honestly, compared to Carnival..." She trails off, frowning.

"That concerns you?" he asks

"It... well, I know what my duty is for the holiday."

"But these people have never had power over a sidhe in their lives... and though you liberated them, you worry they might become confused in that power. By law of carnivale, NO One, not even the ruler turned fool, is to be truly hurt"

"I know that is the law. So."

"I need to have faith." A tremulous smile.

"Faith can move mountains, but given the threat of agents that might be sent by other powers, let alone urge negative urges on.. I think I'd like to get help for you. May I consult someone from Earth Runes?"