#brightwindsbarony

This is Kerri's first time in the Brightwind's hold, and if one likes the Southwestern style the view around it is glorious. Arid mountains that catch the light.

Within, no less so. What was once a fortress tower on lock down has been transformed by both new owner's glowing soul and its link to her. More than that, Sparrow has taken to bestowing her murals , or the art work of childlings she teaches, through out the walls. To walk through the halls is to gaze at artistic delight from those who hope to learn , and from one who is a mistress

And Ashblythe knows the story of each. She's quite artistic herself, the Baroness encouraging her love of drawing in painting

"See, this field of flowers? I drew each one, then the Baroness , I asked her to help with the butterflies and birds, she does such amazing birds, Hearth Kerri... Oh and Nessa helped with the flowers too . She knows SO much. Her sketches are SO accurate "

"This is beautiful!" She means it, too. "And the fact that many hands made it happen just makes it even nicer, I think."

"That's what Sparrow says, that artists don't have to fight when they share.. she means fight like in trying to put their art first and put others down not like punching them in the nose at the gallery" SHe smiles "Most of her art isn't in a gallery anyway. She does street art. Ft. Davis mostly knows her as a rich widow, they dn't know she's also the one who has sprayed a big beautiful Egyptian design on the back of a convenience store. Someone had painted a lot of " she whispers " 'man parts' and then she helped cover that up and made it beautiful"

She tsks and whispers back, "I think they paint those to try to mark their territory, but it doesn't really work." Then normal voice, "I think that's wonderful. It suits her, and I'm glad she has the resources to do what suits her, now. And...she's happy, now?"

"Usually, but sometimes she gets..." A moment of concentration "Melon colie? I don't know if I got that right. Anyway she gets thoughtful and sad because she wants to do more , and do it perfect. And that's Unpossible. So we childlings distract her and get her smiling again. She also flies and that cheers her too. And paints.. and well, you get it. Mostly she's happy I hope. Everyone likes her. Nessa thinks she's the best"

"Melancholy," she amends. "Childlings have many important roles, and keeping the rest of us distracted from sadness is one of them. It sounds like you're all doing a good job at that."

A sigh. "I know I packed some foods she likes before we left the Lodge, but it seems to have gone missing during the trip. I wonder if the kitchen staff might let me make a small something."

"Mary Ellen can get fiesty but for you she'll let it happen I bet. She's shy " the contridiction between shy and territorial boggan cooks bothers her not at all "She's done it for others and now Pepper cooks too. "

"Oh, that's helpful to know, thank you. I'll make sure she knows I'm not trying to invade." She looks at the girl who is no longer trying to hid her features. "You haven't told me, how did the rest of your friends react to your new look?"

"Most of them haven't seen yet" She smiles "Can't wait to show them"

"Has the Baroness seen, yet?" So far, Kerri hasn't seen Sparrow herself.

"Nope. I hope she's back from flying but she often ends up talking to the reps. See every kith has a rep, and sometimes she goes to their houses to talk to them"

"Oh, that's interesting. Does it seem to work well, as far as you can tell?"

"Well, it's mostly advisoray and everyone knows it;Some reps don't do much.. others are really active . But the Baroness takes them all seriously"

A grin. "I imagine she does."

A thought. "Who is the troll rep?"

"Little Joe. He's great. He doesn't talk much. He's huge, but hee doesn't work FOR The Baroness so much as with her? "

"Grete likes him"

"Oh, I think Sylvi mentioned both of them. Grete is...oh, I can't remember the name of the kith...?"

"Uhm she's a Witchtel? THey're kind of like nockers but more into mining, really strong and they can find rocks and water and stuff under ground. She's Super into rocks"

"Yes, Wichtel, that's it, thank you." She nods. "She's the one that was being held captive here, yes? Poor girl."

"Grete was the 'neice' of the old baron... so she was like a princess in a tower, but she hates heights and dresses. I thik she's look nice in a dress but she 's not a fan so I don't push"

"Not everybody is a dress person. Doesn't mean she can't enjoy different kinds of dressing up."

"True. Dio made us all hats. Got her a miner's helmet. Grete loves it"

"Dio?"

"Dio's a Fiona, and a good friend to the Baroness. She's a bit uhm.. well, she's all about fashion and seems a touch flakey... sorry, but I like her, she's nice. " A smile at something "I don't have to wear wide brim hats anymore" She adds "Dio told me if I wanted an Easter bonnet I should wear one. I told her I was too ugly for it" She touches her face "She told me wearing beautiful things was NOT something anyone should be denied, that beautiful clothes were the Dreaming given right of all, because unlike our faces, Clothes let us show what we want to be to the world, not what we happened to have slapped on our skull fronts. Fashion is the great equalizer, if we wish it to be. " Carefully repeated, then she admits " felt bettter when she said that. DIdn't know if I believed her but I felt better"

"That's very nicely put. It sounds like Dio is both wise and kind, even if you think she's a little flakey, hm?"

A blush "I don't mean to be unkind"

"I didn't mean to imply that you were," Kerri reassures.

"But yes. I think that's why Sparrow and she are friends. Dio lights things up and challenges her to love life, and Sparrow gives Dio purpose and directs her energy towards productive stuff"

"Funny...it sounds as if the one with wings is more grounded."

A smile "probably.. oh, I got to show you the library" And the tour continues

(Fade to tour)