#darkgatefortress

"I appreciate you doing this, Lad. I know it';s not in your duties as Storm" Chief Hewit of the Dougal House says

"It's quite all right, Chieftain, " Colton says, and glances over at his girlfriend, as he takes out the paper "My penmanship is pretty good thanks to advice from the Scribe of Earth runes..."

The Chief paces "To Master Timarius Marvay, my Brother of House Dougal"

Colton writes

Sylvi gives Chief Hewit a smile, but tries to stay out of the way while they're working.

Hewitt continues "You arrogant owerweening prissy effette twit. How dare you presume to direct the DarkGate Fortress 'creative attentions". Are you retarded?"

Colton starts to write this, then blinks

Then her eyes go wide. "Ah...Chieftain...something's wrong?"

"That wasn't to you, Sylvi lass, just to Master Timarius..." The grump troll assures

Colton coughs "I think, she means, what might have engendered such an extreme response?"

"Oh, is that what you're asking now?" Hewitt says to Sylvi as if making sure

"Well, yes, Chieftain. It seems...well, you're very upset at this Master Marvay. Did he say something?"

"Oh, yes, little priss of a sidhe patronized me and mine, jealous little git's been a rival since before you were a wee spark of hope in your father's left eye. He's pulling strings and influence trying to say that since Darkgate is being more 'fort' than workshop, and I more chief than Dougal baron, that he should 'direct our creative energies and supervise such proceedings here allocating resources as in keeping with the spirit of the creative house' " Clearly quoting "and added a few frills indicating that he's more qualified than I at that part.. Worse, his ability to kiss arse is so practiced, it might just work. I need to nip this in the jimmy hard before some of the House HIgher ups give it credit so I'm giving him a what for"

Colton is fighting the urge to give a low whistle . The young knight would never claim to be a diplomat, not like his girlfriend, but even he is clearly thinking this might not be the right way to go about it. Unless one really WANTS to declare war

"Oh...oh, wow. So, he's practically trying to oust you, but coming at it from the side. That's really sneaky." A deep breath and she thinks a moment. "Who has he been talking to?"

"Various Dougal higherups, mostly among the sidhe set. Now I have no problem with Sidhe. I rather like them fine, but you can bet the nockers among the masters wouldn't be so lured by pretty words as easily, though he knwos enough to praise their work. See, the House is wide spread, yet connected, so he need not talk to Dougals who are only local. "

"Got it. Well...I mean, it seems to me that if he's going to be sneaky, you need to work around that. Maybe the message to him should sort of just blow him off? But nicely? Like, 'Thank you for your interest in our work, your comments will be taken under advisement' or something like that. Let him know you think he's not worth getting worked up about, to start."

"Ah. .I don't know.. I don't get worked up about him, it's just I imaging his smug arse kissing face and I want to put a fist through it..." Hewitt grumbles

"He does seem to get under your skin just a little, Chieftain" Colton says.

"mmm..." A sigh "Well, maybe. What do I send to the higherups to let them know we';re not just defending Oh I don't know, the upperstate from an Elder Dark invasion, but also doing some fime smithing"

"Well, I mean, Pennons is coming. You could challenge him? Three items of the best work from his hold against three of yours?"

"And just for bragging rights. Even if he wins, you still get to demonstrate that Dark Gate is producing work."

"That's.. not bad" He nods "Colton, write down what she said earlier... kind of blowing him off... then, I tell the higher ups they are welcome to see our works at Pennons?"

"My lord? Hearth Marsielles says we're not equipped to do a large pennons. To show off ours and others would tax our reserves" Colton says

"Well, you could go to his Pennons?"

"Or send a rep."

"I don't trust the bastard not to rig the game" A scowl

Colton says "Ah, while it might not be considered completely netrual, we could show our wares at Bergan? Challenge others to do the same?" A look to Sylvi "Would that be okay as a spot neither Master has too much control over?"

"Oh, of course! I can have the Chieftain recommend it to Count Hemlock as a new addition to the competitions. The Caer Falken Pennons is always well attended, so there will be plenty of audience, but it's not Dougal so not likely to have biases ahead of time."

"True, Count Hemlock is said to be a fair man, and a creator himself, toys if I recall" A nod "Yes, I think that might suit all. Okay, fine fine we'll send the letters as you suggest, Emmisary Sylvi, I use the title as I seemed to have relied on your services so you should at least get your druthers. Furthermore, as payment for your aid in this. After the letters are done, I hearby give you use of my storm, barring emergency, for a period, more or less, of three days to do what you wilt with"

Colton blinks "Sir, I'm Storm..."

"Pretty sure he knows that, Colton."

"And if there's an emergency you'll be fighting fast" the Baron says "But you've been working your heiny off, Sir knight. And you've been grousing about not seeing your girlfriend not that you think anyone notices. "

Colton blushes

She beams. "I'll be careful not to break him while he's in my care, Chieftain," she assures the Dougal with a grateful salute.

"Fine Lass" He nods "Just unwind him with a bit of R&R or whatever if you would in whatever fashion you find best. If he sighs on that watch tower looking jersey way before mournfully returning to his duty one more time, we're liable to lynch him. I M ean, we feel for him, but it's a bit ooerweening and he won't just ASK For the t ime off so here we are."

Colton's blush deepens.

Sylvi blushes a bit at that, too. "I'll do my best to, ah...." she pauses a moment. "Sorry, I can't think of a good mechanical term that doesn't end up sounding scandalous in context."

Then she takes Colton's hand. "You have some writing to do before I abscond with you."

"Ah well, yes, " A brief grin from Hewit "I ken your meaning. Now.. about the letters" And they soon have written up somethings that send a message 'you're not worth my time' to the rival, while sending a message of 'if you doubt us, see us at Caer Falken's display" to the masters. It's a tactful 'gauntlet thrown"

Sylvi, if asked, approves.

And Colton takes her hand back before than "I'll be your soon' A wink

And they do.. and soon...

"How about camping?"

The two are alone.. and Colton says "You want to go camping?" A grin "You're the most awesome girlfriend ever"

"Well, I also want to see Hamilton on Broadway, but that's not an option."

"I mean, I've seen the video, but... you know what I mean."

"But camping can be fun. I mean, I hope you don't mind me looking a little rougher than usual. And...we'd have some privacy, y'know?"

"Rougher than usual, sooo, you're going to be a bit short of perfect looking? Gosh.. how can I handle that?" and a smile and he takes her hand and kisses it