#debukefarmhold

The sidhe lord of house Ailil knows better than to simply show up at the Farmhold - or even to show up announced, or bother asking for an invitation. (ASK? they should be honored! But that's another story).

This may go towards the explanation of why he is currently sitting at a truck stop diner. He did not wear a suit, but his tailored clothes still look somewhat out of place in the, shall we say, bucolic environs, as he waits for Chief Clementine to attend - er, for her to graciously join him for a meal and conversation, at his request.

The truck stop diner is not his usual sort of place indeed. A few regular give an odd look, but then they shrug and move on. The coffee flows. The carbs are plentiful.

He is carefully examining, and polishing a (real, or imagined) spot off the silverware.

And then, Clem enters in. The tall blonde woman is in clothes that would work if she had to wok, but is 'nice casual' otherwise. She has a cowboy hat on which she lifts as she looks about to spot him. She gets a few greetings from the locals. This is not her usual stop but they know her. She nods to one "Good to see you, Clara. And yes, Coffee'd be fine" Then she joins the Baron's booth "Hope you weren't waiting too long?"

"Not at all." He stood when she entered, and though booths do not allow for a chair to be pulled out, he waits for her to sit before resuming his own seat. Not specifically deference due to rank, but more chivalric courtesy.

" I don't suppose you have any Earl Grey?" He asks Clara, and at her offer of 'Lipton' accepts a cup of diner coffee and a glass of water instead.

"I appreciate you coming to meet with me." Aiden says to Clem, once they have relative privacy for speaking. "I trust Briar has been doing well in her studies, and not causing an inordinate amount of hassle beyond that to be expected of kith and seeming?"

Clem gets her coffee, then when they're alone, she says "Well, I was surprised at the call. I appreciate your..sensitivity to our old grudges. " At mention of Briar she says "Oh, Briar's a mixed bag to be sure but as you say, part of that's her nature. I tell you she could make a pretty good living as a butcher or at a slaughterhouse if she wanted to and didn't eat the goods. " Making sure they're not being listened in on, she adds "Her art learning is coming along as well. More mundanely, she perked up in her math classes once we got the idea of using word problems like 'Jeff has five liters of blood, he mouthed off once too often and gotten cut.. he is losing a pint a minute. Assuming he cannot staunch a wound, how many minutes will it take? '... then suddenly she started caring about how many pints in a liter"

A somewhat wan chuckle. "That is inventive, but apt. She has truly grown to enjoy her time at your hold, and it has benefited her greatly in temperament and outlet for energy." He makes small talk for a few minutes more, about the grain harvest and his horses, before clearing his throat.

"However, I did not request your presence for mere 'catching up', though, I find you a quite amenable company." He says this as a compliment, though it may be taken that he was a bit surprised at that. It's intended as a compliment, in any case - You're not quite the bumpkin expected, and you dont' even eat with your hands!

"Well, thank you. I confess, I respect you more than... many a sidhe I've met. You aren't afraid to get dirt under your nails" A nod "But now that we move to the matter, what did you request this for?"

"I understand," He says, once verified that no one is listening in, "That you have some skill of metamorphosis. I wish to, shall we say, commission your services for a need that has come up."

"Ah," she says surprised , "In truth, you've got me...misplaced. I do shape change, but it's from Old School Elder form" She almost casually confesses to having Mastered Primal

"It ..can serve a similar purpose" She admits "But I confess I don't normally do it as a side job"

A small frown, thoughtful. "I do not currently have a retainer on hand who boasts such skills, but there has come a need - allow me to broach the subject directly. A mortal has trespassed most terribly upon us, and there needs must be consequences. As the sin occurred in summer, and did not affect a kinain directly, my people have counseled that and would be a stretch to push into the Fall, ergo, make him a subject of a Wild Hunt. In this I have chosen to be gracious and defer to a lesser punishment."

"I see." She nods "I have elder formed others as a punishment before. Though that's not always a lesser punishment" She does not mention the grove of lovely trees that were once offenders , now on Enchanted soil they'll stay that way for a long long time "Are you hoping to have him spend sometime as a lower life form?"

A sniff. "He is already a lower life form. I wish for him to experience in part, that which he has inflicted upon others. And yet, in magnanimity, I will allow him the grace of the fortune of fate. His fate to be turned into a stag and set loose into the wild, and my grace that I will not hunt him myself - and the will of da'an that he may fall prey to hunters, of two legs or four, ere the spell lapse and return him, for good or ill, to his form of birth."

She looks thoughtful "What exactly was this son of Adam's crime? I know you might be reluctant, but I must trust my own judgement in the use of gifts or even recomendations of such"

Aiden raises a hand discretely to request their check, and pays it. "If you will accompany me, to the lot? It is easier to show than to tell."

She nods, then says "Good to see you again, Clara. Good luck at the SCA"

Aiden pauses for a moment then, curious, wondering if the waitress is a dreamer - but no, it can be rude to show too much interest in another fae's folk, and he merely leaves a generous tip and leads Clem out. Behind the truck stop, where later in the evening it is bound to be full of parked truckers seeking meals, there is only one lone vehicle, drawing the sort of trailer behind it used to transport horses or other animals.

"You may look within." He says, after unlocking the door.

She does, ready to stop an escape attempt!

There is no such attempt, though a bit of a clamor! Within the trailer that could easily house up to four horses, there are only two stalls occupied.

In one stall, there are two young fawns, these glowing strongly of glamour, clearly fae-touched animals, one brown and spotted, the other white of coat. They bleat eagerly when they see the kinain, clearly eager for attention or food.

The other has a man of middling age - a bit the worse for wear, dirty and disheveled though he does not appear to have been beaten or mistreated. He has a silvered bridle around his neck and is affixed to a post, so that he cannot leave the stall, and a bit within his mouth prevents him from speaking. Hanging on the wall of his enclosure, almost as one might put a pee'd on rug to teach a puppy, is the skin of a deer - a fine doeskin, for all that it has a few holes in it from inexpert riflework. It is only recently tanned, and still has a faint gleam of fae magic about it.

"This... man - encroached on private lands, decried the mortal hunting laws, and slew what is both an animal under my stewardship and a fae creature under my protection, orphaning her fawns."

Clem's eyes darken just a bit "My people hunt. We hunt wisely, and we give thanks for what the land has given us. I understand hard times, but I don't much respect fools playing at hunter" A consideration "I'd like to hear him talk..." She looks around to see if anyone would be in earshot if he screamed

A disgusted look. "It is not hunting season, for good reason - in the high heat of summer, meat will spoil before it can be properly dressed." He says, though an incline of his head acknowledging her own knowledge of the area.

He moves forward and reaches to touch the collar - there is a small spark of glamour, and the bit falls free from his mouth, releasing the dictum that held him silent.

The man's eyes roll and he glances around in desperation. "I don't know what you fuckers want, but... I have money! I can pay you! Just let me go, haha, I won't tell anyone... god, god, don't let these freaks skin me..."

They are far away enough to muffle any sound.

Clem says "Money? fft.. an innocent man would have protested his innocence. You think you can buy your way out of justice" A frown "And... you had money, you didn't need to hunt to feed yourself either. Why bother?"

"I thought..." He struggles, yanking at the chains. "I saw the movement, I thought it was a buck! Jesus, it's just a freakin' deer! Did I kill your pet or something? Help! Someone!"

Aiden's gaze is dark and implacable, and his hand twitches, clearly yearning to either dictum or slap the man, not clear which.

"I see. So you poached on some else's land , during the wrong season, and didn't even bother to confirm what you were aiming at." Clem looks at Aiden "I think I WILL help you. A doe I think though. We'll see if anyone makes 'mistakes' with him. Not sure how long it will last but I'll set things up rather intricately to increase the odds"

"To be fair, I will set him loose on neutral lands, and will not hunt him myself. As it is yet shy of proper hunting season, perhaps he will be lucky. Or perhaps he will encounter wolves, or succumb to the elements. Once I set him loose, it will be in da'ans hands, and IT may have the joy of him."

Another glance at the fawns, whose tails twitch rather adorably.

"Then there is the question of these two. They have been hand-reared for a time at Silverwolf, and I fear an uprising were I to suggest they be released to the hunt, were I even such a cad as to wish for such unsporting prey. I ask, would you be interested in one or both fawns for your lands? Even if you wish not to hunt them, they will enrich the local herds and, with luck, breed true for future fae animals. I would gift them to you freely - even if you should choose not to accommodate my request for assistance with this filth."

"We would be honored" Clem says truly touched

"Bluebell was loathe to let them go, but they are now weaned, and showing interest in my stewards Gardens..."

"Don't want them too domesticated" She nods "I may send one of my kin to trail them a bit... super cautious like, to make sure their first month is a wee bit easier while they still forage" a glance at the poacher "As for him? I think we'll take him to another place and drop him off if you don't mind handing him over to me? Even if he returns to himself, he'll have a long walk of it"

A little surprised, but he nods. "If you wish the joy of him, I will gladly deed him to your, hopefully none to kindly, ministrations. You may have the use of the trailer as long as needed, and I will send for it to be picked up once empty of all cargo."

"Most kind" She nods "Would you like use of our trod?" She says as she regags the man

"Much obliged, but... one moment." He turns to the man, who continues to yelp and sputter until Clem has gagged him.

"You are being granted a fate far kindlier than I would have given. Shall you come through this alive, you may return to your life in my domain shall you wish- but should you even step foot on my private lands again, or if I hear of you taking up arms for hunting - any hunting - within the confines of the County of..." A frown, and he rephrases, "In the New York or New England area, I will come for you. If you dare speak of any of this, you will be hunted down. Am I clear?"

The man nods mutely. This last, about not speaking of things, is laced with Sovereign to prevent him from speaking. "Should you defy this command, may your tongue twist in your mouth and choke you."

Glamour smacks into the man, and he goes quiet even of his mumbled protests.

"Thank you, Chieftain. I am finished here."

"You're welcome," She says "We'll see your vehicle is availble soon" A promise "You have given a chance to precious blood" meaning the fae deer, young as they are "YOu did not do it for our sake, but it sits well with me and mine. I will consider my service to be well paid for in that though I mean it on no slight to your generous nature."

He inclines his head graciously. "If you wish, I will travel to a trod outside of your farm - farm-hold's... boundaries. My Lady has explained that there are some tensions associated with previous Sidhe incursion attempts, and I would not wish to impose."

"In this regard, given what you have done, I think, if you are not offended by an escort and many eyes? It would be permitted.. briefly. I regret we do not always keep folks of your station as Guests so it might feel unduly rushed, but it would be more convienent for you"

He nods. "Just so. I am used to eyes." He says, not at all self consciously, after all, he is breathtakingly handsome in the manner of sidhe.

And so it goes... the trailer/truck taken care of, with careful instructions, Aiden finds himself on the farm hold. It is.. huge. The hold does not end at the wall but extends to the very soil. Not all of it, for their are areas that are relied on to prevent bedlam, but one can see how many a noble would covet. The DeBukes give guarded nods at Clem's explaination, and yes, the Baron will have eyes on him all the way...distrustful, many of them. But he can see that the Dogs here are thriving as working Fae hounds. Butternut has grown golden and glorious and is guarding goats. One of Oak's parents pulls a cart as many of his breed did for generations. And he... might walk by a the stable long enough to see a magnificent war horse , oh it is old, but unbroken. Full of fire and a sense of superority.

He strides through, taking no note of any glares cast his way, as beneath his notice. Those giving him a watchful eye will see that while he does look over the hold, his attention lingers on the animals, not seeking... buildings, counting guards, assessing defenses.

Aiden, somewhat unconsciously, slows as he admires the war horse. "Now there is a rare beauty." He murmurs.

"That's Lanark" Clem looks amused "The old man of the Stables. He was taken in the Accordance War from a Sidhe General in far contest by my Great Grandfather, who passed away not a decade ago. He has sired recently despite his age in fact. For a time he was most despondant over the loss of his rider, but with help from Sylvi of Rivervale, who learned secrets even we did not know of him, we were able to help him shake off his melancholy and has returned to that 'top horse with nothing to prove' attitude you see. We're quite proud of him even if he can be intimidating and cranky"

(Int plus Horse Lore or Animal handling or what not 😉 )

/roll 7

"Great grandfather?" Brows up a touch. "That is a long-aged horse indeed. You should tell me what you feed him." He says.

"Oh the usual" Clem says "BUt he ages slow"

And the Baron realizes the horse maybe from Arcadia's stables! One of the fae horses that went with sidhe lords as they took to the trods in the great withdrawl

It is not..confirmed... but it would be possible

"I will not insult you by offering to buy him." He says, "But if he is ever put to stud outside your own stables, I would gladly offer any mare in my keeping, or that dross or money may acquire, on top of equitable stud fees, for the privilege of a chance at his progeny."

Clem smiles at that "You know good quality. " A nod "I confess, my grandfather might come back from his next life early to find out I was sharing Lanark's blood with a sidhe's mare. That said, the old fellow is NOT eternal and I think... old grudges should not get in the way of preservation of good lines. Let me ask Sylvi about it. Whle he stays here, Lanark is in her trust "