#earthrunes

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The morning after, Deryn drifts through the main hall - idly collecting spent streamers from the furniture.

Delores follows, "Well, I thought that went well. " the boggan maybe steward now but old cleaning habits are hard to overcome "So many folks seemed unsure about the Baroness leaving to quest so soon after taking over but you've really projected confidence which is what they need."

"I hope so. Cora... well. She's a Fiona."

"It is a quest the two of them need. I'm worried about how they're doing, so I can pray this helps." She picks up a discarded shirt with a wry expression.

"Very Fiona," Delores says finding a matching pair of pants "Oh dear. Looks like the vibe of the hold itself has shifted. Well, that and that stuff Jack was handing out for near free at the bar."

"Makes sense, doesn't it? That.. and I think people needed the... release."

Indeed, the hold seems to have transitioned in many ways. Before it was a misty mysterious place, but now the fog covering it seems less mysterious and more playful and lighter over all. The hues have shifted to more vibrant reds. The hold seems to recognize Sparrow. Certain doors open for her, literally, when they would not before.

"Did you notice anything funny about the doors?"

"Which ones, the hidden ones, the weaver warded ones, or the ones that don't seem to have anything behind them?" Delores says, "I think the Baron's paranoia , forgive me for saying so but he was with good reason, set them a bit over done. Why there were places a sluagh couldn't go."

"Last night, I just kept finding doors... I hadn't seen them before."

"Not sure how much of that is the baron's passing and how much is Coradel's ascension, but you -are- recognized as acting regent in her absence. The hold knows that..." Low mutter "Even if some folks are dubious."

"Well.. I don't know if I can blame them for being dubious. I'm an outsider. I'll just have to... I don't know, do my best. Try to show that the hold is in good hands."

"Well, ..." A look, "I hesitate to say, but rumors abound and one hears things. I might be able to ...tell you who has doubts?"

Her green eyes shift, looking around. The hall seems empty enough. She nods. "Best to know. Maybe I can alleviate them. Can't change my House - well, could, but wont."

A smile and pat "Nor should you. Let's see..." She grows serious. "
Sir Neachdainn ap Ailil, who is openly unseelie, thought it was just a political stunt and can't believe you're being entrusted. Now he tried talking this over with Dame Claire, who basically informed him that removing one a Fiona sees as a daughter is only slightly less stupid than removing her romantic partner and get used to it. A hint of a threat at a duel was made. but slightly playful? I think she understands him, but also has flat out stated he underestimated you. Now, Dame Nansaidh ap Gwydion admits she had her doubts, but she says she saw you in peace, and she saw you in battle, and you have 'twice earned this trust'. Takes a lot to impress a Gwydion when it comes to fighting. Oh, and she'll take sides against Neachdainn, of course. Sir Sergei seems to have his own doubts, but he's a quiet one...and mostly he's..well, he'd glare if I said it where he could hear, but he's kind of grieving not just his lord, but the four hounds lost in the fight."

"The Troll thanes are divided. Some don't like the idea of taking orders from an Oathbroken, but it's not about you, it's about how THEY comport themselves so I don't think you have to be liked for them to follow you."

"Four?" A soft whistle. "I didn't realize. If he's anything like Kerowyn, his charges are like children... Rivervale has fae hounds, they were from the Debukes... I wonder if I could arrange some new pups?"

"They won't replace... but..."

She pushes back her hair, considering. "I don't know if the Ailil is entirely wrong - it was a political stunt. But I am still the heir, and must act as regent now. The Dame, I like. I suggested her as a potential chancellor... though Cora might chose a Truthbranch in the end."

"I Don't think the DeBukes would part with their hounds for nobles, lady. Some commoners won't let go.." A sigh "Foolish. We have to live in the world we live in, not some halycon vision of what never quite was." A consideration, "Oh, Sir Sergei seems to have befriended your squire, in his way. that might be another source of cheer for the grump. Let him teach more falconry to him?"

"Right. Alas." She bites on her lower lip. "August might have more sway than I. He knows Earl better. But while they may not - doesn't mean I can't try. As for Cole... I think he'd like falconry a great deal. He seems to have a talent for it."

"And... despite the Varich being unseelie... it could be a mutually beneficial relationship. Colton's first knight was such."

"....Unseelie. Not beneficial." Clarifying.

"I think Sir Sergei is a good fellow in his way, though his House's feud with sluagh is one of the 'need to move out of the past and live in the now ' things in my view. As for Sir August, well, that depends when he gets back if you want him to try it. Alas. I DO hope he and Coradel can find their balance. He's so in awe of her, and she's so taken with him."

"But Liam and Fiona have... differences. I was fostered at a Fiona hold, so I know them a bit better than most of my house."

"Well, I know they can be different , yes."

"Both are seelie - but I think they take very much to different parts of the code. Fiona are love, and Liam is duty."

"I suppose, and gwydion would be honor, and Dougal are beauty is life, and ...I guess Eiluned aren't telling." Dryly

She laughs. "They really aren't!"

A smile, then, "Now among the commoners, I think Inish is tempted to retire but knows the Baroness needs him for now. Jack had some sort of bargain with the baron, and wants to talk to the baroness about it later but doesn't want to trouble her. Uhm, most of the boggans are thrilled, Fiona holds do give us something to gossip about " A blush "A few are envious I got bumped up to Steward, but most realizee that who you know is almost as crucial as what you know. Shalimar? Oh...he's hurting but I think he'll stay. He adores Coradel in his way."

"I hope he doesn't feel slighted... I know he was doing some of the Steward's work, but..."

"Who, Inish or Shalimar? I don't think either does."

"Jack."

"I think Shalimar needs something to keep him busy. Lest grief tear him apart..."

"Ah, yes, Jack did have the task to a degree. It was never made official. MaybeI should ask him for pointers? Make him feel needed still and show respect? besides, he knows much."

A nod about the Jester, "Yes. Perhaps tell him to cheer the childlings? Oh, Catir is gathering the childling special unit."

"Yes. I'll admit - I felt like Coradel needed someone she could trust, and someone who could keep her informed. She doesn't have that kind of relationship with Jack..."

Another laugh as she collects some plastic party poppers. "Caitir is already a force, isn't she?"

"She pestered Clem a great deal about her healing skills. Miss DeBuke was very polite. Then turned into a hawk and flew away from the girl. I think Catir was twice envious then and that Miss DeBuke has a bit of a show off in her."

"Caitir might also benefit from studying with Sergei." She frowns slightly. "Damn. The Baron was going to find her a mentor, but... we'll have to address that. I suspect she's a Gwydion..."

"Given her temper, I wouldn't be surprised, " Delores nods, "I am not sure, but I think the Baron was going to have Nansaidh give her a few lessons on the house and see if it rang any bells, though mentoring in healing would be another area. The girl seems to be fascinated by it. What she...good at healing in the before time?"

She nods. "She's... she's one of my stars. She was a healer, and a woodswoman. A huntress. I... gave her a treasure..."

The sidhe looks down at her hand - the boggan might notice her palm is branded, a pink scar that resembles the head of a key. "A bow. Yes."

"A bow? That little bow she has is a treasure? I wonder if she even knows" A thought "I don't now how she is for hunting, but Dame Leonora is an excellent archer."

"I can't remember what it does. The Dreaming is greedy, it allows few memories to escape. So. Nansaidh for her house, Leonora for Archery.... but... but perhaps Shalimar. He lies, yes - and she needs to learn patience. And I trust pooka to know wild ways...."

"And it will give him that something to do you mentioned" She nods "I agree."

"We'll see if he's amenable."

"I ..." Inish comes in, 'Begging your pardon, Regent. I bring news." The Herald bows

Her wings sweep and she straightens - it's a subtle shift in posture, from "Sparrow" to "Regent Baroness Derynwydd." A nod to the clurichan. "Herald?"