#earthrunes

"So we grab you, break you into two knights, and the one with the bigger piece gets a wish..." A nod "I like it. But, on the odd chance that doesn't work, maybe seeking a bit of happiness in the choices you do have would do for a red ribbon? Crazy I know." A smile, "It's just I can't help but notice something about you that's different from other winged creatures here." HE gazes at her eyes, "You're not hooded when you're at rest. "

"Sergei has a way with them..."

"Oh yes, that smooth charmer" Wryly with a smile

She picks up a pile, leafing through without looking. "I don't know if I want to be Countess. I know I should pursue it - I could do good work there..."

"Or you could do good work as a knight, or a Duke.. or.. you know, I'm starting to suspect a DoGooder will find a way to do good no matter where or who she is. This could revolutionize the industry. If I may? Be what you want to be and then be yourself, and then you'll be good, like cheese. Though, even then, you'll have questions of what could have been. Why even sucess leads to more muddling. Did I ever tell you about my friend the Butcher? Lives in London."

"You haven't..."

"Well, just to show you how contradictory life can be... last week, he caught a big sea creature in the river there and , being a butcher, turned it into sausage. You see his problem?" A sigh "It was both the Beast of Thames, and the Wurst of Thames."

She can't help herself - a burst of laughter escape. "Oh! Oh, that was awful!"

And there's more laughter, giggling like a childling.

Unashamed his grin. "Yes, it's terrible. Thus must be shared"

"Obviously. Must, he says..."

Nope. Shamless

A smile and he rises, Having made her feel better, "I'll tell the Steward you have feasted all day and don't need a drink or meal or anything"

"Thank you, Shalimar"

"To quote the Sicilian, 'as you wish'" A bow and gone.

A soft smile as he departs.

Of course, it does not take terribly long for Delores to appear, looking her over, as if checking for signs of starvation. No doubt she had trouble translating pooka ese too "Regent, when's the last time you ate?"

"Um..."

"Breakfast?"

"And what would yo usay the time is now?" Foot tapping

"Two...ish..."A pause, looking at her face. "Thirty?"

"Closer to fourish" eyeball

"Oh. Hunh. I was a bit hungry... but there were SO MANY. Look! A bard!"

"And - how would you feel about a kinain? Rivervale has one in their kitchen, and she's wonderful..."

"I don't care if Bob Dylan has returned from the dead to apply, Regent. I'm Steward, in charge of supplies and resources and that includes meals and there you are starving yourself. And I like most kinian just fine, or at least not much worse than most kithian."

"Not starving. Honestly, you should have seen me a few months ago...."

"So, listen, there's a troll who is looking for a place for his mother in the kitchen. Obviously, she'd have to meet your standards - but I wanted to check with you about giving her a chance..."

"Well, fine, not starving.. but still doing without" But she listens if she can get her walking along to the place the meals are "Well, of course, I'll listen. Troll blooded eh? Mmm well, if there's anything in that she'd be loyal once that loyalty was earned. If you like I'll take the paper and look it over... after you have a light late lunch or very early dinner?"

"Okay, okay..."

"Thank you, now is there anything in particular you'd like? "

"Oh - just a sandwich, maybe? Iced tea?"

"Please?"

"Just a...well, fine." She nods and leads her to a seat, "Just try to hold in one place so I can..." /no sooner is it said than Inish calls out "Baron Hew ap Dougal, here to see the ruler of the hold."

"Oh, crap..." She eyes the paper piles.

"Oh my, tell Inish you're busy?" Delores suggests but is unsure

A sigh and she shakes her head. Coronet is snagged from a pile of troubadours and placed on her hair.

"Tell Inish to send him in." She sits up in the chair, wings instinctively settling into a half-mantle - adding a bit of height and mass and authority to her presence.

To her surprise, Baron Hew turns out not to be a Sidhe,but a Troll! Oh, Dougal Colors in a tartan and kilt a large eyepatch made of chimerical black glass and a foot of bronze, that is, his left foot appears to be bronze. As trolls go, he's actually dashing looking, a wilder with just that touch of Celtic hero when he sees her, he bows "Yuir Ladyship, I had heard o your beauty,o your flaming locks, but more so your courage. I am Baron Hew ap Dougal, and I do seek a chance to court ye in hopes of a union political so we might create an alliance to drive the last of the Shadow Court from these lands and help the good folk of Hawthorne. I offer strong arms, skilled craftsmanship, and the honorable devotion of a husband for a year and a day or longer if you wish to extend. "

She rises, bowing back to the troll. "Your Lordship - while I am flattered, I must inform you firstly, that I am the Regent. The Lady Coradel has been called on quest...."

His mouth falls open "Oh well..." But he realizes she may have more to say then quiets.

"I would not want to lead you on, good sir. I am Baroness Derynwydd, Regent and Heir. While I cannot negotiate Lady Coradel's alliances, it is cold and night approaches. Would you accept my hospitality?"

"I would, though I feel a great blue fool for my misunderstanding, and I thank you for being so kind in the face of it. You're a kindly lass, Regent. "

She laughs. "Well, Coradel is my soul-mother, though we are alike in age. I've been told the resemblance is quite strong. Would you care for something to eat? I was preparing to take a meal, myself."

"Ah, so that part is true, she must be lovely if you look akin to her," He says in a Caladonian burr, "And I would welcome it. Twould be an honor to break bread with you. Perhaps you could tell me more of your soul mother? I know mostly the tales of the siege."

Delores comes out with TWO Plates , each with a sandwich full of..well, the works.... Sparrow's favorite stuff, and in good amount. Clearly the steward wanted to make a meal of this

"Thank you, Delores." A smile.

"Quite welcome, and Baron, let me know if there's anything you like to drink in particular?"//"Any old grog will do" He smiles//She nods and fetches that while the Sidhe lady has been granted adrink more to her liking

"And yes, Coradel is lovely. Though - Lord Hew - I was wondering if you knew much of the current situation in Hawthorne?" She steals a bite of her sandwich and makes a Happy Face. "Thank you, Delores..."

"I have heard tales of how the former Baron was alone against the intrigues o the shadow court... and had to work against his count who had been chained in oath and blackmail by the Shadows. And then, a new ward of his, the lovely Coradel, did give him new hope and with the help of da'an and allies...of which I am sure you are one, the plots were revealed to the Duke and Duchess who had been tricked themselves. And, then battle... the Shadows realizing the jig was up right proper, did attempt to take vengeance on Earth runes and flee to another less protected hold with many trods. Allies, some I hear proudly were of Trollish lodges, charged forth! And bam! There it twere, the turning.... great sacrifice, noble victory. And a land freed it. I tell you, as a Scotsman, it sounded better than Braveheart"

"Oh, yes - two lodges! We would not be here without the strength and bravery of your kith. But... in the wake, there has been something of... cleaning house? As the Shadow is driven out, there are empty high seats..."