#earthrunes

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Baron hew has been delayed long enough. Any longer and it might come across as rude. Of course, Baroness Coradel didn't know he was coming but that's not the point.

Coradel asks Delores to see if the Baron can meet with her, not in the throne room, but in one of the as yet undecorated galleries.

Easily arranged. THe gallery chosen is chiefly bare, really needs something, but of course there is enough there to hold a meeting.

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. Quite the troll. And when he sees her, he bows.

She returns a curtsy. "Baron Hew. Thank you so much for your patience. Things have been...well, a little hectic."

"I ken you," He says, "And me unannounced. I suppose the dreaming was teaching me a wee bit of humility, but i owe you the speech proper so.." He clears his throat "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. "

Coradel is, frankly, charmed. "Quite a fine speech it is, too, Baron Hew. And a fine offer. I do seek to drive the foulness far from where it may hurt my people, and your offer of aid in that regard is very much appreciated. However...the offer of marriage is out of the question, for you see, I have already oathed to another."

"Och, truly, he who hesitates is lost indeed. To the lucky lad or lass, I can only envy their fortune, timing, and, if I may say fine taste. You're a courteous lass to make sure I hear of it from yuir own lips. I thank ye for that."

A gracious nod. "I thank you for understanding. You seem a fine and honorable man, and certainly one who has some experience in combat. I'd much rather have you as an ally than as a wounded suitor."

"I be a Dougal, Lady.And we're a practical house. Asides, any wound I bore would be naught but arrogance put in it's place not a wounded heart of loss. Though in that last, it is best I did not get to know you before hearing the news you were taken else I might have gotten a broken heart for sooth," He says gallantly "And who knows? Perhaps I shall earn a barony nearby if I prove myself. I'd welcome such neighbors as you and Baroness Deryn. Your Regent did you proper I should add."

Another smile and nod at his compliment, then a different kind of smile about Deryn. "I've heard nothing but wonderful reports about her work as Regent, and they delight me. Thank you for being another voice in that choir. Now, Baron, tell me a bit more about what you seek. I know you share my desire to keep our land save from the deeper Shadows. But what beyond that? You are of Dougal...are you a crafter yourself?"

"A smith, a common enou trade by Dougal standards to be sure. Armor , but some weapons. I hope to rule, but with honor. When I heard the Shadow Court's expulsion meant people they could trust would be needed to rise in that place...well I thought my kith would work for me for once. In Caledonia, Commoner Nobles are taken less seriously I fear."

"I'm sure that must be frustrating. Tell me, have you met the Duke and Duchess yet?"

"I hae nae, I was hoping to gain legitimacy through marriage as I knew they would be quite busy and did not know me from the next fella."

"And I have thwarted your plans," she says sympathetically. "Well, as I said, I cannot help in that regard, but perhaps another opportunity will present itself. You are certainly willing to stay as our guest. Perhaps you might find a different sort of opportunity in the area in the near future."

"Mayhaps," He says "And perhaps I shall impress you enough that you will have reason to put in a good word for my graces. I hope so, political marriages and such direct actions are about as 'cunning intrigue' as a Dougal troll is liable to get."

A bright laugh at that. "Oh, my foster and predecessor here was Eiluned. I have no abilities at all in the 'cunning intrigue' category, so I do understand. And yes...it would be a bit silly for me to promise an endorsement when I know so little about you, but over time that might change." She extends a hand to him. "Baron Hew, I am so glad we've met, but I hope you'll forgive me. I am still trying to juggle new staff appointments and want to settle those matters quickly so people don't become too nervous. But I hope we might speak more at dinner tonight? And I would like to introduce you to my husband then."

He clasps her hand in his own, blue engulfing her perfect tones, "I would be honored to meet the man. And shall see you then. I know you are busy in the mean time, so I'll not keep you any longer."

A curtsy, her hand still in his, and then she withdraws with a smile and makes her way... ((presumably to meet with Jack, as already managed, and then Shalimar?))

OOC: Sure

((Can do now?))

OOC: sure 😉 Since PBEM covered the first part ...BIC: ....she makes her way to meet with Jack, and has that talk. It's..thought provoking. And she heads out...seeking out Shalimar. The pooka comes out in a bathrobe with small yellow duck designs

"Shalimar, there you are. Oh...is this a bad time to talk?"

"Oh no, don't mind my nerves." He confesses, "I'm always afraid that when a woman sees me naked for the first time she'll scream and run out of the park."

A bit of a puzzled look. "I...see."

"X-Ray vision, niiiice," A smile "How can I help you, your baronnlilovelieness? You need to laugh? "

A grin, but she shakes her head. "Not exactly. I need to apologize." The grin fades. "I count you as a friend, Shalimar...but I left while you were yet in mourning, and that feels like...like a betrayal. I'm hoping you can forgive me."

Shalimar sighs "I ...well, lady. whenone has lost one, he's totally braced for the idea of losing another eh? it's like if you want to make an omelet one egg won't do. so... when you didn't come back, I had to wonder about the money you owed me. Kept me up at nights"

A sigh. "I didn't mean to do that to you. To add pain to pain."

"Life is Pain, Princess, anyone telling you otherwise is getting the movie quote wrong" He pats her hand, "I know you weren't meaning any malice because your high leather boots are missing. or did Neachddann steal them again?"

She smiles a bit. "Well...I'll try to avoid having so many urgent and traumatic things happen at once in the future." A breath. "Well. I also need to ask...when I asked before about what position you cared to have, I thought you mean to continue as Jester, but it's been suggested you might have meant to be Childling Warder. I certainly want you to do what makes you happy, so which would it be?"

"Ah, and me being so simple to understand as all my kith and kin are. Here, maybe this will help." He'll go back into his room and come back out with the foolscap on

She laughs and gives him and impulsive hug. "Oh, thank you, Shalimar. I thought maybe you wouldn't want to."

He hugs her, "Like popeye, that's me. "

She pulls back a bit to look at him. "I don't understand that, but I'm sure it's hilarious." An apologetic look.

"Perhaps one in an Eiluned vein?" An offer of a joke

"Perhaps?" A soft smile. "Well...I must go, but...I'm glad we're okay, you and I. And thank you for being Jester once again." She steps away and heads down the hall. "See you at dinner!"

Before she goes, he coughs and tilts his hat then says

"Conspiracy buffs Bob and Fred die in a car crash. They arise to the Pearly Gates, and after a brief background check are admitted to Heaven."A pious look

"Their first act is to ask to meet with God Himself so they can get a few questions answered. Their request granted, they are ushered into His Divine Presence where the Almighty asks them: "What would you like to know, My Children?" Bob immediately asks, "Lord, all our lives we've wanted to know: who was REALLY behind the Kennedy assassination?"

God sighs, somewhat sadly, and replies: "Everyone asks that. The Truth is that John F. Kennedy was killed by Lee Harvey Oswald. Oswald acted alone. There was no second gunman, no conspiracy, and no government cover up. Does that answer your question?"

Bob and Fred thank The Almighty, and turn to go. As they pass out of God's presence, Fred leans over to Bob and whispers "It's even bigger than we thought!"

((Sorry, I totally misinterpreted the 'offer of a joke' phrase to mean he was offering an explanation for the other joke))

She listens, bemused, then laughs a bit at the end. But...then grows a bit serious. "I think, Shalimar, that the era of kept secrets is not entirely over at EarthRunes." And then she turns and goes.

A bow and she departs, as the skunk pooka says "Dear Lord, it's huger than ever how..oh, tail curled under. Whew. Walking was about to be a challenge."

And end scene