#earthrunes

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Earth Runes clean up proceeds in the morning. Quite a few benders, and more than one couple (or trio) wakes up almost stunned to be there. You can blame the gift of pan, but the truth of the matter is no one did anything they didn't want to do. The hold definitely feels Fiona now though, and last night, it came on strong. There's definitely a vibe of Joie de vivre, and while the sensualist aspects are there, others find themselves feeling energies in other ways. Creativity among them. Others seem to want to walking or riding.

It may be noted, however, that neither the baroness nor her scribe make any sort of appearance in the morning hours.

As mysteries go, this would make most Eiluned yawn.

Sparrow has her OWN ROOM with CLOTHING.

No togas!

Lots of feathers though

....truth

voices from alcoves and bedrooms can be overheard by boggans if they try...

"What do you mean you've changed the safeword. You can't change and not tell that's why it's a safe word. Now undo the lasso." "Just thinking that while I have your attention..." "Christ, Claire"

"...nibble...just a bit...and sip...not sick..." if any dare to listen at the door for the Baroness and her scribe.

"Gideon, you get back on in there and say a polite good bye to those ladies...and stop blaming me. Not my fault you were ground zero near the gift of pan, well, maybe it was, but you go back there and learn all five names and say good bye proper"

"Oh who drew that on my face? Real mature, guys, realll mature"

"Note to self, Romulan Ale not to be served at diplomatic functions"

"someone has made a statue of Queen Bess" "overnight?" "That's not the amazing thing" "What's amazing?" "it's crafted from cheese." "I.... have no idea what we do with that."

Later... Jack goes looking about, his outfit of a pro-prohibition advocate gone, though he did find the dress liberating, "When will the Baroness be available, Delores?"

"Oh don't bother them, Jack. I think poor August has a badheadache"

"'Bess' Sobered instantly. that's kind of worth noting, isn't it?" "Are you sure she was Sobert?' "Oh come on!" "Oka okay she was, but I don't know how either. It's done." "She's a walking risk to the Right of Ignorance." "She's been enchanted. She'll forget."

"Maybe. I'll knock soft." He moves to the door of the Baroness' loveshack (the other Baroness has a love nest) and knocks

to anyone with a hang over it may sound like a boulder has hit the roof.

"Who is it?" The call is clearly intended to be heard but not too loudly.

"Jack. Got a moment? It involves our most recent queen."

"A moment." Soft murmurings, protest of a male tone, and reassurance from her. A pause...and then the door opens, and she slips out into the hall in a rich velvet bathrobe of a deep red shade. This is clearly the hair of a woman who has enjoyed and been thoroughly enjoyed in return. and still manages to look lovely even in post-hangover mode. "Is she well, the Queen?"

"As she had like five or more people tuck her in, I'msure she's safe from harm...the problem is what happened to her last night. Baroness... you're not a fool, well, not anymore, you must have noticed that for several minutes she was as sober as a heart attack'

"Yes...that was odd, but timely. It let her give consent." A smile. "It let her give enthusiastic consent. What of it?"

"timely? Deliberate. Baron Nemasus didn't just make that 'get a drunk ' rule. It's tradition, and a wise one. Helps provide better excuses if they remember a lot. she might remember too much. And even if she's not a danger to us, and she might be, someone pretty much broke the rules hard. Aren't you curious who? Shouldn't you look intoit?"

"Hmm." Coradel leans against the door frame and considers this. "First August and now you want to spoil my fun by bringing up concerns." A slight pout.

Jack raises a brow, "Must be one hell of a hangover if it's keeping his hands off you."

A bemused look. "Thank you. It's a matter of exhaustion on both parts, really." a bit of a wink. "And I wouldn't worry about some villain sobering up the Queen, Jack. I think she did it to herself."

"How? Because she's not one of us, and if she's a willworker, a mage, we're in deep shit." His eyes widen "Sorry, I ..don't think that's it."

"Jack...she was the Queen. Look...don't you think I made a remarkably good Fool last night? I don't think that was all me...I think the Dreaming accepted her as Queen for the night, and empowered every order she gave. She told us all to enjoy ourselves and..." a glance back to the room, then a smile... "well, I don't think the Gift of Pan alone is quite that strong. And right before she sobered, August was fussing about her ability to consent while drunk, and Queen Bess said that whatever the trouble was she wanted it gone so we could get on with having fun...and poof!" She snaps her fingers. "I may not be Eiluned, but you can't deny that all the puzzle pieces fit rather conveniently."

"Too conveniently for my liking. " Jack says

She folds her arms. "Why? Why couldn't it be that?"

"I've been around for awhile. And I deal in booze. And that wasn't chimerical booze, that was mortal drink.It's not going to vanish because she wishes hard enoough."

"Oh." Now she does frown. "Not even...hm, no, I suppose you know what you're talking about. Well...what could cause that to happen? Heatherbalm? Fugue?"

"It's a chemical in your bloodstream. Chicanery could make you forget you were drink, or insist you weren't,but you'd still slur and stagger like before." He frowns, "Heather balm? A cantrip on the booze itself IS possible, but if a cantrip was cast, that rules her out, doesn't it? Someone worked magic,"

"And you don't think it was her power as the Queen? On Carnival night?"

"There was power last night, but that's... mmph" he frowns "Maybe, but I still don't trust it. I guess I've been in an Eiluned hold and that makes me curious. But you might want to be careful. Someone is making choices for us all. And if the Duke and Duchess don't agree? It could cost you"

"Oh, Jack..." she sighs. "And here I was enjoying myself." She glances back to the room. "I'd almost gotten him to agree there was nothing wrong with last night, and now he'll be all suspicious again. Ah, well...fine. We should all meet. All the court. But not until all have had a chance to wake and settle their morning farewells. Perhaps...in another two hours. You should tell Delores to spread the word. Ah...you said Queen Bess has been taken home safe, but have you seen Bachdion or Vince? Are they well?"

"Bachdion and Vince hit it off very well," Wry "I haven't seen Vince, but Bachdion looked okay, happy but a bit spent. Guess we grumps just have to roll with some limits. He might need time by the balefire."

Coradel puts a gentle hand to Jack's cheek. "You enjoyed yourself, I hope?"

"Oh, yes, the dress was veery freeing" He smirks, "Had some talk with old times with Sergei of all people. He's a quiet one normally."

She smiles. "Well...good, then. Perhaps you would be the one to tell Bachdion we need to meet, and why?"

"Sure, I'll fill him in." He nods, "And sorry about August. Look, if he has a hangover, Delores makes these little biscuits..." He starts to suggest

"Way ahead of you, she lefts some for us. I need to twist his arm to eat them, though. Apparently there's honor in suffering." A bit of an amused look, then she sobers. "Thank you again, Jack. I will see you at the meeting."

He nods and heads off.

And she slips back into the room to reluctantly inform August of Jack's message.

(End Scene)

((Post scriptum: When she returns, he's in the bathroom. Where, he insists, he's fine. He will be. Please go away. Love you.))