#earthrunes

Her wings half-spread and she takes a small step towards the wobbly herald. "A message?"

He reaches into a pouch, and pulls out a scroll with the ducal seal "From..their graces seems."

"Oh... oh, hellfire... okay, thank you, Inish." She takes the scroll.

The Liam breaks the seal to unroll the message.

to Baroness Derynwydd Ogresbane ap Liam, Chancellor and Heir of Earth Runes Holding. Your service is called once again by their graces in the matter of advice in the matter of who will replace the fallen Count. A few candidates have arisen, and your opinion is requested. While not the deciding factor, your input will be accounted. Should you be unable at this time to partake of this duty, we shall carry on without you, but it is our hope you can partake in this somewhat, and see it as the honor and sign of trust it is intended to be full titles and so forth of their Graces

"Inish, could you... oh."

"mm is it good news? I don't break seals... I take my duties serioshly" He wobbles

"Good news, but they need a reply."

"Oh, well, let me.." He reaches into his bag, "Blank skull..pardon, scrolls, ink... here," he lays it down on the counter, "Oh, I remember his lordship's responses. He could be so terse.Why I swear it made the letters lighter. someone would send him a missive asking for a full summary of the year, and he'd send back 'Twas the standard 365 days'"

"Well, my response is 'Yes' and 'when?,' for what it's worth."

"Oh he'd like that, he'd like that..." A nod of blurry approval, "that's a good lass there, carrying on his tradition so."

A soft laugh. "I try to do right."

"Righto... I'll have a messenger send it promptly back. I'd do it meself, but i'm afraid this particular batch o lion's leavings has me all well and truly tied"

"Thanks, Inish."

"Tis no problem, I'll send a thane to escort Qwerty"

"Sounds like a plan."

Qwerty soon shows up, the Thane nearby, and ready to take the message. The Herald has fallen asleep at the bar.

She considers, looking for a slightly comfier place to deposit the herald.

the thane will help her find one, a nice couch perhaps. Qwerty asks, "Baroness, is there anything else you need delivered or wish me to say?"

"That I appreciate their kindness and grace in this matter? I am honored by the consideration."

He nods, And repeats it verbatim, then bows if that satisfies. He looks to the Thane, and heads off.

Sparrow herself flumps into another upholstered chair, near the fire. The tavern has both those things, right?

It does, and she rests, her mind spinning with this ...power in her hands. Even if she is only to advise, it's a lot of influence, and indeed fine praise. It's a good thing she's not Unseelie, she'd preen for days about this!

A good thing.. oh, hey, preening. Inish asleep, the room quiet, the fire flickering. She folds her wings, reaching to check her feathers... gently brushing off flakes from the shafts.

Dame Nansaidh enters in, unaware anyone is there, and gets herself a drink

"Hey, Nansaidh..." A soft greeting, hoping not to startle her.

She is a bit startled but not too badly, "mmm I must be more tired than I thought. Greetings, Chancellor."

"Dame. Afraid the couch is taken, Inish... ah... I think he had a hard day?"

"Ah, " A nod, "Yes, I understand he tried to find an apprentice, but the lad who came forward was all 'whatever man'. Obviously said lad is not among us. But he's growing dejected about it" she sips slowly

"Who came forward?" She sits up, watching the Gwydion.

"A clurichaun, one of his own kith. I don't know the name. But it struck Inish to have one of his own act so."

She sighs, "he has tried hard to adapt, but ...change can be difficult."

"Ouch, yeah. I wonder, with all of our childlings.... a few are nearly wilders."

"mm possible," She says, "the pooka sibs are still too young, and besides, their kith has trouble announcing anyone by their right name. "

"True. But the Eshu and Satyr?"

"eshu wander, but their story telling lends them towards the fine narrative announcements. The satyr, well, he seems a bright boy too." SHe says "I wouldn't suggest one to him right away, give him a day or two."

"No. If I were at all subtle, I'd try to figure out a way to get the kids to ask him for stories... or.. something, you know? Interact without pressure."

"Sounds wise." She shrugs, "Forgive, I may not be the best company. "

A rustle of wings. "I... hey. Remember that bit about not being subtle? I know I'm new to the mix... but... are you happy?"

"Please tell me it has not sunk to the level when I am now pitied?"

"Pitied? No! Just - I... I know, I shouldn't listen to rumor...."

"rumors, yes, my brother tells me that some of the Unseelie are almost certain the Baroness and you will soon be splitting the year Winter and Summer with one of you fully dedicated to the Unseelie nature. I wouldn't put too much stock in rumors. " A pause "I have duty. I don't need to be happy."

A sad laugh. "I know that feeling."

"Well, I'm pretty sure we'd tolerate Coradel's Unseelie better than mine. I don't much care for that side of myself. " Her feathers fluff out then relax and smooth. "What would help make you happy and still let you pursue your duty?"

"I don't know if one can have both" She says with a sigh

"I know that feeling, too." A wry look. "How about we start with a premise - you deserve happiness."

"Arguable, " A mutter, "But for now"

"You do! Even... maybe especially... when you think you don't. I... before I came here, I was... I wasn't in a very good place. Not in my head."

"From what I understand, you had good reason to be miserable. Poverty and injury. You are to be commended, yes, you had help, but you seized the vine offered and lifted yourself to your rescuers"

"Oh - I fought them. They might not tell you that. I... I was so sure I didn't... didn't matter, or didn't deserve... part of me hoped I'd get in a worse fight, one that I could... end with. Honorably. In a way direct action wasn't."