#earthrunes

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"So We have a mistake on shipment of Beltaine supplies" Delores explains to Sparrow, "I don't know what we would need with 23 Maypoles this soon, or even at the right time. "

"Well..." She rubs the back of her neck, looking at the pile. "I could see... no... nope, that won't take twenty three..."

"I could see maybe fitting six in the garden. Maybe."

August walks through, pouring over a folder of print-outs and notes.

"Right... I was thinking, donate some to the Key Club? At least one?"

She flicks a wing, making Aug's papers ruffle. "Oh, totally!"

"Do you think Firnost would like one? You know that place better than I... "

Delores seems caught u in surplus inventory and doesn't notice the scribe yet

He catches the gust, looks up. "Oh. Hello Delores." Then, a fond smile. "Derynwydd."

"Oh, hello , Sir August."

"Firnost is weird. They might, though. August, you know anywhere that might need a maypole? We seem to have.... extra..."

"Twenty three" Delores says with embarrasment

"Only twenty-two extra!"

"Twenty three? Ah, twenty two extra -maypoles-?" He seems stunned.

"Plant them in the ground, they stay latched tight, a bright colorful ribbons that can be wound around some fellow..." She explains

"Topeka had maypoles."

"I know what maypoles are." He says mildly.

"Maybe we could set up rival maypoles, have a contest?"

"....not twenty three, but still."

"hmm a contest, that might work nicely" She says "any ideas what..."

August looks at the ladies. "Do -you- know what maypoles are?"

"You dance around them? There's a weaving thing..."

"About fifteen feet tall and cheaper in bulk" Delores quips "at least these were"

"Ah." August clears his throat.

Inish appears as if out of nowhere, "Chancellor, a knight escort has arrived for you"

"Ah...." She blinks. "From the Duchy? Now?"

"Would seem" he says

"The Duchy?"

"There's... a thing..." feathers rumple.

"A thing?" Delores says

"What thing?"

"Should i tell him now's a bad time?" Inish says

"No, I can go. I know they have a more pressing schedule..."

He nods, "I'll let him know be just a sec." He bows to all and withdraws to fetch the escort

"What thing?" August asks a little more firmly.

Delores raises a brow at August, but says nothing

"It's... a thing?" More rumpled. "I don't want to insult them, even though... ah..."

A Knight approaches , a Dougal judging by the colors, he has a back brace of sorts, and an open smile, "Baroness," He bows to the winged Liam, then looks at August and Delores, "Sir Dandrin ap Dougal, Are these your escorts?"

She returns the bow with a hand on her heart and a nod. "Sir Dandrin, welcome to Earth Runes."

August nods respectfully.

"It's a lovely place, I must confess I never saw it before. So Isolated it was before. But , despite a lack of tesla coils and hissing valves, it's rather lovely." Straight faced.

"This is Sir August, Baroness Coradel's consort. And Delores, our Steward."

"A pleasure" He says "I have heard much about the holding." He offers his arm to Sparrow "I think you'll find the choice before you surprisingly eclectic."

After a moment of hesitation, she takes the offered arm.

"Charmed" Delores says "Good luck?"

"Sir August, are you coming?" Dandrin asks

August nods, handing his papers off to Delores. "Would you please see these to my study? Thank you."

"of course, scribe" She nods

August turns back to Derynwydd and Dandrin. "My Lady." With a bow.