#earthrunes

"I..they want me to make a choice on a song's inclusion, I think I'm not qualified.." Willow says then blinks "Wait, does this mean my sister is fair game on this holiday?"

He frowns. "It should ...." He stops.

"Call dibs on her," Gideon suggests, "Most seelie atl east will respect that"

"I would agree...claim her as your territory for the holiday."

"I'd also prefer that the 'playthings' suffer as little lasting damage as possible." She gives Stevie a pointed look.

August picks up his tea and drinks.

"Baroness," Stevi says "Most mortals I tangle with enjoy it very much. Satyrs are overall good folk. "

"Well, Stevi is" Gideon says defending his fellow troubadour

"I understand, but...in your roles as troubadours, perhaps you might see that message gets spread to others? Pranks, not abuse, and gentle consequences."

The Liam looks puzzled.

"Well, of course," Stevi bows, "But..well, the pooka have things on a whole nother level. Not sure they'll listen"

"Sir August?" Willow says ""Pardon, but you lookk troubled. Is this a ..Liam thing? the Regent seems very protective of mortals as well, for which I'm grateful"

"Ah.... no. I mean, no, not a... Liam thing." Quietly.

"Oh?" Willow says "Blast, I thought I had it right I'm not sure I'll ever sort all the houses.."

He pinks. "Yes, Liam do protect mortals."

"Ah" Willow says "thank you. Shalimar told me a lot about all the Houses, but ths' before I knew uhm. that pooka, well, it seems rude to say, but they have trouble with the truth?"

Coradel smiles at that. "Pooka take practice. If you care to, you'll understand them eventually. And even then, they'll still trick you. Sometimes, it's a sign of affection."

"Friendly but difficult"

Wilow nods

"And if you give them a reason not to feel friendly towards you...there's no way that you can anticipate their retaliation."

"Sounds like my little sister"

Interested. "Really? She's the vengeful type?"

August shifts.

"Well, she's..we..are both with few resourcces, so she's been forced to get creative when she does decide to retaliate"

Coradel regards Willow a moment. "How is she doing? Since your chrysalis, I mean."

"She knows I'm hiding something, I think, but she probably thinks I've met a fellow."

Coradel smiles. "I'm sure we could arrange for a male member of the barony to visit, to reinforce the assumption."

"oh..ah," Willow is stunned, "i..who?"

"One of the Thanes, perhaps? Or...well, look around, see who might fit the bill, and ask if he'd be willing to play the part." A little twinkle in her eye.

"This..ah, well, if it will help the right of ignorance?"

August coughs, then moves his silverware around.

"It may, I think. Or," she shrugs "you could continue as you've been doing."

"I don't know what to say?"

"oh say yes" Stevi suggests

"I always find 'Thank you, Baroness, for the excellent suggestion' to be a fairly safe option."

"...But then again, I'm not much of a fan of safe options, myself."

"Ah, thank you, Baorness , for the excellent suggestion" the flustered troll says "As long as the fellow isn't mislead."

"Then you should explain the situation clearly...but do try not to hurt the boy's ego, either." She sips her tea.

"Right, yes, my track record with men is... just dandy" Blushing

A grin behind her teacup. "Spoken like a pooka."

Deeper blush

Stevi grins "Oh, shoot, I'll help her. Don't you worry ,Willow. Nobody better than a satyr for helping a friend find their game. Why I even got Gideon in with some ladies"

Gideon buries his face in his palm

"And there you have it." Coradel seems to feel that matter is settled.

"I don't want game, I just want to fool my sister...the illusion of masculine ccompany is.. i just don't want to hurt the ego?"

The troll protests to the satyress who nods nods and then replies 'I hear you, and we'll take that plan, and improve it. You're going to love it. Come on, too tall"

"Let me know how it goes," Coradel calls after them, unconcerned.

Those two leaving behind GIdeon who admit "i'm just glad she seems to have forgotten about that song twist. Ah, would you and Sir August like me to play anything?"

"That would be lovely, Gideon, thank you." Coradel smiles.

Gideon begins to play softly