#earthrunes

Coradel enjoys watching the instant connection between August and Danique, and after encouraging the girl that yes, she should certainly see the library while she's here (and nudging August that he could guide her on a tour), she absolutely approves of August taking the troll on a spin of the dance floor. Yes, impish look and all.

Then she turns a smile on Siv. "You are a wicked one. I approve." In fact, she seems very pleased at this surprising young troll, and discussions of houses (especially Fiona) do develop.

When August returns from dancing with one troll to request a dance with another, Coradel gives him a merry wink and nods them on their way.

And when he returns again and claims a turn with her, she joins him gracefully, agreeing with Siv about her assessment of August's gentility. As they move together, she murmurs, "That one had you puzzled. It played all over your face." This is a fact that amuses her, apparently. "She's a curious thing, isn't she? I think we ought to have her visit longer."

Later, when they locate Zara and Earl, Coradel turns her most charming smile on him. "Earl, not presumptuous at all. It is my turn to dance with a troll, now." A smile to August and Zara as she draws her tall dance partner just a little further away to dance...but not so far that Earl can't see Zara. "This came off brilliantly. I hadn't expected it to be such a success. And this maze...Earl, you have the right temperament for this sort of event. I hope you would consider helping again if we make this a yearly tradition? If there are no graduates, at least a cotillion of sorts?"

Siv laughs "I do not think my mother would see wicked as the asset you do, but as you mean it as such, I thank you. " And yes, the girl is a sponge.

Taking any information deeply.

While speaking with Siv, Coradel does take a moment to regard her with a curious expression. "You may be the least reserved member of your kith that I know."

Siv sighs "Aye. well, sometimes I think it's teenage rebellion. My parents, good folk, but far more reserved. I'm not always proud of it. I grew up in a ship of mostly trolls, and they spoiled me terribly or so they say... I don't think I came out a brat, but with surrounded by such tolerance typical trollish reserve has never been as required of me and now I have to make the effort. Thus." She 'brows', her expression growing distant. Then it pops into a smile again "Like that. Good for poker, pooka, and folks who get snide."

Coradel laughs, delighted, at the troll's meta-impression. "I see! Interesting form of camouflage! And I do believe we have plenty of pooka who might fall for it."

"About house Fiona... is. and meaning no insult. monogomy forbidden? I'm flirtatious but the troll heart tends to ah, focus." she says "Stress, obsess, attach, protect."

She honestly doesn't know

Coradel's smile gentles a bit. "First of all, no, no insult taken. And then, while I don't completely understand monogamy as a lifestyle choice, and while it's a minority choice within the house, it's not at all forbidden as long as it's a means of seeking pleasure, not solely as a matter of territory. At least, that's how I've seen it. Oh, certainly there are likely to be some who chastise those who choose only one partner, but that's an opening for a good strong debate, isn't it? Also fun."

"I can take a bit of good natured ribbing..." Siv says "Heck, sometimes a bit of light teasing is fuel for the fire. Thank you, Baroness. I could go on for hours, but You're in high demand and hostess asides."

"It's true," she says as August returns. "But please, Miss Siv, don't be a stranger to this hall. In fact, be welcome to stay for a few days if you like."

"I might take you up on that," SHe says "But depends on me duties at Rivervale. Even the odd troll out feels duty's pull mightily . Also there is someone i hope to see in the morning ...so I think I will definitely see to a room tonight less trouble at home prevent it." She bows

Coradel gives a graceful nod. ((And I think that this is wear August asks Siv for a dance?))

And off they go...

Later, when Earl and she dances, and the request for handling is made...

For Earl, he says "Oh this was almost a disaster because I misread ... I think someone better trained in it should take charge. I just have a few artistic ideas that sometimes work off the canvas. I'm glad this came out so well though. If you need help with designs, let me know but I think I should decline. I'm going to need to work on selling my art and getting a part timer while Zara is at Vasaar"

"Well, I think the misread had more to do with your relationship with Zara than it did with your abilities as a party planner. But your other point is well-taken. What are you working on currently, art-wise, besides event installations?" she nods to the rice paper contours as they dance together.

"Event installations... that might look good on a resume" He admits As they dance "Well, as you know, my work runs to twords the surreal if not out right morbid but one work I've got is actually on the whimsical... a tall tower with a terrified dragon on top, where an angry cone hatted and matching gown damsel/princess is down below shaking her fist at said dragon terrifying the poor thing who is now afraid to move. It's a commission. On the morbid side, I have a group of racists who realize to their horror they have embedded themselves into a wall and are now trapped for eternity. I don't normally get political but the vision was so strong I had to give it life"

"Oh, absolutely. Is that also a commission? The first sounds wonderfully fun, and I'm curious about who might have commissioned it. I don't suppose you'd tell me, hm?" A smile.

"Sorry, I have to keep things confidential or I'll lost clients, and the second is just for whoever wants to buy it. If you'd like something similar to the first for yourself I can do so. I mean, it woudl be different.. otherwise I'd feel like a printing press not an artist."

"No, you certainly shouldn't do repeats like that. It diminishes the power of the piece. I'm almost tempted to purchase the second piece off of you, but I think it needs broader display than I could give it. That's one that needs to be seen by the right audience."

A tilt of his head, "Sometimes I see why you and August are such a good match. You don't like injustices anymore than he does. Your styles vary, but in the end it compliments. I'm glad you two found each other."

She beams up at him. "Why, Earl, that's a lovely insight. Thank you."

"You're welcome," he blushes lightly , even a troll can be rocked by a beaming sidhe. "So, you and Augst moving in together full time. Did you give him a man cave or some spot for his alone times?"

She smiles warmly. "Well, you know he has his study for when he wants to focus on work. But it's funny you should mention it. We've just put in an application to rent a house in town so we have a place of our own outside of the manor and grounds. It'll be for what we think of as our 'domestic bliss' nights...we cook together and so on...but it also gives August a place where he can host visitors, a place that's his as much as mine. He doesn't feel he has that here...and in many ways he's right." A troubled look at that.

"You cook together? I admit, that surprises me, but in a good way. Yes, August will thrive there." he notices the look. "Well, you are the baroness, technically all the places here are yours."

"Yes, August has taught me how. I'm fairly good with spaghetti now!" she declares proudly. "But yes, that's exactly the problem...nothing here is his because he's still not a baron. Which is....irksome."

Earl seems surprised, "Does he even want to be a baron? "

She gives him a wry look. "Do you think he would admit it if he did?"

"Good point"

"Earl, he was of equal rank to me when we were in Arcadia. He deserves that again."

"Any theories on why he can't be? Technically your trueheart Oath is reason to elevate"

She seems to be weighing what to say...and then in a patently obvious lie, she smiles and says, "Not a clue."

He looks to the side "Noble politics." Trying not to let his disregard show and failing just a bit.

Oh, even more vapid, and now a batting of eyes. "I don't know what you might mean." Then more of her normal demeanor with a side of defiance and a wink. "I'll sort it out...but it is challenging."

"Well, I don't know you as well as some, but challenge doesn't sound like a word you shy from. As it is, it seems like the obstacles are just getting your dander up."

A light laugh at that. "It sounds as though you know me well enough, Earl." Then a measuring look and she angles up to whisper a bit, "I don't suppose you could help inspire him to rush our mortal wedding along? If we could manage it by the end of September...all would be so much easier."

Earl is an empathic fellow, "Your mortal folks might freak, but I take it you two can handle them?"

"Well...I can manage mine," she is confident. "His are...well, he's reluctant to do anything that would make 'handling' them easier. Protection of mortals, you know? I think he takes it a bit too far at times, but then again, that's part of what makes him August." A fond smile. "But again...that's where I think your inspiration might come in handy."

"I'll see what I can do, but truth? Your love can be hard to wrangle. He's a stubborn man."

And right back to that patently false smile, "I don't know what you're talking about!" And then she laughs and gives him her hand to bow over as the music winds down. "Thank you, Earl."

"Thank you, and I'll see what I can do. I suppose he won't elope?"

"He wants to do it big. It means a lot to him. And...I can wait, but if it can be done more quickly? I think we would both be happier in the long run."

A nod, "I'll do what I can." He says as they part, "Thanks again for the dance."

"Oh, Earl, it was absolutely my pleasure, and we should do it again sometime." A genuine suggestion, apparently.

A smile, "Perhaps, I shall have to be sure it is okay with my lady. "

She gives him a slightly more serious look, "Thank you for being okay with them dancing, then." She nods towards August and Zara, at least one of whom is still too far away to hear what she says.

He looks at them and sighs, and just for a moment, Coradel can see that insecurity he does his best to quell with both logic and trust. Earl is a good man, but still a man for all that. And who better than a Fiona to understand the sting of worry or even fear when love is involved?

She watches him a moment before murmuring, "You are a fine partner for her, and match her in ways that no one else could. Never doubt that, Earl."

A smile does find its way on hsi face, weak but sincere, "No one can every truly match her , she's one of a kind, but I thank you. I needed to hear something like that. Now if only I can get such lessons to stick."