#earthrunes

Sir Ivory bows to the Baron, and smiles to see Gwen

Gwen smiles back "I'm fine, Sir Ivory" A whisper "Truly. Everyone's been great"

A grey and white opossum watches from the rafters, hanging by her tail.

Without looking away from Aiden, Coradel responds to Gwen's not-quiet-enough whisper, "That's good to hear, Shieldmaiden, for Sir Ivory has been concerned about your welfare."

The Baron watches the Beast for a moment longer, before turning his attention appropriately to the Beauty. "Smooth as one could hope for on an unknown trod. I had sent notice to the Knights that a new road had appeared, but had not heard yet if it had been considered cleared. Though, a lord cannot fear to tread there a fledge has already safely flown." He adds, "And found a safe perch of her choosing upon the other side." And he nods welcome to Sir Ivory as well.

Ivan lumbers forward... ready to hunt the lion!

The Lion is currently belly up, but.... is it a trap?!

His tail goes swish.

Gwen blushes "Thank you, Baroness. But I am well"

Ivan bounces to the side.. holy shit, tail attack? He barks at it

The Baron pauses just a moment, his attention on Gwen to see how she may react to 'her charge' going for the beast - but ready to react if she does not.

Coradel nods. "That is good to hear. Now...I believe you know Sir Ivory. This is my dear companion Vince. My Lord August cannot join us at the moment, sadly, as he is engaged with other business. And...who is this?" She casts an amused look at the fearless ball of fluff.

Gwen says in an authoritiative tone "Ivan, heel"

"Ah, Vince. Pooka?" He inquires. "Or tamed beast?" To Gwen, he gives a nod of approval and remarks softly, "One may not always be able to tell the difference between a fae-touched beast or a beast-touched Fae, so it is best to assume that any you encounter on Freehold grounds may be the latter. Courtesy costs far less than a slighted pooka may extort." He gives a nod to the Lion.

Vince rolls over onto his side and one of his paws thumps down next to where Ivan was - if he hadn't stepped back at Gwen's call!

"This is Ivan, he's a stowaway" Gwen says gathering the puppy up, then nods to Aiden showing she is listening

"I think I will let that be a mystery for now, Baron!" She smiles playfully. "Let us see if your charge can figure it out. Now, little Ivan," she reaches to take one of the pup's paws between gentle fingers. "How do you do?"

"A particularly recalcitrant example of my latest brood of Ovcharkas. He seemed to believe that the trod needed exploring. Ivanuschka must learn that not all he comes across may be so welcoming." But he smiles as the dog tries to lick the Baroness's face.

Gwen looks at the Lion trying to guess, "Are you a Pooka, Sir?"

She asks him flat out

"I understand your barony has hunting hounds and steeds as well?"

Vince sits up, and shakes out his mane in a glorious halo around his head.... and then rests it down again, purring, and not giving away any secrets. But - did one eye wink?

Coradel allows him to lick her fingers, at least, then gives him a light scritch before straightening again. A glance at Vince and a grin, then she says to Aiden, "Dame Claire was here a moment ago but got called away. I am sure she will be back soon."

"Right here, your Ladyship, and forgive me, I meant to be here aat the arrival." The woman is a warrior to be sure, but what might surprise is that her Ailil coat of arms is inverted. A sign to some of Seelieness in an Unseelie House

Gwen blinks at the wink

"Ah! Baron Aiden of SilverWolf, this is Dame Claire ap Ailil, my good friend and daughter-in-law."

She moves to bow before the Baron "Baron Aiden, an honor"

He takes in the Knight, his gaze not missing the inverted coat of arms, though it would of course be gauche to point it out. A bow to her in return. "A pleasure to find a house sister here. An unexpected flower amongst a garden already filled with delights."

Coradel looks pleased with that nicely-finessed compliment. "And...oh! I almost didn't see you there, Healer Emmaline." She seems to be looking at the rafters directly behind the Baron's head.

"As mentioned in our earlier missive, we would hope to retrieve some items from my fledge's previous mortal accommodations." Not referring to it as her home. "But I would welcome a moment of your time, Baroness, to discuss a matter related to an area that may be of potential mutual interest."

And he looks up, and gives a nod, nonplussed, to the rodents in the rafters. "Good day, Healer." Courteous. It is good to be on the good side of the healers after all.

Emma gape-grins!

"And of course, Baron. Miss Gwen, how difficult will it be to obtain your belongings? Do you have access?"

Gwen says "Wow, are.. most of your staff pooka?" Then adds "Your ladyship. " Then she says "My belongings? You mean from my old life? I left those behind, and there wasn't much, Baroness"

Aiden offers, "Though it may seem like little now, I would advise that you see what remains and take what you would. What seems unimportant now may be something you treasure later, or would find that you miss from your past."

"Oh, I have my fair share of that kith among my staff and my friends."

Coradel listens to the baron, then then shrugs slightly. "I thought much the same as you, Miss Gwen, but even I have found that mortal connections can still be of value."

"I.. suppose I ...there's something left from my mother. She moved on. It was this necklace with turqoise"

Dame Claire took the compliment graciously, but reserved.

"Then we will find it, if it remains to be found." He nods to her.

"Then perhaps Sir Ivory could escort you while the Baron and I discuss other matters? Or will you require greater assistance?"

"He has proven to be a capable warrior and escort, and is already known to you. Gwen, would you find this acceptable?"

"Yes, actually, if Sir Ivory is okay with it?" SHe looks at the pale moon god

He says "I am actually grateful for the chance." He offers an arm "This way, Gwen"

"Please find us upon your return, Sir Ivory. Best of luck." Coradel nods to dismiss them.

Gwen gives one last bow to the baron and baroness and goes

Leaving Gwen now ou of earshot of any discussion

"Now, Baron...perhaps I could interest you in a tour?"

Aiden watches her go, pup prancing at her heels. Then bows to the Baroness again. "Thank you for the lend of your knight. It is a small task, but one I had promised her." And he straightens in interest. "I would welcome that. I understand you have some interest in riding?"

"Oh, I am sure Sir Ivory will be quite the adequate escort. As I understand it, he had been musing her, or attempting to, before he discovered she was not actually mortal. Under other circumstances, Baron, I might comment upon poaching!" she adds with a light laugh. "Come, this way...oh, Vince, would you care to join us as well?"

Dame CLaire says "Shall I alert Sir Sergei to be ready to show off the kennels later, my liege?"