#earthrunes

"Would you care to pour?" politely.

"I would be delighted," And she pours expertly, "True, but isn't a curious nature more typical among Eiluned?"

August seats himself. "It is, stereotypically. And it may be a Sidhe flaw that apology comes reluctantly."

"I have noticed a certain element of pride in almost every shining host, but then, there is no denying your kith has much to be proud of" She has learned how August likes his tea and knows the right amount of sugar etc

"Thank you, very kind." He murmurs.

"And... yes. Perhaps. At any rate."

"Do you think she would be better off at another hold?" Curious "no, I suppose not. Her mother will need the illusion of her daughter still here"

"Yes." soberly "She will."

"My lord, is there anyway I can help?"

August sighs, and his cares weigh on him. "I do not know, Velvet, but if so I will lean on you." he promises "For now, I will work to make sure she has restitution and a place to live."

He clears his throat. "You wished to speak philosophically and theologically of Sidhe incarnation?"

"Yes, regarding sidhe souls, and mortal ones..w hat you know of the sidhe transference..." and she begins to inquire

August nods. "You have traveled in the Dreaming?"

"Yes, not often, and always on the silver, but yes. Only once did I go particularly far"

"I would like to hear of that sometime." he smiles that gentle smile "Our records show that Sidhe souls.... come from much deeper in the Dream. Arcadia, in roundabout ways, here. It is.... a cold arrival. Deeper than bone-chilling. Soul-chilling. It is a confusing, tumultuous, forgotten journey ending in near death. Sidhe are, perhaps, understandably desperate."

"Exiles, and refugees from their once haven" her eyes are intense with curiousity "And very fragile"

"Sources are... split, on that."

"Yes, and a prickly question to ask some nobles about I hear" she admits "So.. for them, to not seize a body when they arrive is not just death, it is obivion."

"It is." quietly "For those of us who did not take the Autumn Way.... this is what we have."

"Yet so many sidhe seem to find the bodies of the rich, of the already good looking or popular. Is it deliberate? Is it resonance? Does Da'an insist?" a sip

"The predominent theory is that it is Da'an."

"Interesting..."

Her Lord might look a bit.... uncomfortable.

"you disagree?" eyes light up

"I.... understand, I am Liam. I am... conflicted."

"Yes. I would not shy from hearing of the conflict. The turmoil within you, your kith's beliefs warring against your House's creedo" Excited

A sip.

"I tend to ... the introspective. Liam often do. I believe the Sidhe are.... moulded, cast, set.... as best suits them. The Dreams they are satisfy some yearning of Mankind. And some mortals Dream of what Sidhe are. Or what they wish Sidhe are. Or even just to be wealthy and powerful and attractive themselves."

"To assume or rely on some greater Will that orders such Dreams.... for me, it is an over-reach."

"Humble of you, my lord, and yet very Liam. Mortals having more power than many sidhe want to accept"

"Yet.. not the full crowning of the Da'an..." She looks intrigued

"How do you mean?"

"That the sidhe are not necessarily directed to their bodies by D'an, that they have no mandate of fate to claim those bodies, but rather, it is mortal prejudices and hopes that have the true pull? it is..intriguing. It elevates mortals in a strange way.. giving them power over the shining host even as the shining host seize their forms. "

August shakes his head. "It is only one... concept. And yes. It may go the other way."

"Oh from another perspective I suppose it could quite go to a sidhe's head. In a sense, if it is the dreams of men and women that pick it, they are offering up a sacrifice to these god like glowing ones"

"Perhaps."

"it's amazing isn't it though? I wonder if that's why Arcadians may only have one life? The mortals might also demand a sacrifice from them? "

"Perhaps." quietly "Perhaps it is owed."

"Oh it is such an interesting notion... I" then she looks at her liege and blushes "forgive me, liege. sometimes I forget we sluagh are a touch overly morbid by other kiths' standards. Am I offsetting you?"

"No." Gently.

"Sluagh... do not off set me."

A toothless smile "Thank you, lord. I see why Miss Zara finds you a most agreeable gentleman. You are quite cultured and polite. Still, you must let me know if I should depress you. I do not seek that. "

"Thank you... that is most high praise. I cherish it.

"Should you pass away and I observe it, your life light flickering onto it's final passage, I admit, I shall miss you even as I cheerish that last gift of knowledge"

"Again I thank you. And I will do all I can to .....be there for you."

She sips her tea, "You've shared a great deal of your views. Is there some knowledge you wish in exchange?"

A pause. "No. Thank you."

A nod "As you prefer" She considers

The Baron sips his tea.

She sips her own, and for a time they enjoy the silence, then she says "Have you any desire for any particular books to be brought in? Of late, Sir Bachdion has been bringing in some in French"