#earthrunes

The newcomer, the green man, has bowed also. Worth noting is that his mein is not entirely green, his hair has leaves of brown , red and orange... he is no kubera... but he might be close

The herald nods "Indeed, your excellency. I took record, would you like to read it, or shall I read it aloud?"

She does give the new arrival a curious glance, but he is not her priority.

"You will read it aloud. And you, my court, will attend."

The court attends. Those who were not invited (Emma IS invited but was out with Poppy at the time, and Baron August in the middle of something) are blocked by thanes on the outter doors.

1122, however, finds a nice vantage point to observe alongside Octa.

Innish begins to recite. Much of it rather humdrum activity, turns out Hume got the reports on inventory from the Steward, had a request for a party to be held by Dame Leonora in the garden in two days which he approved, and then a guest came in..."Incoming came Cristant Greenfellow, who offered his services as bard. "A glance to the green man, then "Lord hume seemed surprised we did not have a bard, and asked for a reckonig of what positions in court were empty. He was informed..."

Vince attends with quiet interest.

"It was then that the Lord's cellphone did play 'renegade' as a ringtone.. and the Lord did grow aggitated and said he must be off.... but he was not allowed to leave for he ruled. He did insist that Dame Leonora accompany him, and then elevated Vince to Chancellior on the spot saying he trusted him ..."

Coradel has listened thus far with a stony patience. But at this last point, she leans forward, her eyes flashing with anger.

(the last point of Hume requesting what positions were empty)

“I wouldst have attended upon him myself, were it not time for my midday tea. And that he demanded mine attention to the throne as befits the Chancelroar. I requested Thane Rollo to attend on my behalf.”

"Then, he did say "I guess you can be bard, we'll make it happen" to Cristant Greenfellow... who was courteous, and then, Lord Hume grabbed armor and a sword and left , with Dame Leonora with him. Thus began the regency of Lord Vincimus Mane-a Must, Protectoriate of the Hold, and Chancel-Roar of the Barony"

Coradel looks at Vince. "I have not yet asked you to speak," she says quietly. Not gently.

Vince offered as explanation… but now goes silent. He combs at his hair with a hand.

"Herald, over the course of how many days did these changes take place?"

"One" the Herald admits

"One." She stands and looks at the assembled fae. "One day, and I return to discover titles bestowed in MY court where I have not made the choice. Made by whim and happenstance! I will be clear: This is MY court! It is a Fiona court, and will be until my passing! I have been burdened with an upstart Dougal as an heir, not by my choice, but by my obligation. He is ONLY my heir...and he shall never be granted authority over my court in my absence again!" She paces in her fury. How dare he!

The court squirms uncomfortably, no one daring to speak... save one who is allowed by custom...

the Jester

"Well, which luck he'll be hacked with an axe, the armor fail him, and you shall get a replacement.. where there's an heir there's a spare? "

She pauses and frowns at Shallimar. "If you have knowledge of where he went, share it." Her tone is abrupt, clipped.

"All khow I plot treason against our lord chancellior" He explains, "Why I even tricked the lion tyrant into sending rollo with the boy so he'd be unprotected. Right of ignorance is a minor matter, after all, and right of life less so... twould seem our keyboard cowboy thinks something crucial came up. ... I MIGHT Have peeked at his screen, please don't tell Vashti, she thinks I only have voyeur eyes for her... but tell me , what does it mean when one says 'We shall beging the vivesection on the 'interdimensional being' in a half hour?"

She scowls at this. "If Thane Rollo is with them, they will be successful. Be clear -- I agree that his choice of Vince as Chancellor is a good one, as he is one of my most trusted companions," she says firmly. "This matter does not change that truth. But it remains true that Steward Delores has customarily managed my affairs in my absence. Did none of you inform Lord Hume of this?" She looks about the room.

A large bout of silence then Innish steps forward and answers "I did that very thing. He said that while he respected her, Vince knew him better and he had no time to argue with me."

"Anything that I might have said, would have been Lion." Vince says, though he waits a moment to ensure that he is, in fact, invited to speak at this juncture.

A narrow look at Innish's answer. And a nod of understanding to Vince. "So...Lord Hume knew my custom, but supplanted it with his own." Pacing again as she speaks, but then she pauses and looks to the green man. "Come forward, Greenfellow."

The fellow comes forward, and bows again

"How come you here, to EarthRunes?" she asks...no, demands.

"And a pleasure to be meeting you, Baroness," He says in a deep voice with a Welsh accent, "As my kith and accent suggests, I came Cymru, what you might know as Wales. I had made enemies there, and fearing for my life, and worried of my next kiss of banality being my final season on the wheel, I came. I am a Bard, trained by Gin Mcfoy... who himself was trained by O'Drake the Silver, who was trained by True Thomas for a time, though was not his main student. I was from such Concordian connections that I decided to leave the isle of the mighty and come hither. I cast an omen ,and with a dart did see where fortune would have me go.. and it landed in the map near Jefferson city. Feeling that if it wasn't Da'an, it would at least not be that bad. I presented myself. There's more to things I suppose but I know matters are in a rush"

She listens, frowning despite his charm. "And no sooner do you arrive than you are granted a position in a court. Then understand this -- you are welcome here, as are all who keep the Escheat. But I have chosen and beloved Troubadours who have served EarthRunes well, and Lord Hume had no authority to give you such a place as he did. Perhaps my court is missing offices he would have in his own court, but it is Not His Court."

"Begging your pardon, Baroness, but I am no troubadour, and while I steal nothing from their skill and cleverness and the music they make, a Bard is a more honored title and for some good reason. I speak only truth, so I am wise to speak rarely. A troubadour may know many songs, a bard knows the histories and stories most have forgotten. I give my wisdom when asked by my liege, which I Hoped would be you yes. Your Heir seemed to think he had quite the find in me. Which, if I may say with a risk to modesty, he did. He over stepped, but he did so in part to pluck up a pearl before it rolled away, and gifted that pearl to you. Cast the the pearl aside or no, but it was not because of ambition, but rather pity for Ghille Dhu fragiliity, and hopes in pleasing you. I would ask you show some mercy on him for his overstep, for he seemed a kindly if rash lad"

Her brows go up, and she gestures impatiently towards Innish as she replies to Greenfellow. "Are you saying that 'Well, I guess you can be Bard' is the sound of an eager grasp at a rare find? To me, it sounds more like an off-hand comment made in haste."

"Somewhat glossed over my talk to him, no disrespect. I came here with very little sign of greatness, and if I may? Tone is somewhat lost. He sounded like a man who had found a rare antqiue in a rummage sale and was trying to pay his five pounds before the seller found out it was worth a good hundred" A bit of a smile at that "I was tickled, was a bit like a pup being sly at having found a tennis ball." A breath "But I maintain my request, please show him mercy on his mistep, whether you keep me or no? Consider, a boon if you must, to me"

"I owe you no boon. none that I know of. It is a shame, Greenfellow, that you came at this time. I would have been far pleasanter than I am now if did not feel my trust to have been so betrayed." A deep breath, and an irritated exhale. "As valuable as you may be, you have no title in my court...yet. I know little of your people, but perhaps you will help me learn. Regardless..." She addresses the crowd at large. "The appointments made by Lord Hume are to be considered provisional, and the occasion for them concluded. Whether I renew them within my court will be determined. For now, Steward Delores remains my voice in my stead...and a Chancellor will be appointed so that Lord Hume is never burdened with such a duty again." Then she makes a gesture of conclusion to Innish.

"So spoken, so heard, so ruled" Innish booms "The Baroness has decreed, it is as stone uncrumbling"

There is a chorus of ayes and bows from those here

Vince bows along with the others, though his tail switches behind him.

Coradel steps off the dais. She is still clearly in a Fiona huff (which is much like a regular huff that's coming down off an amphetamine high). She beckons Vince to join her as she moves toward her private chamber off to the side.

And Delores starts directing folks to their tasks with the polished proficiency of an expert

Vince looks like he might rather leave in his own huff, but... he follows.

She shuts the door behind them, then turns to him. Her anger is defusing...but very slowly. "How dare he! And you enjoyed it!"

"Imagine, if you would - what would you have had your lion done? Laughed at his decree, or perhaps hauled him by his scruff for a good washing? Surely that would install proper respect for him that shall someday follow your rule."

His tail switches in agitation. "Ah, I enjoyed it, yes! The fault was on the pooka, see, the cat who would be king, and shall lounge upon the throne in his Liege's absence. Let them laugh at the beast, so that the lordling may yet retain some gravitas. A pooka does not need respect, Baroness. A prospective heir does."

His hurt shown, perhaps, in the formality with which he addresses her.

"You know I love and respect you so much more than that boy that one could push the entire Dreaming through the gap!" She paces away, but it's not a big room, so she's pacing back in short order. "Do you know how much this hurt Delores? My first friend in this world. Had you thought of that?"

"Twas not I that made the decree. Had I my way, I would have pranced with him to seek what adventure he may, and left the Stewarding properly to the Stewards. I was rejected in favor of a more comely lion. I did what I could, so that 'twas not a Coup, but a Farce to be dismissed. A cat at play, not an attempt at usurpation of fair Delores's duty.

Punish me if you will, Baroness. I only ask that you consider whether you punish actions, or intent."

His whiskers drooping.

She frowns. "I don't mean to punish you, Whiskers. I'm just so....ARGH!" Pacing away again. "Infuriated with that BOY, and with the sovereigns that placed him in my house."

"Is it a shame, that you were appointed Sidhe at an elderly age, that you had maturity already present to deal with the rigors of rulership? Or perhaps a blessing, that in his tender youth, we have yet much time availed to teach him well."

"Oh, truly, he will learn." It sounds more like a threat than a kindness.

"If it pleases thee, let it be said that he was led astray by a pooka that played at King. If indeed he must someday rule, let him not lose all potentiality in the eyes of the smallfolk." Vince advises quietly.

"Private punishment must be had, perhaps, but far worse for the court to see that they are someday to be under the rule of one that they cannot respect."

"Oh, be assured, I'm going to do what I can to get him out of the line of rulership here!" Frustrated, she might have missed the point he's trying to make. She flings herself into an overstuffed couch, arms folded, pout angry.