#earthrunes

***

August narrowly avoids the mistle toe in the hallway

After this long, he is well-versed in the pitfalls of a Yuletide Fiona holding.

Indeed, a bit of glamour on the misttletoe... he can ken that

He's careful; pooka pranks can wear thin even in the jolliest of times. He avoids the sprig.

As others wannder through, reactionns vary, some just kiss whoever they're with. Others stop, look dreamy, and a bit eager, then head off looking for their regular lovers. It seems to depend on who they're with normally

"Hey, August" Ivory smiles "Watch out for the.. ah, you see them"

"I do."

"Hello, Sir Ivory. Merry Yule."

"Merry Yule," Ivory says "How are you, Baron?"

"Very well, thank you. My studies were quite demanding as the holidays approached but of course, we have some breathing room now. Yourself?"

"I'm a bit worried about Gwen...Dame Gladiola now. She came to me with Questions about.. Thallian"

Whether August remembers Gwen or not is up for grabs

((August?))

"Dame Gladiola... I'm afraid I can't bring her to mind." abashed "Has she been here long? I know we've taken some new staff recently."

"She had her dream dance start here, then went through the mail box trod. Landed as a troll. She choose to stay at Silverwolf... turns out to be House Daireann"

"Ah."

"And she's asking about Thaillian?"

"I told her what I knew, but the fact she asked" A frown "Well I had menntioned them before when I visied, but she wanted detailed information this tiem"

"And she didn't ask at Silverwolf. Hm."

"Possible she did and wanted other sources" He muses aloud

"For what purpose, though...." August ponders.

"A good question. I'll look into it. "

"Were you able to give her information?"

"Thanks to the library sources, more than a little... annd we have some personal history"

"You and Dame Gladiola?" respectfully.

"HA, well, only as friends, she and I, but I meant Thallian and I. Ever met a Nasty?" His smile stops there

August shakes his head. "Thallian were not my field of study, not past the basics."

"Everything pleasant in a satyr, is nigghtmarish in a Nasty. A satyrr can free you frrom inhibitions with a song, Nasties bury your decency annd have you act on your most base and often cruel impulses. Humans fall to them fast, but tthey can influence evenn kithain"

A deep frown. "And this knight was looking for information about them?"

"Thallian in general, she didn't seem focused on Nasties." He ponders

"Then why bring them up in particular?"

"She didn't. I did, because it was one of the only examples of those I have personnally fought. Sparrow faced an Ogre once. I mentionend that"

"I am aware." August nods.

"I just hope she's not biting off more than she can chew. With your approval, I thoughtt I might check it out"

"I'm not sure it's even my approval to give, Sir."

'YOu do lead our bannerhouse, lord"

"I do." He says modestly "But unless I am missing some part of the story, Dame Gladiola is not involved in an affair d'coeur. I'm not sure this is bannerhouse business."

"I suppose it isn't" He admits with a resigned frownn

"Baroness Coradel might be the best person to speak to." he advises gently "Especially if you are considering making a visit to an Ailil hold in another Kingdom."

"Yes, lord" He bows

August nods. "It's a matter of some curiosity, and it might be wise to know more... there could also be delicate implications. The good news is, if Coradel grants her support, she will support your efforts fully."

A smile at that "She is not a half way kind of ruler. I believe 'Fierce' fits"

"It does." firmly.

"Thannk you, Baron. I can't deny I'm not worried about a friend and that may bias me"

"Then... you -are- friends?"