#earthrunes

"Wynda wanted to drive a car, but she lacked the title to it' Shalimar explains

"Oh? Where and when was this?"

"AH, time as pooka know it, is malleble"

"...approximately?"

"Or at least where?"

"the threshhold wards work well, but she was fertile that one meaning not barren if you ken ? Father admired her ambulance built in, but he was a by the book kind of Khan so...no go there you go and she was left in other lands. "

Coradel is usually pretty fluent in pooka, but this time it's taking her a bit of time to parse. "So...she was here, she was pregnant, and...she got flicker-flashed away?"

A shake of his head and he says "hom and Nym, good friends of mine"

August is TOTALLY lost.

"Do you have a title to your vehicle?" He asks

"I...oh, Title! She...tried to make a claim for...not for EarthRunes itself, surely!"

A laugh. "And not barren being not-baron. I see."

And just like that, Coradel realizes that the fact the lady was NOT a baroness in title and not the ward he needed. If she had ambition denied... she would have been at other holds instead perhaps

and whie it's a painful stretche 'ambulance not built in' and 'ambition ' might be interchangible

"Sokath, her eyes open" He claps

She blinks. "So...so she would have resentment against me, and an agenda...and would very likely be the culprit who is spreading these rumors. And an Eiluned, so rumors are her stock in trade."

"exactly, and of course, her exhibitionism was revolting"

"Her...her secrecy about it makes her seem more appealing?"

A BIG grin "Ah, nay lady. She had a 'wardrobe malfuction'"

Wide eyes. "Courtesy of you?"

"Alas, I lack my love's gift with a needle so the threads lost some..solidity"

"And her public display occurred somewhere suitably mortifying?"

"Skyclad airlines takes you to only the best locations" He replies

"In the duchy court?"

"Litttle closer to the bottom of the diamond, near the Catchers spot"

"Home. Here! Well, that makes sense. It would have been timely for you to do that after she made her overture."

"Elementary my good wadworth" He paces. Where did he get the bubble pipe that's now in his mouth? "but would she have the resources to hire a impresionist of such caliber on her own? Nah, I suspect there is a Wyrm in this apple"

"An Ailil ally? Perhaps. I heard Neachdainn's name mentioned more than once, but...I thought we parted on good terms, he and I, or at least as good as possible given the circumstances." She frowns slightly, almost more of a pout.

"Oh! What of Baron Tiogair? Would he have a specific agenda against us? Or a specific need to support Wynda?"

"A baron without a Fief ? A lady without a title? A summer Winter romance might be in bloom.. and that bloom, deadly skunkweed"

"Oh! Yes, he did mention being landless. Well, then...I suppose the dynamics are clearer, yes." She sighs. "So that is the lay of the battlefield. I wish I'd been paying attention sooner."

He looks guilty "Twould not have happened if I hadn't over jested"

"Perhaps. Or perhaps Tiogair saw a pawn to exploit and would have set her up to undermine us, anyway." She rests a hand on Shalimar's arm. "My friend and jester, I cannot tell you how grateful I am to have you as not only a loyal supporter but also a window to the dynamics of EarthRunes' past."

A smile "Well, tis a fitting enough role that i am a window, for many a times I've been called a pane" he pats her hand back

That gets a laugh from her. "Well said!"

"Ah, through you, all of father's dreams are achieved, " He assures "Save, of course, his love of vaudville"

"We have you for that, my friend. And perhaps Vince. Now, we must determine how best to draw out a confession or admission from these culprits so that we can bring it to the Duke and Duchess." A pause. "I do hope neither Sir Durmor nor the pooka Eglantine are likely to be involved in these schemes. I rather liked both of them."

"eglantine?" he ponders

"Mink pooka? She was actually aiming for a position here. She doesn't seem to have much in the way of a skill set, though."

"MMM..."

"Mmm?"

"no bells ringing in the belfrey" He admits

"Too many bats up there," she says with a wink. "Well, I'm at least relieved to confirm that you were not the culprit. I suppose I could merely voice my suspicions to the Duke and Duchess...but exposing them in a dramatic manner would be so much more satisfactory. As you know."

"Comedy and Drama, always better than tragedy"

"Now lady... forget not, thou has a plan for Bell and tain"

"I...oh my, I did let that slip from my attention. Is all proceeding?"

"Delores the Explorer has a picnic basket"

A smile. "Of course she does. I must check in with her right away." She leans over to give him a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you again, Shalimar."

A blush "For alerting me to soemone using my good name and perhaps face? you're welcome'

Shalimar bows and withdraws rubbing his cheek happily