#earthrunes

A knock on the door

((Same time, or next morning?))

About 10 minutes later

"Enter!" Coradel says. ((Bachdion still there or not, Mr. D?))

(Sure)

Whoever enters has interrupted some plotting and planning about Wynda's seduction.

...but quiet plotting and planning.

A kithain enters, dressed with a beret so you know she's an artist. Looks like a Piskie "Ah, hello. I was told you wished to talk to me?"

August stands (oops, dislodging Coradel's hand) and nods in greeting.

Coradel smoothly slips her hand away and nods to the piskie. "I believe so, yes. You're the artist who painted all the barons and baronesses?"

"And Counts and Countesses, Baroness. " She remembers to curtsey a bit late "Everyone in the Duchy who has a freehold. Even the commoner ones"

"Oh? I didn't see the commoner portraits. It's Valreria, yes?"

"Yes, Baroness... Valreria Ackerman. And they have the non nobles pretty far back so it's natural you missed it. Titled commoners are there too, of course but the priority does seem to be on titled sidhe freeholders. I ..I'm not in charge of the placement if this displeases you"

"No, no, of course." She waves off the concern. "I'm something of a collector, and your work intrigues me."

"Oh. Thank you, Baroness"

"I'd like to know...what qualities do the portraits have? Mine certainly behaved like me, to an extent. Do they have, perhaps, some sort of...I'm not sure, an imprint?"

"Forgive me, Baroness, my artistic methods are... private"

She looks nervous at the question

A puzzled look. "Truly? What might be the cost of learning that secret?"

"I have no desire to undermine your art or your position at court," she assures.

Then she blinks. "You...you acquire something from the subject, don't you? Without their knowing?"

From blush to Pale

"Baroness, no one is HARMED by my work, nor diminished"

Coradel smiles, genuinely pleased. "That's brilliant!"

"What did you manage to get from me? I have no memory of even having met you."

"I..." Confusion "thank you? I ...forgive me, Baroness. I don't have to be close to observe. Also piskies, well, we blend"

"Truly. So...whatever you take, you put into the art...and so that element of the person remains, within the art."

August tilts his head with a thought.

"Of a sort," She nods

Coradel catches August's eye and grins. Then she says, "Valreria, I know their Graces are your patrons, and I have no ability or intention to poach, but if you ever find yourself in need of a new place to rest your head and practice your art, do come see us at EarthRunes."

"If you'd like to request a commision I am still allowed to take others" she says

August gives a gentle throat-clearing; the sort of thing that wouldn't really register in a court setting.

But then, this isn't a court setting, really.

"You have not captured my love, yet, have you?" She reaches a hand to August and squeezes gently.

"Ah." he blinks, nonplussed.

"Not yet, Baroness" She admits "I am sorry. Is he your Co ruler? the ... word is he defers?"

"Oh, you will not accept a commission for any other than the landed noble?"

"Or landed commoner, I suppose?"

"Oh I would, of course, but it wasn't requested by their graces" She explains

"And no one else has asked for one recently" she explains

"No, no, it wouldn't have been, of course...but I would be pleased to have it."

"Oh, well, my rates are reasonable in dross or coin," She explains her rates based on size , time restraints, and so on

Coradel listens with clear interest. "Oh, that's certainly extremely reasonable! Would you be able to start..." she negotiates a time, checking with August about availability.

Actualy she can start quite soon.

Seeming almost happy to have time away from St. Louis. Odd that

"I..ah, I have a question."

"yes Baron?"

"Lovely! We shall arrange for your travel at that time. Valreria, thank you for coming to speak with us tonight." She seems ready to dismiss the artist, but she turns curiously to August.

"Ah. Do you... have you met Lord Hume? The Baroness's Heir?"