#earthrunes

"We are seeking any avian pooka, really. As of last I heard, we had not identified any."

"ANY?" he says "That can't be...well, darn. Let me see what I can find out in my dream net social groups while I'm at it" he says and gets to it

"Thank you. I believe Coradel would like to speak with you, when you have time. We are planning on staying in the stable tonight."

He nods "I'll be there then. The Baroness may have had a rough start with me, but she put a lot of trust in me after that. I won't let her down."

"Thank you again, Lord Hume. Oh, ah.... something that might help..... Mistress Zara suggests everyone wear red and silver for the time being."

"Red and Silver? Did she say why?" He says

"Not really. She alluded to Passover." August rubs his temple.

"Well, sluagh take to cryptic like bees take to honey" he concedes, "If you see her before I do tell her thank her for the suggestion and that I'll comply, of course, even if only one of those is really a Dougal color"

"I will. Thank you." August offers him a nod and heads back towards the chambers he shares with Coradel; red and silver aren't normally his colors, but he must have -something that would work.

Fortunately, thanks to gifts from various Fiona, he can probably at least find a scarf or hanky

Which he will wear, and he heads out to find Coradel.

And spread the word about wearing red and silver.

Delores hears "Interesting, well, fortunately that's not a rare combination here, Baron. I'll get Vashti to crafting some neckwear or the like, shall I?"

"Hopefully we won't need such defenses for long, but I'm sure they won't go to waste, either."

"I'm sure" she says, then as a softer aside, "Any word on Samson improving? I know our Baroness is fierce, but if that horse dies...well, it's just going to devastate her." Clearly worried

"He seems to be holding his own. Healer Emma is doing tremendous work, but the mortal veterinarian is lost.

"I feel sorry for the man, things can be complicated when you only see part of the world" Delores says "Thank you. I'm glad Samson is holding on... and I'm going to make Emma the biggest Nutty Buddy Sundae when all this is said and done"

A gentle smile "I am sure she will appreciate that."

"Well, barring allergies, I've never known Sundaes with extras to bring a frown" A bit of a wink

"Perhaps one for Coradel, but after Samson is recovered."

She nods "I'll make it big enough so you and she can share it when that happens."

"Thank you, I'm sure we'll look forward to it. I should find Coradel, let her know about the colors we're wearing."

She nods "Of course, don't let me keep you"

A respectful nod, and August starts heading back to the stables; Coradel will end up there, and likely sooner rather than later.

No doubt she will...

(End Scene for now, restart at your pref)

Coradel has returned to the stable before August arrives there. A boggan is depositing a couple of quilts and pillows near a large pile of hay outside of Samson's stall. Not the most comfortable bed, perhaps, but certainly not the roughest place they've slept.

Coradel herself is in the stall with Samson, brushing him soothingly. There's soft mash in his feed bucket, and the water bucket has been freshened again.

August approaches quietly; he has a red handkerchief in his breast pocket, and carries a red tie.

"I was able to speak with Zara." he murmurs "She advises wearing red and silver, and is doing more research."

"Red and silver?" A puzzled and preoccupied look. "House loyalty is always in style, but how can that help Samson?"

"I'm not entirely sure. She referenced the Passover story in Exodus. She said to trust her." A shrug and he offers the tie "Do you think he'll wear it?"

"Ah." She accepts the tie and regards the weary horse. "If it's near his face or tail, it'll upset him. Here..." She works with Samson's mane and slowly plaits the tie into it, far enough down his neck that he won't notice it in his periphery all the time.

"Say, doesn't he have a blanket in your House colors?" August has been thinking about this.

"Oh! Oh, of course he does. Silly of me. But...he's feverish. I'm not sure if he'll be comfortable with a blanket." Regardless, she goes to get the crimson blanket from the tack room, and she spreads it gently across Samson's back. "How's that, Samson?" she asks quietly?

Samson seems to grow less feverish with the blanket, not by a lot, but noticably so

"There..." she murmurs, stroking his neck. "There you go." She turns a grateful look to August.

"Of course. I grabbed a few things when I left our room; toothbrushes and such." he hefts a small bag at his side.

She nods. One thing she can always count on August for is being prepared with the practicalities.

"Have you eaten?"

She takes a moment to consider the question. "I think I had a bite of apple..." And that was probably hours ago.

"Let me ask someone to bring us a meal, then." he urges.

"Something light for me, please." She reaches out and touches his hand. "August, thank you."

He lifts her hand and kisses it. "Of course. It's nothing." He signals the nest-making Boggan and asks for a light meal to be brought.

The boggan bows, and goes to fetch with a smile that the baron has the baroness more at peace, as much as she can be.

"It's far from nothing, my love."

He chuckles. "That young boggan is doing more work to get you a meal than I am."

"But you have the presence of mind to think of it." She sighs and turns back to Samson, stroking his forelock smooth on his forehead and gently stroking his ears.

Samson's ears show he is more relaxed now than he has been all day

"Zara -did- share some information with me; I haven't mentioned it much about yet. I thought you might want to know first and determine who should know, and when." He murmurs.