#earthrunes

The kennels seem ever in flux, often fine dogs here are traded for fine dogs elsewhere, sometimes they are just sold or traded for non kennel related situations. Interaction with Silver Wolf, while distant, has increased not just exchanges there, but broaded Earthrunes own contacts across concordia in animal trade

All of which is to the better, of course. August, however, is not as interested in the occupants of the kennels as he might otherwise be.

He might notice one kennel is separated from the others contains a truly ugly dog, with a sign 'do not let out to breed'

He pays it no mind, looking for his lady

A glance, nothing more.

Little too much Samhain in that one.

And it isn't even the holiday yet

Thankfully, to be sure.

As August is exiting the kennels, he nearly collides with Coradel. "Oh!"

"Ah!" he semi-echoes, arms coming around to steady them, whomever he's collided with.

(Or nearly so)

The surprise gives way to amusement, and she laughs as he steadies her shoulders, her hands pressing his chest. "Hello, love! I'm told you've been looking for me."

"I have! Ah.... " a kiss to her cheek "I've spoken with several Dames about taking Antony as a page; some more interested in others, but no outright denials. And I may have gotten us into one or two dinners, in the bargain. I didn't want to make further arrangements for Antony until you met him."

OOC Or so the player thinks?

(SOunds good!)

"Oh! Well, any opportunity for dinners with Dames," she smiles. "As for Antony...I'm free now. Will you introduce me to him?"

"Let's see if we can find him, I think Benny's with him." August offers his arm, of course, as they head back to the manor proper.

She takes his arm gracefully and they move together along the hallways.

Antony is found, but he is not with Benny, he cringes from Lily, the sluagh! The squire is making shhh motions "Not so loud"

Lily whispers (But not loudly) "I know your secrets."

The little Ant Pooka looks hapless, then sees the two adult Sidhe, and his antanae droop

"But you won't share them, will you, Lily." Coradel delivers a gentle order, not a question.

Lily gasps, "But...baroness... he he's... " A POUT

Antony looks at the Baroness with such extreme gratitude he has to fight hugging her, instead he bows "Thank you, your awesomesauce"

"Lily. We respect confidences." August reminds her.

"You're very welcome, Antony. Your secrets are yours to keep or share. Mind you, I'd be particularly grateful if you felt inclined to share them, to the best of your ability."

A Fiona smile can be both charming and terrifying.

Lily hurumphs and mutters "How's a sluagh lass supposed to earn her dross?"

ANtony nods "I worked for a Douglor, I thought he was a Bougal... did you know? "

"But..." she continues "...perhaps we should have some tea. Lily, dear, I hope you'll excuse us? I haven't had the chance to get to know Antony better."

"If you have need of dross, it is my responsibility to provide." August murmurs to Lily "Thank you for keeping Antony company, Lily." a gentle dismissal.

She curtsies, "Yes, Baroness. I can always plot later." To the Baron she says "You're welcome, baron, but please, I really do prefer to earn it now and then. I shall one day be a wilder, and hone my skills afore the dread 'crush' slam down upon me as a wilder and rob me of 33 % of my efficiency. I intend to be a 'career sluagh'"

Antony moves to the Baroness

Coradel half-whispers. "In that case, Lily, you'll need to learn to conduct your interrogations somewhere that they might not be stumbled upon."

Lily winces at that "Good advice, please don't tell Miss Zara of my clumsy efforts." And with that, she curtseys and slips away

Coradel smiles as the little sluagh departs, genuinely fond of the next generation of spies.

Antony admits "She's scary and nosey and will be a fine tax collector among the peasantry. "

"Ahhh.... yes."

"At any rate...." she turns to Antony and extends a hand. "Delightful to meet you, Antony. Come, let

's have some tea."

He takes her hand and smiles, then follows "With a mountain of sugar?"

August walks along side them.

"With some sugar, though honey is better, I think."

"isn't Baron August your honey?" Antony asks "This is a Fiona hold so I may have that mixed up, but Tziporah says he's your hero AND honey"

She smiles, looking to August as she responds, "He is that, indeed, and so much more."

"Yes, we are.... well, we are each other's."

"Oh that's convenient," Antony observes, "You can share toys that way" Then looking nervous he asks Coradel "Did Baron August tell you I worked for a sithlord?" Tea is waiting for them, the staff on their game

They move to the table in the alcove overlooking the garden, where the tea awaits. Coradel takes a seat, nodding thanks to the staff. "How about you tell me about that?" she invites Antony to explain.

"I'll try, but I am an Ant, and sometimes I ant talk straight, and I ant saying what I mean, and sometimes I ant meaning what I say?" A breath "I was a squire to to Sir Nastyhair, and i thought he was arm and hammer but instead he was snake eating a cheess piece, and when he tried to HURT the Duke's hair, with the no no metal, folks thought I might be a sneaky snake too, and no one wanted to talk to me cuze they were afraid I was EEEEEVIL but then I got a covert mission to go some place safe and Baron August said I could come here and escape my paste. And now he wants me to be a page, because a page is what you do to start a new chapter in your life. And I'd love to be in some knight's book as long as he or sidhe isn't snake affiliated, no insult to any slytherinn fans"