#elsewhere

"They are not, but they are ours to steward."

"Definitely a Liam influence " A nod "So muse one then. I commend you for the effort."

A saucy tilt of her chin. "I have no house. I am no noble." She scorns the word.

"And thus the bar is very low for you, making it easier to surpass. But as for me? I have greater obligations and to meet them must often act as you might find unpleasant, but they must be done for the good of the people under me. I owe them my leadership, not my tears."

Eyebrow. "And think you this bargain is leadership?"

"That..and more. Miss Zara, I am sorry if your bookwyrm was snatched, but seeing as you have rescued her...perhaps next year just keep her at Earthrunes during this time, mmm? Problem solved."

"Problem papered over, problem ignored... that is not problem solved."

"You have tried threatening me into compliance. Have you not considered persuading me? I am a rational person."

"You seek to define the narrative in a way bordering on the insulting," A shake of his head "You cannot simply state your opinion on a matter as fact and then engage in debate from there. I have not threatened you, I have tried to sidetrack you. If I thought the Gwydion was a threat to your biological mother... I would not have sent her. Believe me or no. There are matters that are not ready to be brought to light yet. You yourself have some of those"

"Forgive - you have tried to scare me into compliance. To order me, as an errant child."

"Better?"

"I'm not sure I agree with that either. However, as it appears to be a disagreement OF opinion let us leave it be for now. Some matters are private , even to Eiluned..and some bargains are broken by speaking too freely of them, endangering all"

The shadows curl about her, threading through her hair, caressing her shoulders... "So it seems."

"I have no way to convince you it would appear. None that do not immediately lead to capitulating in telling you all you wish to know despite the risks. "

Her grey lips quirk into a smile. "Well, now, that is an option."

At that he actually laughs "A pity you've a dislike of noble houses, House Eiluned could use someone like you"

A gentle shrug. "I do not kneel. I trust you yourself have an inkling of why."

"I do not ask that you kneel. And I have to confess... I am only learning a little of why. One can't always help it.... it eats at you" A sigh "The need to... find more. The mystery is both temptress and muse... and perhaps even doom yet one follows. It's... well, I should leave poetry to others. Suffice to say if it is of any comfort, there is much about you yet that I am clueless about."

"A comfort and a compliment." She bows.

He inclines his head, "For now, let us say that I am sympathetic to your near loss . Oh, do you or yours require time by the balefire tonight?"

"We are well, but thank you."

"Excellent... in that case, unless you had someone else here you wished to talk to?" He looks towards the Exit

"No, no one else." A pause, "Perhaps another time?"

"When would be good for you? I have an open two days for now for a luncheon or tea if you like. An entire hour and a half if you want to talk to me in private"

The shadows gently curl and shift, like the breath of a patient cat. "Well. Tea would be only proper. I accept."

"I'll make sure the parlor has low enough light to be comfortable. Until then"

"Until then, Onomastic." Hand splayed on her chest, a bow... and the shadows swallow her up.

He notes the flare for the theatrical, and she..she must go home. There's a Gwydion to distract if need be.

There is!

(End scene)