#elsewhere

And it does work... indeed, the wards seem suspiciously weak

"No," He tells one servant, "Not purpure... I can't get confused for a Beaumayn or Balor."

It's a damn trap.

The servant takes the garment away.

And returns with a more traditional black and silver "A tad drab, but house loyal" The Baron says "Yes.. I like the tails of the coat. It will do."

Earl paints and focuses on his vision

The baron goes on, "I do hope they don't have the standard fare for food. Oh it's good, but rather unexciting... "

OBVIOUSLY a damn trap.

"Still a chance to put some of other houses into my debt, right?" he asks one of his knights.

"Quite, my lord" she says

"A shame I don't have a vote... otherwise they'd really be indebted. Course it might be tedious. WHat's the vote for anyway?"

The knight checks a list, "Banner Houses, Lord. Three of them."

"Read out the three. I must get the pronunciation right other wise some upstart little baron will get in a snit "

Ignoring that he himself is a baron

Truthbranch, of course.

Zara waits to confirm.

"The Banner Houses being voted on are Ascomanni, Truthbranch, and Paler, Lord. Only the first might need double checking."

...Paler?

Earl's brushing stops.

Then resumes smooothly

"Yes, a pity there's a ban on talking to any members of ahny other houses about it until that very day. " The baron tisks, "Why I might be able to sell this information for a dear debt indeed."

Zara quietly seethes.

"Sadly lord, there are rules." The knight says. Ignoring what appears to be a simple artist, even if he is a troll.

Earl paints on as if totally lost in his work.

"Truthbranch is the one with the breeding program for more fae blood in Kithain and perfect hosts for sidhe arrivals?"

"No, lord, " The knight says "I think they're the love guardians or whatever. " The knight sorts through notes "Though it doesn't say."

"Quite all right. Quite all right" The baron says.

Earl continues to paint. And yes, while surreal, he is expert.

Zara frets and plots in far-away silence.

"Any other questions about it, Baron?" The knight asks.

'No no, thank you for indulging me. I'm sure I'll remember ALL of it later at a more convenient time," The baron smiles, "Please go on. I have a painting to hold still for."

The knight bows, and withdraws.

"How goes it, Earl?" The Baron asks a smile on the edge of his lips.

"I'm sorry? Oh, forgive me Baron. I wasn't listening to..whatever it was."

For just a moment, the baron almost looks ready to.. pout? No.. surely not, but he gives Earl a suspicious look, then says "I asked how goes the painting?"

"Done, my lord. You said I was free to try it any any style.. so, I went with Earl DeBuke...ala Paccaso" He shows the painting.

"It looks like I have three faces," The Baron observes the abstract art.

"At least," Earl says " I hope it captured the real you..."

The baron looks amused now, indeed, " I love it."

Earl nods and...cash is offered. Earl haggles a bit more up, and then...leaves. The painting in the canvas now a gift for whoever.

As earl leaves...the wards slowly grow strong again

Zara... fights.

The Baron let her in, and she won't be so easily kicked out.

She's losing, slowly, surely. I'ts his hold, his bale... every bit of glamour in the place is his to control it seems. Then.. she sees it... not EVERY bit.. the canvas just painted. Earl made a mark, put a bit of his glamour in the paints!

Zara latches onto Earl's glamour, a tether...

Oh she knows him better than any. He did this on purpose, and it is an act born of love, even unseelie, it is hers to use. The wards close... but it doesn't matter, she sees through the eyes of the three faces on the canvas, hears through their ears.

"You really think she'll recognize the debt, my lord?" Plum asks, stepping out of the shadows

NOW she grins.

"To get the details? That girl is a born Eiluned in her heart... it's only because of cruel Da'an that she wasn't made sidhe. SHe's curious now ..and I will have a debt from a very potent..well, there's more to her than you know, trust me." The Baron smiles.

Snort.