#elsewhere

"Shall I order refreshment?" the young Baron offers.

"Please, August."

"Pardon." he murmurs, and slips away.

"Alanza, I have heard some of what happened. What can you tell me of this Stripe?"

"I'm fine, truly. The drug wore off with rest.. and I got so bored" She assures

"You weren't injured beyond the drugging?"

"Stripe? Ugh.. how embarrasing is that. He was cute, and I didn't want Adam to think I was relying just on him for fliration so when this cute guy with the stripe in his hair asks me out.. I'm like sure"

Coradel nods. Seems reasonable to her. "Where did he approach you?"

"Out in town... I'd gotten a burger at Greasers? Mm god I shouldn't but I just can't help but the double "She says "Went about a block when he comes up on me and we kind of flirt, get it going you know?"

A smile; she knows. "So it was on the street. He wasn't so bold as to come here, to the manor." She thinks. "Was there anybody else with him?"

"And no.. not really injured beyond drugging. Nab got it worse"

"Nab...? Oh, the chimera, yes."

"Not that I saw.. as a rule I tend to be cautious when guys go in packs... of course, when I got to the party it was PLENTY crowded"

"Certainly. Did you recognize anybody else there? Or did you notice anybody else who seemed to be associating with Stripe in particular? I understand there was an unseelie troll and...?" Coradel isn't sure about the other companion, lets Alanza fill in.

"Yeah, there was a troll.. and he was a troll.. too smart to be an Ogre thallian. And the other one was this really Androgynous guy or girl...redcap"

"Did you get a name for either one of them?"

August returns and takes his seat; shortly, a refreshment cart for three is delivered discretely.

"The troll was called Thump..I think it was used ironically"

"Nice." Coradel's tone indicates her own irony.

"Quite" The Eshu sighs "Once the drug got in my system, memory is blurier"

August frowns in concern, and serves the ladies a cup and a snack.

"Mmm." Coradel considers this a moment. "Any other details you think would be helpful?" A quick smile of thanks to August, and she sips her tea.

"Everything was loud and crazy even before it really kicked. Great music but max volume... and there were flashing lights but plenty of shadows on the edge. Mmm come to think of it, any slaugh there would want ear muffs. I don't know if that helps"

August tilts his head. "Magnus said a sluagh took the fallen redcap away."

An eyebrow. "Tylar overcame a redcap."

"If I may ask.... from what you can remember, -if- you can remember, do you have any ideas of what they were trying to accomplish?"

"Oh that.. of course! They made a great deal of fuss about Samhain.. I know that.. even drugged I would remember that... they mentioned swearing to the 'True Court'"

The Liam looks grim.

"Ah." Coradel takes another sip, then puts her cup down with a clink before rising to her feet.

August stands as well.

"I..everything okay?"

"I believe..." she says evenly, but with a glint in her eye "...that it is time to begin the hunt."

"Wonderful!" Alanza rises! "To the hunt!" Eager "LEt them know the wrath of Earth Runes, guided by the Princess of the Road, Alanza, so that wreck and Ruin shall come to them like the storm uncorked from the bottle of folly"

The baron clearly regrets it, but agrees.

"We'll need to increase patrols without abandoning the manor here. Perhaps the Seer and Magnus can help us target?"

"And Zara."

"Speak with them on it, Baron. Alanza, have the herald summon my thanes."

August nods, kisses Coradel's hand, and goes.

"Yes, Baroness" She bows and moves off to do so HOly shit, I'm in? YES! I was meant to be strapped to that thing. This is my story after all!

For her part, Coradel strides off to don her armor and prepare Samson.

Soon armed and armored, Coradel can sense the entire hold shift .. indeeed, the barony itself blows with an angry cutting breeze for she is one with the land, and she is wroth

Oh, and she will have her satisfaction of those who would dare....

The Thanes ahve been called by the herald

She saddles Samson and rides him to the front entry of the manor, awaiting her thanes to join her there. She suspects others will get wind of the hunt and want to join in. Good.

Approaching comes a tall figure, cutting a dashing look in his leather armor, tooled more to accentuate his toned thighs and broad chest than provide real battle protection, but a large lion-headed shield on his arm seems sufficient on that regard. “Lioness, are we to battle? I almost missed the horns.”

"We hunt, loyal one! There are would-be Shadow Court within our realm."

The Thanes are assembled.

“I heard that ladies fair of your land were poor treated, and that enough was to stir my blood to battle frenzy!”

“Shall I ride to battle at thy side? Or remain to fend off trespassers?” He paces a bit, eager, shaking his head almost like a stallion raring for battle... or other exertions.

His mane IS magnificent.