#elsewhere

"I think I should."

"Then let's." She takes his arm with a smile, kisses his cheek, and walks with him out of the room and in search of Bachdion.

****

Bachdion is at Jack's, "And so Leonora owes Earl THREE books. To give to you guess who. But you didn't hear it from me"

Jack smirks "Yeah, rough guess. Good kid though"

Coradel, escorted by August, smiles as she enters the tavern. "Hello, gentlemen."

"Pull up a seat, Baroness" Jack says "What'll it be?"

Bachdion bows, and grabs a seat to pull out for her, "My lovely lady liege"

August nods to both gentlemen. "Jack, Sir Bachdion."

"August" Bachdion grins "I guess this is yours to offer" Moving aside ot let him seat his wife

"The usual, August?" Jack says

Coradel touches Bachdion's cheek lightly as she moves to the seat, then laughs gently as she is handed back to August's care and settles in the chair. "No lack of comfort here. Jack, I'll take whatever strikes your fancy at the moment, thank you."

"Thank you, Jack, yes. And thank you, Bachdion." And he does hold the chair for Coradel.

"Bloody Mary, Delores worries you don't get enough veggies" And Jack pours her one and works on the tea for August

"How are my favorite sidhe?" Bachdion asks "Well, in my top 10"

"Well, at least speaking for myself. How are you both?"

"Rather loved my trip to Brightwinds" Bachdion admits . Sparrow is glorious in triumph. And earl screams funny when you push him out of a plane"

Jack snorts "You're lucky he's a nice guy"

"True true" Bachdion agrees

"I am glad to hear she is well." He says with quiet pride.

"I would have paid to see that, with Earl," Coradel winks, and she accepts her drink from Jack with a "Thank you, though Delores worries unnecessarily about that." A sip, then, "Bachdion, we'd actually like to speak with you regarding Brightwinds. We hope to visit there very soon and see our glorious daughter for ourselves."

"Why I can take you anytime you like.. .though You'll want to bring Ladybird. I think Sparrow misses her dog, and Sir Sergei says the dog is miserable"

"Oh, Ladybird is definitely going with us. But the issue is that, well, at the moment we are out a Regent." Smile, sip.

"We plan to reunite them, yes."

"yes,I think Sparrow always underestimated the import of her role, but without a regent this hold has fewer options in cases of emergency or. .or even busy work"

"Agreed. Now...there are certain discussions to be had before we sort out permanent arrangements, but we certainly need a person in charge while we're away. I'm hoping you'd be willing to sit in the big chair for a few days?"

A blink then "Ha..oh..heh" A grin "You got me there" Bachdion chuckles

Coradel blinks and looks to August. Then back to Bachdion. Quite a steady look now.

August gazes at Bachdion as well. He doesn't joke. Much.

"Wait... this IS a joke right? I mean, Earl put you up to it for the shove out the airplane?"

"No, we haven't spoken with Earl. And it's no joke. Honestly, teacher-mine, I thought you'd be pleased to do the job. You're Fiona, so if House business comes up you'll at least have some sense of priorities. I certainly trust you not to try to overthrow us in our absence. But...you would rather not?"

Jack says "Bachdion, say yes already. If you think about it you'll realize they need you. You're just stunned thinking this means your wilder days are over- when, newsflash, those were over what a year ago?"

Bachdion glares at him.Then says "I guess I was surprised. Still, I do know what you like, and can manage things in that vein. Who would your fall back be if not me?" He asks curiously

A look askance at Jack. "Are you saying that my Wilder years are over because I'm a baroness?" And just the right angle to display her still very youthful cleavage.

Then at Bachdion's question, she looks to August, then back to Bachdion. "We're still discussing that."

August nods agreement with this.

Jack looks at the cleavage "no, I would say your..record for wilderness.. stands.. quite firmly"

Bachdion says "Well, I'm very flattered then. " A pause and he considers it "Yes. I'll accept the role."

"Thank you, Sir." Soberly.

"Besides, it will give you two excuses to visit Sparrow on some holidays"

August nods. "Gladly."

"More importantly, do I get to wear a sash?"

Coradel beams. "I shall consult Vashti on the matter before we go."

"oh she'll like that" he says "But when do you want to go?"

"Oh, I'm hoping within a day or so. I'll make sure to let the staff know. I'll make sure to tell Delores first. You'll need to collaborate with her most."

"We should ask Derynwydd, as well." he murmurs.

"Would you send word to her, my love?"

"I'll ask if the timing is convenient for her." with a small smile.

"Of course" he nodsabout Delores. "She'll keep me humble"

"She'll keep you sane," Coradel corrects. "Never underestimate that woman."