#elsewhere

Dame Calanthe walks with Sir Sergei through the mews of Earthrunes, one hand lightly on his arm.

"I always admire your setup here. I hope to someday expand my own mews, but it's difficult. I really should see about hiring on someone skilled in hawks to take care of more of the day to day operations, but... as trite as it may sound, it IS so hard to find good help these days. Mortals can be taught, but they never will really understand the needs of the fae hawk."

"A truth, for myself, I find myself enjoying the winged company... they know what they want, and they lock on with a tenacity" Sergei says "Even other kithain don't always see it"

A smile. "They are like little dragons at times. Not that we have a exclusivity on tenacity, and ambition." She pauses to gaze over Kansas, admiring her well-groomed appearance.

"I had meant to ask you... how well are you acquainted with young Baroness Dancingsnow, of your house?"

"Ah, Kansas. I am sorry your friend is gone" He tuts to her, then looks at Dame Calanthe "She is of my House and as we are not the most populous house, at least save in some areas, that is how we grew to meet. We dined once or twice, a courtesy, I found her a sensible enough woman in most regards but I would not say we were friends"

"I worry for her." She says. "My Lord and Liege seeks a Reeve for better communication with our smallfolk, and it seems that the Baroness seeks the role. On one hand, I must applaud her ambition in... weaving her way so deftly into his confidence... yet on the other, I am uncertain how well she may actually perform." A soft sigh. "As I understand, the girl was raised in a trollish lodge of Summer aesthetics - though unseelie herself, she may be accustomed to the gentle hands and soft treatment of the Seelie sensibility. Our hold is smaller, and our mortals are small-town folk. Simpler, poorer, and it takes a firm hand to guide their dreams." Shaking her head. "I worry that she may find it not to her... liking."

"A pity if so, but Varich do pride themselves on challenges"

She gives him a coquettish glance, enjoying the view of the trim, yet muscular sidhe. "It is an admirable quality. A shame that you are not closer with her. I fear we may not have gotten off on the best footing, her and I. I would seek advice with her current holding, but... well, I know full well that dragons receive a cool welcome on Gwydion lands, altruistic as my attempted visitations have been."

"For a house that hears lies, they do not, sadly, always see to the truth of a person. A great loss." he says "You fear she and you cannot accommodate?"

"I welcome her to take on an unpleasant task, and yet if she truly is seeking a straight pathway towards the Baron's bedroom, it will go poorly for Silverwolf itself to have someone wear the hat without dedication to the work that needs be done. An inattentive reeve who makes overtures with no real plan to follow through, will be worse than none at all." A sniff.

"Well, there you have it, you find the task unpleasant. Clearly someone else should do it, now you are concerned for Silverwolf- this reflects your loyalty to the hold" A soft squeeze "Admirable. HOwever, if it of comfort, she's proven a skilled diplomat thus far. she even spoke before the parliment of dreams to great effect"

"Oh? On whose behalf? It is a shame how out of the loop we are in court gossip."

"She spoke on behalf of Baroness Brekke ap Gwydion, but rumor has it, it was she who encouraged her ledge to cast her vote as she did, in part for creation of a Banner House, of Truthbranch. WHich, as you may know, is centered here in Earth Runes. The question is, what did she gain from such?"

"One might imagine that in casting a vote for the creation, the bannerhouse, seelie as it seems, would feel obligation towards her in the future. That alone is a powerful incentive."

"Truth. I have not heard the baroness or baron speak of a debt, but then, it would be above my station even if it were so"

"Even one not acknowledged aloud, may still weigh upon one's future decisions." She comments thoughtfully. "Oh, hello there. Is this a new addition?" Admiring a pair of goshawks.

"Your memory is sharper than a blade" He says "This is Titus and Tamora"

"A lovely couple. How do you feel about trying them out? I'll fly the male, you the female... and the first to take prey may dictate the direction of the evening..." Pursing her lips.

A smile escapes him "You already know too well how to set me to flight. "

"By all means. Did you bring a glove ?"

She shows him that she has, and makes a show of sliding the buttery smooth black leather over her delicate fingers. "I always come prepared."

"Admirable, then , let this contest begin"

And so it does, and Calanthe might even enjoy herself

Win or lose, she is sure to be pleased. She only sets up games that she can win...

(End scene)