#elsewhere

Nadeen has only been at home long enough to heave a sigh at finally being back, and notice that there is a post-it note on the fridge (apparently Marigold dropped off a casserole with reheating instructions... did Nadeen know that Marigold had a key? Mmmm)... when her phone rings.

RINGS! Not a text! The audacity... is it someone looking to talk to her about her car's extended warranty?

She picks it up, fussing. She had just gotte a shower and changed ot make herself presentable to Aiden "Greetings" She says cautiously

It is a moment before the voice speaks, as Aiden pauses and remembers the appropriate name to use. "Tanya. I hope all is well?"

"I was just about to see you," She lights up "How are you, dear?"

"I am well. Can you speak? Or, shall we meet?" His voice a touch worried in the first greeting, but relaxed after her response. "I trust that all is going well with... your work to be done?"

"Yes, and... yes we'll meet. Can you come to my house?"

"Certainly. I'll take one of the cars, and be there within the hour."

"I shall be waiting" and they hang up.

She immediately goes into pep mode. She was already dressed to see him, but there are wards to be placed to prevent spies, and make up to be touched up, and should she change into something a bit more sensual? No what if the mater is bad news? Did something happen?

She goes into a flurry of action

The house is spotless - no fresh flowers, alas, as Flo has been on vacation the past few days - of a sort. Is it really vacation when you're watching other children? Hm. Alas, in any case, no fresh flowers.

There are flower beds, in the front - and the yard is filled with somewhat scraggly grass. Perhaps it is time to hire a landscaper? Unless she wants to put on gloves and tackle that herself. There may be a neighborhood kid who wants to mow the lawn, at least.

Her makeup is perfect, and she's still considering her outfit when one of her wards pings to alert her of a car pulling up, before even the rumble of the sporty engine is heard.

Well, the outfit she has on will just have to do, and just like that, any apparent alarm vanishes and she moves to the front door

A rattle-choke sound, and... is that Calanthe's designer sportcar that pulled into her drive? Tinted windows and all...

So help if she cam with him I may scream But hey, her face is calm

The car engine turns off, and... bless all fates, Nadeen may withhold her screen for another time, as Aiden alone exits the car. He closes the door with care, and takes a moment fiddling with the key fob, trying to lock it. Finally, a 'Blip Blip!' sound indicates the car is secured, and he steps towards the house.

She opens the door, hair spilling behind her, and she looks him over, "Come in"

He looks up from his small frown down at the baffling key fob, and a smile spreads across his face. "Nadeen." He strides forward to take her hands, lifting both to press a kiss against them. "You look lovely. I see that my fears for your safety were unfounded." A touch of relief to his voice. "I take it that this 'Leech' has been properly vanquished?"

"In manners that are almost unbelievable" She so wants to surreder to him, but she does what she often does, kenning him . She has suspicions. It felt like she was gone for a week, instead it was but a day or three. But it was enough

Oh, yes. He is a Baron of the mighty host of the Fair Folk, certainly there is a lot of glamour that clings to him. Outside of the hold, it is easier to differentiate from the glamour of the manor itself versus his own inherent glow, but he still has a strong seeming even in a mundane setting. With the skill of practice, Nadeen can tell that some of the glamour has the feel of the Chancellor to it.

Aiden is perhaps unaware of her focus, but he basks in the attention, gazing back into her eyes with his own of piercing blue-silver. "Tell me more? May I come in?" Still on the porch, but polite, after all, this is her demesnes.

A breath, and irritation, "I thought you were going to forego letting Calanthe tinker with you? Or at least I was a part of advisors you trusted to hear out before you made such choices with your very mind and soul?"

He blinks in surprise. "I beg your pardon?" He asks in some surprise and consternation, releasing her hands.

She raises a brow, for a moment ready to grow colder still, but then slowly "Come inside past my wards. It may afford more privacy"

His own lips tighten, but he responds, "Very well." He gives a slight bow, "My lady." And steps past into the foyer of the house.

He may feel a tingle of a ward, like moving through a plastic sheet but then, he's past it

nadeen puts her hand on his face looking into his eyes "Calanthe's glamour is seeped in you like a stain. I can ken it"

"Will you give me leave to speak before you cast your judgement on me?" He asks, a touch tersely. His own Ailil temper flaring a touch.

"I have not judged," She says Yet. "but I AM concerned. Yes, please, speak if you would. May I get you a drink? Flo is out for the moment"

He exhales, and nods. "Yes, please. Something cool, if I may."

Aiden follows her inward, gazing over the house. It is the first time he has visited, and he looks over the decor.

She gathers up a cool class of wine , one for each of them

He gives the wine a small swirl in the glass, catching the scent, before lifting the glass to her and then taking a sip. "Julius sent wine from his prospective vineyard. I brought a few bottles for you and your housemate."

"Thank you for that, and, please, tell me why I sense Calanhe's cantrips on you?"

She sips her own and guides him to a luxurious sofa

He sits with her, setting down his glass. "I have to say that when I came to see you, I did not expect to receive an interrogation upon your very doorstep. Nor can I appreciate your... I shall call it distrust, but bordering well on disrespect, of she who has my trust as Chancellor." He says quietly. "I will answer, for the game of barbed blades couched in sweet words is a fond Ailil past-time, but not one that I find much enjoyment in. Not when it means to argue with you, Nadeen, who also has my trust."

She takes a drink and sets hers down "I respect Baron Aiden Ap Aili, but how can I know I'm talking to him when you been cantriped with chicanery and who knows what other art while I was away. You say you trust me, but I had thougght we understood you'd keep me as part of these attempts at reform. It's NOT an interrogation, I'm hurt. I'm I a little tired of being hurt. I have tried to offer your sister in law the olive branch because i migght hurt her feelings... but she sneers and I'm to take it? Varich also have pride"

"Nadeen." He meets her gaze. "The reason why I have her touch about me today is that for the past three days and nights, she has worked at unwinding some levels of her work. It is delicate magical manipulation even to one skilled in gremayre, and has left her in an exhausted state. Perhaps all the moreso to spare me the same, as I knew I must be awake and aware should you call for aid."

A sigh, as he frowns a little. "Over a decade of layered magickal workings do not wipe away like dust under a boggan's cloth because one has changed their mind." He reaches for her hands. "It will take time, dear heart. I thought that you understood that. I am sorry if I... or we... misled you. Such was never my intent."

"You should have told me, as your Reeve, perhaps the right to know was not mine though I might argue it, as your paramour, the woman who hopes to be your..." her eyes search him, not with judgment but profound worry"As your paramour I should have been kept in the loop. This is the very sort of thing I worried about not the unwinding, but to find I am not truly in your confidence and workings will go on while I am away. It is wrong of me to tell you how you are your own man and then insist you do as I would preferr, I know this, but I am your lady, then I think it reasonable for you to keep me informed of what is to happen even if it fills me with concern rather than finding out after." She takes his hand "I must seem a shrew to you, but I do not like being treated like a fragile doll to be sheltered from such things. " She kisses him on the cheek, then adds "And I am sorry if it truly seemed like an integration. Perhaps in my alarm it was one"

He presses her hands softly, his gaze searching her own expression. "I had thought to spare you the worry, when your focus was needed elsewhere. That is my folly, to see you as one to be cossetted. Though, am I wrong to wish to see you go to face your foes with a steady heart and full resolve?"

"Your wish is not wrong, the actions you took, or did not take to try to make it come true ...." A breath , how to tell an Aili yes he was wrong, " ...could have been thought out more carefully." A kiss, this time on the lips "Tell me, how depleted IS Calanthe? Do I need to assist in some of her usual duties? And... how are you feeling? Besides possibly annoyed with my frustration?" A weak smile

He reaches up and laces his hand through her loose flowing hair to cup the back of her head and draw her close for a deeper kiss. "I missed you."

And she melts

she has truly missed him

He continues, after drawing back, "I feel..." A pause, as he considers. "It is strange. I feel the same - perhaps a touch energized from the glamour... but I feel much myself. But more myself than I have for some time."

"And.. how do you describe this 'yourself'?" A smile "Does he still love horses, dogs, and speaking of them"

"Of course." He says, as though it is the simplest and most evident thing in the world. "You should have seen Ivan sulking at Gwen's absence. You'd think that all the light had gone out from the world." He says, amused. "And of horses - young Rochallor is shaping up as a fine childling." He relates the story of the toy that the boy attempted to gift earlier. "He is a good lad, and fond of Blossom as well. I am unsure about his future in the stables, though. I worry that he may not find himself comfortable mounted. I shall try him on a pony and see how he does."

"It may be that he could be a very fine hostler some day."

She actually covers her mouth to prevent a laugh at the boy getting a stuffed wolf, then ponders "If he has such a gentle heart, maybe he would like to be a vetenarian some day?" "A nnod "And Ivan and Pyschka are much alike ..she gets sulky too sometimes when nI'm gone 'too long'. She was a lovely protector by the way. "

"That was an interesting turn of events. You see, they were bred as guardians, but not intended to bond so well to a single handler. More, I had sought independence, to patrol unsupervised even upon trods if needed. It is intriguing to see how well they have adapted to being a dedicated protector." He has not released her hand, and gently draws small circles or designs on her palm with his thumb. It tickles in a delightful way...

She is not complaining, no not at all, "I have fussed, now let me praise. You are a genius in your selection of breeds to task, had you given me a shield and armor I would not be better protected than with her" And she kisses his ear lob, a nuzzle then a low coy look at their hands again "Through her, you have shielded me"