#elsewhere

"I agree. Prior to your Saining you were learning, as is appropriate. You studied with Sir Almandine; can you turn that into productivity?"

"I'm hardly the only one who knows Soothsay here," She ponders "But I suppose I could assist anyone who requires such."

The baron nods. "What else?"

"I've learned how to make tea, took up some sewing with Miss Vashti because I thought it was lady like and make good bunks, but I'm not sure I'm good at it. I know the occult well, and politics well enough. "

"What of your mortal studies?"

"School is still largely remote, the DeBuke set up has been handy and I've utilized it though I'm one of the few students who has. I am making solid Bs with an A in English"

"You should be graduating in the spring?"

"Yes, which means I can't really do a walk about the country, finding the meaning of life or the like, not for extended periods" She ponders "Though at least I can travel some trods now. Miss Zara hinted at as much"

A small smile. "She would be an excellent guide."

"In a few months, though, you'll have that freedom." he points out.

"Truth. I am curious, no joke intended, about other holds, but Earth Runes has always been so welcoming it's become a true home to me I think. That might change but I don't really want it to. Still, visits will be pleasant. Maybe the dreaming is telling me to visit commoner holds too. I doubt I'll be trusted, Eiluned have a reputation and I am sidhe, but i might be tolerated."

Another small smile. "You call your welcome here a Charity, as if it were -un- welcome.... and then say it is a true home."

She blushes "I suppose I did. But, I know the rules. I have to do something. Kylie is already making contacts with others here in order to keep using the workshop. Zing is... " A Pause "i'm not sure what Zing is doing. THey're both still in college technically"

"Do you think you might enjoy college?"

"I believe so, yes. I actually enjoy academia. One reason I was glad to be Eiluned, they tend towards the more cerebral"

"House Eiluned is not without merit in that regard."

"True, though I'll have little status in it save as an oddity now"

"For now." He allows.

"Yes, one can always find a use in the House of Secrets. The Seer has been an educator there too. Though honestly there aren't many of us here. I suppose Squire Nelson counts"

"Actually with our new namer, we have more than a few Dougals. Dame Agincourt. Lady Honoria, and now Baron Rosco"

"Would you care for a beverage? Tea, or....?"

"Oh whatever you like" She says

He nods and stands, going to the door to ask Benny to bring tea. And something for himself.

"We've established you have worth, intrinsically. Skills and knowledges, Arts, that will benefit the Baron not to mention the value of your soul on it's journey." a smile "Do you still feel you have ought to prove?"

"Yes but, maybe I'm more confident than I was," She admits with a bit of a smile "I do know my way around a library thanks to Zara and Squire Velvet"

A 'louder' smile "You have good company there."

"Yes. Outranked by squires still stings a bit. But she's not the sort to rub it in"

"Rank.... it means a great deal to you." he observes.

"It's in sidhe culture, Baron. It may mean little to you, but most sidhe think highly of it. Knights see themselves as the working nobles. Barons and Counts as tied to their land... Dukes and Kings almost so rare as to be seen as emmisarys of the dreaming itself. "

He nods. "You are not wrong, I think. You agree you have worth and value in and of yourself.... what is left is to gain recognition of that in a formal way."

"Yes," She nods "But I still would like a title. If that makes me petty or overly ambitious, so be it. FOr now I'll learn what my limits are. Then? I'll try to surpass them"

August nods "Then that should be your goal. To earn such a thing."

Benny has served drinks and withdrawn

She sips her tea then asks "Are you always so...certain things will be well? "

"I try to be, yes."

"I envy your faith in such " She admits "It isn't for me, but it must be a source of strength, or at least comfort"

"Faith may be part of it." He agrees "I will share what I can with you."

"If you wish it."

"THank you, no, at least not yet," She admits "At this point believing God would just make me feel like I was of an even Lower rank. At least right now I only have to start with the High King and work my way down" A bit of humor

"Your choice." graciously.

"Thank you" She sips again. "Was tea always this good here or did Miss Zara 's precence push for higher standards? Meaning no disrespect to Steward Delores or you or the baroness"

"Ahhh.... I don't know that I could say."

"AH, I understand." A whisper "She has amazing ears"

"She.... yes."

"How is River? YOu must be a proud semi grandpa?"

A shy smile. "She is... very smart."

"Veronika says she should be a Rusalka with a name like that"

"River will be who she is."

"Given her father is Autumn sidhe, who knows? She is a bright girl though yes." A sip "I wonder if they need a babysitter now and then? THat would be another way I could earn my spot"

"Perhaps." agrees the grand-sire?