#elsewhere

Art swallows, and knocks on the door to the room of the manor that has been used by Nadeen most often for her personal studio. Bluebell said that the Baron was "away, away, in a land of hooves and clouds," but who knows what that means. He HOPES that it means the Baron isn't HERE. And that the Baroness is..."

The door opens "Yes?"

And it is she. Nadeen

He bows. "Lady Nadeen. May I have a minute of your time?"

"you may, come in" She motions . She is dressed casually, having come back from shopping

"Have a seat if you wish"

He comes in, and tries not to fidget. "I'm worried about Thistle. She seems to think that moving up her Saining is not an honor, but is... rushed, and she is not important."

her brows gracefully rise into her hair line "She told you this?"

He nods. "She... doesn't think highly of herself. She never has. I hoped that getting away from Blaine's influence would help. Then I hoped that once we were sained, her true value would shine free... but now, I worry, Baroness."

"You are a good friend" Nadeen observes, "yes, I fear she does have an odd mix of fire and smoke. She can burn so fiercely.. then she smothers at other times, often her own light dimmed by her doubt. She seems to think what we do is charity for her, despite my pride in her work and hopes that she may bring glory to Silverwolf through her craft. Which she has, but more, by her actions. Yes, Blaine's scarring is... troublesome. Maybe like a wound cleaned propertly it can now heal clean, but still does take time. " A troubled look "We want her to have all honors for her saining. We 'rush it' not because it means nothing, but because SHE is most qualified, by blood as well as knack, to retrieve her sister. "

"May I ask a favor? It's about her saining."

Then, "That wound hasn't healed. It's not a scar, it's still raw... and she keeps picking at it."

"Well, I can't geasa the girl not to pick at it" A look at him "You do realize you yourself are in no position to ask for favors? Honestly Arthur, doubling down on a soothsay mishap, one of the most dangerous arts there is?'

He lowers his eyes, turning red to his very ear-tips. "It's not for me, but for Thistle's behalf."

"The recipient speaks well of you, but like a man with an empty coin purse and large debt hoping to pay for a child's meal, you still lack the means to entreat comfortably. Of course I will hear you out"

Oh, she is RIGHT, and he knows it.

"It is something I can repay, over time. I just need to borrow some glamour. Thistle and I, we talked about our saining... she wanted to have her family there, if she could, maybe her Grandmother too, and there are friends from school. If we could enchant them, just for one day, it might go a long way in making it feel more of a celebration, and less of a forced necessity. I plan on inviting other Fae from town, as well, by your leave..."

"I thought of using my own glamour, I did, but then she would just get mad at me for running myself down to dry gears or something along those lines, and FUSS."

"No"

"...Oh." He straightens up, frowning, disappointed. "Thank you for your consideration."

"I say no, because that was part of my plan anyway, or at least hope" She explains "Perhaps i imagined something smaller, but I was going to check with the namer and see if it would be accepted. In short, your idea is grand, which is why I already considered it and hope to make it fact."

He looks taken aback. "Then... may I help? I know her friends at school, and who she has spoken of in town..." A pause, and, "And the task will also keep me out from under the Baron's feet. I am hoping that time shall help lessen his anger."

"mmm" A look then "Why Did you persist in that spell? Why did you not let a master of the art guide you?"

"I... I'm not sure. I thought if I just tried harder.. It was important, you know. It's.. it's THISTLE." He says as though this should explain.

A sigh "Sometimes, delayed action or even inaction is the RIGHT Action"

He nods, the very picture of repentance. "I know that. I really do. It's just hard to remember, when it comes down to things. I am trying. I really am."

"Sometimes I wonder if you might be Fiona, Dreaming help you." She ponders "But first let me make sure it's okay, then you may help. However you can assemble the list of those you think she'd want. We reserve the right to trim it down"

He produces a list without hesitation.

She takes it and looks over it to see if it is clear, organized

Bullet points, properly spaced, clear writing, worthy of a scribe. Or at least, an apprentice scribe.

"mmm" She says "You really are good at this"

"I can tell you right now, some folks are going to say no even if we do invite them"

"The important thing is that they were invited, I think."

"mmm" She frowns "Less time to issue than I hoped. I cannot promise will be invited, but I will talk to the Baron about it. " A look at him "Arthur, you must be careful of your tendency to jump into things so impulsively. it can hurt the ones you love. Trust me. I have ... done so myself"

"If I may, I'll issue the invites tonight. We don't have much time. I can write them myself, if that's okay." About talking to the Baron, "Is it not your time to rule in the Summer?" Curious.

A frown "Arthur, I just said I wanted to be sure the Namer agreed with enchantment. Did you not hear that? "

He blinks. “Yes, but invitations will be too FAE.” He clarifies.

"You may write the ones to the kithain, yes. Not to her kinain family and friends"

He nods. “I don’t think any of the friends will say no. It’s the Fae who may hem and haw. If I may see to that now?”

"You may. I know you want to have a part in this, and more than that, you seem to have a scribe's knack"

He nods - and hesitates a moment, then, "May I be excused?"

"Yes and..." A pause "Arthur. No promises, but I'll try to get you sained on time. You're a fine young man in many ways. And I think you've grown"

He hesitates again, then says, "Thistle wanted to ask for me to be sained with her. As her boon. I told her it was unwise - that it would anger the Baron, and that I'm not ready, by his word, and my own action. I did tell her." He looks a little miserable, like he betrayed a trust in saying so.

"Please understand that I didn't put her up to this, if she does still ask. And for the Baron? If he is angry? ...then if he does wish to believe it was my prompting, then he may, if it keeps him from being wroth with Thistle. I do not intend to lie, but.. she has enugh to worry about on this quest. I would spare her more trouble before she leaves, if I can. It might be all I CAN do to help."

"Oh dear..." A frown "I see. Arthur, thank you for telling me this. It can't be easy. I will remember the kindness, and I will ..intercede within reason"

"She may have rethought it. I suggested other options... but I do not know." He looks over his list, and, "Are there any Fae YOU wish invited? It can be a political move as well, an invitation to an ally or a potential ally, to enjoy the event even if short notice."

A very pleased look "Arthur, that is a very good suggestion. I think i might have one or two, but I'll write those invitations"

He nods, and heads out with a bow. Many invitations to write.

And she ponders, writing on a note pad 'CHief Hewitt'... 'Dame Dagmar?' .... then 'Countess?'

A gamble. With enchanted mortals especially... but... it might pay off.