#elsewhere

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As soon as they land...wherever they land, Coradel tells Bachdion, "I need to make two phone calls." She immediately whips out her phone and speed dials Delores.

They're actually near the stables at Earth RUnes

But Delores picks up "Safe to talk?"

"More or less. You've got new arrivals there, right? Courtesy of Bachdion?"

"Yes, if not for his text we'd have been totally lost. There's over a dozen clueless folk here"

"Right, so...situation. They're all fledges, but they're refugees. We need to know where each one had their dream dance, and determine the closest balefire, noble or otherwise, to that location. Get Hume to do the research."

"Will do, and he might even be good at it. Are you and Bachdion okay?"

"So far, but I've angered an eshu, so that's sure to have some fun fallout. She might show up on the doorstep. Her name's Ruzgala; August's already had some kind of clash with her. I'm about to call him to update him on the situation. If she does appear, give her courteous hospitality, but she's not to be allowed near the fledges. She doesn't wish them ill-will, but her goals are at odds with what's right for them." A brief pause. "I think that's it."

"I know the name, Zara brought her in as a guest before everyone headed off again. Noted about her and the fledges. I'm glad you and Bachdion are okay and look forward to the story later"

"Thank you, Delores. I'll check in when we're on the way back." She disconnects, and immediately dials August.

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"Ah." August shifts, puts a hand to his waist, and stands. "Will you excuse me? I have a call...." and he makes his way to a point where he can take it.

"Hello." with quiet warmth.

"Hello, Love." Coradel's voice is also warm. "Can you speak freely?"

"Within reason." of course, he's always the more cautious of the two.

"Good. I only have a few minutes before we stop at a different hold. Long story short: we got the fledges away from Ruzgala, they're at EarthRunes, and I'm having Hume research the closest balefire to each one's dream dance so we can return them to where they rightly belong."

"You are a marvel." He praises "I'm afraid I can't make my long story short, here. I will be delayed in the area a while. We are all well."

"Oh." Disappointment. "Well...I'm glad to know that much. Now, Bachdion and I are about to speak to a local Fiona hold about...well, that's a longer story, too. I guess when we see each other next, we'll tell each other bedtime stories." Her voice ends in a purr.

He sighs. "I look forward to that."

"So much," she murmurs agreement. Then, "I have to go. Soon, my love?"

"As soon as I can." He promises.

A moment, and the call disconnects.

She turns to Bachdion. "Okay. Let's to talk to these House-kin."

"Certainly. I got a bit more dross while you were calling. THought it would be prudent not to tap out the last of my reserves"

"Smart. Don't let me forget to compensate you for what you use in all this."

A brow lift "Always delightful whatever the form"

A sly smile. "That, too." She takes his arm. "Lead on, Teacher-Mine."

Three steps, "We're off to see the ..."

And they vanish

To appear in what seems a great wood, yet, the trees themselves , at least some of them, are chimerical.

And others are just... wondrous if mortal

"Ohhhh...." she breathes, looking around. "This is lovely."

"To Fae, this area is known as Green Dreams Rising Hold.... to mortals? It's the Arbor Lodge Historical park" He smiles

She smiles. The Fiona glamour is strong here. "And will we be meeting a baron or baroness or both, do you think?"

"Hopefully both, but like you and I, the Baroness is a house sister"

"And her name?"

"You're no fun, part of the delight is putting you in that moment of unpreparedness and watching you rise above anyway" A grin "her name is Alyvia. Her trueheart is a Ghille Dhu, Baron Doriath. He can't go out much for fear of premature aging"

She gives his arm a squeeze. "Yes, I'm a terrible spoil-sport today, I know. I've never actually met a Ghille Dhu!" she says with interest. ((Unless she has and her player has forgotten.))

(I don't think so)

"Oh they move with the cycle... in their wilder state they're strong... and easy on the eyes. " A wink

"But a banal death can drive them to prematurely age. Rare in Concordia" He says

She nods. "And what missteps might you caution me against here?"

"Compliment the apple cider or at least don't insult it. Be careful of suggesting they care for trees more than kithain... she could do more, but she is not uncaring about commoners. A fact we hope to thrive on."

"Mmmm. That could be a tricky spot. Good note." She releases his arm as they approach the door and allows him to knock for entry. Formality and so forth, of course.

And he takes the role of her loyal knight, which is geniune anyway. And knocks.