#elsewhere

Their argument is no longer a quiet conversation, and they have started to attract curiosity from others at the hold.

Art takes a deliberate step back, “No."

"You sure? Because you wanted the last lick in. I offered an olive branch and you hit me with it rather than work with me. All while praising how mature you are . It was hypocritical, and it was cruel, and I am not going to end up in some stupid spiral where two friends end up in escalation. A duel will get it over. Done. And It's the most respectful thing I can do you when you think of it. A knight challenging a squire as an equal. "

SHe takes a cleansing breath

Art snaps, "As long as you insist that you need to scold me like a child, and are right to do so before and again, we will not come to an accord!" Pride still flaring...

And... his voice breaks in a way it hasn't since he was a fledge. "...I get it from every Sidhe I know - and it's not going to change. That is my lot to be a Squire beyond childling years. But I didn't expect it from you, Gwen. You're my friend. And that hurts."

"I am sorry, Arthur, but I took abuse from Calanthe, and I'm not taking it from you" A set of her jaw "You keep moving goal posts on me so no matter what I'm wrong. You say I scoled you not like a friend but like a servant... no, I did scold you, but I didn't do it to you as eeither a chld OR a servant. I just scolded. Now that was my intent, my delivery .. that's for you to decide to some degree. And had you asked, I would have apologized about that with sincerity... because I was asking HOW you like your apology. You threw that in my face and presumed, after protesting you can't read minds. Well, Art? Neither can I . So... until you TALK to me, and not DOWN to me, then protest when you get it back, you go on hurting, because I'm not going to bleed from your wounds inflicted with a fucking smile on my face. It's not fair, and it;s not who you are. Go on, pick something you'll win at, like Duel by Chess or something. I want ...'this' gone"

Art closes his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. When he speaks again, his tone is softer. "Gwen, you're right - we're not on the same page, and it's making us talk around each other and not to each other. Perhaps I'm just so wrapped up in my own hurt and pride that I haven't been able to give you the clarity or respect you deserve. For that, I am sorry."

He takes a step closer, offering out a hand. "I don’t want to fight you, not with swords, not with words, not with anything. Not because I fear losing, but because it feels like it would cut deeper than either of us deserves. I want this gone, too."

"I will talk to you, not down to you. I will listen, not to defend myself, but to understand. But I need you to meet me halfway. Scolding may not be meant for a child or a servant, but it feels like it was for someone lesser—and that’s a wound I can’t keep swallowing quietly. Let us both lay our weapons down, literal or otherwise, and start over. Please?"

"For Marigold's sake, we'll both work on it, right?"

"For Marigold." He nods.

"All right" She nods then looks around "Everyone get that?" Dryly

She shakes the hand, the grip IS strong, maybe without meaning to be.

"Aw." Groans a whip thin redcap who was leaning against a car nearby. "Ain't ya gonna beat him just a little?" She calls over in disappointment, before spitting on the ground and walking away.

The others murmurs softly and dissipate.

"No. Not in front of a crowd. I don't TRY to shame friends. It's just by accident when it happens it seems" She lets go

There's been a crowd gathering - but the pair of them have been caught up with each other. One blue haired nocker clutching a bag to her chest is easy to overlook.

"Come on, let's go, Thistle" She moves on. She has a lot of feelings about this. "If you're ready"

Thistle hears a boggan whisper to another as they pass her.

She ducks her head, and starts for the van.

Gwen does try to hear the whisper (3 sux)

But it's too far away. Perhaps for the best

Calloused fingertips brush Art's wrist as she passes him, but she doesn't slow or stop her stride. Bag chucked in the back of the vehicle, and then she's up front to get the GPS set up.

Art was distracted for a moment as he noticed Thistle, and realizes he's still holding Gwen's (very tight) grip. He hides a wince and gives her hand a squeeze before letting go. Quietly, he says to Gwen, "I'm sorry." Without justification, clarification, or anything else further, simply that.

A pause, and... "...Am I... supposed to be wearing beads too?" Looking from Gwen to Thistle.

"I have extra strings in my bag. There should be purple ones in there."

"I am too, Art, and I wish I knew how to say it right" She stops wanting to say mroe, but sure she'll fuck it up if she tries

"Sometimes you gotta stop hammerin' on shit. Clay gets too overworked, and all yer gonna do is make a mess until it's got time to settle."

Gwen says nothing about that "If you guys want to go with the Countess instead I understand. I'll take the van then. Otherwise we're off together"

"I got the right address?" She shoves the phone in Gwen's face.

She looks and makes sure, and assuming so nods "Dead on target"

"Alright. You gotta find me music that ain't cowboy twangle." She hops into the driver's seat.

She nods and says "How about late 60s/early 70s hippie music?"

"Therre's a station that plays that for some reason, or was last I was here"

"Hippie music's okay. Mom's a hippie."

"No way." Art slides into the backseat, answering the earlier question from Gwen. "She..." He makes sure the windows are up and doors closed. "Countess Blackfeather is polite, and her people are nice, but she kinda gives me the... what do they call it. When you feel eyes on your back, and it's like shivers? In a way that Countess Elsinore does not. Like she is sizing up your value based on your skills, secrets, pocketbook... and organs, all in one glance."

"Eh, pretty sure she didn't notice me at all. Advantages to being the driver. Art, should be that little pocket on top, with the rainbow star patch."

"I admit, I mistook what she said as a threat ... at least at first. A classy threat but .. now that somethings are squared, I do find her fascinating."

"Poisonous snakes are also fascinating. Not that she's a serpent, but..." He shrugs. "Dangerous to get too close sometimes. not that she'd be vicious, but... well, I guess I just rather not have her attention on ME."

"Oh she's dangerous" An agreement "And I'll heed your caution"

"Oh, there were these shiny little snakey guys, like rubies and amber. They liked my colored pencils."

"Huh, sound lovely" She admits. She's more reserved now but amiable

"The birds were my favorite, though. Teeny tiny thunderbirds, Tupp said. Thunder-sparrows."

There is still tension, but it is starting to dissipate, at least a little.

"Damn. I missed that" She says

"I wondered if that lad was half Chimera himself, the way he stuck to you." Art smiles to Thistle.

The radio clicks on ,and "Why Can't We Be Friends?" starting playing

"Don't touch, though. Woof! Sparky!"

Ivan lifts his head, wondering why she's barking.

"Tupp ain't half bad. He reminds me of Frankie."

"Check your pockets?" Art says, but he has a half-smile. "Though if we have to go back for your wallet, Gwen can see the thunder-birds."

"Oh no, My pockets and.." She laughs at the song that came on

"Ho, shit." She tries to pat her pockets while driving.

"You cause us to crash I'm falling my big stone body on YOU"