#elsewhere

"I found toys for Frankie and the baby. And a cute bunny pin for Bluebell. And a wine-stopper for Julius. These cuff-bracelet things for the twins..."

Nooooooo. Baby.

We also don't consider how BIG Frankie is these days.

"Isn't the baby like, two years old and a half now?" Troll pragmatism

This line of thought is interrupted by the return of Art, his outfit now dusty from the horse paddock.

Art returns to where Gwen and Thistle are, his expression thoughtful as he approaches. The festival continues around them, and nearby the decorated horses from the parade are being led away.

"Thistle, I spoke with that centaur," He starts, after ensuring they are not overheard, "The name he gave was Makade. Unfortunately, the horses here are not for sale—these are family, not commodities. The way Makade spoke of them made it sound like parting with them would be like giving away a brother or child."

He gives Gwen a small shoulder bow as well, enough to show deference without being out of place in mortal public.

Gwen nods back, but frowns at something. Then says "Well, that's that on the horses. "

"There may be other horses in the area - he actually made a recommendation nearby... but we're on a mission and I didn't think we'd want to deviate. If nothing else, I can pass the information on to Dee and the Baron."

She nods softly "That maybe best. " She is more reserved than she means to be "That said... I do hope you got to see a lot here you wanted to enjoy?"

Art's eyes light up a bit, even as he looks Thistle's way. "Definitely. It's been a real eye opener."

"I'm glad. The story tellers were amazing too" She relates what she told Thistle about the clues and where they need to go, and the challenges he and Thistle might face as outsiders, and the possible solutions. Then she says "What do you think? I'll understand if you don't want to come along "

"I saw the maps, amazing find there" She adds

"He's not too mad about Citrine bein' a brat?"

A brow raise at Citrine's bratness

"Oh dear. Citrine got in trouble?"

Art shakes his head, "No, he was more amused than anything. Said she was lucky the horses only startled and didn't bolt. Gave her a bit of a scolding, but he let her go easy enough." He glances toward where Citrine is flitting about, completely undeterred. "Makade seems to understand that some creatures just can't help but chase what catches their eye." A sigh. "And clearly she's forgotten already."

"And she's the SMART Never" Wryly

"TWO braincells! Most days."

Art rolls back mentally and reviews what Gwen shared. "I am not sure about a vow. Oaths are solemn things, even if the Dreaming may not enforce one sworn to... I'm not even sure if they count as Gallain, Nunnehi have their own magic and power.

He DOES look intrigued by the mention of totems. "Interesting."

She nods agreeing about the vows... "A totem is what I was thinking of too. Some are tied to fire, or stars... are natural guides. But there's no guarantee"

He starts to say something, then pauses, closing his mouth.

"Do you have an idea or insight into totems, Art?" She says "I am not an expert by any means despite my heritage and minor study"

"I didn't want to cast doubt on the knowledge of your heritage. I just wonder - do you think the Totems of the Nunnehi are the same as those of the mortal tribespeople? In the session Lady Elsinore prepared, she taught that it is believed that the shifter prodigals also worship Totem spirits. Such may not be welcoming to us as doubly outsiders - Kithain, and non-natives. Worse, they might be openly hostile."

He speaks slowly, thoughtfully... though he DOES look interested, eyes sparkling a bit as he speaks of knowledges and mysteries.

Indeed, if he is afraid of hostile totems, he doesn't show it - whether that's WISE is yet to be seen.

"The Children of the Moon and Sun do have totems, and some are more Euro in origin, so I don't think the Nunehi have those totems, or at least don't recognize them. Dame Dee knows this were raven or were crow girl so I have a 'heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend' thing going on there. So that would be the chief difference between Nunnehi totems and say Garou or however you say it. Prodigals are tricky." In this, she has studied more than a little but from different avenues "You might get help there but I'm not sure if that would help given the whole native angle. It could be dangerous... that's true. The old rule about being careful what you call on certainly applies. Still, the best thing to do is.. ASK if any totem will guide us for a short term, and accept us as we are. Humility will get us further than confidence"

"And we DEFINITELY don't dare go in with arrogance"

"The good news for you, Art, is that because of the years while the sidhe were away, the Arcadian ones at least, it's actually COMMONER Kiths like mine or Thistle's that face most of the resentment from Nunnehi. Maybe that applies to their totems too? Arcadians weren't here for manifest destiny, the long walk, the trail of tears and more"

A lower mutter "The Countess is in trouble because she took a native soul"

"Shame we couldn't just ask Brigid."

"She didn't take it, not really..." Art starts to defend, then stops, incling his head a little. "I see what you mean."

"Exactly. One person's fair trade is..." A shrug "Well you know." A look at Thistle "Look, Rivervale has garou ties, and I was there for a bit, but I never got cozy with them"

"Hmph. Silver Wolf."

Gwen ponders "Honestly, my spear seems to be a better lead than what I expected. Apparently its gotten me a lot of lee way with Tony and noticed by others. Maybe it will perk the interest of a kindly totem or guide?"

"Anyway, Tony can probably tell us more"

"THAT could work. It has unusual glamour."

"Like, it has a different taste?" Hand wavey gesture.

"It's Medicine, that's the term you're looking for" She smiles though

"Medicine." She eyes the Spear, making her squinty Kenning-face.

"I guess every culture has a different name for glamour when you think about it, and as there is power in names, maybe that shapes the glamour itself?"

Thistle feels power from the spear as she kens it. It is magic, certainly, but a different flavor - as distinct from her own glamour as David's essence felt when she encountered the Glome.

Art grins at Gwen, almost as if he forgot that he's supposed to still be upset. "Now THAT I like."

"Well, it's like David, kinda. Or Dru. Magic, but different. This one is kinda cinnamon-ish."

"Dru and David are... green?"

Gwen actually returns the smile to Art , at least a bit

"True, I guess..what is it David calls them? Slivers instead of cantrips? "

"Dru is green, certainly."

"So! How do we find a totem? Does your new friend know?"