#fenixtj

The word from the Duke was that he had a nasty close call. His hold is out of the way, but has less defenses than some. That said, despite a close call, he's fine.

The reports from Tweak say she's busy with sky trods torn open, she's got her air corp on it

The shores are dangerous, sea trods, water trods a flush

To the point Baron Tidemarch has suggested that the Mer maybe in trouble

Jess sends word that she'd like to come see herself.

Before the countess can head out to explore these tidings, she is approached by someone she may only vaguely remember, if at all. The Selkie she rescued a short while ago... he is, apparently, still here?

Indeed, the Selkie has become quite welcome by Fontaine, Neemu (Herself a selkie) and others. If anyone was supposed to send him away, it never occured to them

"Oh, hello." she greets him "Feeling better?"

"Hale and healthy." He says, giving a bow to the Countess. "But I find myself... cast ashore. To be blunt, I'm not sure what to do with myself, now that I'm here. Is there some way I can be of service? I've been told that it's not safe to go in the water. Not safe!" He says, as though the words themself mystify him.

"Diego is the satyr to see, if you're looking for work. Although, if you want, I'm thinking of going out to Tidemarsh Barony, take a look at how things are going there. You could come with me if you like, maybe provide some insight."

"I would like that, Countess. By the way, I don't think we ever really had a chance to be introduced, properly." He offers her a hand. "Calder O'Brien."

"Jessica King. No need to us the title, if you don't want to."

He blinks. "If you are certain, lady. It seems... irreverent. I would worry that your people see me as rude."

"They don't use it much either." She admits.

"Well, perhaps not," He allows, "But they are your people. Familiarity that allows them a privilege may seem a terrible slight from a stranger." Still, he smiles, the momentary expression removing a bit of weariness from his face.

"Where do you hail from, Calder?"

He sighs, and that crinkle of worry returns to his eyes. "If you had asked me just a month earlier, I'd have said that I was a citizen of the sovereign nation of the SS Muirgheas", There is an Irish lilt to the pronunciation of the name that sounds roughly like "mur-yahs".

"But my lovely little ship was lost when the trod fell apart, and with me being dropped some 800 leagues far to the west, in a different Ocean entire, I don't think I will ever see her again."

"Maybe we can .... I don't know, see if there's a mariners lost and found, or something? Put out the word, see if anyone finds it?"

"I fear she was lost in the dreaming seas. You go into those deeps...." He shakes his head. "Not much is seen again. I'll ask around, but... the sea, she gives, and she takes."

Jess nods. "I've heard similar sentiments from others. You ready to go?"

He nods. "I've always traveled light, and now? Well, All I own is in my own pockets."

"Maybe we can do something about that, too, in time. Let's go."

Given that the trods aren't solid, they'll take her beat up little car.

He doesn't remark on the condition of the car. Then again, who's he to judge?

Apparently, it gets her where she needs to go.

She gets it started, and off they go to the ocean-side Barony of Renaissance.

The City of Tijuana is not known for Beautiful shores, one has to go a bit out for the best... and yet, the Near Dreaming is kinder to fae than mortal eyes, allowing one to see expansive beaches only the enchanted may go. Even a casual drive shows that there are vessels on patrol, flying Sunkissed waves banner. On land, there are more troops. And there is, of course, the Beach House

the great hold of Baron Tidemarch

"Tell me of this Baron? I've spent the last few years sailing up and down the East coast, and a little into French Guinae and Brazil... but these western duchies are new to me."

"Um. Sure. Baron Tidemarch is my only Sidhe baron; the other baronies are common-held, although The Pit is held by a Sidhe regent. We don't always see eye-to-eye but he's done a good job in sometimes difficult circumstances."

"Which of the Houses does he rule under?"

Calder watches the waves as they approach closer to the water, a wistful expression in his eyes.

"Varisch."

"A selkie?" A troll thane sees Calder "Do you need time on the shore? I will shield you. The Baron understands the needs of..." Then he sees Jessica and bows

"Our Duke is Liam. The Regent of the Pit is Eiluned. I haven't taken a House."

"Varich?" He sounds surprised, "Are they not dreams of winter forests?" Still, he bows to the thane politely, and says, "I will be well. I am not quite a dried out husk yet, I miss a... friend, lost to the ocean, is all."

"Hello."

"Countess, " He bows again, then says to the selkie "A missing friend? what kith?'

"Not quite the same..." He hesitates, how to explain that his ship was as close as blood? "But worry not about me, the Countess has come on matters of import, and I am just her humble accompaniment at this time."

"As you say" the Thane nods "I shall trouble you no more"

"Could you see if the baron has a moment?"

"Of course" And he goes into the hold to see if the Baron is availble

"Want me to see if you can get a tour?"

The door opens, and the Thane says "The Baron is ready at your convenice, Countess"

"Come on, let me introduce you." And Jessica goes in.

He had been distracted watching the waves once more, and gives a quick apology as he follows her in.

The interior is magnificent, the most typically noble of the holds, which means it's hardly typical. One could easily imagine a slavic aristorcrat on some baltic shore living here, and in a sense, one does.

"Yes." Jessica follows up with Calder "Varisch are stereotypically slavic, and, um, cold-weather... But Tidemarch has been here years, longer than I have."

"His area of the beach does look pristine, compared to some of Tijuana." He says, then adds carefully, "Not to disparage your holding, lady Jessica."

"Enter, enter" A voice says as they appraoch "Countess, please. You and your guest. Eat, Drink if you like."