#odyssey

"We're passing through on a quest." He offers, politely.

"Hello!" She nods at Symon. "That."

"If there's a protocol we have to do...?"

She looks amused "A greetings and introduction is a good start. But I know who you both are. Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike of Rivervale, Knight of Gwydion. Symon also of Rivervale, a Pillar of the Mountain at that, and son of Anne Marie, a crucial component of the community up there. I'm Countess Adelaide Ironbrow ap Eiluned, Heir to Countess Akanthea. I suppose an interrogation of your full business would be possible, but you do seem in such a rush so allow me the answer of.. how's Gerd doing?" A smile "haven't seen her since Samhain"

Ack, Flee the Dread Sovereign

"Oh, Countess!" She remembers to bow!

"Gerd is doing pretty good. She got a boyfriend."

"They're still going? Hmm I thought she'd resist that sort of nonsense" but a smile "Still. I'm glad for her. Thank you. How can I help you two with your quest?"

"Is there, like, a bus that goes to Koreatown?"

He nods. "Or do you have Knight's Heart here?"

"I can do better than that" she says "I'll give you a driver for the day. Understand this not a thane. The driver will drop you off wherever you like. Wait there until you return, and then come when his or her day is done."

"What would we owe you for that?" Symon checks first.

Still, phrased politely - checking, not hissing about it being a trick!

Brow up.

"oh you're assuming this is a Seelie hold." The young woman says "Obviously I am hoping that some time in the future you'll return and relate how the quest went, and I want to give a good impression on Gerd's friends and thus make Gerd happy, but REQUIRING the former would just make it less likely I suspect, don't you?"

His own brow goes up a millimeter, and he smiles a little. She's not half bad. "We'll see how it goes, but that sounds doable."

"Maybe bring Gerd along for that, too."

"I would love that" She says "Thank you. And if you bring Sir Vali, Bonus.. the Countess misses him now and then, though most like she would inform me I was sharing far too much"

"Well, this is FOR Vali..."

He nods! "He sent us on this quest... but speaking of sharing too much... Do you know much about the Hsien in the area?" He asks. "And if you did, would you be willing to tell us?"

Perhaps Eilunid curiosity can be tempted like a cats!

"For Sir Vali?" A brow "What has that Beaumayn gotten into now? " She eyes Symon "I think we have information to exchange, Master Symon? Do you two have time for tea? "

He looks to Dagmar.

"He's being sneaky about it. So we don't have all the details. Symon is being very tolerant of me being a blunt and trusting Gwydion."

"you sir, are strong willed" Adelaide says to Symon with respect at Dagmar's mention of his tolerance

"Forewarned is forearmed. And we're going into the unknown a bit here." He admits.

"Ah yes," She shakes her head "Vali the Stealthy. I sometimes wonder if he remembers the name was given ironically? "

"We could give you some details about the quest we're on in exchange?"

"Well, Vali says this matters. And I trust him." She shrugs.

"Don't think it's ironic these days."

"Let's set up tea.. and have this in a private room. I hope you understand... if the Countess catches me just blabbing in the hallways she'll think I've gone Fiona" She motions them to follow her and nods to the servants to set it up "Yes, I'd trust Sir Vali with my life. I have in fact done that before."

He nods and follows. Whispering to Dagmar, "Hope that's okay. I don't much like the thought of going in blind..."

She shrugs. "Seems smart. Don't know how much we have to tell..."

"Yeah, but we don't need to volunteer that." A thin smile.

Tea is prepared in a private little room, and the countess motions the thane away . A troll sized chair is available.

"Now," She says after everyone is seated, "I don't know sluagh teat procedures, so I apologize if I am giving offense. but we should be able to talk without any unexpected snooping from outsiders here. Might I inquire what you're questing for? It might let me know what Hsien are mostly involved?"

"Well... we're more questing to help the real quest. Like, Vali needs to find a thing - no, we don't know what thing - and there's a map. But the map's torn up into pieces."

She sips her tea "Did you already get a piece or will this trip here lead to the first?"

Grunt. "Got one."

"Good, the laws of magic such as they are would favor the rejoining the more pieces you get. I suppose you've used tattle tale to peek at the other parts already?"

"Uh... no? I don't have a lot of magic."

"'Once a part always a part' is not as universal as some think but it is a strong constant. you have one part of the map, the right cantrip should tell you more bout the other pieces"

"Um. I definitely don't have the right magic for that."

"I might...but I'd need to use the piece you have. If you'd like me to ?" She offers

Dag frowns and looks over at Symon.

He admits. "We know where to find the other pieces. Or at least, Vali does. I was more interested in seeing if you might be able to shed some light on the Hsien in your town. I know little about them, and I suspect that half of what I know might be wrong."

"I was on hand when Dry Tears was taken recently, and could share some intel about what I saw there... I know a lot of folk are curious about what went down. And we recently were in Ardent Harbor - though if anyone from there asks, we weren't." Offering a few tidbits in exchange.

"Okay, now you have my curiosity intrigued on multple levels. I can tell you what I know of the Hsien, though I suspect it's not them you wll need to talk to."

"you need to talk to the Dokkaebi" A sip of her tea

"A what?"