#odyssey

Saoirse listens to Gwen, having acknowledged her to speak after telling the entire CROWD to shush.

Then, she raises her own hand, and speaks to all assembled.

"Thistlethwaite argues on a bond of blood and love. Dame Gladiola speaks of strengths and powers we do not know. And you, Arthur - Sidhe Lord of no House - speak of challenge."

He reddens a little, he didn't mean to be overheard.

"Omario claims them on a bond of blood and and fae kinship. I argue that our people are strong, and need no others. Our people speak of rescue, and raising her as one of us. But I am not without heart, nor reason. As one who has lost her own daughter, I rule that a Claim may be made, and Fate will decide."

"Thistlethwaite Fulcanelli. Omario McKenly. You both make claim on this child. Will you fight for her, and accept the results, come what may?"

"Yes." Without hesitation.

"Wi." Omario says, smoothly, with a cocky grin.

Gwen decides Omario is definitely on the list

"Then you three will be our guests, and may remain within the Freehold for Three days - the duration of the Challenge. You will respect our people and our ways while our guests, and will not seek to trick, molest, or steal from the Redfin. Nor will you try to steal away with the child like thieves in the night.

Omario looks away at this - he doesn't have the decency to look embarrassed, though clearly that was directed at him, along with the Chieftess's displeasure.

In return, none are to molest, hinder, nor trouble you outside of the Challenge. Any with a problem, will come to me."

"Do we have an agreement?"

A look to Thistle. She'll back her wishes

A sharp nod.

Art listens, then asks, "Does that include today?" Noticing that the sun is heading long towards afternoon.

Saoirse raises a brow. He is suspicious, but perhaps understandably so. "Yes, today as well - I do not wish to twist words in my offer of hospitality - not with a Dairrean. The challenge will be of three parts - Courage, Wits, and Skill. Stay with us tonight, or return to your lodging - however you wish. If you leave, speak not of what you have seen. We will know."

"May I send word to my liege?" She says "I am Daieann, I honor hospitality"

"We'll stay. I still need to wish my sister happy birthday. I would tell her of my Saining."

Her expression tightens. "You may tell them, if you desire, that you are here, how you fare, and when you plan to return. Do not speak of our people or our ways. I do not wish to enforce this by blood or oath, but I will, if I must, to protect my people."

The crowd has started to disperse, but of them, though they mainly seem friendly in demeanor, clearly some have the builds of warriors.

"There is no need of blood or oath," she bows "It will be as you say."

Then she adds "Thank you, Chieftess" A nod to Thistle at mention of telling her sister of her saining. A bit of a smile at that

"Then, come." A nod to the woman who is holding the baby, and Saoirse herself takes the child and hands her to Thistle. "However fate decides, you are here now. Meet your sister."

Thistle takes the little bundle - surrounded by the athletic and graceful selkies, the nocker is an odd, angular figure, all edges and elbows. But she cradles her sister as securely as any one of her precious projects. "Hello there."

The baby is actually a little more attractive than the picture that Gwen had shown - still wet and squalling - just a few days has seen her cleaned and un-pruned quite a bit. Still a newborn - still so tiny and fragile, her eyes half closed with sleep that will take most of her energy for some time, but she seems well and healthy. "Guh." The babe says, waving a small fist.

The Chieftess has spoke to her people, and the crowd thins, giving Thistle at least a semblance of privacy. Eyes are certainly still on them - mostly curious, Gladiola notes, though the gaze from Omario is more sharp and pointed.

Art is lingering close by, not wanting to interrupt. He can't help mentioning, "She's so tiny. Are all infants so?"

"Babies are fucking fragile, yeah."

"I made a whole room for you, kid. It was my room, you know, but I made it over so you had a nice place. Wait until you get to see it - your big brother Frankie helped. Wait until you meet him, he loves you already, and he's the BEST brother, but don't tell him I told you that. Anyway, there's this crib...."

Art finds himself inching over, almost subconsciously putting himself in between that nasty glance and Thistle.

The baby is told all about everyone. Frankie, and Janice, and Dad, and the dog...

Gwen listens in and smiles, though she keeps an eye on Omario Touch her and I will throw you OUT Of haven then break you into pieces when you are no longer protected

Citrine perches on Thistle's arm and chimes softly at the baby. The infant can't quite focus well yet, but coos at the bright, sparkly spot that bounces before her eyes.

"That is Citrine, she's an idjit. Of course, you're a baby, and babies are pretty dumb too. So I'll have to teach you everything..."

"She can do it, too." Art adds. "She did it to me."

A thin smile from the corner. This is adorable

Omario has moved off and is talking to another small group of selkies. Based on the glances their direction, the subject seems to be clear.

Gwen ponders this, and looks for any Selkies that seemed..sympathetic the other night who might be here.

There are others watching them, glances more curious than hostile. A young girl, a childling really, who is sitting barefoot nearby. An older man who is talking to their guide from earlier, Seamus. A wilder in perhaps her early 20's with tattoos of Celtic knotwork on her arms.

"Nice tatts" She says to the wilder girl. She's thought about getting some herself but her stone skin leads to..complications

Mortal ink would certainly work... but it's not quite the same, is it?

The wilder looks over to Gwen - well, up, in her troll form she's taller by a head than anyone here. "Aoife Redfin." She offers her hand to the troll.

"Gladiola, Gwen if you prefer" A handshake, not too tight but not so light as to insult the girl.

Aoife (which she pronounced as EE-fah) has different calluses, but her hands are not soft. While she doesn't appear to be armed, she has a weapon - or perhaps a tool - sitting nearby, a speargun, loaded but with a safety catch.

"Took some guts to come walking in here like that, and stand up to the Redfin."

Her Redfin tattoo is on the back of one of her ankles, easy to see as she's wearing a swim suit - the utilitarian type, sleeves and shorts rather than fashion.

Closer up, the tattoos on her arms have leaping fish in them, diving through knotted waves.

"I'd rather you guys stand WITH Thistle." A glance over to where Thistle is with the baby, "I mean, some here are acting like family and love only really happens here. But Thistle is proof we value it up north and inland as well. I appreciate that you were willing to consider her side in this. Takes guts to stand up for what's right even when your own kinsmen don't agree. Now it looks like we have some kind of challenge thing coming up. I've been shy of a challenge, but I'm not even sure of the tests. Courage, well, I like to think I have that. But wits and skill? Those are pretty broad. I mean, if you asked me at my school to observe a battle of wits I'd assume it was a Rap battle coming up... " a smile "Though that might cover skill too come to think of it"

She smiles a bit, and clarifies, "THE Redfin, that's our chief. It's like... an honorary title. She stands for all of us. I'm not her blood relation, but.. we're all pretty close. She took me on one of my first swims in the open water."

"Courage - that's likely to be a fight - skill at arms, not magic." She sizes Gladiola up, and gives a sideeye to Thistle and Art. "You might be a match for Omario. Not so much your friends - thought I might be judging a book by it's cover."

"Oh, THE Redfin" A light blush "Well, glad you told me. I should have realized. She seems a strong chief. " Then at the mention of courage test ,she nods "Sounds like that one IS for me. With weapons or bare fists? I should tell you, I have decided I don't like Omario. It's a bit knee jerk, but kidnappers annoy me. Particularly smug ones."

She rolls her eyes a bit. "He might be good at hunting, but he hasn't managed to catch a woman for himself. When he has a skin to pass on and no direct heir, and is strong and sound of body and not bad to look on, well. That's saying something for his personality."

"yeah, he doesn't seem to think much of women period" A frown, "Oh...he needs an heir to pass onto. So the baby is a status thing for him as much as a person. He has a better chance of WHO his skin goes to. Wow, my opinion is not rising" A look to Aoife, "Aoife, you've seen him fight. Have you fought against him? If it breaks no rules, I would like to hear what his usual style and techniques are like. If you feel it is out of bounds to tell me, I understand. But my friend is counting on me to help her save her sister. I don't want to let Thistle down"

"Our clan is not quite the same as other Selkie." She is hesitant at first, but as the Chieftess trusts these wilders, she decides she can as well. "They may pass their skins to whoever they choose. The great working that linked us to our local seals, our sea-kin, bound them to our clan, blood for blood. Only a Redfin can inherit a Redfin skin." She looks like she would go on, but Gwen's next question interests her. "He is not an easy mark." She warns. "He is strong on land and sea, but the latter is his preference. The last time he fought someone, he nearly drowned them before the challenge was over. And believe me, it is hard to do. On land, he fights with a toothed blade."

A frown and nod "If I fight him at sea it could be.. hard." She admits "And he's probably smart enough to realize that. Hopefully I'll at least be on the shore. " She's actually a good swimmer, or was, but her skin worries her. That nightmare last night lingers, and she almost chuckles at it in dark humor Test of courage indeed. Suck it up, Gladiola. You're needed "The ritual, I don't mean to disparage or diminish, but ..can't it be undone if it was done before? So you could turn into and take on other kinds of seals?"

"And I'm sorry, I know I speak in ignorance I just... wish I could help so I'm curious"

"It was a major working, much before my time. My understanding is that the cost to do so endebted our entire clan to the sorcerers and sorceresses who worked the magic for an entire generation." She says, seriously. "Which is not to say that it could not be DONE... but also, we would not abandon our kin. We are as one."

"I get that" A nod "Or as much as any outsider can get it. Not like Cherokee are endangered any more, or Iraquois, I'm of both tribes, but you see the damage done and you're like 'holy shit never again''. But extinction is something we managed to avoid. No wonder you guys are so good at chicanery. You have to be to hide things"

"We are skilled at many magics." Straightening up, proud.