#odyssey

"So, I mean, what do you want to do? You're due your Name, without question. You FURKIN earned it. Niamh is pretty amazing. I didn't even know Commoners could learn Naming."

"But... you do it at home, it's got extra Noble pomp and circumstance. I think the Countess wants to come, yeah?"

Gwen is on the phone with her mom, giving the report.

Art looks uncertain. “I just cannot seem to step right around Baroness Nadeen.”

"Well, both of them are... hard, sometimes."

"I think she sounded more paranoid that you might have a sluagh Namer. She's got a thing about sluagh."

“She gave her blessing, but in the same breath, called out a lack of trust… but the secrets of the Redfin are not mine to share.”

He glances at Thistle, and realization dawns. “Is THAT it?”

"And you're right, we need to protect Niamh's identity. She's so young."

“I've never heard of a Selkie namer. The last thing the Redfin need is for the Crystal Circle to come snooping into their affairs.”

"Exactly."

"That would be a betrayal from us."

She squints. "Of course, the Countess is EIluned."

"So... you come back WITH a Name, she's gonna wanna know how."

"And who."

Gwen has hung up, "Well, mom wants to know a lot but she respects somestuff I can't tell"

Art nods. “I think I'll have to turn Niamh down. That's unfortunate. I really do not wish for all of the commotion. Maybe I'm just not one for ticker tape parades and such. Not when I haven't an idea what the unveiling will bring.”

"I get that. And.. maybe if things were different?"

"But I think, maybe, the safest option for the selkies here is to say no. Hopefully Niamh will understand that."

“I'm ready, though. I feel… anxious. Taut. Like I’ve outgrown my skin.”

"Well, you CAN do it here, you earned it and you're ready. I'm just trying to point out considerations."

A smile. “I've waited a year and a day. Another few days will probably not be the end of the world.” He pauses, “are we staying here much longer, do you think?”

"I don't think so. Mom is gonna worry, not matter how much else is happening. Also, school."

“I wonder if they've missed me yet.” Art half—jests. “If anything, perhaps filled my side of the bedroom room with his storage.”

"Why don't we just have the Baroness say you had it done at the DeBukes? They've got a namer"

"I mean, do it here, but the lie would work. "

Gwen shrugs unaware they might not have known

He considers. “I've offended the Baroness. Going back to Silverwolf for the occasion may help smooth ruffled feathers. To be honest, where it is done is less important that the fact that it is done. I don't want to dig myself deeper by asking her to cover a lie. Especially when there is an Eilunid waiting to do the task, they won't lightly let go of a mystery.”

"Then I'll do it. Seems to me that half your problem with the lieges, Art, is you leap ahead, without warning, do the thing, and they scramble to clean up even if it's a good thing. This time you called first. I'll call again, run it by the baroness, and see what she thinks"

"If it weren't for the COuntess, maybe it'd be different..."

“Gwen, it's okay. Really.” He gives her a smile. “One thing I hadn't thought of- she's worried about me. Some Namer she never heard of will know my true name.”

"Yeah, heard the part about how she wanted to make sure the namer was professional and you trusted said namer" A nod "And it's good she worries about you. " I know the feeling "But she also trusted ...with caveats I admit, but I guess I just don't see why you should't call her again, or let me do it? She gave her blessing, so that's done. the rest can be worked if you want"

A look to Thistle "I mean, you and i would lie for Art if it helps, right to the Countess' face, right?"

"She's not OUR liege"

"You're part of Silverwolf. You deserve to be celebrated by them. Also, cake."

"Or that" Gwen shrugs. "I'm jjust a bit worried about this taut talk"

A small smile. “I'm jealous of Thistle. Did you see that CAKE?”

"See, I saw it, which is why our vanishing seemed like they were just being cruel to Thistle... 'look at the cake, smell it, but don't touch... YANK' ' A grin

"We didn't get to eat that cake." Sigh.

“Maybe it wasn't even delicious. Adding things to it to enhance the engineering capabilities might have been to the detriment of the flavor.” Leading the conversation away from Saining and on to cake.

"I mean, it's not Marigold cake."

"Mom usually makes box cake for my birthday. So..." Shrug!

She watches Art, head tilting a little.

Gwen notes that, then. seems to catch on and tilts her head too

“Well, Marigold makes the best cake.” He fidgets a bit. “Remember the one she made for Blossom with the sugar flowers?”

"Oh yeah. Maybe you can ask her to make the cake for your party?"

“Gwen, do you think you can convince her not to have a party? I really would prefer to keep things quiet.”

"Is that what else is bothering you? Because, something else is"

“Do we really need to make a production of things? When they announce my name and any titles and house. I may not… I might not have a place or welcome at Silverwolf. I'd rather deal with that quietly. I really would.”

"You're worried you're Gwydion?" SHe blurts "Oh man so was I, I mean, the Baron endures them , even respects a few, but overall..."

“He would be polite, gracious, I know. But I would not expect him, or Lady Nadeen, to accept many houses. I might also have a house obligation that is counter to Ailil or Varich.”