#rescuemiriam

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(OOC: Puttinng this here as someone is about to go to St. Louis)

Sparrow looks herself over in the mirror, yes, dressed well enough for a ducal court

She adjusts her coronet one more time - she doesn't wear it THAT often...

Having had her peacock side played with, it's hard not to admire herself. But she tries not to let honesty (She is lovely) turn into that level of vanity. So far? So good. She looks lovely, ready, official.

A deep breath, and she's off to the trods.

The thanes wish her well, and while it takes some time, she soon arrives at St. Louis. One show of leg later, and the magic trolley pulls up, and takes her towards the Ducal Hold. It seems things are nuts around the hold. Dreamers have imagined dozens of chimerical rabbits about the park. Colors are garish

Sparrow laughs at the scene - especially when she spots a winged bunny in the mix, next to a pastel purple critter.

The Peeps chiming in the underbrush "peep peep peep" make a kind of music

A shake of her head, a grin, and she heads into the sculpture-gate

Inward she goes. Childlings are rounding up chimera that have slipped in all about her legs. Seems the Greening preparation is strong. The herald sees her and bows "Shall I announce you, or do you just wish to go in, Baroness?"

"Why don't I go in quietly? Let them know, but... it's a holiday, no need for fuss."

"Kind of you," he says

He relays the news quietly, and soon is 'guided' to a side room where drinks and food await, or so she's told

She doesn't quite settle, pacing around the room.

yummy cheeses!

Finally, the doors open an she hears arguing "Of course they're adorable, they're also brainless and possibly profliffic. We shoulddn't feel bad about making a stew of them." /"You're a barbarian, really. Make a stew out of harmless easter bunnies?" //"Harmless? they're devouring chimerical gardens all over the city"

Looks like the not so loving couple is dealing with pest control

"Good afternoon and Happy Greening, your Graces."

"Oh, not Greening yet, Thank the Dreaming." The Duke inclines his head, "You're looking well, Baroness. How are things in Earth Runes?"//The Duchess is stroking a purple bunny with a tiny single horn out of it's head "Would you believe he wants to make this into stew?"

"I'd worry they'd turn out to be made of spun sugar. Probably best to find a safe refuge in the dreaming for them..."

The Gwydion sighs// "mm a refuge," the Beaumayn satyress says "Yes, I like the sound of that"

"And there goes the budget" The Duke mutters

"Well, imagine the outcry if you served sugar stew?"

"We don't know if it tastes like sugar, but I know a way to find out" the Duke says testily.

"Brute" The Duchess replies

"Anyways... I have had the chance to meet all four candidates."

"Oh thank the Dreaming, a change of subject" the Duke says, then more seriously, "Thank you for doing that. What are your takes on them?"

"Well - I have a bit of a quandry, which we'll get to, but I think I have an answer for that which I would ask you to consider."

"The first and the easiest is the Fiona. Honeyblade is handsome, charming, and... indulgent. I think he will put his own pleasure and amusement first. Not malignent, but... I think real problems would slip past his attention, and he may stir trouble for his own entertainment."

The Duke considers, "A pity. Fionas are excellent allies, if it's the right Fiona"//The Duchess sighs "Yes, beautiful man that, but he seems.. distracted by his interests rather than focused by them. I got the same feeling. Go on."

"The Eiluned... well. She will serve herself and her own advancement first. She is a cipher, hoarding information and giving little away. Initially I thought the house would be a good choice, for politics... but... I do not trust her priorities."

"She is the superior politician, but yes, well, it's hard to trust Eiluned" The Gwydion admits, "I thought placating the House would be wise.But we did ask your opinion."// "I found her likable enough,but yes, closed off." The Duchesss muses

"Did you watch her valet? He watches, and feeds her information in code."

"I hadn't realized that" The Duke says, then looks to his wife, "The Duchess didn't like him"

"I'll admit, I didn't either. Something.. oily. Unpleasant."

The Duchess actually looks pleased, though whether its at being right, or her husband recognizing it, is hard to say "So that leaves the Aesin and my House sister. I admit a bias towards the latter"

"Ah, see - this is where it gets tricky. Both have, I think, great strengths. But also drawbacks."

"Unseelie House or not," The Gwydion says "I do respect the Count. He's a warrior, and, I think in the best meaning of the term"

"The Countess - she is social, for one of her kith. But she is a sluagh, and a Beaumayn. It will take effort for her to gain trust. But she's intelligent, a scholar, and dedicated to rooting out the fomorian threat."

"As for the Count - yes. I fought at his side, and he is refreshingly direct."

"I know the biases of my house - but I believe him one who would take his charge seriously, and be formidable against the darkness."

Their graces look at each other, each having their favorites

"He IS unseelie, and there is merit to respecting that court, and making them feel welcome in the duchy."

Both look dubious at that

"But he is also an Aesin, and I think commoners are... difficult.. for him, directly."

"If they cannot feel welcome here, graces, there is a court that would take them with open arms."

"You mean the Shadow Court" The Duke says

"Yes. Unseelie can reject them as well, but not if we treat them all as one and the same..." A little frown. "I loathe ravagers. I reject the winter in my soul. But... I think there is wisdom in avoiding unnecessary eniminity."

"Your House's wisdom, and your own good judgment are what we were counting on" the Duchess ssays "So.. are you suggesting the Count?"