#rivervale_lodge

Drinks are poured for them both "So, anyone giving you shit about the whole 'Beaumanyn' thing?" Vali asks his guest

He accepts his glass of... well, it would be rude to decline, so he accepts whatever.

"So far, everyone has been very welcoming." He says. "I'm not sure how much of that is sincere, or if the Baroness may have threatened anyone who speaks ill to me... which is a bit flattering itself in a way."

Turns out to be something he likes, not LOVES but likes

A smile "nadeen's not so bad, and I hope I represented my House well enough, even if she used to wince at my puns. I'm actually impressed by your Baron. The man has escaped a dark fate.... not that he doesn't still face dangers, and become a better person for it I suspect"

He sips the Dr. Pepper, his own family rarely splurges for soda as a luxury. Marigold thinks it's not great for growing children, though with so many wilders about, there are a few cokes stocked in the side fridge in the garage, as long as you're willing to brave whatever Wudlig is working on out there.

Art adjusts his seat a little, unused to troll-sized, well, everything. He feels a little... petite.

"The Baron is..." Art pauses, then continues. "He hass probably forgotten more about the soothsay arts than I could venture to even guess at. I'm very lucky he is willing to continue teaching me, after my earlier... snafu."

"And after learning I'm not only not an Ailil or unseelie house, or even a proper Eilunid." A small smile.

"I hear you. Eiluned are seen as THE Soothsayers, but we have an edge they don't. Funny, they envy it. They shouldn't" A sip of his own drink "But since when does shouldn't stop an Eiluned?" Not unkindly, "Your Baron being a master soothsayer explains a lot of things. And I suspect I can't offer you a better teacher there. If it helps, tell him there's a Bannerhouse of Ailil that works with Beaumayn."

"A Bannerhouse? Like the one that got Wudlig invited?" Curious!

"Not that his talents are not reason enough." Art adds.

"Bannerhouse Firinne they stake claims on land with deep ties to the Fomorians and the Thallain. The Fírinne use a combination of magic and arcane research to identify places once used as gateways or otherwise considered “sacred” to these foul beings, and establish holdings there. Once in place, Fírinne do their best to cleanse the sites if possible and clamp down on them. If this proves impossible, they work to drive off any Thallain and other lurking horrors, including occasional nests of Prodigals drawn to the dark energies of such places. Given the unsavory reputation of House Ailil... sorry but from most outlooks- it’s only natural that the Wardens have been accused of claiming these lands as part of some dark conspiracy, but for their part, they just keep their heads down and attend to their duties. Persuading their house their goals were worthwhile was hard enough; they have little time for the prejudices of others. Fortunately for them, despite the cloud of suspicion over their operations House Fírinne has already forged strong ties with House Beaumayn, sharing information both arcane and mundane as they work to stave off Endless Winter and understand exactly what’s behind the surging numbers of Thallain and other nightmare creatures. It’s dangerous work and already attracting a lot of unhealthy attention from dark corners of the Dreaming, but that only tells the Wardens they’re on the right track. "

"I would have to wonder... House Ailil has a bad rep, as does Beaumayn. It may seem counter-intuitive to associate with both at one go."

"Every association has a price. Every association has an opportunity. Balance can be hard to find. I am not suggesting you join a bannerhouse." He assures "Just that the existence of one that has some Ailil working with our House might ease your liege. If you think it would, it maybe worth mentioning it. Of course, Banner House aside, almost every House also has it's own 'secret' and not so secret socieities"

"From what I remember... it was a secret society among the Beaumayn that resulted in our imprisonment to begin with." He frowns slightly. "I will not dignify them with their name."

"THAT One I have told you of briefly, but you are wise to avoid them. Now, a more open society is the Knights of the Good Hand... and I need to tell you about Star Realms online.."

"Star Realms?" He sits up, intrigued!

"Enchanted Star Realms online is an indie Sci-Fi/Fantasy MMO that also serves an online gathering placce for changelings, with private servers Kithain player and guildhang outs where Beaumayn members meet and share info. "

A befuddled look at everything after 'Realms'. "Oh. So... it's not actually astronomy related."

"Actually as it's Sci Fi Fantasy related, a lot of the game part incorporates real planets, but more in a pulp way. Princess of Mars stuff" A smile "Sorry to dissapoint."

"It is interesting, but... I do not even have a computer." He grins. "There are some for use at the library and school, but I believe that they are discouraged from installing gaming software."

"Yeah, about that." He moves to the corner "Where did i Put that..." Digging

"I know you already got one gift from the House, and we do hope you like it, but this is more.. practical."

and he pulls out a lap top and hands it over. "This is for your use. It's got Enchanted Star Realms online already pre installed"

"Don't think of it as a gift so much as Standard issue. The leaders of the House are big into Dreamnet and online stuff, this helps us connect. This one comes with a low level curse on it should a non Beaumayn use it without your willing permission"

Art looks a little uncomfortable. "I am not sure I really should accept it. Are these not very expensive? And.. to tell you the truth, Sir? I do no truly feel much of a connection to electronics like this. On one hand, the idea of all of the knowledge collected is... frankly, intoxicating. But it feels somehow... soulless, compared to a book in hand."

"You should accept it" he nods "Let me be sure for both of us. Secondly, not as expensive as you think, the House has a bulk rate deal. Thirdly, while yes it's a wonderful source of entertainment and knowledge, largely it's a communication device for housemates complete with encryption"

"For what it's worth? I prefer a nice book too"

"In that case, I shall accept it, but I hope you will not be offended if it collects more dust than communications. I may need to seek assistance in the proper operation of this."

"Well make sure it's someone you trust" He says "Currently the Password is 1ofTEH4sighted" and he spells it and hands over a paper with that on it

"But that is not how this is spelled. It will be harder to remember like this." He says, reasonably - then. "Oh, it is a cypher."

"Just so" A nod

"Have there been any reports of Thallain around here? It has been very quiet up north. Surprisingly so, in fact."

"I tend to keep their swarms thinned" ANd for a moment the normally Jovial troll looks something between grim and disturbingly... eager.

"I worry that I will be called upon to defend against thallain, and find myself... lacking. I am no warrior."

"What are you ?" Vali inquires

He considers this. "I suppose I will need to find that out. A seer, perhaps. But I am not sure I have it in me to be a, ah, 'do-er'. "

" I think you may have a limited definition of doer if you think it's only warrior. Take Thistle your friend. She's not a warrior, but I would guess she 'does' a great deal?"

"Thistle is amazing. Did you hear about the time she ran OVER an entire squad of ghasts?"

A grin "Go ahead and tell me" He asks "I'd love to hear the tale"

"Well... it started with this redcap childling testing her boundaries..." He gets into the tale....

Vali notes the energy, the enthusiasm, and more than that, the WAY Art tells the tale, what he focuses on, what he cares about. One thing he's learned after a less than perfect career as an educator- when a young person gets enthused about a subject, don't screw it up. But it is obvious to him that the kid cares about Thistle a lot, and admires her. Then again, the story indicates there is a lot TO admire. He actually laughs at a few moments, not at thistle, but at the amazing results "Not allowed near the police car for a MONTH after that? HA"

"She was not even tasked to wash it. -I- got that chore, and Thistle was set to weeding instead." He laughs at the memory.

A chuckle "Oh that's good. Look, one of those open socieities I mentioned The Knight of the Good Hand? Those are the guys that really go after Thallians. And yes mostly warriors... but in your story it sounds like you were pretty darn brave too. Clever at times. You maybe more a doer than you think .Some doers are crafters, some are seekers and so on. You got time to find out, but don't feel less if you turn out not to be a 'great' warrior. I would recommend you stay in practice with your some defense though. "

"I do have a sword. I am not certain how, but... I do." He pulls it out, it was wrapped up carefully, rather than worn in a scabbard.

"Somehow? May I see it?"

The blade is basket-hilted and a French style - thin, flexible blade, with a razor sharp edge, made for delicate and deft sword work - no Conan-style chopping sword here.

"There is an astral compass set in the hilt. It appeared sometime after my saining. I just... realized I had it, and it felt right that I did."

"A unique blade"He checks the balance and kens it . It probably looks silly in a troll's hands, "Elegant"

"I may need to seek a swordmaster. The Thanes at Silverwolf are well skilled, but... axes are their trade."

"I know some who can teach you. Are you too proud to learn from a Liam?"

He considers this. "I do not believe so. I have not made the official acquaintance of one, to be truthful, but as one who comes from a House also looked down upon - whether with or without case, the fact is that those who bore the original sin are long from walking the Autumn world... and each House member ought to be judged by their own merits. I would endeavor not to judge any individual Liam as an Oath-breaker, lest they have proven to do so by their own word or hand."