#scarsdale

And in the morning, after Beltaine.... old relationships revived, re-examined, new relationships formed, abandoned? Is Love still in the air? The Seelie turn of the year has begun! ((Scene))

..........

Earl shows up quite late very late, after Beltaine celebrations, but he was never seen leaving the area. Clearly he was in the woods though for his voile is no as clean as before though he has done his best to tend to it and wash off before finding an official.

"My apologies for not coming sooner. It was a personal matter of utmost import."

"Not at all, Mr. DeBuke." The Count covers a yawn. "Pardon. You wished to see me tonight?"

"I apologizee, Your excellency, I thought you had directed me to talk to you before leaving?"

OOC: I thought that was the case anyway 🙂

"Well, at least to set a time to speak at length. Beltaine evening often extends to morning, and is... occupied."

"I wish to offer you the opportunity to ask a boon. Not to say I will grant whatever you ask but... your contribution to the Freehold and County is noteworthy."

BIC: "A boon?" He says surprised, "Your excellency is generous. I find myself overwhelmed," he thinks on it, "There are only three things that come to mind. as a possibility, and I feel all are arrogant of me. Would you tell me which one is the most palatable to you if any? And keep what I say in trust?"

"I will."

"There is a troll lodge, long hidden in secret...and I fear very much afraid of noble conquest. They are, stubborn, proud, and no lover of the noble system to the point where some are narrow of mind and set in their ways. That said, they are also mostly seelie, stalwart and true, and good caretakers of their land. they are in another Kingdom. My first idea for a boon would be that you perhaps recognize its right to autonomy and existence... no alliance, just a recognition. I know this is no small thing as it puts you on the map as it were and might rankle your fellow nobles." Another deep breath, "If that is too much. Another way I could see the boon well granted is to Knight August of Liam, if he would have it. I regret to inform your excellency that he has had some mistreatment from peers who frequent your very roof, yet he has been a hero. I know nothing can remove his oathbroken status in the eyes of sidhe, but if a knighthood cannot be won by defyiing balor slavers and helping to rescue a crafter such as Mistress Miriam so she might rejoin her family and build honorably again...then I am not sure what would suffice for it" A long pause, "As for the third idea that comes to mind... any thing that pleases the lady Zara pleases me. An influx of books in your library to her taste? New flowers of night lilies in a garden best seen by moonlight? "

"I hope I have not offended, I speak better through my paintings and art than I do my tongue."

The Count seems nonplussed, then amused. "From encouraging commoner insurrection to night lilies. You have painted quite a broad swath, Mr. DeBuke."

"I dabble in the surreal, your excellency," He admits with a lavender blush, "My family would not call it insurrection as they mind their own rather than seek to take from anyone else but... yes, some of the elders might have a coronary if they knew I was talking to you at all about it. "

"Mm." A sound of agreement.

"Well, my initial thoughts are these. I have no more right to recognize this troll lodge than I have to refuse to recognize it, officially. It is the purview of a monarch to do so, or that crowned head's representative." Politely.

A nod.

"I cannot knight August of Liam. He is oathbroken, for one. For another, he has not sought it. And for a third, he has not completed the training for a knight; he hasn't the skills required."

He had suspected that might be the case, and to his credit, the Count is being rather even handed about it.

A troubled look at mention of August being denied, but no more than that.

"As for pleasing Miss Schwartz, I am under the impression that having Mistress Miriam restored did that rather well. You were a key part of that, were you not?"

"I had the privilege of leading the group, all acted with bravery. How well I led was... of question," He admits, "I learned that no matter what you do, there will be likely someone unhappy with your choices, and some can only be directed to do as they'd do anyway. I don't envy my elders, or, you for that matter, your excellency. I did have the honor and fortune to be the one who carried her to safety at the last stretch with Master Hirim's aid."

The Count chuckles. "Then it was an adventure well spent, Mr. DeBuke; that is a hard lesson, but one of inestimable value. Hm. An idea does rise, though, based on all these things. If I were to knight -you-, you could represent this lodge officially, I think. You are trained in combat?"

His eyes widen and he pales, "Knight me? I.." There is a question in the air, "I can use a sword, my lord. And have done so in battle though I am no warrior by trade or talent."

"Well then, have you any impediment to knighthood? Dishonor or stain?"

Earl blinks a few moments, tempted to pinch himself and check for bedlam. Then he thinks on it, really thinks on it. He has done nothing dishonorable that he recollects, though he has failed a plenty. The choices he made, he might have done better at with hindsight, but he looked after his group as best he could. His family is a good one, and despite his own 'birth' that is not his sin to bear, "I have been as good a man as I could be, your excellency. I am not the ideal troll, drawn more to crafting beauty than readying for coming war, but I protect my loved ones in my way as well as I can and try to do right. No, there is no stain or dishonor upon me."

"Would it please Miss Schwartz?"

"I have no idea on that, your excellency," He's used the word excellency in the last 10 minutes more than he had his entire life before then. Thank goodness folks told him that was the right title to adresss a count by, then he says "I think she would be happy for me. And proud."

"Well then. Would a knighthood suit you?"

"if I can use it to aid those I love and care for, with honor intact," He says, "Then it doesn't matter if it suits me or not, your Excellency. Many in my family will not understand, but then, I am used to that . Yes, I would be a knight errant for them in hopes of keeping the peace and aiding them. If you truly think I've earned it, then I would accept that as the boon it is. I know this cannot be a small thing you grant on your side as well, and I am not ungrateful for your thinking of using this so I might help them. Indeed, I am... most overwhelmed."

The Count nods. "A ceremony, then? We could put something together quickly, I think, over the next few days. That would allow you to invite anyone you wish."

"Best done quickly, yes," A deep breath, "And... thank you. Whenever in the next few days would be most convenient for you, your excellency. I hope not too lavish or large a ceremony if that is possible. I think I would find a large spectacle daunting."

"Of course, and Mr. DeBuke, this is not writ in stone. If you determine it will be problematic for you, please do not hesitate to re-approach me."

"What is it Dougal are said to say? 'Everything is a problem, but problems are solved by those who put the creativity, work and sacrifice in'." He bows , "My thanks, your excellency. I know there will be challenges. But I will strive to be worthy of it. Should I come back sometime in the next day and find out when would be best for your scheduling of such?"

He's not sure that's exactly how the Dougal said it, but if there's one thing he's heard around the Hollow, it's crafter talking about rolling up sleeves and getting to work. not so different from his farm kin that way

There's a small smile on the Count's handsome features. "Or, I can send Miss Schwartz with word."

"Ah, I am torn whether to surprise her myself or not, your Excellency," A lavender blush returned, "But she is a sluagh, no doubt she'll find out before nearly anyone. Which ever way you think is best but I'll probably come by regardless just to be double check."

"Agreed then." Another yawn. "Pardon. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"I think you have been incredibly generous as it is, Excellency. And I apologize for keeping you from well earned rest. Blessed Beltaine to you, and with your permission, I take my leave."

"Granted." And the Count himself, murmured to by a servant, nods and steps away with that person.

And Earl withdraws... his head spinning with a mix of thoughts... ICE warned him about this.... Will Zara be pleased? And he will be lucky if he doesn't get exiled from the farm he will in his own way protect.

(END SCENE)