#scarsdale

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The Count of Alabaster Hollow is in his private audience chamber, leafing through paperwork, reading, making notes.

A boggan bustles up, sputtering slightly. "You can't just bypass the guards and stewards and announce yourself! Here, let me...." And then HE knocks (officiously).

He rolls his eyes as he steps back "Yeah. Thanks. Guess I was doing it wrong."

After some shuffling around, Ice is announced and allowed to enter. The Count looks up and nods. "Mr.... Ice, I think?"

"Ice," He affirms, moving in, and looking back to the door, and then to the sidhe again. Dark eyes appraising, mistrustful, although he doesn't appear hostile*

He puts down his papers, regards the sluagh, and then says "I wanted to express to each of your ... questing motley... that I was impressed with your success, and I'd like to hear from you if I might offer a small boon. I'd like to hear your requests, and while I cannot promise a grant I hope I can."

"Huh." His eyes narrow. The distrust is not lessened, but there is a flicker of curiosity he doesn't voice "Guess it never occurred to me." A scowl. Damn Beltaine* "Who decides who gets to be part of the Guilds here? Nockers?"

"I do have some input but the Bes Din guilds are managed by the nocker kith, yes."

"Got a nocker. A Grump. Doesn't have a guild. Wondered if she wanted into one, if you could arrange it. She's here, if you wanted to talk to her." His dark eyes intent* "Don't think it occurred to her. But she's been out of the loop a long time." Abruptly* "She's not like me. She would do better somewhere like this."

"I'd be happy to meet with her and grant that request, if she also wishes to be part of a guild. I'll not force her."

A nod, eyes narrowed in thought* "She's here. Should I go get her?"

"Think she's sobered up some. Hope so, I can't drive for sh....drive well."

An elegant silver eyebrow climbs. "Unless it is urgent, I'll be happy to wait until she is... well."

"Not urgent. Just was in a drinking contest. Think the other nockers are going to live, anyway. Well. Probably. Most of them."

"Yes, I'm given to understand there was quite a... oh. -That- nocker?"

A quick, hard grin "You've met?"

Oddly, he seems almost -- proud? Fond? Hard to be sure*

"Not met, so much as heard stories. Well, I'd be pleased to meet with her, when she's ready."

"I'll check. We were going to be leaving soon." His eyes are flicking over the room. Noting any potential entrances and exits that -- theoretically -- could be useful if -- well, if. Probably the other sluagh here already have them all staked out, he figures. His eyes return to the Count* "Don't know the proper procedure. Do I wait to be dismissed?" It might seem curt, but it seems to be a genuine question, eyes narrowed in thought* "Not a Court....don't do Courts much."

"Ah, well... yes. And you are, if there's nothing else?"

He shakes his head* "Nothing else." Adding, just a trifle grudgingly* "Thanks."

"You are most welcome."

He offers a nod, pausing, then a quick grin "That was the dismissal, right?" If he assents, he'll turn and depart to find 'that' Nocker

"It is." Confirmed.

And Janet is going to be looked for*

"Hey, Ma. Count needs to talk to you. Did Goggles survive?"

"New hip works!"

He stares at her* "Please tell me you're talking about a footrace."

"He's in the study. I'll wait here."

Janet guffaws, and gives Ice a full-fledged shark grin.

He rolls eyes at her, muttering and slinking past. Something about, 'Brain bleach' might have been amongst the mutterings in that raspy whisper*

Still chuckling, she limps off to the study - even if a bit uneven in gait, she moves more easily, without the wincing pain.

(... and slightly bow-legged....)

((HA))

((Ice just cringed in my head*))

Boggan - knocking - announced to Count - Enters

Neat silver-hair and beard, steel-blue eyes, mechanical arm, golden coronet. "Mistress."

"Count." Chin jerk, nodding up once.

His eyebrow lifts again, but he says "Your advocate Ice has requested of me, at my invitation, that I sponsor you into a guild. Would that suit you?"

"Hunh. Wouldn't think he noticed... "

"I've got Bes Din patents, but not a guild that quite matches what I do these days."

A moment of thought. "Are you suggesting... starting a guild?"

She blinks, stopped short.

"Hunh. What a furkin' idea."

"Mistress....." A mild scolding tone. ".... cunning suits neither of us."

She snorts faintly, but grins. "Tell me you ain't heard the one about the exploding nocker. But - this IS Alabaster Hollow. Some of the best damn navigational instruments in Concordia - Ziggy's got one of your astrolabes in his helm..."

"Does he?" Nonplussed.

"You know Axl? Black hair, smoulderin' Richard th'Third thing going for him? I know for a fact all his theodolites were from here... forget what his rank wound up..."