#anywhere

"I still am" She smiles and the smile broadens "You know, you actually recognize me as Connor's sister, thank you for that. " Stirring

Nadeen raises a brow at Calanthe for just a moment then a smile that does not quite reach her eyes comes up"Yes, one must take care of the small cogs I suppose. You serve the bureaucracy excellently"

“For want of a horse-shoe, a kingdom was lost.” She remarks, an old saying. “One must have a strong hand from top to bottom, a firm foundation or the tower will topple.”

“Talk about a firm foundation.” Cassius, sipping at a glass of wine, is trotting past. “did you check out the can on that fledge? If she wasn’t 16....”

"Which is why Julius and staff have proven crucial. By the way, Julius, don't think I didn't notice you had my favorite beverages on hand. Thank you" Nadeen shifts to Julius

Calanthe’s grip on her glass tightens enough to threaten the integrity of it had she troll strength, and her hand is half-raised to slap the Satyr before she catches herself. “Cassius, please fetch more Pinot from the cellar. Now, if you would.” The blond satyr pouts, not realizing his recent danger, and heads south.

“I remember now why we encouraged him to move.” She grouses to Nadeen. “Julius is invaluable, though don’t let him hear it or he will get cocky. His brother is a nuisance.

"Cassius certainly seems.." She ponders how to say it "admiring of we of the fairer sex. I hope he does not press that too hard though?"

“There was an incident...” She waves it aside. “But this is a time for thanksgiving and pleasantries, not dredging up the past. Save to say, kith customs give some leeway, but there is a line, and he knows it. More wine, Lady Nadeen? The Cabernet is an excellent vintage. Oh, Julius.” She waves him over.

"Oh I must keep my head about me" Nadeen sahys "I wouldn't want an incident of my own" She looks about

“The Napa 76?” The Satyr offers. “Someday I hope to see if we can acquire some land not far from here. Few people know that New York has vineyards to rival others even in California or Europe...” He will eagerly talk wine, but looks a bit disappointed as she does not seem interested.

Actually, Nadeen does "Really? I know that Missouri once saved the French wine industry ...but I had not heard of New York State's vineyards. Do they have a particular sort that grows best here?"

Gerd finds herself helping Marigold in the kitchen. And if she gets to throw something into the soup she might give a soft cackle

She does! Double, double, toil and trouble. Fire burn, and stew a bubble! Taters roil and carrots rumble, thyme again, and meat a tumble! Add a dash of pepper last, salt to hold the flavor fast!

“Give her a taste, dear? Then off with you, you’re here to play, and Dark Gate should arrive soon.”

"he better or he's in tro..."A blush "Thank you" Gerd says and tastes "Ooo.. mm I like it. That last shot of oregano did it."

And soon,Gerd is out to find...

Julius gladly talks to Nadeen about the land along the rivers on the Canadian border that are just about right for grape varietals. “Only part of the year, but a scarcity just means that you can focus better...”

Calanthe comments on the economy and she is watching to see if one particular vineyard will go under, “A shame for them, but we could buy the land cheap.”

Nadeen ponders "Yes..butwith the shifting climate, is it a gamble?"

Elsewhere inside, Dagmar and D'lorean are still talking about horses.

Gerd says "Ah, Dagmar,have you seen Wudlig here?"

"Wudlig? Not yet."

She scans the room, checking for Connor.

Connor SHOULD be at the table.. And she might notice a troll merged with the the wall is keeping half an eye on him because well, trolls guard.

Connor is at a window, watching even as he munches on snacks. His tail wags. Ears perking up. “I like Wudlig.”

"Wudlig's alright." Brow furrow. "Connor, have you met... Gwen, right?" A nod at the wall-troll.

Gwen blinks as if pulled from well, her focus. The Stoneskinned Troll says "Yes. Gwen of Silverwolf. I..oh wow. You're Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike. You're amazing.. " A bit in awe

“Mmmmph?” He turns and trots to Dagmar’s side, swallowing and wiping his hands clean on his ta- nope, he stops and snags a napkin. NOT on the tabard, he remembers in time.

“She is Dame Dagmar the Just, and MY KNight.” He bows to Gwen, radiating pride.

A touch of purple. "Um. Yeah. But, like, just Dagmar is okay too."

“Dagmar the Just. Like I said,.” His tail wags.

"Oh sorry I just..." Gwen says "One hears things. Like how you quest to help foil a dragon and steal it's treasure. And how you jousted a CAR"

That gets a laugh.

"Well, I mean, I had to stop that car..."

“She foiled more than one dragon, and trapped one forever and ever in a Library.” He adds bits and pieces, giving Dagmar conversation options as she corrects the stories. Connor is having a blast!

D'Lorean ponders "Maybe I picked a bad name if I'm going to joust against you again soon. Taking out cars"

Gerd looks thoughtful at Connor. Troubled

"Nah, we're gonna have a good time. It'll be jousting for practice. And that dragon LIKES libraries, Connor."

Marigold murmurs at Gerd’s elbow, how did she get there! “Trouble, dear?” Oh, her Boggan radar had pinged. “He is having fun, no? But you are not?”

"Plus, I wouldn't have rescued it without my faithful squire's help..."

Gerd says "Nothing I just...trying to overanlyze" She assures

"Hey, is it different being a fledge in a sidhe hold? Though I guess you don't have a lot to compare it too..."

She tuts. “Have you ever seen that boy dislike anyone? I wouldn’t worry.” A smile, and she freshens the coffee table.

Gwen is more at ease. It's almost like Dagmar HAMMERSTRIKE is.. a person.. like her "Yeah, I guess I couldn't know, but it's... there are expecations for me, but everyone's been super patient so I don't feel like I'm always stumbling. I like the vareity of people. Marigold's tops." And not just for food. If Dagmar takes time to study the girl, it's possible she'll realize it's possible Gwen found "her" Kerri

And indeed, Connor is back at the window, watching for people to arrive, ears perked. Dark Gate isn’t hear yet, and whoever he waits for, he looks eager to see.

"Yeah? She seemed real nice when I met her."

Gerd says "how...did you..oh.." She says and blushes "Right boggan"

Marigold taps her nose and smiles.

Calanthe “Even with climate change, land is always a good investment. If the winery folds, let it go fallow and it can be used for hunting.”

"She's the best" Gwen says and believes it with an intensity

"Good. I'm glad."

Nadeen ponders "I wonder if it might extend the growing season"

Suddenly a wagon appears out of nowhere...in front o Connor's face.. and with it Wudlig.. he curses, wipes himself a bit, then goes over to the horses