#anywhere

Willy hears a businesslike rap-rap-rapping on her workshop door.

Long gone are the days of her working in a lean-to under a tarp near the stables. The OG Nocker of Silverwolf now has a full-fledged farrier's workshop. A sliding door allows easy access for equipment and horses as well as let out the hellfire heat when forging, but it's currently closed, just windows vented to allow some fresh airflow.

Julius listens for the sound of hammering, banging, etc. before he knocks on the door, trying to time his knock so that he doesn't interrupt.

Some disgruntled clanging and banging and then "YEAH?? WHAT?" from inside.

He calls politely, "Julius here. I have a request for you. I brought coffee?"

Grumbling, and the door slides open. Willy stands there in shit-kicker boots, overalls under a leather apron, and a perpetual scowl. "Coffee?" grudgingly.

He holds out the thermos as a peace offering. "Marigold said you take it like this, so I added cream and sugar. It's the fancy stuff that Marigold ordered for Christmas..." It does smell good, rich and strong. How long has she been working? Some hours - the sun was somewhere else the last time Willy bothered to check.

She takes the thermos and steps back. "You kin come in if you want."

"Much obliged. And thanks again for banging out those extra hinges we needed over at the guest house." He does come in, standing off to one side as he glances around, curious about any current projects he might see in progress.

Standard ferrier and blacksmithing stuff for the most part; there IS a sack-and-sheet-covered mound in one corner near the furnace.

"Yeah, no problem. Just don't use brass screws to fix 'em."

"Why's that?"

She doesn't answer immediately, then says
"Brass is soft."

"You -didn't- use brass, did you?"

He nods. Not arguing. "Thanks. I don't ask to second-guess your work, but to better understand. No, I don't think so. It looked like it, but I think it was bronze. I'm sure the foreman knows, and I can - I WILL - check the order manifest."

A smile.

"Yeah. Do that. Let me know."

"Will do. For now, I was to let you know that the Baron wanted to talk with you. Rather, he requested a moment of your time, it's not an official summons. Wudlig as well, if you've seen where that fellow got off to."

Willy swallows coffee down the hard way. "What's he mad about? What'd I do?"

Julius hold up his hands, "Whoa, nothing. He's not mad. Well, not as far as I could tell. But I can tell you that your work has been exemplary, and I'm the one that reports to him on these things, so there's nothing for him to be ticked about. I suppose if you gave a horse a bad shoeing and they foundered... but if something like that happened, I can assure you that he'd be here in person and with a stormcloud over his head. That is to say, I think he just wants to discuss something with you both."

"Yeah?" hesitant "Okay..... when?"

"He's around pretty much all day today, though he has a dinner date with the Baroness." Flipping through a notepad, and nodding at the schedule. "Have you seen Wudlig about?"

"He wanted to chat with you both."

"Wudlig.... no." it's possible the arrival of the DarkGate nocker completely passed Willy by.

hammering might be heard at the stables nearby

"Wudlig?" He raises a brow. "About this tall, wears a mask, also a Nocker?" Julius shakes his head a bit. "I'm going to have to start writing a news bulletin.. of course, then no one would read it. I hear someone out there... let me go check. I'll circle back."

She cocks her head "That's a 32 ounce framming hammer. Someone building something?"

"There's more than one kind of hammer? I thought a hammer was just a hammer."

Willy can't avoid an eye roll. "Yeah. An' booze is just white lightnin'."

"Okay, okay, I get it." He grins amiably. "Enjoy the coffee."

He steps out, tightening his scarf back up that he had loosened for the warmth in Willy's workshop. "Hello?"

Wudlig is on the stable roof. Possibly annoying the horses, though many have been taken out by Dolph and Roch. He looks down? "yeah?"

Grumbling, Willy goes to her sleeping corner to find the -nice- outfit.

yes, there is a 32 ounce framming hammer in his hand

That's a hammer, alright.

Julius squints up at him, shielding his eyes against the bright, yet cold, winter sun. "What are you doing up there?"

"Putting solar panels in what else?"

"Do our horses run on solar now? It will certainly save in oat costs."

A long suffering sigh "the house , right over there? Doesn't just run on balefire, ya know? Solar panels make us less reliant on the city, and cuts down on electricity bills. It's also good for the environment, and even MAKE a bit of extra money in case of a surplus . Now, the horses don'tt much care What the top off this stable has on it or looks like, and, if we wantt, we can even power fans to cool them in superhot summer time, or lights for when someone needs a medical look at some isolated horse here. " A beat "you have HEARD of Electicity right? Latest thing from the big city. Solar power can help provide it"

"And" the Journeyman adds, "Before you wonder, yes, we can get the power from stable to house, no problem"

"As long as the power supply remains... stable." A grin from the normally serious steward.

"I've been in holds where they'd strap you to a balista and launch you for that" He warns

He chuckles. "Luckily for me, I happen to know for a fact that we do not have any ballista. Though with three nockers, it is certainly only a matter of time. I actually brought a message. And coffee." Holding up the second thermos.

He drops down and takes the coffee "What's the message?"

"The Baron wanted to speak with both you and Willy, this morning or afternoon if you both have time free. He's not mad." Julius quickly adds at the end.

"Why the furk would he be mad? We're doingg great" A drink "Sure, looking forward to meeing Willy. So far I've said hi three times, got a grunt and a door slam twice, and the other time I think she stared throuh me while cleaning up some equipment"

"She certainly gets focused on her work." Julius says diplomatically. "I'll let him know you'll come by."

"What time would be best for him you think?"

He checks the schedule again. "Anytime before 5, really. He's just on paperwork in his study today."

"And he wants us TOGETHER? I'm fine with that, but furk, how am I supposed to ensure she shows up at the same time? Like I said, she barely talks tto folks that I've seen. I wonder if she's on the spectrum somedays"

"You could try asking her?" He grins.

"I'm not. How about you coordinate the time for both of us and I'll be there. Seems like she talks to you"

Julius rolls his eyes up to the heavens and mutters something inaudible. "Noon, then. I'll let Willy know. Marigold will be happy, she seems to think that Willy wastes away out here without an ounce of nourishment."

"Ah, I try to avoid Marigold's meal plans sometimes myself. The food is great, too great. If I ate as much as shee wanted me to I'd fall tthrough the stable roof. Still. I'll be there at noon"