#anywhere

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"ANYWAY," A proud look in the centaur's eyes, "The hawk caught the Marmot as it was trying to get the lettuce, with everyon distracted by that new guy on our roof, I Knew there could be trouble so I upped patrols closer to home while you were patrolling elsewhere"

Gladiola stops "Wait, new guy on our roof?"

"Yeah some refugee or something" Blossom sniffs "Probably nobody important. SO this MaRmot, it was really cool colors and I..."

"What kith is he?" Gwen asks

"Huh?" Blossom stops "Oh I don't know , who cares? He wasn't a centaur or sidhe or anything special. This is about my hunt" Blossom poo poos

Gladiola says "Did anyone talk to this guy? Offer him a drink? or..."

"He's inside now and knowing your mom he's probably eating like a pig on OUR FOOD, though he was skinny enough. It's my hawk and I that are doing the important work..."

"HOw'd he evade the dogs?" A frown from Gladiola

"He didn't , Glass howled. Ugly dog, she's gonna get uglier too, all wrinkles "

"Good on glass" Gladiola nods "ANd just mom talked to him?"

"NO no no, you're not listening" Blossom stamps "Briar Thistle oh and Danica.. they dealt with the nobody. The REAL STORY is..."

"Yeah great hawk, poor rodent, we have salads. Thanks , Blossom" She waves off "I better check on the dogs see if they got drugged or something. Still cautious about last thanksgiving"

And off Gwen goes

Blossom fusses "Paranoid, the word is paranoid. ALl trolls are paranoid" POUT "ANd RUDE"

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By the time our heroine, that's Sylvi, gets to Silverwolf, she has already seen in action. Food was sent, along with extra medical supplies to Darkgate. Marselies may grumble, but with those injured not just soldiers but locals , he really needed the help. And as always, Marigold's work is glorious

Sylvi's not at all surprised about the generosity or the quality. Silverwolf doesn't do anything at half measure! She asks the Knight's Heart driver to leave her at the main entrance, and she makes sure her spear is strapped to her back before she starts walking towards the manor.

"Halt and Be Recognized," A voice says, Dame Gladiola has Ivan with her, both at ready, and it is a bit dim to see by

Sylvi stops and waves. "Hello! It's Sylvi!" she adds with a smile.

"Oh," the sterness fades "Sylvi, my apologies. we're a bit on high alert still. Please, I'll escort you in. How are the new dogs?"

"It's okay, I expected it. Things are stressful." She falls in next to her escort, saying, "Hi, Ivan," to the dog. "I haven't really seen a lot of Signe or Echo, but I know they're always going on patrols with the Chieftain or with my Dad, so that's a good sign."

"Oh, that's right, you have your own Freehold now. I don't recall the name, but you don't have a Dog there" A curious look, as if evaluating Sylvi and her hold for consideration of a canine deal.

Given Piper's reaction to Mic, it might be safe to say say a big fluffy dog would also be out of favor

Not that the canine patrols aren't impressive. Even the still young Dusk stands alert

"It's Goldfinch. We got adopted by a cat. His name's Mic."

"Piper...you've met Piper?...she gets really nervous about the possibility that Mic will damage the sound gear."

"Ah, Thane Linnae has a cat. They can be rather hard to train" she sighs sympathetically as they close on the entrance "though Pearl can be sweet"

"Cat's only get trained as much as they want to be. Anything past that is a lost cause."

"Is everybody okay here? Were there any bad injuries during all the trod stuff?"

"We had a bit of forewarning and braced the trods." the Daireann spills , sounding proud "Good thing too. We still had some creeps escape but we took them out . No real injuries.." A beat "Are you here to see the Baroness? She's in the ball room"

"Yes, actually. Thanks so much for the escort." A smile and she turns to go into the ballroom.

A trollish salute "My honor." And Sylvi goes into the halls, and then into the ball room or dacing hall. There she hears music classical, p,laying, as Nadeen flows with passion and grace

Oh, wow...haven't seen this in a while. She pauses at the entrance to the ballroom and watches.

Varich are dispassionate, or some say. They seem to take pride in being aloof at times, yet in dance or skating, Nadeen betrays herself. There is joy in every leap, pride in every glide, and... melancholy? Yes, melancholy in every glide

Sylvi tilts her head as she watches. Where's that sadness coming from?

Then another turn and.. surprise "Sylvi?" She motions to the phonograph and it stops. Moving to her old friend and housemate she says "Are you well? "

"I'm fine!" she assures. "I just wanted to check on things here while I was in the area, and see how you were doing. That was beautiful," she adds, indicating the dance.

'Of course it was, it's slavic" but she winks then says "All is well here. Particularly given the trod flood that occurred. We had mimimal harm or threat to our own. Though it was worriesome. " She considers a bench here, then glances to the hall that has more proper tables "would you like food and drink?"

"Well, I'm not really hungry, but I know it would be social suicide to turn down the chance at one of Marigold's treats, so maybe something light? And I'm sorry, I didn't bring anything from Rivervale. I was on a rescue mission on the silver with Dad, and then I continued straight on up here."

She guides her out "Marigold has these little cakes that are flakey but delicious and not too heavy. " They take a spot and she motions, "Flo? those little cakes, please. You know the one."

"of course, Baroness" Flo , enchanted curtseys and smiles to see Sylvi again "Do you still drink the same things, mistress Sylvi?"

"Yes, thank you, Flo. It's good to see you."

"Thank you, Misstress Sylvi. My son's quite well" Knowing the woman will be curious, "but currently with a sitter. Pardon, I best get those cakes" She curtseys again and goes to do so

She takes the seat that Nadeen indicates and waits until Flo is gone to ask Nadeen quietly, "Um...are you okay?"

Nadeen watches her go, then looks at Sylvi "Why wouldn't I be? Now, tell me about this rescue. Was it perilous?"

"Because," she says, "you looked kind of sad while you were dancing, and now because you're trying to change the subject really fast." A troll-brow at her.

"Was I?" She seems. surprised "Well, some pieces are a touch wistful"

"So that was just...emoting?"

"Simply that, and nothing more" Casual