#baronyofthesilverwolf

Gwen comes in, quite talkative for a troll "That was almost overwhelming. I like their hold but it was so busy"

“Mm?” Marigold says, tasting something savory looking off a wooden spoon. “So you’re not wasting away here looking for the high society life? Here, taste, it’s hot.” She warns, holding out a steaming spoon.

She blows once on it, then sips carefully

It’s beef soup with barley, rich and flavorful. Wait, a little gamier. Bison maybe?

"mm that's good.. is that bison?" and she says "Honestly? I felt kind of self conscious. Everyone was flaymboyant, or a hero, or a flaymboyant hero.. that I felt dull, except for the fact I shed that rocky bits which is.. embarrasing."

She looks pleased. “It’s elk! We don’t see it that often, but they’ve started auctioning off a few bull elk tags at a raffle, and a little ‘luck’ on our side and we’ve meat for the winter and then some.” A hand on her hip. “They didn’t give you any grief for that, did they? And it something you have no say over.” Stern looking, is this a boggan war face? Certainly she grips the spoon as if ready to set into whoever said boo to Gwen.

A smile escapes Gwen's face, "It's okay, Marigold. They were more curious. I think they found it handy. You know, as protection, which it is." A smack of her lips "Elk? I like it."

“Well, I’m glad of that because we have a big pot going for your welcome back supper. I made it yesterday but no worries, after all stew is best on the second day. The flavors meld, you know.”

She lowers her voice conspiratorially, “the Lady, you know, was saying she thought he’d come back k empty handed. What useful knowledge could the Fiona have, unless it were talk of horse breeding?” A shake of her head. “Briar and Bluebell has a side bet going on whether you’d see the big city lights, as it were, and request to stay.” She hmmphs a bit at that. “Me, I knew you’d be back, that’s why I made extra biscuits. And Lord Aiden wouldn’t be eager to let you go either, for all he doesn’t show it, he’s grown fond and your help with the dogs IS a help to be sure, even if he weren’t going horse-quest-crazy.”

"Mostly I helped by wrangling Ivan. That little brat knows he's my favorite, so it's extra hard to be firm with him" She says in a whisper, then staying soft "oh no, the library there was great. I mean, the librarian was kind of spooky, but she was a sluagh so I hear that's normal. She know a lot thoughk, and had a bookwyrm, a dragon kin of sorts. Adorable" A stoic near squee there which is buried again "And the baron there knows how to scribe really well and might help with a book. Seriously, I may not know what to make of some of the personalities there, but they do know their stuff." A pause "They also have a Mouse pooka who can beat me up. It's weird"

“And that Sir Ivory of yours? He helped find your belongings? He was a gentleman, yes?” A touch protective, apparently trolls don’t have the entire market cornered.

"Of course, he wanted to help long before ither of us knew I was a.." Her mouth opens "Wait, are you thinking he was hitting on me?"

“Some folk are good looking, know it, and use that to their advantage. You’re young, and a sweet thing. I don’t want to see you get hurt, is all.”

"Way out of my league, Marigold, even if he weren't older than me by..well" A blush "He may know he looks good. Me? I know I'm not. So It's ok"

A startling crack as the spoon whacks the counter top. "I'll be hearing none of THAT here, Missy. You're a lovely young thing, and if a man can't see the beauty in your eyes or the luster of your skin, then he doesn't deserve the time of day, be he a sidhe, a mortal, or a movie star. There's more to beauty then slender curves and doe-eyes." A scoff.

"but..." She starts to protest and explain that that inner beauty stuff is nice but it doesn't get you asked out

"Inner beauty is important, but da'an willing, you'll find someone who finds beauty in all that you are, or finds the beauty IN what you are. Oh, I had suiters aplenty in my day, don't let my crows-eyes fool you."

"Of course you did" she says "You were THICC in all the right ways before it was cool" She nods

"Thick, hmm? Well,I suppose if you like your woman like you like your stew- thick and meaty... then again, I'd love to have added 'rich' to that!" A hearty laugh. "Now here, take a bone for that scruffy pup that's claimed you, and let me get on with my work, that's a lass. I'll break the news that you're staying on the the girls, and you can judge by the crowing at dinner who won that bet. I think there was a stable mucking up for high stakes."

"Yes, Marigold" Then a smile "Oh fun. Well, I'll help whoever lost even if I might wonder what they were thinking to assume I'd desert you guys" She takes the bone "Mm I'm going to make him practice sitting and staying before I hand this over..." She does not mention it won't be a die hard rule, just an attempt

"You do that. He seems a smart 'un, but he must be trained. The Baron demands obedience from his animals, and truth be told, it's not just sidhe arrogance there. Sloppy behaviour may pass as a pup or even a companion dog, but these, cute and fuzzy as they are, are bred to fight enemies on the trods and behond, and a missed command or lollygagging there could be the death of them or their masters."

She nods and finds resolve to be firmer no matter hoW Adorable Ivan gets. For Ivan's own good as well as others "You're right. And I will"

Kind voiced, not quite a scolding, and she smiles and nods at the response. "Ask Lord Aiden for help if you need it. It's not for nothing he's spent years learning the trade... or remembering it."

"I will. Oh later I'll have to tell you the hounds they have at the kennel at ER. Not as wonderfful as ours, but still .. lot of good sight hounds and scent hounds and soem sporting.." But she heads off to teach Ivan

And Marigold watches her go, fondly. "A bit of life to our holding. I -am- glad she stayed." She murmurs to the pot as she stirred. "Not that I thought otherwise, and that's why I'm getting a week of evenings to relax while some other hands scour the pots." Smiling.

a victory well earned.