#baronyofthesilverwolf

D"Lorean's practice lance shatters easily as she hits the target dead on riding on Snowthorn

Gwen applauds "Okay. If that were real even I would feel it... really sharp i mean"

"Good form." Baron Aiden commends from his vantage point. "Remind me to have Julius increase our quintain and lance budgets."

"Thank you, My lord " D'Lorean has cleaned up well. From ragamuffin budget knight, with the right horse, right gear, and time to groom she's a far more impressive figure on the field.

"Budgets increased, m'lord. We also need measurements for armor, both training, festive, and full battle gear, for mount and rider both."

The Baron is too well bred to jump, but he does flick a glance over to where Julius is by his side. "How long have you been there?"

"A good servant anticipates his lord's needs and is at hand when appropriate." The satyr remarks, a touch smugly, and makes a few more notes from where he was jotting details as he watched.

"Mm. That's not an answer." Aiden observes, but seems amused.

Dame D'Loreean smiles "I think I'm glad I don't have servants. Not sure my heart could take it"

Gwen buries a smile under troll stoicsm

"And here I was going to suggest Briar as your squire." But the steward cannot manage keep a straight face through it. "Gwen, how do you feel about armor? Fate forefend you need it, but quests don't commonly come up at polite beck and call, so who knows when duty may strike? Even with your... striking skin quality, armor shouldn't be ignored. Would you feel more at home in plate, scale, leather? Reinforced chain?"

"Like a real thane?" She says impressed "Yes, Lord. I'd be happy to." Gwen says "I mean. ah it doesn't have to be fancy. Just servicable. With my tough hide I doubt it would even chaff much"

"Linnea prefers reinforced leathers, and Danica has her own mishmash of kevlar vest and riot gear. We don't exactly have a standard. And yes, I had assumed...." Julius gives a glance over to Aiden, who clears his throat.

"Things often change once sained. Who you were raised as mortal, and who you have become, may well be eclipsed by your true self revealed. But if you so choose, I see no reason why we would not welcome you to remain on as a full-fledged Thane." The Baron explains.

"We'll outfit you appropriately, but your armor will be yours to keep even if you leave. As it is our responsibility to see you through your fledgling period, you do still provide valuable service here that warrants reward, this being the least we could offer."

Gwen looks pleased, "Thank you, Baron. I've been very happy here. And truth? I.. is it wrong I kind of liked watching some of the Gwdydions eyes bug out when Bluebell won?"

A chuckle. "That alone was worth the trip. That, and our newest champion of the lance, of course."

Julius smiles fit to burst at the praise towards the dancer. "That's my girl."

"Oh Snowthorn too, Baron. " The satyr pats the steed

"Of course." He answers, and produces an apple for the stallion!

The satyr flips to a new page. "But that reminds me, we do have a few things to discuss. Gwen, how do you feel your online schooling has been going? There's talk about limited in-person attendance in town, or there may be other options to explore. Does the computer class work suit you?"

Snowthorn happily crunches the apple. He's just glad to be around people who know how to handle hores properly

"Well, sometimes I miss folks my own age, but ah, Marigold has been hinting that I could visit Darkgate and socialize with wilders there" A blush at something from Gwen. "It works fine though really"

"You spend more time with Briar than most of us. How do you feel she behaved at Pennons? She's been 'homeschooled' to date as far as mortal records indicate, but I fear that it's been far more 'home' than 'school'. Marigold and I were discussing whether she may need to socialize more... lest she turn out even more anti-social than most redcaps. It's hard to know where to draw that line. She never seems lonesome, but she'd also never admit it if she were."

Julius asks.

"You got that right" Gwen blurts at the last part, then says "She's...I like Briar. She's actually cool , and I get where she's coming from more than I expected. I'd say it was troll protectivness but she can fight to handle her own. I do worry one day she's gonna mouth off with someone too big for her to knife easy... but you know, she deserves a chance to interact. Just be sure to give her some clear guidelines on how far she's allowed to go?"

The steward jots down some notes. "And then there is musing. Mortals aren't just for interacting with when we can't avoid it, after all. You'll need to learn how to inspire, cajole, trick or terrorize glamour from them, sooner or later. Lady D'Lorean, this may go unsaid, but I find that things that can go unsaid are often better said after all." He grins - the Steward can get rather loquaciouss at times. "...but please note that the Baron frowns upon ravaging. We live in a small town, and while there are, as is said, always more dreamers... there are not, I am afraid, always more dreamers per capita. Carthage is more a village that it's glorious namesake, and we shan't kill the cow for the milk."

"Understood," Dame D'Lorean says. the wrinkle on her nose indicates she's not a fan of the act anyway

Gwen says "Those who glut today will not survive the winter" A quote perhaps

"I think bears might disagree with you." Julius looks amused. "But they're the exception, not the rule. Fat bears mean spring cubs. But I'm just being pedantic. Now, we have a few options. Bluebell does yoga classes a few days a week, and Dame Calanthe has her clients as well. Either have agreed to have you come for a ride 'along'. Do you have a preference? I'd probably recommend both, to see different musing styles. I'd have suggested Miss Marigold's knitting group for seniors, but they're locked down tight as the poor old folks are too high-risk for visitors. Though then again, they probably COULD use company if we could find a safe way to manage it."

"Oh. " Gwen says "I've been raking leaves for some of the old folks around here. ..ah, pardon... I guess both?" She seems unsure

He smiles and makes a note. "Good! I'll speak with them both. Oh, and check with Briar if you have any particular favorites. She tends to drum up her own blend of glamour from some of the locals - let her know if there are houses she should avoid." A rueful chuckle. "She's more like to listen to you than me these days."

"Really?" Gwen seems stunned by THAT notion "You sure you have that right? I mean.. we hang together but ... more to me?"

"She LIKES you." He grins. "I just control the work roster and can put her on dog doo duty instead of butchering if she doesn't listen. And that threat only works so many times before she finds 'interesting' places to dump the 'compost'. A slightly pained look. "As authority goes... she respects the Baron and Marigold - she knows who signs her meal tickets. She avoids the knight - pardon, Dame D'Lorean, the Ailil Knight. But she only listens to me if it's to her benefit. Otherwise, I'm as good as scenery who assigns schoolwork and chore rosters, which isn't entirely endearing."

"Part of being a good steward is learning to delegate." He grins.

"Huh." Gwen says "Well uhm.. sure. I like her. If it helps I just don't want to find myself responsible for the missing bodies or something" HALF Joking

Meanwhile, the Baron is murmuring to Snowthorn. Something entirely noble and dignified, to be sure. Definitely not about who's a lovely boy, yes you are.

D'Lorean, who is still with Snowthorn must be happy at the sound of dignity for a smile is on her face

"Don't worry. Between the kennels and the redcap, they never find the bodies." He grins cheerily.

A joke! Right? Right!

Gwen goes "Ahhhh. moving along"

D'Lorean DOES laugh

"Right right. Both of you ladies, see me later for measurements, or Marigold if you prefer, and I'll see what we can do for armoring and any other voile you need. Courtly attire - if Lady Calanthe has her way." The Baron looks over, a brow raised. Julius coughs. "She was inquiring about a yule ball."

Aiden looks pained at the prospect.

"What, like ball gown?" NOW the troll looks panicked

"Delightful" Dame D'Lorean says

The steward shifts his weight, and suggests, "Perhaps another hold will be having an event we could offer to co-host or attend in exchange for some boon. Dark Gate, or Earth Runes. I know you are fond of Baroness Dancing Snow, but her Gwydion hold seems right out. Now, there's that Canadian Aesin holding, though we'd need to swap for more stringent winter gear...."

The Baron looks like he'd rather be walking over a bed of coals than party to this conversation.

"Do we have to have a ball at all?" Gwen imagines herself stomping around in a dress . She's not delicate. she's not light on her feet. Dancing in small ways was fun enough but she's going to look like the butt end of a school house with a tent canvas thrown over in the wind if she tries dancing at a ball

Julius notes, "You cannot avoid courtly intrigue forever. Someday you may be called to court, and if you don't know how to field that battle, it's as bad as going to war with out a weapon."

"Is surrender to avoid bloodshed an option?" Oh dear, still a bit of sass left over form Samhain on the troll

"It depends. Is that how you'd represent Silverwolf?" Julius jabs back. Good natured, but oh, a goat likes to debate.

"A gracious surrender is one thing - if not a very Ailil approach. But we prefer to present as a proud wolf, not one with tail tucked. Trust me, court isn't that bad, even the big fancy balls." Still jotting notes.

"ooo low blow" Gwen mutters

The Baron clears his throat. "I will give it some thought." Straightening up, clear that he's through with the conversation.

"It's not yet even Wolfenoot, after all. Give Marigold time to plan a proper feast for that and Thanksgiving." Julius smiles. "If you have any friends you made at pennons, please let me know and we can invite them to something lower key. No dancing, just food, friends, and maybe a little music." A hopeful glance to D'Lorean.

"Well, I liked Dame Dagmar. I could extend an invite to her"