#baronyofthesilverwolf

Gwen isn't going to leave Marigold to do this alone, and starts to help. "Here, let me get that"

D'Lorean thanks Marigold for the meal, everyone for the company,a nd goes to ride her horse.

As Gwen stacks a few last plates to be cleared, footsteps approach. “Ah. I don’t suppose, there might be any pie left.” The Baron asks, quietly. “Would you join me for a slice?”

"who..me?" Gwen says almost ...surprised that.. well, "Yes, My Lord. There is some pie left. "

“Unless you’re too full- but yes, I would welcome your company.”

Marigold must have the hearing of a bat - and has swiftly brought a set of dessert plates, tea to settle a full stomach, and a small serving of pie before vanishing in that way her kith excels at.

"I can have a slice of pie." She waits for him to motion her to sit. "Happy Thanksgiving, Baron"

He takes a seat. “I do not know if I’ve thanked you yet. Julius excels at reminding me of what I may have overlooked in business... but for private affairs, I’m on my own.”

"I ...was rather worried you'd be angry at me for prying into your private affairs, Baron. I. I just, well, i wanted you to know that even though we respected your pain, we still were here when.. if .. you needed... well " She isnt' sure she's doing this right "You've given me not just a place to put my head, but a home."

Taking a small slice of the apple pie, he adds a spoonful of the homemade cranberry sauce atop it.

“There is a saying that one can miss the forest for the trees. I’ve been missing the garden, for the lack of one bloom.” He gazes at his plate. “Dolly would always mix her pie with sauce like this. We’d tease her... but she insisted it tasted best.” He takes a small bite. “Those mortal times... they are the most difficult for me.”

The look on his face, heartbreakingly forlorn.

"Dolly sounds like she knew a lot " She mixes her own in a similiar fashion to try it

It’s... good! If you like tart. The cranberry and orange meld with the apple, it might be an acquired taste, but it’s certainly not bad.

“She was the sun that all flowers turned towards. Even the stars are but a reflection of that light.” He swallows, and sets his fork down.

"Wow.. you feel that" She says but is undecided on how much she likes it "You really do." She takes her own drink "She was lucky to have a man who loved her so much. I mean, I'm young, but I think every woman dreams of that. "

“She dreamt... too deeply.” He frowns, expression darkening, but he makes an effort and pushes whatever thought clouded his visage away. “Having you with us has been a gift. It reminds me to look outside of myself and appreciate my people. Leaders who take their folk for granted are not long for the title.”

"You're a good leader. I know that Dame Calanthe would disagree, but I think it's okay that your focus is on the hounds and the horses and the duties to the land without too much fuss. Sure, you can be reclusive, but you never let some jerks mess with your people. When we need you, you're there. I DO think.. I do think it's nice having you with us more. Marigold loves it when you have dinner with us. " A pause "Sometimes I think it's how boggans count coup on the rest of us.. in a nice way minnd you"

His brow crinkles a bit at her mention of Calanthe. “She wishes to see Silverwolf become a power to be reckoned with. My ambitions are simpler, perhaps, we both would see our hold Prosper. Tomorrow’s fete should please her. I hope that you enjoy it as well.”

"Little worried about the dancing despite the lessons" A blush "And..socializing. The thanes have to socially interact to right? I mean...if trolls get to just stick to a wall and look supportive THAT I can do"

“If lost for words, compliment them. Lady Calanthe actually can give you guidance there. She is skilled at the art of knowing what the best compliment is for a specific person. If her temper guides her to use it, is another story.” Amused. “And if all else fails, call Ivan. No one invited is, I believe, so fanciful as to come in silks and gowns to a simple fall fete and ride, so no worries that he’ll trod muddy paws on a ball gown. Most everyone will pause conversation to pet a pup. And if they do not like dogs, I don’t advise you to their company.” A small jest there.

"Hey, yes. Ivan is.. that's great. And true. if someone doesn't like Ivan, well, something's wrong them. He's the best boy" Oh dear, bias has set in

He pauses, and a hand goes to his breast pocket. The shape of a square envelope there. “You have given me Yule tidings in advance, so I may do so as well.”

Clearing his throat a little. “Ivan is yours, if you would have him.”

"Would I? I.." She blushes then realizes she better be clear "Absolutely, and I won't spoil him. And he'll learn everything he needs to know just like his siblings will" oh many intended assurances

"Thank you, Baron, thank you" And she hugs him before she thinks about it

He is surprised, but... accepts, awkward perhaps, with a pat on the back. “Don’t spoil him MORE.” He lightly corrects her. “

And it will add to your workload, as now you will have independent training as well as with the group. We must focus next on the last remaining pups, if Ser Sergei does not show interest, we may consider a gift to Dark Gate.”

"Yes, Baron." She says then nods "I think we have more to gain from Sir Sergei, and he will treat them wlel, but Dark gate does have need. So.. hard call. I think they'll be snapped up soon though"

Marigold smiles softly from where she... well, it’s not eavesdropping if you’re the Steward, right?

“Let’s look in on them.” He says, and rises. Hopefully she’s not too full for a walk.

She has let him go and nods "Definitely" She appears to be happy to walk some of this off "I was thinking of a few new trials for them... saw something on obstale course competitions. Now theyr'e big , so agility tests ..m aybe not but something like that..." And she goes out with him talking

“Let’s test them on an evening patrol. Linnea should be halfway towards the trodway by now, but they don’t know that. Whoever finds her trail first, gets a bone. And if she catches on that we’re tracking her before we are in sight, she gets a bonus to her Yule gift.” And so they go.

He may have planned to spend the evening in a bottle filled with memories, but this seems a fine alternative.

And that's fine with the Unsained troll

(Fade, to trying to sneak up on trolls who are distracted thinking about someone’s biceps. But, not distracted ENOUGH. ;) )