#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Caution is the hall mark of your kith, but you realize you're basically asking me for a full run down on my capabilities, good thing I'm not eiluned" Amused sip

She stops suddenly after a bite, looking down at the plate in surprise. Another bite. "I thought that this was blueberry... but there's a tartness, and something... it's almost like peach, or maybe... I don't know! It's good though. If that Hearth ever retires, she could make a small fortune on baking."

Chewing, swallows and gives Nadeen a serious look. "As one of the thanes tasked with protecting the hold and everyone in it? You'd better believe I'd ask."

She plates up a piece of the pie for Nadeen, though. "Have some, or I'll end up eating the entire pie."

She kens the plate. Yes, she's grown that paranoid

It's pie! Pie from Kerri, delivered by Nadeen. Yes, when in an Ailil hold, it is wise to distrust gifts from the Gwydion sector.

Linnea sees the look, and smiles a bit. "I'm pretty sure that sidhe are immune to gaining weight."

"Not that the Baron eats enough to put a winter belly on a horsefly."

"THAT Man" She says frustrated "If he took care of himself half as well as he does his horses, I'd worry less" All true and she digs into the pie , albeit with a dignified sort of feasting

"Right?" Chewing appreciatively - though with a wary eye on the Kitchen door, lest the resident baker take offense. "If one of his horses was off it's feed, he'd have a vet in before it could count to three with one hoof."

"You don't have any healing hiding in your repertoire, do you?" A touch hopefully.

"Alas, no" She answers "Rivervale was abundant iwth them... The Hearth and Chieftain both could lay quite a balm on one, and Sylvi 's spring magicks have aided me more times than I like to think of. " Mmmm "Though Sylvi being closer means we might have access if she doesn't mind. " A frown "I take it we're low on healing magics?"

"And healers?"

Sipping her coffee. "We get by. I know some primal - enough to do a Heather Balm. If someone gets stabbed or breaks a leg, we've got it covered in an emergency. If you sprain a toe or slice a finger chopping veg? You may just need to heal the old fashioned way, unless you have the dross to throw at it for convenience. Marigold has some skills, but I don't like to ask it of her too often - or make it so she feels obliged. She does a lot already." Firmly.

"Tell me about Sylvi? We met when she visited. Dani and I gave her a tour, but she mostly had questions for us. I didn't get to know so much about her."

A smile at that, "I agree. marigold has been quite kind to me. She's...perceptive, even compred to many of her kih that I can tell, but she also works hard. Honestly I almost think she needs an assistant to help her with the tasks but it seems like Gwen and Briar both help out, which is good. I suppose I should have elarned more from the Hearth myself" She looks thoughtful then says "Sylvi? She's an Emmisary by trade, a diplomat like me... possibly better tthan me. She was doing it before I did. "

"She does seem nice. And Chieftain Hewitt trusting her speaks volumes as well." She takes a sip of coffee. "And your trust, of course, as well." Coughing a bit and taking a bit of her pie.

"Spring-minded folk seldom seek positions in Winter-leaning holdings, though."

Another consideration "Siv jokes that Sylvi is of House Do What's Right, and Sylvi wears that with pride. She was once more firmly against the noble system, and I Suspect still not a fan, but she's grown to work with them and see there are good sidhe. And frankly? Chieftain Hewitt is wise to seek her counsel. "

"I love Silverwolf, it will always be my home... but I am glad to have Dark Gate nearby. The obvious benefits to patrols against common enemies aside.. visiting a lodge is nice. Dani and I both fostered in traditional troll freeholds."

"The courts among nobles don't play nearly as nicely with each other as the courts among common folk, forgive. The Twilight times for Commoners meant everyone had to group to gether to survive. I do not remember Arcadia, but the same call for unity and disregard for House and Court was not there. When we came back we tend to be more cautious. I don't think I've seen a Gwydion hold that ever accepted a Balor, or Leanhaun that took in a Liam." Curious tilt "YOu did? Oh I feel a fool going on about Hearth this and Mountain that s if I might need to explain the nuances to you. Forgive my assumptions, please" She looks a bit embarrassed

"It's been many years." She admits. "I don't mind the refresher, it helps prevent boot-in-mouth disease when visiting."

Julius opens the door to the kitchen, stepping in blearily - a robe loosely belted around his waist "Mrrphh?" Linnea translates with a cup of coffee. It's only after taking the mug that he notices Nadeen, and straightens up a touch, cinching the robe tigher.

-cough- "Baroness, you're up early."

"It's quite all right, Julius" Amusement "I've seen Rover Olgar in the morning, you're far more kempt than he is. Congratulations by the way, you were fast thinking more than once last night. I'll treasure the Karoke memory for many years" Fondly

Julius is apparently less than fast thinking in the morning. It takes him a few moments. "Right, right. Well, what's the point of Carnival if you can't embarrass the boss a bit? You don't think he minded, eh? He seemed a good enough sport."

"Given Ailil temperaments I can understand your caution, that said, the baron knows Carnival was meant to be so... truthfully? for all the little fires that started up htere and there... Briar's incident, the unpleasant redcap fellow, and the understandible need to withdraw childlings when things got a bit more.. adult, it was a success. And a true failure would have been if it had been drab and dull. THAT would be a failure fit to prick a dragon's pride I suspect"

He smiles. "Good, good. I figured I had pegged his reaction right, but it helps to get another sidhe opinion on it." Juggling holding his robe with one hand, and the coffee with the other. "Did you decide on lodging up in Carthage, or one of the places nearby? If that nice little cottage with all the land is out of your range, there are some apartments or smaller houses. Not that you're unwelcome here." He is quick to add. " 'Bell and I were thinking of getting a little place while the rates are low, something closer to her students. Maybe just a rental to start. A dreamer a day keeps the bedlam at bay, after all."

"I am working on a particular property yes, one suggested, but I've thrown in with someone else as a possible house mate. We'll see how she responds. I think she's on the hook as it were." She sips her coffee and realizes she's polished off the pie Lin handed over "Oh dear. " Clearing her throat "Our biggest success last night might be one that it falls on me to pursue. Dru's visit was wholly un expected. And as a Reeve of sorts, I think I can claim dibs at seeking her out" Pleased indeed "Ah but I ramble, back to the house. I hope to pay for it partly with the sell of my parents house in Bergen"

Julius nods. "Don't sink your entire inheritance though. You'll want to furnish it too, and see what else you need to build your life up here. You'll be on the books here as well, through the Stables for tax purposes. It's a good wage - remember that money goes a bit further up here than in, say, New York City metro area. If you have money left you might want invested, I can help you with an IRA or other long-term ideals."

Julius somehow makes it sound less banal than the average tax professional.

"Thank you, " She says touched. She's had some suggestions from Kerri and Sally Mae, but Julius knows the area. If only there were something she could.. oh! "Julius, I knnow it's hard to be sure what a pooka is saying, but has Bluebell hinted at a dream house or locale? Close to students you said- but beyond that?"

He slides into a chair, turning his coffee cup between his hands. “I think she’d like a little house someday, the kind with a yard room to.. play? Me, well, I’m not certain about all that. When I think of the Swingin’ Twenties, I picture Gatsby, not swingsets. Maybe we haven’t been on the same page as much as I'd thought.” A little worried.

“I had planned to look at apartments, but she sent a bunch of listings to the agent that were way far from my ideas. A translator would be helpful.” He admits.

Nadeen puts a hand on his arm "It's okay, Julius, take a deep breath. It's just, I know a Satyr who is into real estate and might be able to help.. Caesar? A wrestler but also into real estate at more reasonable rates for Kithian and their kinian. I also know a boggan family in Bergen into construction . But as for figuring out what your lady wants? Have you thought about leaving a magazine with various houses or apartment styles nearby a pair of scissors and seeing what Bluebell cuts out to keep ?"

He runs a hand through his messy bed head. “I think I know what she’d want And that's a bit...” he sighs. “Implications you know? Settling down. I’m not conflicted on HER, don’t get me wrong. Bluebell is my lady. But I guess I hadn’t thought of marriage as the first step on a timeline.”

Linnea looks sympathetic. "Feeling tied down?"

"Ah" She realizes "You have cold hooves?"

"No!" He quickly responds. "Not about Bluebell. I just didn't realize that a ring would make her think of.. you know... cribs." Shaking his head. "Maybe SOMEDAY? But call me greedy - I want her to myself for a while yet."

Nadeen fights a smile. Somehow the steward's response tickles her a bit, though his love is obviosu and reasonable "There IS the option of a vascetomy now, and then when you're ready...."

A haunted look. "Uh, that's something to think about. Caesar, is it? Sounds like we have a name in common, maybe that's a sign. Jot down his info, I'll look him up."

She offers the number she was given , "You know, it's hard to be sure, but I could see her liking something with a bit of a basement , maybe it's the rabbit aspect? Sunshine and green up top, but a warm warren to slip into?"

He covers a grin behind his coffee cup to avoid making ribald comments, and takes the number. "Appreciated. If this Caesar can cut a good deal for you, that's great too. Rosemary has always been fair though. Maybe they could do some cross listings to get word out for properties in both their areas." Speaking of the Clurichaun listing agent who has visited a couple times. "She collects properties like some folk collect... oh, I don't know, porceline figurines of silly things."

Linnea colors and busies herself tidying the pie dishes away.

"She's doing great this past year, so she can afford to give us fae a little slack. Grabbed up one of those buildings they were making into luxury... what is it, 'micro' condos? The developer went bankrupt, so she got it for a steal and is renting it out for a pay as you go to folk who got evicted. Sliding scale for unemployment, and it turns out that any rent is better than empty rooms, so she's making money AND helping out."

A grin to Nadeen. "I helped her file her taxes last season." Confidentially.

"Why wasnn't Rosemary on the guest list?" Nadeen looks horrified she might have left someone with such influence out

"Oh, she was. She had a prior engagement though - went to the Duchy for their Carnival. I can't blame her, really - connections are key in her biz, and she already has the Silverwolf contract for real estate in her pocket."

"AH, yes, then Let's have Caesar work with her. It's not worth burning a bridge for a one time thing. I think they have similar methods"

"You know, if you can connect her with Caesar and it's a lucrative connection, she may cut you a deal on that property."

"Always folks relocating who need houses in other areas."

"YOu know I might do that. " SHe ponders "Caesar was considering buying my parents house and.. mmm. Be better to have it go to a kithain or kinian if possible"

"Well, if you need any help with financial finagling, I'm your satyr." Setting aside his coffee cup. "But I need a shower before anything else."

Running water, Linnea takes care of the dishes.

Nadeen nods "I have a patrol to share later today, but perhaps" A nod "Enjoy your shower" And she moves to help Linnae "Before you protest the help, blame Hearth Kerri. I was brainwashed by judgmental eyebrows if I didn't do my share"