#baronyofthesilverwolf

A knock on the door of the workshop.

Oddly, the shop is quiet. Usually by this time of day there is... quite a bit of noise.

Gwen gets a worried look "WIlly?"

Nothing.

She opens the door a crack and peeks in

The nocker is there, seated at a workbench, head down over ... papers? Plans? Ideas? She seems to be entirely focused on them.

Gwen closes the door softly then, keeping herself outside. She tries a gentle knock once more. If no response she'll leave be. Now that she knows Willy is fine, then well, privacy respecting time.

Gwen actually has turned to go when an irritated voice yells "WHAT????" as if time delayed.

"Oh uhm... it's a bit late but.." She brings over a gift box "I wanted to .. you know, thank you for showing up at Carnivale. I know you didn't do it for me, but I also guess it wasn't always comfortable for you and.. well, anyway. I guess I hope you're feeling more and more at home" She offers it

Willy looks at it with suspicion, but takes it.

And opens it.

Sandpaper, a new quality wrench, gorilla glue, flint and steel... it appears to be a workman's set of random items. But most would be helpful, or at the least GOOD spares. Mmm there's an Awl, looks strong.

"I know you probably already have these or something like them but I figure a few spares won't hurt. I THOUGHT about geting you a box of chocolates? But I didn't want you to mistake that for me hitting on you. If they suck you can sell them or trade them as you like. Also.. lunch is ready if you want it"

"I don't understand? Why're you sucking up to me, I don't got nothin." She sets the box down and takes a moment to tidy up (cover) her plans before walking to the door.

"I'm not sucking up. Or at least, I don't mean to. " Gwen answers "And I don't do this because it will get me something. I just figure maybe you're lonely sometimes, and even if you're not, you're one of us now. We look after each other. Most of us anyway. Look, I don't know you, I don't know what you've had to put up with before now, or what you expected. All I know is that folks treated me kindly, and now? It's on me to pay it forward. This isn't pity, or charity , it's...just how I think it should be. "

Willy gives her a little side eye; she honestly has trouble believing there isn't SOME angle here.

Gwen shrugs. The nocker will believe what she believes

"Most places aren't like this." she finally volunteers.

"I mean, they are, but they aren't."

"You oughta get out more."

"Oh. I know you're right. Even this place has it's... darkness, it's problems, its sorrows" She looks a bit melancholy at that , then says "But it's a lot better than my life before. When I'm sained maybe I'll travel more but I knew enough to know kindness isn't the way it is, it's like I said, it's the way it SHOULD be."

"Hmph. Your mentors or whoever oughta take you out more. Not doing you any favors keeping you all closed up here."

"I have mortal friends" She says "I take it you got treated like shit at some other hold?"

"Nah. Not... not like -bad-. Worst of it was not getting seen."

"Oh?" She tilts her head "What do you mean?"

A shrug as they approach the kitchen from outside. "Like, not .... noticed? I mean, that drek doesn't mean anything to me but.... like.... being invisible."

"Part of the furniture."

"Like you don't matter" She frowns "That would suck yes"

"Suits me, I guess. I'd rather be left alone to get my craft on, work on my projects."

"I'll try to respect that, but I am not going to treat you like some craftwork vending machine" A snort

"You're a person. I say good morning to people" She pets her dog as they go in for food

There is... no lunch ready. Odd. Well, not terribly, everyone by now should know that they're free to fend for themselves, but there is nothing set out. Usually there is at least a covered platter of lunchmeats, cheeses, something sweet and snackable.

A brow knit, and then she slips on gloves (So to keep any dust) "I thought lunch was ready. Sorry, let me prepare something real quick."

The fridge has some odds and ends, but isn't full. Looks like they're out of milk, low on juice and soda. Which they keep around for the kids, of course. Kids LOVE Dr. Pepper.

She breaks out two Dr. Peppers "Okay. This is not like Marigold. I wonder if she went grocery shopping?"

She takes the odds and ends and preps two serviceable sandwiches

"Gwennie, is that you?" There's Marigold's voice, faint, calling from the pantry attached to the end of the kitchen. "Hello? Is someone out there?"

And in a stomping race comes Gwen "Right here. Marigold?"

She's seated on the floor, leaning back against a shelf and looks slightly disheveled, her face pinched with pain. "Thank heavens, I was worried that I might not catch someone until Supper. Would you be a dear and help me up? I was going for the flour sacks on the bottom shelf there, and blast if my hip didn't lock up on me."

"Oh geez" And she helps her up gently "Easy easy. " Thank goodness for Troll might

"Is there a healer you want me ta go get?"

"Yeah , Get Thane Linneea if you see her on premises"

"Oh, don't go bothering Linnea over me. It's just Spring arthritis, is all. Part and Parcel of being a Grump."

"Uh huh" Gwen nods then looks at Willy "Please go find Thane Linnea anyway"

Willy scowls. ."Yeah, well, needs looking at." and off she goes to look.

"Gwen, dear, I need to get started on bread for supper. There's too much to do to sit around getting cooed over."

"You see? Even Willy knows you're being stubborn" Gwen says "My hands are in gloves. I Will sit you down " She goes gently "And you tell me what to do and how to do it. I won't ruin it too much. The dogs are fed, stables are clear. My hands were washed after all that even before the gloves. I can handle the bread"

The boggan frowns, but she does not complain further... which may be an indicator in itself. "I could maybe take a rest. But I promise you, I'll be right as rain after a bit of a lie-down."

Willy remembers seeing Linnea headed into the stables earlier, and when she heads that way, the Thane is just leaving, a little hay-dusted from visiting the horses. "Willy, afternoon. Did you see Joker today? He's starting to skip about. Cute little thing." Speaking of the newest foal.

Gwen Kens marigold