#baronyofthesilverwolf

It is a lovely day outside. Not that such a thing matters much, so long as it means that there is no damp in the air to offer potential rust to the buckles on the saddle that Willy is working on. As she examines the bent stirrup and reaches for a pair of pliers, the Nocker comes aware of the fact that she is not alone.

And she looks up.

A lovely lady with strawberry-blond hair is sitting near the door, her legs delicately folded underneath her, and hands folded on her lap. Her eyes are politely downcast. One of the baskets from the kitchen sits before her, and smells of warm food waft over.

"What?" nonplussed.

A polite, quiet voice. "Miss Marigold requested that I bring you your lunch, Miss Hostler. I hope I did not interrupt. You looked so intent on your work."

"Hostlerfrau." She corrects gruffly "Who're you?"

"I am Lady Dancingsnow's new handmaiden, though I hope that you may rely upon me if I may assist you as well, when my lady does not have need of me. I am to help the lady Steward as well." Her voice soft, and she politely gazes towards the Nocker, but without a direct eye contact that may be seen as rude or impudent.

"My name is Flo." Belatedly, as though less important than her role.

"You... what? -Handmaiden-??" in disbelief.

"Pardon, if your experience is not with such a term... her personal lady's maid. I fear that certain books have lent an unpleasant light onto the term. I serve the Lady Dancingsnow."

"Good for you, I don't, and I don't need no one serving -me-."

She bites her lip nervously. "May I leave your repast here? I am sorry to have disturbed, or offended you." She really does sound regretful.

"Not -offended,- lady." she snorts "Just... it's weird. Yeah, leave the stuff there if you want."

"Is it not the Baroness's privilege to take on a servant? She does so much for everyone here, even newly appointed." And then a hand to her mouth and she ducks her head. "Forgive me for speaking out of turn. I am merely grateful for her providing me the opportunity."

"Where may I lay out your lunch? I was not sure if that table would be appropriate..." She glances over at a small dinette - or such it was, but now is piled with tools and notes.

"Lady, you're weirding me out, here......" but she goes over and moves about half the stuff on the table to rest on top of the other half.

"Yeah, sure, the nobles can do whatever. -I- don't have any servants, though."

Flo moves over and produces a small cloth to neatly dust free the cleared section of the table, and then lays it out as a table setting. Upon it she sets out a roast beef sandwich on a freshly baked roll, a foil-wrapped packet of potatoes (still hot!), and opens a container to quickly toss the side salad before setting it into a bowl, with small bottles of dressing and oil set out alongside. A bottle of sparkling water, chilled and dewy with condensation, and a glass are set out as well, along with napkin (cloth!) and silverware. Neatly and quickly set up in only a few moments, and she steps back to bow.

"As you wish, Miss Hostlerfrau. If you care to leave the basket outside the door, I will return it to the kitchen when your meal is complete..."

"Holy crap." she blinks "You got the right address?"

A worried look. "Miss Wilhemina Hostlerfrau, yes? Is... is there another workshop? Or is the meal displeasing? I will take it away at once and bring you something that suits, if so."

"Nah, looks great just.... I usually just go by the kitchen and get whatever's there. Sometimes."

"If you would care to let me know what you prefer, I will note it for Steward Marigold. I'm to help her in the kitchen, and for hold chores. Please call on me if you wish, if it is something I can assist with."

"Sounds like you got your hands full, I don't need nothin'."

A touch of concern in her voice. "If there is anything I can help with, you will let me know? I must be of service, to earn my keep. There is not so much that I can take on that I would not have time to assist a valued member of the hold. If you please."

"Vulcan's ball-peen hammer, lady, are you desperate? Yeah, sure, you'll be the first one I call....."

She bows her head, and murmurs, "Thank you. I did not meant to be a hassle." And she slips out the door.

The sandwich smells delicious.

"Not a.... not a hassle...." she finishes in a mutter, and goes over to poke around the food. "An' you forgot enough horseradish...." but she eats it!