#baronyofthesilverwolf

(Pause 😉 )

It's funny how boggans can pop up unexpected. Not as good at is as their Clurichaun cousins, but they're still surprisingly stealthy for a hobbit-shaped creature, especially without a magic ring to assist.

Adler slaps Lavender on the back in a friendly manner. "Howsit going, Dame? Been a dog's age since you stopped in for a cuppa. But if my ears don't hear wrong, and they seldom do, you're talking about a water feature for this here garden? Now, now, you wouldn't think of such a thing without considering A to Z Home, now would you? Landscaping is my business, after all. Let's see... to start, you'll have to consider the location, and whether to go natural or install a pump - now that would need a GFCI outlet, I ONLY work to code, and a filter..."

Lavender wonders how this happened? "That's great, dandy, but I donnn't have the authority.. maybe you should mention it to the baron" She smiles

Adler hems a bit, "Well, now, perhaps the steward. But you seem to have a good eye for these things, so if you like, I can send over a few mockups."

"Sure sure.." Lavender says , who can blame the man for being a bit skitish

Calanthe casts a few glances in Nadeen's direction... perhaps she had been planning to seek out the Baroness. But, with Sergei here, her attention is really on the Varich she prefers the company of. Pouring him another glass of wine, she tells him of her current plans for the new season and the training plan for her newest hawks.

Nadeen has been meetinng and greeting everyone, though she seems to enjoy Dru's company . However, her eyes are drifting about lookinng for Aidenn

Dru does not seem to mind Nadeen's drifting. There are flowers to smell, and foods to taste, and there's music in the air.

Marigold goes to greet Dru. "It's lovely, simply lovely, having you here. Why, I remember being told of a forest nymphs in hidden glades when I was but a childling, but never did I have the pleasure of meeting one. Please, be welcome here. I understand you had some interest in our gardens?"

"Oh, they are wonderful! And young. I can feel the magic in them!" A pause, and she cups Marigold's cheek with her hand. "And you!"

Lavender goes to see how a certain guest is doing

Who maybe in bird form but enchanted either way "olly olly oxen free?"

A Raven is perched on the picnic spread, and is currently plucking and gulping down grapes. "Yom! Yom! Almost as good as eyeballs!" She chortles with enjoyment - indeed, the Raven can speak English, with only a hint of a croak on what otherwise matches Nevara's normal tone.

"mmmm " A stroke along a feathered part "You're looking better."

Marigold beams at the Kubera. "A touch of spring from a new friend has me back in fine fettle, for a time. Oh, I know it shall not last, but Spring never does, does it?"

"It never does, but it returns! You're young, you'll see."

Shaking out her wings, Nevara bobs her head to Lavender, moving to her shoulder where she can perch and preen the Satyr's hair, and even give a light, curious peck at her horns! "The hair hasn't grown back, but I think I can rock a pixie. What do you say, Pixie-mine?" Preen preen.

Marigold smiles, bittersweet, at Dru. "Ah, don't we know it. Spring will come to me again, but I'm not quite ready for the wheel to turn yet. There are still those that need me here." A fond look over to Gwen.

"Ah. Your acorn." Dru nods. "Isn't that how we make Spring? I am glad you found a magic to make you feel better. When a husk gets worn, I can make another. But it sounds more complicated for you - you must re-sprout, and do not remember."

Gwen looks over and smiles, unaware she's the subject of a discusion. It doesn't take a boggan to see the love she's got for Marigold

And Lavender giggles as her horns are pecked at "hey... and yeah I bet you could."

"Sometimes we remember. But mostly, we remember the times long ago, and not so much the recent lives. An acorn remembers how to become an Oak, but not each tree it has been." She pats Dru on the arm. "But you make me feel young again, miss. Tell me, would you like to visit and help with the gardening? I was hoping to put in another few beds outside the kitchen - fresh vegetables, herbs... Julius there, he wants Silverwolf to have vineyards, though there is hardly space for that on the MANOR grounds. Do you care for wine?" Marigold bubbles with conversation, glad to have a new friend to gossip to.

"Oh, I would like to visit gardens. I like it when things grow. That is our Realm, our Empire. Green and growing and full of life." She beams, the picture of contentment. "I have had wine, yes? It is considered a fine thing. I enjoyed it! I also like the pink things... I am told you made the delicacies? "

Nadeen notices Marigold and Dru are hittinng it off, and she smiles. Then she turns and looks in the stables. Where the hell is Aiden?

She finds him... procrastinating, or hesitating. The Baron is dressed for Beltane with a fine waistcoat of silver with black floral brocade, it is quite dashing. All of the horses have settled in and are happily chomping at their oats, worn out from a day of frolic. Combed and cleaned, and needing no further attention, yet he lingers there.

When Nadeen comes in, he looks over, and smiles. "Is it time for the bonfires already?" The day is getting long, and the Sun soon to set.

"Not exactly," her own gown from earlier still looking as fresh as the moment she put it on, it's good to be sidhe, "However, you are denying me much." She moves to him taking an arm

He wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her gently closer, but without crushing the delicate fabric of her gown. "That was not my intent." He says, softly. "How may I make it up to you, my lady?"

A sidestep, moving her with him a few paces to the left, as Joker butts his head out of the slats of his stall and tries to nibble at her gown.

"You deserve to adorn the center stage, not the center stables. Though I delight to see you among my treasures."

"Knowing how you feel about the stables, I am not ashamed to be flattered by you here" She laughs at Jester and adjusts to pet Joker without losing a sleeve, as she talks to the Baron "This is the one time of the year I can see your seelie side for a near certainty"

Aiden smiles at her. "Do you like what you see? How does Spring suit you, my lady?"

"Embarrassing," A joyous laugh, "I find myself in some very sentimental ideas Your spring, well, it looks good from what I've seen, or maybe it's that jacket. Really dashing, Aiden. I know we sidhe look good in anything, but it's stylish"

"And yet, it was not complete. How could I bear to bare my softer self, without you by my side? It has been long since we have celebrated Beltane with more than a lighting of the fire and a token nod to the seasons. How is it that a Winter house comes to return Spring to us?"

Nadeen blushes "I blame the trolls. Terrible influence"

"Quite terrible." He says, but is smiling at her, not seeming terribly bothered.

Meanwhile, Gwen moves to Dru and Marigold "Marigold, you feed so many people you forget to eat as well." She hands a small plate of Marigold's favorite foods

Nadeen confides "one could barely get an intrigue going," She is deleriously happy with him by her side, "And how do you feel, lord, as tossed and flipped about as I?"

"You'd think that, oh, I'm practically wasting away." Marigold accepts the plate anyways, with a smile. "The trick is to taste everything while you're working, and then you're practically full by the time it comes to serve and nibbles will suffice!" Sharing a boggan tip.

"It's a good tip, but today is Beltaine and I'm glad you are taking a moment to sit and talk with guests" Gwen informs

Aiden considers this question seriously. "Uncertain." He admits. "Once, I would have thought the future of Silverwolf mapped out clearly, da'an read from the stars and bones, but with ink malleable, mutable, changeable with a deft hand that could turn the very threads towards my desires." The Baron confides quietly. "It has been a very long time since I have dared even think of the future as more than a burden of that to come. That what is, will be ours to bear, with no recourse, a storm to weather until it's end."

He looks to Nadeen with serious eyes. "You bring me hope. Even on this day when Seelie blood runs high, I see... the possibility for growth, and change."

"Good," She says firmly

Then nadeen smiles "the future is not a burden, it can be a challenge, yes, but also a joy. You were not in my past, and yet here you are, a joy to me. And yes, Silverwolf can and will grow"

He leans to give her a thorough kiss. "Come, shall we join our celebration? There is a fire to kindle."

Nadeen savors the kiss, "indeed. Let the fires be kindled, and the flames stoked" Her eyes shimmer at some greater meaning

"Indeed." He repeats, agreeing on both counts, as they head out. "I believe Gwen has been training the pack to leap over the bonfire. She has become an invaluable help with them. We mustn't miss the show. And Calanthe's firedrakes..."

"Leap over the fire? Good gracious. The dogs must trust her absolutely"

"It's quite safe. You see, the coals are banked and as long as one doesn't land within the embers itself, a pass through the flames will barely warm their fur. But it is impressive. Once, we would have a grand parade with all of the steeds... flowered manes and tails, through the town itself."

"A chance to show off the horses as well," She says, thinking Dagmar would love a chance like that, and realizing "mm Dame Lavender would enjoy a chance at such dressage."

He is quiet for a time after recounting the past... withdrawn, and silent. But eventually, he nods, her comment making it through. "Dame Lavender. Another fine change. With her help, Silverwolf stables may once again regain the stature we once had."

"I'm tempted to tell her to that little trouble maker in shape," Nadeen mmphs with a back glance at Joker. Yet she is fond. then she moves to him "But the true master of horse is still yourself. Oh Aiden, Silverwolf stables will be legend under your direction. If Tib suceeds.. oh the possiblities"

"Ah. I have not heard from him yet, but he set off through the Dream, not on the mortal roads, so it is hard to say where he may be. Or when." Starting towards the Manor, but with a slow pace, enjoying her company more than any hurry to join the others. "You are not upset that you were not sent?"

"No, " she says "I think we were dragging our heels, and things arose we all did not expect." A smile lights up "OH! Aiden, Spark flew!"