#baronyofthesilverwolf

Tibbs grins down at the Troll fledge. He looks much improved from the state in which she originally found him - still old, still a grump, but more vibrant, more... filled with life. A series of clinking-clicking-ratcheting-grating noises accompany him as he swings off Bandersnatch's back and stands- stands! Before Gwen. He's not as tall as she, of course, and leans noticeably to one side, onto an ornately carved cane.

"You're..hey! Your legs are they..." She doesn't want to say fixed because that's SO Not woke but... hell with it "Fixed?"

He laughs, not offended in the slightest. "Not fixed, quite, but definitely improved." He lifts aside part of his robe - dressed not unlike a modest Sheik in robes suited for desert travel. She can see that a complex clockwork fixture is worn - part belt, part saddle, part leg brace, all intricately designed in bright bronze and copper, shining steel or silver. A central feature is a keyhole to wind the contraption up, which seems to match the key design on the end of his cane. To mortal eyes, the cane is just a cane...

"Some day, young Gwen, when your soul is known and your feet itch to see the world, you must travel the roads of silver over the paths of the seas, to lands far away and nearer than you know. In the courts of what was once part of a mighty empire, of days when a Persian was more than a cat, and an Ottoman not for resting your feet upon. The worthy successors of al-Jazari, a father of inventors centuries before Da Vinci first took up a pen... there are sights to see and wonders to behold."

"Oh..." She almost feels the urge to do that "We trolls tend to be more stay at home types I think," A blush "Well, okay, the Rovers and some go about. You do make it sound so magical. Please, join us, have a seat" A grin "How's Bandersnatch been? The goofy looking guy holding up?"

The galumphing steed (to use the term loosely has meandered over and is eyeing a slice of cake near Lavender. He can just streeeeetch his long neck over and the sweet treat will be his!

Tiberius does take a seat (ratchet, ratchet, bend, tunk). "He has been amazing. I tell you, your baron breeds many a pretty pony, but I'd trust this old nag with my life." Fondness in the tone.

...MONCH, the horse steals Lavender's cake, a delightfully airy confection of raspberry creme, blueberry coulis, and white chocolate foam in patriotic colors. Down the hatch!

Lavender looks, then LAUGHS hard "I'm gonna count that as an intervention"

Gwen fusses over Tibs helping him if he'll allow "You have to have some food, it's great"

"You're going to spoil me, girl." He laughs, though, and does allow it. "In the near dreaming, there is a palace that rivals what you'll hear of in Scheherazade's tales..." He starts to go into the details of the rich opulence, and then trails off when he catches sight of Blossom. "Well, I'll be."

"Hello, my name is Blossom" Blossom smoothes her outfit, "Who are you?"

Her hoofs prance a bit even though she stays in place

He bows to her in his chair. "Hello there, lil' miss. My name is Tiberius. I heard that centaurs made their way back on this side of the world as well, but well, tales are one thing, and a fine thing at that, but nothing quite beats seeing with my own two eyes and then having the tale to tell myself."

"She has a tail!" Briar says through a mouthful of burger, her 3rd. "A horse one! So she doesn't get FLIES." She laughs, chokes a bit on the burger, then laughs some more after swallowing.

"I do have a tail and it's a nice one, thank you, Briar" Blossom is tempted to stick her tongue out, but does not, then looks at the Eshu "Hello, Mister Tiberius. It IS wonderful to be here. The Baron has been ever so nice. yes, I am the only centaur in Silverwolf. I am told I have a rich greek mytholoical history"

"Not only the Greeks, though they do get around. In Indian stories as well, there are centaurs in battle, humans turned into centaurs, and centaurs of legend and myth. Even some with a tiger's seeming rather than a horse. Russia, too has tales of the Polkan, once depicted as canine, more recently of equine. I will tell you their stories some day."

her eyes light up "Couldnn't you tell them NOOOW?"

"First, I have tales I must carry to the Baron, but I promise you, I shall not leave ere telling you at least one of these stories."

"Okay" She smiles ,sure that she can get more than one.

Gwen explains "Blossom is ah..." A low voice "Bit impatiennt"

"Weren't we all when we were childling small? All the world awaits her, and she cannot help but be eager to experience it." Tibbs responds, smiling. "And if her tale is like some others I have heard, she can stand a bit of spoiling, at least a little."

Gwen scoffs "I can see you and the Baron are alike in this. Oh!" Realization "Speaking of spoiling, you've been very generous for the house care, Mr. Tibs, thank you. I kept everything clean and tidy"

"Ah, excellent! I spent what I once would have thought was a lifetime collecting those things... and just because you helped me to see that my lifetime didn't have to doomed to a gray and lingering end, and that I can still explore and collect stories anew, doesn't mean that I'm not still fond of them." His eyes sparkle. "And what of Junior?" Calling Chuck by his nickname from earlier. "Has he become more than a bit player in your story at last?"

A blush "he's... actually more so than before. Oh but his story has takenn a twist. for the better I hope. I'll tell you later"

"Ah, the sun rises on your cheeks, stern agate blossoming into rosey quartz. A lovely sight, I cannot blame the lad for appreciating it." Silver tongued old rogue!

BRIGHTER Blush "Thank the Great Spirit you'er not giving him word play lessons"

"Perhaps I should!" He chuckles, and steps away.

....

Meanwhile, Aiden squeezed Nadeen's hand as they listened to Gwen telling her story - and then his hand tightens once more upon hers - this time in excitement, as Tiberius makes his appearance.

"He has returned... with good news, I hope." He murmurs to the Baroness.

Nadeen squeezes back excied "the golden stallions" She whispes

"I suppose it was too much to hope that he would come riding in, a herd upon his heels." Aiden says, wistful, and a bit rueful.

a chuckle "yes, Bandersnatch, however loyal, is something of a let down compared to that image"

He chuckles softly in return. "In sooth? I am somewhat considering whether his line should be propagated after all. Ungainly at best, terrible lines, a gait that would make a judge faint - but he may well be the smartest horse I have encountered in many years."

"if only there a way to keep the intelligence in a foal while taking after the mother in other areas" She ponders

"Perhaps, and yet, he does have his charm, of sorts. Tiberius seems fond." And a laugh as the horse snatches up a piece of cake from under Lavender's nose!

An amused light in nadeen's eyes "Let's hope Joker isn't watching annd learning that"

"Joker is from champion lines. He could probably get away with a little tomfoolery." A small smile.

Nadeen admits "I'm still proud I sensed that of him"

"You have a good eye. You could do well working with horses, if it pleased you. But then again, I feel that you would excel at any task should your heart be behind it."

"Maybe in time" She smiles "Right now i have my hands filled helping with the Mews and..." Her eyes shift as she looks at the dessert table "Well, that is..odd"

"Oh?"

Bluebell's Jello offering, indeed, every jello on the table, is dancing....

well, wigggling jiggling... as if belly dancing

"I... see." He says, rather baffled, and his gaze seeks out Bluebell, questioning. However, the elegant Pooka looks as surprised as he!

"Is it time to dance already, my lord? I haven't even requested the music, and already we have jelly-dancing." Bluebell says, but with a bemused tilt of her head.

"What a wonderful idea" nadeen looks to tthe Baron "Dancing, I mean"

"It dances all the way down!" Crows Briar after gulping a portion, "Just like swallowin' a live rat!"

At that, Blossom puts HER Jello down .. ugh, Rats

"Rather than rats, consider the feisty squirrel. Too clever and quick to oft be caught, and friendly neighbor of the treetops! They have no time for wiggling and jiggling, for they are a busy lot.

Busy, busy, busy, busy, Busy little squirrel -
Running, running, jumping, In a dizzy whirl.
Stopping now and then to eat A tasty little acorn treat –
Busy, busy, busy, busy, Busy little squirrel!"

Bluebell grins over to Rochallor and sweeps both Blossom and the pooka boy - willing or not! Into an impromptu dance! Perhaps not a dance, so much as an elegant mimicry, with her head just so and the way she holds a biscuit to mimic chewing upon an acorn, encouraging both the pooka and the centaur childling to mimic along, each with a treat in hand.

It ends with a flourish where she gazes down back OVER her back at her own rump in a way that most people cannot dream of twisting.

"Alas, my squirrel tail! It is gone, and just this little puff of a nub remains!" Doleful.

"I like your tail." Julius remarks cheekily!

Briar opens her mouth to comment about a squirrel, but as Bluebell presses a handpie into her hands, she shrugs and eats it instead, letting the moment pass blissfully unsullied.

"Ack!" Blossom says

"Auntie Em, Aunti Em!" Roch gasps

Briar meanwhile paints 'war stripes' on her cheeks with red jam from her pie.

Back at the table, as Nadeen muses about dancing, Tiberius approaches.

He moves gracelessly, with ungainly, stuttering steps, and yet, move he does, and on his own two feet. Pausing a few steps shy, he bows to both lieges. "My lord Baron, Baronesss Reeve." He greets them with a respectful, yet not groveling nor simpering motion.

"Tiberius, traveler and friend to the Court" Nadeen says, offering a hand to 'near kiss' or kiss if he dares "We rejoice at your return."