#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Briar has her mind set up to go out and take over a corby of her own... I cannot tell her how much that idea scares me, it's too close to ill-wishing, you know?"

"Then again, she's still but a little scrapper. We have some time yet!"

This cheers the grump a bit.

"Sounds like she NEEDS to get tough then" he nods "Tough ER" he corrects

"She will. In time. But for now, maybe she can be my sweet Briar for just a little while longer." Clearly Marigold sees something in the monster brat that others do not, or is hallucinating.

"huh... you pishers" He smiles though, his tone not too harsh "Got hearts so big it's amazing they fit in your bodies. "

"Well, we all have our flaws." A wink to Wudlig.

"Ouch" He chuckles though

"Off you go now, I'll clean up. I should get started on supper."

"Look.. while I'm here... my specialty is hidden doors, caches, because of that, I've got some carpeting skills. Let me know if you want me to touch yourr kitchen up. Heck for fun I could make you a cookie jar with a false top that makes it look like there's nothing in there unless you flip the hidden switch"

"Interesting... but dangerous. Imagine if Briar might smell cookies but be unable to find them? She might eat her way halfway through the marble counter."

"Ugh... yeah, I don't give redcap Insurance" He warns

A chuckle. "I'll hold off then, but it's appreciated."

She packs a snack, and sends Wudlig on his way!

And he heads off. Feelinng oddly like he just ggot patted on the head grumps

-------

It takes him a while to get there, but Art pulls up at the Manor on a bicycle that is rather too large for him. He has to jump a bit to clear the crossbar with his leg to get off, and leans it against the porch. Then, he seeks the Baronness.

She is not hard to find. She appears to be in a bit of a rant in her study "Yes, professor, I could agree with you, but then we'd BOTH be wrong..."

she is talking to a college text book

The young sidhe hesitates outside the door to the Baroness's study. "Lady Nadeen?" Unsure if she is meeting with someone.

"mmm?" She rises "Arthur? Something you need?"

He bows to her, hesitating, and then finally states, "I would like to ask for a small boon. I did not wish to trouble the Baron..."

"This IS serious. Please have a seat," She motions "Would you like me to have Flo bring a drink?"

He shakes his head. "It's... it's not a major request. I need some mortal funds. Not a lot... and I would repay it." The fledgling sidhe's cheeks color, all the way to his ears - his back is straight, but clearly it hurt his young pride to ask.

"May I ask what the money is for?"

"The others wish for me to accompany them out after school. Trina - Thistle - she offers to pay my way. Other times, Dame Gladiola has done the same. It is not... a good feeling."

"I have been trying to find employment, but between my duties to the family, schoolwork, and here, I haven't found something that can accommodate such a schedule. I had considered my mortal parents, but with Yule coming up, they are monetarily stressed over the season already. I shall not beg for water from a stone, nor slip bills from Mother's purse as elder brother does, thinking himself unseen."

He clasps his hands neatly in his lap, going for a neutral demeanor. Will she understand? Can she? This lady of wealth and grace? He wonders if she could know how it feels to be given charity, and to be unable to return favors and gifts.

Nadeen nods "It is hard, being a prince in soul, and a pauper in flesh," she shakes her head "Other kith assume those sidhe arrived into such states are merely feeling entitled, at least too many of the commoners anyway. The truth is they do not understand that noblise obliege is more than lip service. We feel obligated, the weight of larges and magnamous drives as heavy as a troll's protectiveness or a boggan's compassion. Here," She reaches into a purse "Here is 200 hundred dollars, mostly in 20s. Do not reveal the source. Later, you and I will talk of getting you a job so you need be behholdenn not even to me. Will this suffice?"

He bows his head to her, half to hide the surprise and gratitude in his expression. "I try not to be a... sore sport with Dame Gladiola. Yet, had I my first choice of host, at least I would not have to worry about ...tawdry mortal monetary needs." Chuck, after all, is a child of privilege. Even with the upcoming divorce of his parents, they are still quite well off, he can't quite help but notice.

"It is difficult not to resent him. But I do not wish it to drive a wedge between us - the Dame and myself. So I must learn to make my own way."

"Chuck seems protected by Da'an in some ways. A troll loves him. Trust me when I say that is a POTENT shield. I thank you for respecting Dame Gladiola's sensiivities. Trolls can be.. oddly delicate. On the other hand, had you gained Chuck as a host... you might have lost out on two friends. Gwen who at least tries, and yes, Thistle, who might yet wander unndiscovered if you had not landed in Arty instead. Do not fear, Arthur. If money is what you seek, sometimes it is not what you know, but who you know, that opens the most doors to ways to gather it. I do not speak of charity, but increased opportunity. Your family...what jobs do they have?"

"Father works at the paper plant. He is there long hours due to holiday shipping demands. I understand that he had procured employment for Lance there, but it did not work out. Mother works part time when Gawain is at school. She cleans office buildings.. sometimes homes for extra cash. It is honest work." He says, his expression a little tight.

"The name Gawain, wasted on a mortal" She sighs.. then ponders "Your mother cleans homes for extra cash you say?"

"For the holidays. Gawain still expects Saint Nicholas to visit. He does not understand yet why 'Santa' may bring video games to rich children, and socks to poor."

"Ah..." A nod "Then... I think I have a plan. Tell me, how are your lessons in musing going?"

"I understand, I believe, in concept. True dreamers are hard to come by. Of course, I would not expect Gwen to share Chuck." at least not more than he already had.

"Perhaps ... but, and admitedly it is a gamble, but... what if Gawain at least were to have a truly magical Chrismas? One of enchantment... and rare gifts?"

He looks uncertain. "There are so many people who visit for the holidays. Cousins and aunts and uncles... but maybe, if we could find a way to sneak just the small one away?"

"I shall ask about. But enchanted or not, your little brother will get a better gift this year, labeled from Santa. What is he hoping for?"

Here Art looks somewhat uncertain. "He is... four years of age? Nearly five? I do not know what he would wish for. A toy, to be certain..."

She ponders "that young? Maybe Mariggold will have an idea what is suited for that age. But he will get a gift from santa. Now, you have your two hundred ... remember, do not tell others you got it from me. The rest? work in progress"

He stands, and bows again. "Thank you, Baroness. I will not say anything." Indeed, even if he's wanted to, she can tell his pride would discourage that he had to ask for help. "I will repay you by Yule, else with interest. There must be some place seeking extra hands." He looks down at his hands - Art's hands - soft, unskilled, weak... and makes a fist around the cash.

"I will find something I can do."

"Stop" she holds up a hand "You clearly didn't listen to me entirely We will work on findinng you a better job. We have connections"

"Would it not be more meaningful if I find success with my own seeking?" He asks?

"Your success will lead to your advancement. This will allow you to more efficiently help in the successes of others in the hold as you pass it on. "

"As you wish." He says, unwilling to argue with her, and seeing some merit in her words. His watch beeps - "Pardon, Baroness. I'll be late if I don't hurry."

"By all means, good speed to you" She waves him off

He heads off to take up the hand-me-down bike and head back towards town, a bit richer.

And Nadeen will go seek out marigold, quietly. Operation 4 year old Christmas is a thing now