#baronyofthesilverwolf

"What kind of stuff makes it go 'Ding'?" Linnea asks. She is stooping over a cupboard, while a kitten winds and winds around her ankles, purring in a demanding tone for the kibbles that will soon be forthcoming.

"Uh... spriggans, I think? Like the dognapper?"

"The Nevers don't like the smell of it, around the den, so they're clearly detectable..."

Her cheerful expression turns into a bit of a scowl, and she scoops the kitten protectively into her arm. "MEH" Pearl protests. The kibbles are down THERE.

"Hey, was the mug okay?" Quasi-hopeful.

The stormclouds part! "You know, it's one of those things. I never really had a problem with the mugs here, but now that I've used that one, I really notice how much easier it is to wrap my hands around without worrying it will shatter. And I can actually use the handle."

"I like being able to fit both hands around." She nods. "Especially when it's cold out."

"It was well sized. Not too large, either. Some well-meaning seem to think all Giants need a soup tureen to drink from. Did you use a glove as a guide?"

She nods. "There were some in the stable. Not sur eif it was yours or Danica's, to be honest, but it seemed a good guess for either of you."

A small frown. "Yes, both would match." MEHHH!

"Sorry, small one." She sets the kitten down and he starts hoovering up kibbles.

"Has she, by chance, reported in yet this morning?"

She shakes her head. "Haven't seen her."

She hesitates. "Siblings can be tough, sometimes." Sympathy.

"You have a brother." She nods. "Frank, called Frankie, aged seven, residing in Watertown. Parents, Greg and Janice Smyth. Attends Watertown Elementary, Second grade, teacher, Mrs. Hoover. Normally takes the bus, currently on hiatus as the school system considers remote learning for the first semester."

"Furk, you know all that?"

A smile. "I'm a Thane. It is our job to guard those within the Barony. After the spriggan siting, and until he is captured - and he WILL be captured, mind you - the Baron extended our patrols to watch over the young relations." She reaches into a cabinet, and produces, THE MUG.

A fancy coffee urn, one of Marigold's gifts to Gwen, now has a spot on a countertop, and Linnea fills her mug.

"Danica and I also have eyes on Arthur's place, though with him in residence, it is less of a concern than your sibling. The Baroness also has taken an interest in young Gawain."

"Yeah, Wain's a good kid." Her eyebrows twist up. "Hey, you ever see regular people, like... respond.. to chimera?"

"Not see them, really..."

Linnea adds a touch of sugar, no cream, to her coffee. "Sometimes, yes. Children, often will see them. Imaginary friends are common.. and tragic, when their dreamers outgrow them. Puff, the magic dragon." She shakes her head slightly.

"Oh, no... Janice is a grown up.."

A slow blink. "Is she an artist, a dreamer? Strong dreamers may attract their attention as well. Chimera need glamour to survive, and often will draw strength from dreamers. Normally innocently, ambiently. Sometimes, less so."

Artist? Janice is a secretary. What hobbies DOES Janice have? Has Thistle ever paid attention? Or asked?

"Maybe. She likes to cook. She... she feels a little bit like the Baroness' maid? Like.. not sparkly, but..." Frustrated as she tries to describe the feeling.

Linnea sips her coffee. A frown - thoughtful, not angry. "Has she ever been enchanted?"

"That's.. the thing where you make them see, right? I;m not allowed to do that, I thought."

"Not allowed, true. That has seldom stopped youth from experimenting." A hint of a smile. "She may be kinain, there are those whose blood runs weak. Or simply a strong dreamer. It may be that in earlier times, she was mused by another Kithain and the effect lingers."

"...Could it be the baby?"

A surprised look. "Baby? She is with child?" Linnea sets her coffee down mid-sip. "I... do not know. I have not heard of such. It is possible... though, to manifest strong glamour before even being born? Incredible. Unusual at the least. Unheard of... though I am no expert."

"I don't know how this works. I mean, pretty sure I wouldn't have popped without Art, anyways..."

"It bears watching. I will speak to the Baroness, she may have insight. Thank you for bringing it up."

"Feh. Janice."

That gives Linnea pause. "Has the woman mistreated you? Abused you?"

Scowl. "No."

"She's... fine. She's just..." Harrumph.

Linnea reaches out to rest a reassuring hand on Thistle's shoulder. "I am not judging you. I asked because if she was, we must know so that we could rectify the situation. I am not here to police your feelings, or opinion."

"Janice is fine. She's just.. she's not Mom."

"No, she is not." Linnea nods. "Show me your drawing?" Changing the subject back to the sketchbook in front of Thistle.

She makes a face at it, but offers it over.

The sketches rather resemble an oversized nose attached to some kind of meter. And yes, a thing that goes ding!

"Interesting. Could you create one that delivered alerts to a remote location? Perhaps utilizing radio or cellular frequency?"

"I'm not sure... maybe if I made a sympathetic receiver?"

"It is a good idea. Our patrols are stretched thin - not dangerously, but double shifts. Another level of security would help. If you need supplies, let Julius know."

"So, like, if it sniffs... it can alert here? Makes sense."

"We could install one where the dogs don't have range to protect. Your brother's home. Flo's apartment. Art's home."

"Oh!"

"Okay, so, three detectors and one receiver..."

A grin from Linnea. "I will leave you to work."

"They might not actually work!"

"That's your business." Linnea grins at her again. "You don't tell me how to patrol, I wouldn't dream of telling you how to build."

"I... guess?" She returns the smile, nervously.