#baronyofthesilverwolf

Gwen says "Kourtney, when is the Chief coming for her pick?"

"Pardon?" Kourtney looks up

"For the Fae Mountain Dog breed?" Gwen says "they're old enough now." And, a part of her fears she'll fall in love with one of them so best to get a few tempations good homes

"Oh" Kourtney wasn't expecting the question "Ain't sure. Sorry, that's between Chief Clem and Brekke"

"Oh" gwen says and looks to the window speculatively

Kourtney whispers to Marigold "Heard your daughter loved Dogs A LOT, I see what they mean"

Thistle's spirals shift blue. "Are... the Glennies going soon?"

"Some of them" Gwen looks over sympathetically "But we're keeping at least one. "

"Glennies? is that what they're called? they'rre cute!" Kourtney says as she works

"Just one? Don't you need at least two?" Hopefully.

"Well, the baron decides" Gladiola answers, and reminds herself "he's been most generous, he ggave me Ivan, you know?" A fond look "But we might luck out and give one to someonne local, in the same barony or close anyway so they could have both in our life but that's a long shot"

A soft huff.

"I would think you'd need a few to keep breeding them, is all."

"Well, of course" She says "Part of tthe deal is you don't fix tthem, then we can collectively expand the breed. they're nearly extinct, even the non fae hound version"

"Yeah, yeah."

"But you bring up a ggood point, I'll mention it o the baron" Gwen ponders

"They good ratters?" Kourtney says "Might be our Chief would want one"

"As I understand? But they're smart. And they don't mess with the Nevers."

"Hell, that's even better, Selective vermin chasingg..." Kourtney claims

"Even a non fae hound Glennnie costs somewhere between $1,500 - $2,200 " Gwen says "they're that rare"

Kourtney chokes "2000 dollars, forr a DOG?"

A quiet wince.

"For a dog who has cultivated health , intelligence, and marks of the breed. " Gladiola says as matter of fact "Any mutt can be , and often is, a great dog, but breeding is part art, part science, and reflects history. A lot of love and care from generations of Dreamers went ito some breeds. It's like ..perserving a lost language sometime. Would it really matter if Irish Gaelic were lost forever when Engglish would do? Ask the Irish, to them? It means something. It's...precious"

"I.. guess" the Hearth in training says, but says "Sttill, 2000 for a dog"

"Sometimes we deal in matterrs beyond money, favors, or as a reward for good service, or even friedship; the most important thhing is tthe Dog gets a good home. No amount of money is worth sending a Silverwolf dog to an abusive home. "Gwen is FIRM on that

kourtney nods , and returns to her cooking

Mutter-grumble-shrug.

And a furry head pushes up against Thistle's hand, Muppet wags

Spirals shift from blue to a rosy-orange. "Hey, idjit." Ear-rumple.

Wag wag press head into hand . Ah, bliss

Of all the Glennies, only Muppet seems more interested in a person than the meaty smells. Guess he really is a idjit

Ear rumple AND scritches.

One pink never finds this interesting, and scratches behind the ear of a blue one

"Alright all of you, now shoo, go help set the table." Marigold ushers everyone out of the kitchen, except Kourtney.

Gwen looks ready to protest but mmms and goes

Kourtney watches them go then says "they all seem nice"

"Oh, they are. They're all my babies, you know, even the Baron and Baroness. I have an large and lively family, even if Gwen is the only one I've adopted in name."

Kourtney smiles "Ain't so different ."

"Well, let's get these folk served, before Briar eats any of the table settings." A smile, and she starts carrying out dishes to load up the banquet table.

And Kourtney follows, dishes in hand, obviously mixed up so no taste test can be biased

The table is filled with a colorful cast of characters! Satyrs and pooka, a redcap childling, two tall troll thanes that look as alike as two sides of a coin flanking either end of the table, the fledges chattering together with Gwen, and of course the Sidhe Baron and Baroness at the head of the table.

Kourtney curtsies a bit to all, not a courtly way, but more old school country "howdy do all. hope you like"

There's even a few dogs, though they sit politely to the side (for Ivan) or lie quietly under the table (the glennies) and the Baron and Marigold both seem inclined to ignore them. 🙂

"I am looking forward to it, Kourtney" Nadeen inclines her head, then looks to Marigold "Can't fault her for a lack of courage"

"Quit the theatrics and get to the grub!" Briar demands!

Plates are dished out, filled, and soon several moments of companionable silence... at least, no talking, as utensils clink and scrape and mouths are filled.

Art nearly drops his fork. "This is amazing." He takes bites out of both bowls, sighing in satisfaction for each.

Kourtney keeps a somber expression so not to betray which ones are hers

The baron takes a bit of the more rustic looking dish, stirs it a bit, and takes another, leaning in to murmur something to his Baroness.

Nadeen listens