#baronyofthesilverwolf

Meanwhile...

The Baroness Nadeen knocks gently as she enters Thistle's work area

"In!"

The nocker is filthy - clay in her hair, on her apron, streaked up to her elbows.

Nadeen pretends not to noticed the splattering on their nocker ward. "How goes? And how did the farmhold visit go?"

"I mean, it was a farm?" She shrugs. "BUT they had this really cool clay - do the thing, it's got magic in it." She picks up a currently-blue lump of the stuff for Nadeen's inspection.

Nadeen looks at it, at first not too impressed but then "It has a kind of ... pattern to the shading. You think it has potential?" Treating the Nocker as an expert

She squints, frowning. Less certain in her tone. "I thought I sensed magic in it. The glamour stuff. And that... I dunno... that it could do something, maybe."

"You thought correctly" Nadeen assures, "Your kenning skills have sharpened over the last few months. Yes, it has some glamour. Mmm yes" Another look at the clay "I am glad you're investigating it. " She hopes she isn't discouraging the girl, that's the opposite of what she wants to do.

A shrug, and she scratches at the back of her neck.

"Was I being too loud?"

"Thistle," She says gently "You've done nothing wrong. You weren't too loud. I seem to make you worry something has gone wrong; which is not my intent. I'm trying to compliment your hard work and growing skills, including your kenning. Apparently I'm not good at it" She says with gentle humor "I confess, I am far more familiar with the ways of trolls than nockers, but that's my ignorance not your failing and ignorance can be cured. How can I make you more comfortable around me?"

She blinks. "Uh."

"Or have I just made it weirder by asking that?" The Varich inquires

She taps her nose and points at Nadeen.

"I mean, you and the Baron are... " she gestures vaguely. "Impressive. Art is, too. It's... you know?"

"I do," Nadeen says "Though I don't think I ever really awed the folks at Rivervale enough that they'd let me know i Had. Beauty like ours is a powerful thing, it's beyond merely looking good. It's like turning a corner and being caught off guard by a sunrise. Only with us, it's as if it surprises a part of you each and every time"

Thistle nods!!

"Trolls are just good at being rocks. Gwen quite literally."

"She is rather on the nose as a metaphor, but she serves admirably," The noblewoman says "However, part of the sidhe dream involves ruling. It's.. IN us, like Guardianship is in trolls and there is some overlap. In my case, my idea of rulership includes that you are provided for, sheltered, and given a chance for happiness doing what you love among other things. If my presence is so alarming or nerve wracking that it interferes with my ability to lead, I have a problem. Hence my wish to make you more comfortable around me. At least when it's not formal court" A smile

"The studio's really not dreck..." She shuffles her boot against the floor.

She looks about then nods "Good. You've done some personal touches to improve it. " A glance near the kiln "The piping adjustments look rather ornate"

"Oh! They allow more variable temperature regulation. The (&^%(* na'ars that made it, they just did the basics, but look... by adjusting this, I can also change the oxygenation, which, clearly, is gonna affect the glaze fires, while if I adjust this for greenware..." Oh dear, Nadeen pushed a button. Thistle is pointing out a lot of pipes and knobs and explaining them at a rapid pace.

The Nevers chime in helpfully, as if they, too, are explaining features as they echo the nocker's enthusiasm.

Of all the Sidhe houses, only a Dougal would likely grasp all this... but it must be said, to a Varich's credit, that pattern sense and the flow of it IS useful in appreciating what Thistle talks about even if there isn't full comprehension "I see" she says, and she does just.. not completely "So it's about airflow?"

"Exactly! Pottery is like... like alchemy. Everything has to come together just right..."

"AHh" realization "Like how dancers in a ballet may have a main dancer, but coordinating with the other dancers is still crucial ... you have made yourself a conductor to an orchestra of creation"

A squint as she considers, then a nod. "Yeah, mostly."

"And, like, since alchemy is real, I mean, not just alchemy like the precursor to chemistry, but philospher's stones and (*^$%, with us..."

"Oh yes," A smile at that "Quite real and wondrous"

"Just need to figure out how it works."

"mmm yes, I think we may have to thank the DeBukes for that clay if engaged you so," She approves "And credit to you for the improvements you just explained" She says of the Kiln's piping

"I mean, the DeBukes seem fine. Glad I wound up here, though. Imagine being a nocker stuck on a farm?" A scornful snort.

"They had one, I hear, at least I think she's helping another hold now. But you're right ,she probably felt restrained. Which is why I want to make sure you don't feel your own creative efforts are too confined..." A never starts to set on her shoulder, she gives it a look, lifting a brow, and it sheepishly dusts off the shoulder (not that there was lint) and goes to sit on a shelf instead

"The studio's really... like... it's.."

"I couldn't do any of this at my house."

"That very reason is why creators, inventors and artisians through out history have allowed Noble Patrons to subsidize and employ them. Of course, it gave nobles bragging rights and allowed them first look at such things so nobles certainly weren't taken advantage of. Meanwhile the artistians and creators could work their wonders without being burned as a witch by those who didn't understand. It's a mutually beneficial relationship"

A soft, amused snort.

"And so Lorzenzo D'Medici got himself a helicopter."

"I bet Leo was totally a nocker."

"I wouldn't bet against you" She ponders "That's a book I should get. Something on Nocker history written by nockers who study famous inventors and artisians of the past... might confirm that for you"

"Nocker history? Yeah! Set Art looking, he'd find it."

"That's not a bad plan, though he might just come back with a rare book on how to open a star gate instead"

A sharp grin. "For sure."

"But more.. in addition. Art'd find it." Confident.

"mmm " She ponders this and looks at Thistle "All right. I'll give him a chance and ask him to hunt for a book on Nocker history. It's a task he'd enjoy and we could use. Your confidence in him has sold me on the notion"

"Books are his thing."

"Yes, it's fitting he was in a library at the start of his new life here" She agrees. Then whispers "Between you and me, I am amused that that's one area where sidhe snobishness comes out in him. He likes high quality books"

She scrapes at some dried clay with her nails. "Of course, yeah. Suits him."

"Well, such passion should be encouraged. Thank you, Thistle"