#baronyofthesilverwolf

The night of a dog show, and Gwen has tried to get Briar to watch

A disgusted grimace. "Who gives a shit about those primpy poodles? Never worked a day in their life - never got down in the mud and sank their teeth into a bone, I bet they all eat fancy poot-TAY off a crystal goblet! Gimme a REAL dog with a set of jaws and a killer sniffer ANYday."

"Some of them work as well as show, but more importantly they have some breeds we might want to eventually bring in to Silverwolf and this is a way to make a list"

"You were handling the dogs before I was, and you still do great" She points out "Not like you don't know your shit, right?"

"Yeah, I can scoop shit and run laps and chop meat." She shrugs. "Ain't no good at pimpin' em like you. Send me to a hold and ask for onna their dogs? They'll think I didn't get dinner."

"You're a knight, and boss is a baron, 'COURSE you want pure bred mucketymucks. Me, I'd be happy with any old mutt that could show it had the stuff."

"Most breeds start as mutts" But she notices the way that's worded "And either Thane, while 'common' could kick my ass still. I wouldn't knife fight with you on my best day. "

"Ah, whatever. Can I go now?"

She is torn. She wants to help but she's not sure what to help with. "I'm your friend, not your boss. I just thought you might like it." Then a beat " I guess I've missed you. Lately you seem kind of withdrawn"

Muppet is under the coffee table, contentedly chewing on a rainbow-colored toy that Thistle totally didn't get...

"I'm a redcap. What, you want friends? Go bug a pooka." She shoves her hands in her pockets, and paces a bit.

"What kind of kithist crap is that? " SHe asks "I'm also a Native American, doesn't mean I'm gonna snub every white chick I see. I get we may not always get you, but we're still part of the same hold. We still fought and bleed together against all comers. Folks fuck with us, they find out. "

"You don't get it." A huff. "Redcaps belong in corbies with other redcaps. Not sittin' pretty with tea and cakes and watching prancy snobs!" She gnashes her teeth. "We're not friendly. I'm a MONSTER and you should RESPECT THAT!" She kicks the leg of the table nearest her, and the teacups - because yes, Marigold DID bring tea and cakes... rattle.

Muppet yelps, and scuttles off.

She doesn't flinch at the table getting kicked, but does shoot Muppet a concerned look, before turning back, "I do respect it. I've hunted with you, by yourside, and you know I'm no genteel cream puff either. Hell, the Baroness has class coming out of her ass and she shredded one of those damn thallian with his own weather spell. The Baron is posh, but you know how dangerous he gets. But you're a cap, and you're right, you're a monster, but that doesn't make you any less one of us. And you should know that one day, SOME 'Fellow redcap' is going to try to play you for a chump because he doesn't buy into this 'all caps are one' stuff but he or she might think you might. They're not all honest like the guy who punched the shit out of me for five minutes. Every kith has it's manipulators and assholes. Even trolls, even redcaps.. And if someone is telling you 'you need to stick to your own kind' that's code for a user. It's how cults make other folks their puppets"

"You don't know me, and you don't redcaps!" Briar looks, rather than impressed by Gwen's stalwartness, annoyed! "And you TALK TOO MUCH!" She turns and stomps towards the door.

"Maybe I do.. talk too much" She admits "But I can listen, if you'd let me. Your call"

A snort, and she's out the door, and off into the night. A high-pitched whistle and answering "woo-wooooo-woooo" indicates that she might be taking Glass with her.

Gladiola sits there for a long time. Dogs win and lose on the TV set... and the screen flickers, but she's not really able to watch

She feels helpless. And she hates that.

"And best in show goes to.... TRUMPET!" Cheering comes from the set, as a floopy eared dog licks his handler's face as she is awarded a cup.

"She would have loved that a blood hound won" Gwen says vaguely.

"Darling, how's your show?" Marigold is at the doorway, with a fresh plate of sandwiches. "I brought more snacks. Did that little sweet fluffy white pup place?" Marigold is not much of one for pets, but the toy dogs are cute enough for her to admire.

"The maltese won toy, the Sayomed won working... "

"I wonder if they are actually from Malta." Marigold ponders.

"I don't remember.." She did but now it doesn't matter "They're very old though. " a breath "Mom. Can I... nevermind"

Marigold takes a seat near Gwen and sets down the tray. "What am I neverminding?"

"It was stupid and immature" She admits "I'm a grown wilder. "

"Stupid and immature aren't things I associate with my daughter."

"Can I sleep near your bed tonight? Not.. in it. I'm good with a bag or on a chair, I take too much room on your bed, but can I sleep near you? just for tonight? " Her voice chokes a bit

"Oh, bless. Come here, come here." Before she knows it, Gwen is being held. She's bigger than Marigold by quite a lot, and yet somehow the motherly boggan makes her feel cradled in her arms.

Gwen holds on, not too tight, she doesnt' want to hurt anyone, but firmly. And with gratitude and need. SHe has dogs by the score, but she feels very very lonely now

"Is everything going alright with Chuck?"

"Chuck's gonna be great. He's goingg to Bayler University in Texas. I'm really proud. He'll take a class this summer, and then he'll be gone" She says "And Thistle and Art are great... though I do cramp their style. And Briar.. Briar's not great. But she doesn't want me butting in. Wudlig is usually busy. Willy hates everyone so that's at least even. And ...I have my dogs and my duties. And you, and that.. you help."

"Mmm. So things aren't going so well for Gladiola, bless. Well, life is never promised to be easy. Tell me about Gwen, though." She strokes the girl's hair, gently drawing out conversation about her friends.

How things are going in Lacrosse, turns out that Kristen makes a rather decent team player once you learn how to handle her. "You can't always help everyone, but sometimes you'll find that you can make a difference where least expected."

Pam has become a good friend... "Yes, it's important to have girlfriends too, someone to talk about boys and class and makeup with."

"Oh, sounds like you might have some good dreamers there! Of course, you'll have to share them with Thistle, but it sounds like a good opportunity to work on musing." Speaking of the art class crew - Ted and Randy, Karen and yes, even Flynn, maybe.

"Lacross will be ending soon, but yeah.... Pam's alright. She puts up with me. Terrible taste in guys" She half jokes "But I don't see them except at school"

"I suppose I should make more time for them. I just.. I like it here. And I like the people here. And it's my home"

"Sorry, Mom. I'm a big weenie I guess. You shouldn't have to do this" But she hugs anyway

"Pish and TOSH." Practically a swear! "Shouldn't have to... none of that. I'm your mother, this is my job. Dear, you can like it here, and this is your home, but they're part of your home too. You're not just a troll Knight with responsibilities, many of which are going to be tough and unrewarding... you're also a teenager, a sportswoman, a girlfriend and a friend. Don't rob Peter to pay Paul, let Gwen have her time to shine too."

She wipes at her eyes , they best not dare betray her "I guess I don't think of myself as Not Gwen os much as Gwen the troll who learned she was Gladiola., I guess I shouldn't neglect my mortal side but .. honestly besides Chuck and the Lacrosse it's not very intersting to me. I guess I focus too much on animals and the Dreaming?"

"Not too much... well. You must not neglect your mortal side, you hit the nail on the head. That way lies Bedlam, and madness, and heartache. Maybe you should take a break, focus on you." A kiss on her forehead. "The Baron and Baroness will be taking the fledges on a trip to visit the city, which will do them all good. Let the wee ones stretch their wings, so to speak, and those two don't get out enough together... " She pauses before she can get TOO far into gossip on a tangent. "Take that time to focus on your friends."

"I'm still not sure how much I have friends period. I think in fairness, Pam has been a better friend to me than I have to her" An admission "Which isn't nice of me. Yeah. I hope they have a blast in New York City but I'm good here. Still worry about Briar.. but I know someone else who might help maybe." A consideration "And she might need her own space. I've wreckeed things by being too close before. "

"Sometimes, part of helping someone grow is letting them make their own mistakes. That doesn't mean you aren't there to help, but if you guard the edge of the nest too closely, they'll never learn to fly. Then again, sometimes you might have to be there to pick them up, too." A fond smile.

"It's hard" She leans against her mom

"Have you ever thought of visiting another hold for a time? Not that I want to send you away, far from it... but taking some time to learn about others can be a good way to learn more about yourself, too. I mean, look at me, I ran off to France, and probably was responsible for nearly all the gray hairs on MY mother's head."

"Mom, you'll need me. And the dogs need me"

"We love you, and you could never be replaced. But we're capable of handling things for a time if needed. YOU need a chance to grow, as well. Just some food for thought." Another hug. "Now, how about I make some cocoa and we can set by the fire for a bit, and you can tell me all about the homes you helped find for those pups?"

"I would like that" she smiles just a bit

And soon, she'll be regaling her mom with tales of each pup, and their destination, and how they're doing. And how proud she is to be a part of helping them find homes

(Fade to Family?)