#baronyofthesilverwolf

So it is, that, discretely, a large crate is left at Chatterbox. It could be any delivery, and has no real markers.

If a certain redcap sniffs, he might realize there is a scent of cheeses

quality stuff

and in pretty good quantity too. ANd yes, variety, including some Iowa Pride there

It stays on the steps for a good while. Occasionally a glare out the window towards the box,

Finally it's brought inside.

Later, the crate is dumped back on the outskirts of the Baron's land, just a few steps off a trail where it might still be considered 'public land'.

It's tossed haphazardly into a bush, and one of the sides caved in.

BUT.

The cheese was taken.

Rochallor approaches it, pokes it with a stick, and sniffs, then gasps "The moon people have landed"

And later it will be cleared, possibly put to parts for the various nockers to use or burn for fuel

Danica is harder to pin down around the Manor than Linnea. The latter's job, at least as far as mortals know, is a personal security guard, which means her time is spent on and around the Freehold. Being a police sergeant means patrols through the city, and more often, paperwork at the office. Of the two, she is generally the more mortally grounded.

That said, Gwen eventually finds her in the garage, speaking to Wudlig. She rubs her temples. "No... just. Listen. I don't want new highbeams. I don't want a remote starter, or heated seats, or a nitro-whatever engine enhancer - whatever it was you said. I just need the bumper fixed, and without having to requisition that from the cop chop shop. Can you do it, or should I just look for a mechanic outside of town?"

"of course I can do it, but there's some furking opportunities here you're missing! I could wire the bumper to electrocute someone for example, they wont' even see the charge capacitier!"

Wudling is running hands over things like he's been offered a lego set

That little vein in her forehead is threatening to pulse.

"And when one of my rookies leans on the car?"

"Then Natural selection leads to a new breed of cops that are quicker to respond" He answers

The teeth grating is almost audible.

"Journeyman" Gwen says "If you'll just repair the bumper, please? I have a task for you later and I am pulling rank on the thane to give it priority for any 'additions' to the vehicle while I wait for mine"

She is not saying in insultingly, or with lofty air, but she rarely 'pulls rank'

A glance back at Gwen, and an almost invisible exhalation as a little of the tension goes out of her shoulders. Practically a shout of relief in troll.,

"Oh, yeah sure" Wudlig's eyes light up "What's the other project"

"I'll have the details for you when you get done with that. I hoped to talk to the thane too" A look to Danica "if you have the time now that he's working on the bumper?"

Wudlig gets to work on the bumper, and the Thane notices, no strange chemicals or really odd tools appear to be involved

A wary glance, she takes a few steps away where they can talk in relative privacy, but she can still keep a side-eye on her car.

"Dame Gladiola." Acknowledgement, and a question unspoken.

"Thane" A nod then quietly "I couldn't help but notice your report to the Baron was brief. Mine was, perhaps too much? You have more experience in serving the Baron than I. If it's not intrusive, I would like your pointers on how to improve my reports to him. And... there are other matters I might want to discuss but that first, if it's no trouble? Did I report poorly?"

She doesn't seem insulted, or even stressed. In fact, she seems in a surprisingly good mood, albeit under troll stoic facade

She considers this for a time.

"Dragons are proud, and stubborn. If given offense, or seemingly wronged, they will not back down, or if it seems they have been wronged, they will suffer until the mood passes. When an Ailil is unhappy, all around them will be as well."

She pauses, and continues. "To provide detail is to give inroads for offense to be taken, personally. The more information provided, the more needs to be considered, dissected, and responded to, when the situation was resolved, and did not need further action."

"Consider if we had been tipped off about mob activity by a citizen who had run afoul of them through ill-advised business. It is good that we found out about the big-time criminals. It allows us a way to hit them where it hurts. But if the report sent up at the end of the day brings up that Joe Schmuck originally knew about the Kingpin because of an illegal loan? Then they're going to have to throw the book at Joe. Joe suffers for coming clean, and an informant is lost."

She clears her throat. "It is not a direct analogy. But it is similar enough to make a point. Sometimes less is more. We have the trust of our Liege to deal with what needs to be done, and the understanding that if it is a matter of such import that it REQUIRES higher-level intervention, it will be reported."

"Had you left Briar out of the report, it may have done much to endear her to you. But now, I fear she will see you as a rat, a snitch. The fact that it was for duty and not out of pettiness or maliciousness is a moot point. Now that it has come to the Lord's attention, he needs must follow through with punishment, else he appear weak.

I do not, for a moment, think it escaped his attention that Briar was involved. Yet, he did not ask that question. What is left UNSAID is oft louder that words spoken. In providing full detail, you robbed him of plausible deniability, and as such, forced his hand."

She goes silent, after what, for her, is a long speech.

She ponders what might have happened if she betrayed Al's request for secrecy, that DOES kind of fit, not that Al requested so much as growled. then she winces "Plausible Deniablity, of course. Ailil are political as well as proud"

A nod. "I trust in the lord's intelligence, that if he believed that important intel was being withheld, he would ask for clarification. And in turn, he trusts me - he trusts us, that we have reported that which is of vital importance to be known. There is give and take, and mutual trust, in vassalage."

She sees that "I think the Baroness is more hands on. And may not fully .. i mean, she trusts us not to betray her? But she may not trust us to have it covered wihtout more oversight"

"She is not the Baron." A small shrug. "But I do believe that my years of experience here speak to my understanding of the Lord's ways and preferences. Lady Nadeen may choose her own method of ruling, but keep in mind, what is not spoken need not be regretted. Words can always be added, they cannot be unsaid."

"what if I'm accursed of a cover up? Or with holidng information deliberately?"

"If you have not falsified information, then the onus is on the accusers to have asked the right questions."

A nod And she she hopes ommion doesn't count "Thank you. " Then she says "Is it weird I feel a weight off seeing how well the fledges handled their parts?"

A smile breaks through the stern crags of Danica's expression, and she reaches over to clap a hand on her shoulder. "No more so than we all felt at your successes, when you were a fledge yourself. It is a good feeling. Your charges have done well, and by association, you have done well."

"It helps to know that when they leave the nest, they will not falter or fall."

"It does" a smile in return at the shoulder clap "I feel like I've bought them time to become as amazing as I always knew they could be. Its.. yes, it reflects on me like ... like enjoying moonlight"

"I think... sometime this summer, before next school year, I'm going to see if I can get a week off. Away from here. Maybe visit some troll lodges. Center myself, reclaim some confidence but also learn to let go easier than I have been."

Danica nods. "Good. There is always something new that can be learned."

"Well, that's most of it. I don't think we're fully out of the woods yet with Briar. I need to talk to her and see how she views her relationship with me now. Not as badly as she could I Hope"

She looks out a window, and then offers, "If I not always been the most forthcoming... know that despite any flaws I might have as potential role models, you have made me - and Silverwolf - proud."

"You and your sister were the first to teach me what was good in trolldom" SHe says "Rivervale has its legends, but you two were my standard, and it is a high one. " She assures truly touched

"As for Briar - I might advise space. She is angry, and... on the verge of adolescing. Not that teenagers hold a moratorium on emotion. Crowding her now might give her the chance to voice when upset, regrettable words that would not be easily withdrawn."

"Oh" She lowers her head "I DO need to talk to her, but...mmm. Perhaps a few days. This should not be about MY wants or needs. I must learn to give room, as yyou and Lin gave me some room" Of course, Briar's problem is really serious... but hey

"Where some may take respite in kind words and reassurances, I have known Briar for a long time. She is not that type. Trying to draw her close may drive her further away. Comforting words may grate where others would find them a solace. Trust that she knows you are here for her."

She considers this Then nods "You may have just saved me from a mistake. Thanks, Danica. Oh, don't worry about the bumper. When he gets it done I'll tell him I changed my mind but you should have JUST The bumper repaired"

A small flash of teeth. "Appreciated."