#baronyofthesilverwolf

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Wudlig says "Busy!"

Gwen snorts "But you're a DOUGAL. You have to know who did this... spine thing. "

"Look, a lot of us end up having it in our dream dance, or make it ourselves in a burst" Wudlig explains as he works on the display

"But Lord Hume knows and he won't tell me without payment" Grinding teeth "I have to quest to find out?"

"Repay all debts, sometimes you pay up front" Wudlig answers "Sides, you told me he didn't 'know' exactly where, just had a way to get word"

"Well, you're a DOUGAL... right?"

"Everyone forgets the Bannerhouse" A sigh "But yes. Look, I like marigold, as pishers go she's tops. And yeah, I am ultimately sworn to House Dougal," The Journey man works on handing her "Hit that nail"

SHe hits it. IT goes in DEEP

"BUT, " he says "I don't know how to find every house member of where they all are.. Now you want to tear your mom's leg off hip and all? I might know a guy. You want a device that corrects her pain with finsee work? Not my department"

"ARGH!" Gwen throws the hammer down and stomps off.

The hammer is now embedded in the ground. Quite a trick given the season

Wudlig curses under his breath as he works to find a way to pull it out "If he be #$#$#ing worthy indeed"

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The call comes in from the local high school

RRINNG

Marigold tootles over to the phone. "Lowell Residence?"

"Hello, I'm the Vice Principal at the Carthage High school? Am I speaking to the Guardian of one Ernest Wiffle?"

I'ts not about Gwen, that's a relief

"Ernest... Ernie! Yes, how may I help you?"

((Carthage High School, easily enough))

"It seems what came across as a theft from a teacher has gotten... complicated. Ernest has been a mostly decent student in his time here. Good grades, no complaints, but then, today he was caught with a teacher's knick kanck in his backpack. AND.. when we reviewed his file... we found he didn't exist? That is, he never officially made a transfer, and we have no records of where he transfered from or the like"

"I see. So you are telling me that you have lost my nephews records?" Her voice suddenly sharp. "His transcripts, his GPA?"

"AH, we..." Suddenly things are reversed "Lost? No I.. I mean, your nephew .. heh heh... it's almost like he.. stole an education.. which of course I mean in good humor... but about the theft.." Yes, the theft, that she can't flip on him

He hopes

"Did anyone see Ernie take this supposed knicknack? Maybe it was lost, or dropped, and he picked it up. Or another student may have put it there. Why, not only did you lose his records, but now he is being BULLIED and you're turning this around to be HIS fault? Do you know much much of your annual budget is supported by the Lowell foundation?"

"The Lowels are a joy to the community," A sputtering as she goes for the throat.. or wallet "Why the Lowell funding for Students and Shelters is a real hit. AHem.. it's just you see, we NEED the files and... we'll send some forms home with him shall we? As for the knick knack.. no harm done I suppose "

"That's what I thought. I'm disappointed to hear that your paperwork is in such disarray that a student could be so easily overlooked. However, I trust that once the forms are resubmitted, there will be no further issue."

"We will zip them right on through" A pause "Ah, your nephew is currently in my office. Did you want to have someone pick him or or perhaps..."

A cough "We'll just release him for his last two classes if that's okay with you?"

"Oh, if that's alright with you." She says, sweetly.

"Yes ma'am. You.. you have a nice day he'll be home with those papers in just an hour or two. Have a nice"

Click

"HMMMPH!" Marigold hangs up the phone with perhaps a little more force than is necessary, and sets to the scrubbing she was working on with a little extra vigor. "Trying to tell me that our lad is in trouble, why, I've half a mind to walk right in there...." mutter mutter

Time passes, and kids get to their homes.

Gwen walks in "Hey mom" A peck on the cheek "need help with anything? Otherwise I'm gonna check on the dogs. Oh, how's the hip today?"

The kitchen is SPARKLING. Then again, it always is... but she's also gotten a head start on hanging up fall decorations! Out have come the orange and brown and yellow tones to decorate her kitchen.

"I'm doing very well, thank you. Miss Sylvi's cure-all has set everything aright. Have you seen Ernie?"

"Yeah, he got off the bus. Seems a bit skittish today."

With that assurance, Marigold's daughter puts school supplies away and heads towards the kennels

And Ernie? he .. uhm peeeks in a bout five minutes later looking skittish indeed

What's this? A rogue bowl in the mix... irregular, of course, and glazed in browns and oranges.

"That's pretty" he admits

It resembles a fallen leaf, with just a hint of the original green at it's heart.

And he resists the urge to borrow it. Life is hard

"Oh, my. Where did that come from?" Marigold admires the dish. "I feel like I'm doing a disservice by not having butterscotches in that already."

Turning the bowl over reveals a thistle stamped on the bottom!

"Wow, Thistle is out of her creatie shell huh?"