#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Ernie? Ah, there you are. Please come in. I suppose you know that your school called today?"

She sets a pot on the stove and starts it heating.

"I do.. um I'm really sorry Marigold" he comes in fully "I slipped? I mean, I was going to return it... " An apology

"Why didn't you tell me that you needed help with your enrollment?" She asks, as she adds butter, sugar, and vanilla to the pot. "Be a dear and get me a can of evaporated milk, and the corn syrup?"

He does that promptly "I don't know it's just... I really grew to like this place right? And then things got hard, everyone was sick and I got wigged out.. and I readied to run, because I'm not really one for sticking out a bad situation. We piskies are semi nomadic... only I didn't wnat to leave, and it got weird. " A shrug "I don't know... " a breath "WHen I first snuck into school it was just an extension of the kind of thing I do. Felt like maybe I could make some friends and if I didsn't like it? I'd not be tied down. So why enroll officially ? A little fuddle, a little fib, and next thing I knew, I 'stole' a seat in every class"

She sets down her spoon. "Oh, sweet lamb. I didn't know you were feeling that way. Do you truly wish to leave? If so, it wouldn't be right at all for us to make you stay..."

The buttery sugar mixture threatens to scorch.

"No, no" He says surprised "That's what's so weird" He assures "I don't want to. Normally I go some place, move on. I mean, I'm no Eshu right? but normally at best I'm semi nomadic. I actually, like it here. I mean you've forgotten more about cooking than I'll ever know and you share it with me. And my jobs here are pretty light right? Upstairs and down, even their lordships are okay. I mean, I won't lie, when Baron Aiden made me 'Assistant Steward' it felt great. "

He moves to tend to the mixture

He does as she taught him to do, and continues as they talk "I guess I'm saying that once I realized this was the place for me, I was already situatied in school. It didn't even occur to me to get the paperwork done. Then I got caught and..whoops. Thanks for covering for me"

She joins him and adds in the corn syrup, then slowly drizzles in the evaporated milk a little at a time as he stirs.

"It can be hard to change your ways, even for the better." She admits. "Me? I haven't wanted to admit that I'm slowing down. It happens to the best of us, and all of us, but I thought if I just put in extra effort, I could avoid dealing with it. Well, I found out, I can't do everything on my own. It may have taken a good kick on the rump from a flu, but I see it now. And you, Ernie? You've reminded me how lovely it can be to have someone not only helping out, but eager and interested in what I do, not just as helping with the work or chores. "

Marigold smiles at him. "Just trying to say in a roundabout way, I had already felt like you belonged here. I'm glad you feel the same way too."

The boy blushes furiously, "Thanks I.. thanks." A look at her then "You're my boss, but you do know that a hip replacement and you wouldn't need me so much, right?"

A scoff. "I wouldn't be caught dead beneath one of those mortal butchers. Hip replacement, my eye."

A sigh "it's your body, but the bosses here are rich enough to make it so you get the surgery on your terms, and they'd do it."

"It is my body, and my terms. Oh, you're as bad as Gwennie. Stir that caramel now, don't let it seize up."

"Yes' ma'am" he stirs "Speaking of Gwen, it would make her super happy, but hey that's just me saying the obvious"

Her face sets in a stern look. "Conversation over, Ernie. Fetch a tray, we should have time to cool these before supper."

Soon the liquid sugar napalm is spread out into a pan, and cooling. Once it sets, she shows him how to cut and wrap them in bits of wax paper, and the pretty autumn bowl is set out with homemade caramels, in a spot where Thistle is sure to notice.

"Yes Ma'am" And he doesn't bring it up again. He works as she says then says "Thistle really knocked that one out of the park, didn't she?"

"I love all of the things she created... well, I'm less fond of that grubby little gnome she keeps in the garden, but he HAS helped keep the squirrels out of my tomatoes... but yes, this piece is... extraordinary. She really has come into her own since Saining."

"Yeah" A sigh "She's got a thing for Artie, doesn't she?"

She smiles in satisfaction. " A bit, yes. I think he may have finally realized it himself, the sweet summer child."

"Ah well" He ssighs then straightens up "I mean, good for them"

"There are more fish in the sea, and you are young yet. And who knows, they may not be meant to be. They are all so young. Oh, you all are." She giggles, amused.

A snort "Nah, there's one thing I don't do, is vulture a girl. It's just.. you know wrong. But there are other girls. Heck, that's one reason I GO to school. " A grin "I am not above helping out Gwen's Lacrosse team just to make myself seen by her team mates."

A laugh. "Towel boy, is it? Well, feel free to avail yourself of the kitchen. There's one thing I can guarantee, is those girls are atheletes, and they can EAT. A treat to replenish energy after a training session would be sure to win you a few points."

"Thanks, Marigold. You're the best" A smile

And dinner is soon ready to go

End scene unless otherwise said