#baronyofthesilverwolf

snerk!

"Huh, Fornax seems to like some ghost stories though" Looking at some of the new books, some of which don't look that new, a touch frayed at the cover, though no pages are dog earred

"No telling what phases they go through."

"And if there's any other beta testers, well, that's for quality control and no need to upset anyone..."

"Well, I ... " A suspicious look "OTHER beta testers? Ah.. you getting at something rainbow brite?"

She taps at one of the ghost books, right by a frayed corner.

"Oh no, no no... the Baroness will FREAK if it's one of the wrigglers" He groans "She'll have me skinned for creating a security hole"

"She's a kid, Wudlig."

"She's a wilder now, togailed and everything. "

"Ohhhh, she's 13."

"Unlucky on top of it!" He adds

"Look, I know you and Rocky like her..."

"You wanna tell the Baroness?"

"Yeah, I WANT to, because I'm an idiot"

"Or do you solve it so the spider and the sunbeam ain't ever cross path?"

"How? Ask them to clock in?"

He paces, and there's not much room to pace

"Incentivize the crawler to skeedaddle?"

"I am sure SHE doesn't want to be spotted."

"But... if, say, the baroness were to be rewarded with a greeting when she opened her secret den up above, before she started down the stairs..."

"Mmmph. Could febreeze the room regularly but I edon't need a vengeful wriggler... " At the other idea, "Hey, that's not half bad. Maybe some kind of chimerical music or effect to add panache and make her feel announcded? Sidhe love that shit"

"Exactly!"

"Creepy-crawly should take care of itself."

"mmm maybe chimerical sunbeam and snowflakes with some music along, not too loud. Don't want to blow Lizbet's ear drums out while she tries to hide"

"Right. They got sensitive ears."

"And I think if she cottons on to us knowing she's been here, it might agitate her."

"Better to just... manage the wildlife, so to speak?"

"Yeah, it's like Scotty, who damn it, was a space Nocker if ever there was one, advised about nobles..err captains ' They want everything right now and they want it their way. But the secret is to give them only what they need, not what they want.'"

"Exactly!"

There are boggan trekkies who have claimed Scotty instead, but the Nockers have been willing to throw down at that notion. Gets folks kicked out of conventions

Besides, Geordi is the boggan.

Obviously!

"mm so , she wants this place nice. Learning a sluagh might visit here makes it LESS nice, so... it's almost my job not tobother her with details"

"Right. But... sluagh are avid readers and fond of hidden spaces. So, that's like an expert endorsement."

"mmm more than a few in my bannerhouse, but don't tell the Baroness I mentioned that"

"Nope, no benefit in that."

"Customer doesn't want to know, and the customer is always ..heh, can't bring myself to say it"

Citrine peeks into one of the ghost story books, then closes it again making a 'blah' face.

"Oh, hell no - the customer is often an idjit."

"Yeah, the whole term is like 'in matters of taste' or aesthics, and even then I don't buy it. What is it with other kiths that are so bland? I mean, the trolls require more material, but they wouldn't know style if it climbed them and planted a flag. Sidhe at least get flashy, though they don't experiment enough with it. And boggans... love Marigold, but gah"

"I mean, if it's food..."

"Okay, yeah, you got me there. She's a wizard with food"

"And she likes my stuff. So she has some taste."

"Your stuff ain't drek and she recognizes that.." AN admission "Though I think some of the nuance is lost on her"

"Well, inevitable. But it's used and appreciated."

"Hope the Baroness uses and appreciates my work here. So far, I think it's mostly a glorified guest room. Still, at least she likes what she has seen"

"It's a start. And the Baron is really supportive."

"I mean, in terms of resources?"

"oh hell yeah to that. This is a sweet ride there. I mean, my gear, your kiln... pretty sweet set up. They know a master craftsman deserves quality tools"

"Exactly. And if makin' me look good makes them look good..." She shrugs.