#baronyofthesilverwolf

Marigold, still fussing, gives Gwen a knowing smile. “I know you’re tough, but it’s a mother’s job to worry.”

David, noticing Gwen’s slight discomfort, offers a polite nod. “You are fortunate to have someone who cares for you so deeply.” He speaks sincerely.

Marigold steps back, finally satisfied with Gwen’s condition. “There now, all set. And I expect you’ll rest up properly after all that excitement. I stocked up with the season's first apples to roast with a boar tenderloin." Clearly, having had no doubt about Gwen's success in the hunt.

David allows a small smile, though his express looks slightly troubled. “Indeed, a successful hunt. But I would not wish to take up too much of your time. However, these recent disturbances are... curious.”

"I am," Gwen admits to David, then to her mother she goes, "Will admit, Sir Crawford's crew plays rough, but I've been in worse lacrosse matches than that hunt. And yes, we have Tenderloin" A pause and glance back to David "What recent disturbances?" Feeling she missed something

David meets Gwen’s gaze, his expression serious. “I have noticed unusual activity in the earth. Subtle tremors, disturbances that are not typical for this area. I believe this is what had awoken myself from my own slumber.”

Marigold, catching the shift in the conversation, stops what she’s doing and listens closely. “Oh, yes, Gwen, David was just telling me. Tremors? - that’s not something we’ve ever had to deal with here, at least, not in my time.”

David says honestly, "You seem to be well aged and worn, like a stone that has seen many winters." He clearly means this as a compliment, but Marigold hesitates before just giving an "Hmph" and pouring coffee for Gwen.

Gwen does NOT betray a smile at this 'compliment' but then focuses on the disturbances "Some new construction? Please tell me it's not Fracking" A worried look

Marigold’s brow furrows as she considers the possibility. “Fracking? I haven’t heard of anything like that around here, but we should check. It could explain the tremors.”

David shakes his head slowly. “I do not believe it is so. As far as I am aware, there is not significant oil to be found under these lands. The disturbances feel… different. More like something deep within the earth is stirring... but why?”

Marigold looks between the two, her usual warmth replaced by a thoughtful frown. “There is a quarry not far from here—limestone, if I recall. When I was a childling, we would swim at the lake. I thought they closed up activity there years ago, though."

"Huh, could be Chimerical... enough stories and urban legends, and a chimera could form up right? Old mines, quaries and such might inspire such?"

David nods slowly, considering Gwen's suggestion. "Yes, it is possible. Places with history, where emotions and stories linger, can give birth to powerful chimerical beings. Something new... or if the quarry has been disturbed after years of silence, it could have awakened something that had long been dormant."

Marigold’s frown deepens as she recalls her childhood memories. “It’s unsettling to think that something could have been lying in wait all this time. If it’s a chimera, we’ll need to be cautious. They can be unpredictable. Perhaps speak to Thistle, she's so good with the little ones?"

"I worry some times the big ones will eat her" Gladiola says "But that's my old protector instincts kicking in. Your'e right, she knows clays and more very well"

David listens, his expression thoughtful. “Thistle is the artist you spoke about? The one who works with the flesh of the earth." He recalls, slowly. "If she has a connection to creatures of pure dream as well as the earth, it may be wise to speak with her. I have wanted to meet her." He nods to Gladiola, recalling an earlier conversation.

Marigold nods in agreement. “She has a way with them, and they’re drawn to her. If anything unusual is happening, perhaps other Chimera might have insight, even if they don’t realize it, the little flibbertigibbets.”

"She's almost a lodestone for them," Gwen adds on, "And if you like color in pottery or the like, you'll love her work."

"*&^&$^#$#!!!"

Several Nevers are fleeing the studio.

"Case in point" Gladiola mutters

David nods thoughtfully. “I understand your point. While I do have reservations about altering natural stones, clay is indeed different. It has a nature that embraces change and transformation. I look forward to seeing how Thistle’s work reflects this.”

Marigold smiles. “Thistle’s art is quite unique. I am sure you will find it intrigu-" She startles and splashes coffee on the table. "Oh, biscuits!" She almost swears.

Stompy scowling nocker. "You ninnyheaded nudniks! Knockin' down a whole SHELF of greenwork!"

Gladiola begins to clean the spill "You okay, mom?"

As Marigold mops up the coffee, she reassures Gladiola, “I’m fine, just a bit flustered.” She gives a quick glance towards Thistle, her expression shifting from frustration to concern.

David, observing the commotion, approaches Thistle calmly. “It seems something has gone awry. Is there anything we can do to assist?”

"Thistle, I presume?"

She blinks at the glome.

The seven foot tall marble adonis, clad in a silk troll's dressing gown, gives her a nod of acknowledgement.

"...you some kinda golem? Holy hollyhocks, lookit that scupting..."

"Thistle, this is David. He's a glome, " Gwen casts an admiring side glance at David so he can't make out the oggle.

"Glome. Glo-.. inanimae, like the tree?"

"Yup. Like Dru, but of the Earth instead of trees and wood" Gwen says "The Baroness is delighted we're making more friends from the Slow Empire"

"Huh."

"Well, welcome and all that polite jazz. As for what is wrong, those menaces knocked over a whole matched set of goblets that were ready to fire. Took me a week to throw'm, and then they'd just gotten dry enough - I come into my shop, and there's shards everywhere."

David’s expression softens with sympathy. “That sounds most distressing. If there is any way I can assist, please let me know. I understand the effort that goes into such work.”

Marigold, having recovered her composure, steps forward. “Thistle, that sounds frustrating. Can I assist with the cleanup?"

Citrine, perched on Thistle’s shoulder, chimes a note of distress. The little clockwork Neverlander looks worried, her tiny gears whirring as she glances up at Thistle with concern, clearly worried that she's in trouble.

Gladiola grunts something you'd have to be a troll to understand.

She sighs. "Gonna have to scrap the lot. You can't patch together greenware, it'll just explode if I tried to fire it."

David gives Gwen a curious glance. Then, he turns back to Thistle.

"We were discussing some recent disturbances within the earth." He recaps the earlier conversation. "Madame Marigold suggested that we may explore a nearby limestone quarry. I do not believe that I have any brethren local. It was... very lonesome, even before my slumber. However, there may be clues there about what is transpiring."

Brow raised. "The quarry way out Whitmore Road? Where they have parties?"

Marigold laughs! "Oh, you wouldn't believe the parties -I- attended there. I was a wilder once too, you know. Oh, those days..." She chuckles, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Say, is it still as fine an amphitheatre for satyr music as it once was? Oh, Gwen, don't give me that look, you know I encourage you young folk to go a little 'wild' now and then."

"Disturbing" Gwen faux jokes at her mom's talk of parties

A chuckle. "Okay, Marigold's wild wilder days. All the grunge music, I bet."

"I mean, I like the bonfires."

"You like fire period" Gwen reminds

"Well, yeah."

David nods thoughtfully at the mention of bonfires. “Fire, while useful, is something I regard with a wary respect. It can be a powerful force, but also destructive if not handled with care. In my time, it was always a challenge to manage such elements.”

"Fire can destroy, but it also can create. Fire changes things." A shrug. Several of the Nevers that fled earlier are drifting back, hovering nearby.

"Agreed" Gladiola nods

He stands, with a creak in his joints. "I must take care that I am not observed too closely by mortals." David cautions. "My husk is not as well tailored as one may wish to pass as a meat creature."

"Oh no you look great!" Gwen says then blushes "I mean... well, yes they might realize you're not ordinary, but you do look ... uh well sculpted"

"You... look like that to mortals?"

"There are others of the Heavy People, more adept at creating husks that pass as meat creatures. But yes, I do appear as you see, more or less. It is best to avoid scrutiny."

"Well, you're safe here. Flo is Kinian, and enchanted"

"Right. Dangerous to be seen."

A slow nod from David. "I am unused to so much company. And company that is so... fast paced. But it is not... unpleasant."

"I'm glad, though I have to warn you that our two pooka, Bluebell and Rochalor , might hear that and take it up as a playful challenge"

"Duly noted."