#baronyofthesilverwolf

She bends down and pets her dog with love "GOod boooy"

"I tried teaching his mother that trick, but she just gave me a look like I was out of my damned mind and the Jerky wasn't worth it"

"Well, Ivan's also an enormous dork."

"Hey, he is not., he's my gallant champion and a badass... " Now, the badass did dress up for samhain in a cowboy hat and costume, but that's not the point. He gets extra pats

And he had pictures taken recently of him in a santa hat. STILL a bad ass

Ivan, shamelessly, is happy to sell dignity down a river for more pets and strokes..which is a dork thing to do.

"Mm-hmm. Just like his trainer, right?"

"Me? A gallant Champion and a badass? Mmm... let's see, WHO got you that Shark gland?"

"Oh, that was me" Probably, She thinks, as she isn't sure of details "Yes, Badass and Gallant Champion am I"

"Dork."

"Nerd" She counters but smiles knowing around this crew that 's more a point of pride

She rises from petting her dog, gets a glass of milk, and one of those fudge brownies

"Get me one, too?" Puppy eyes are less effective on her sharp-featured face.

Fortuantely friendship counts "Sure. You want chocolate mlik or regualr that will taste like chocolate any once you have fudge in your mouth anyway?"

And she's getting the brownies out and if need be more milk and mix

"Oh, no, you need regular milk for contrast."

"Regular it is, and I agree. Gives it more kick when it hits"

It is delicious, and, an added bonus, no one's kith changes!

Bonus!

"Same with pie. Though coffee is also acceptable with brownies or other desserts."

"Mmm , that island coffee with brownies.. I need to try that"

"Oh, Janice sent me some for Yule!"

"Remember, I took a regular donation as part of my payment. Best boon EVAH" A grin "But yeah? Janice is cool. I hope she and the Redfins are rocking it"

"Yeah. Frankie's down there while it's cold, so they skyped me from the beach yesterday."

"Okay, I am actually a bit jealous now but here's too them" A toast

"I sometimes wonder if he'll... him, or the baby, y'know?"

"Kinain is more likely, but even that means you'll one day get to share this world a bit.. and you know, if not either, still an amazing kid. Super sweet ,super smart, and... though I am not as closely tied to you, I am a Daireann. I will flat out savage anyone who hurts that boy for you" An assurance "And if he IS kithain? I hope he's an over protective troll" A grin

"The nocker is on Mom's side, so who knows?"

"Though, well, Baron's kid is a pooka."

"You never know" she says "But yeah, more likely a nocker. Still nockers aren't ALL bad so if he is... I will like him anyway" A sip Then "And you could be the coolest big sis ever as you get to show him a few things"

"Hey, I'm already a pretty cool big sis."

"Mmmm " She appraises the shorter wilder, "You know what? You are. Hold on a sec." she moves to the fridge, and finds a spot on the side "here we go. Find a picture or drawing by Frankie.. and put it up here?"

"IF you have run out of room at hte apartment, of course"

"I have some in my studio, too."

"wait a minute, that blue and gold vase ... the ocean beach looking one, is that them? A tribute to them?"

She nods.

"Oh wow. that's a pretty one. Do they know?"

She shrugs.

"They don't need to, y'know?"

"Oh come on, your work is fantastic, and that's a tribute to them. I bet they'd be touched"

She scrunches up her face and shakes her head.

"You don't... I don't wanna be like THAT. Like, OoooOOoo, this is what my art means, like an essay."

"You say with your hands when you don't have words, because words ain't right."

She tilts her head, then says "I get it. I think they'd still be touched, but I get it. Words are wind and all that"

How many off-hand gifts has Gwen gotten? Harnesses and ball-throwers and "improved" training clickers?

(And usually a gruff "Nah, I was messin' around" if asked about them)

Gwen smiles "I know you blow off my thanks, but the dogs really DO love the ball thrower you made a month ago... and it's good training for them SO.. thanks" Realizing her friend was showing her own kind heart in a way that is safe for her

Of course the ball thrower sometimes makes an odd sound but its rare.

"Keeps'm from barking too much when you're busy."

"mmm.. more worried about YOU being busy. YOU have a lot on your plate lately. Anything I can do to share the load more?"