#baronyofthesilverwolf

"I don't wanna get in any fights, really."

"Yet you still jump into action when you have to. I remember" A gentler smile then "But NO One wants to fight a redcap. As for any fight? YOu're like Batman, get the right prep time and you can defeat your foe without having to land a punch"

"Dunno about that. Though the flamethrower is a good confidence booster."

"Yeah, gotta give it up for the flamethrower. Science's solution to better punchers who are still flammable"

"Oh, things don't have to be flammable - most things that won't burn can still melt!"

"Good point. " She nods "My last life died in a fire"

"Might have been the smoke that got her " THoughtful

"Pardon the morbidity" She adds

"I think smoke usually does it? Morbid, but... dunno, seems like that beats actually burning alive."

"I suppose. Mind you, I don't want to do a comparison. I hpe to live to be a grump who scowls at younger trolls and goes 'back in my day we knew DUTY hurumph"

"Or maybe just one of those superstoic white haired bad ass retired warrior women who the wilders tease but wouldn't mess with "

"Troll niches are rather limited when you get to be an OLDER grump. THere is also the surprisingly gentle but huge granny who encourages younger trolls that they're doing just fine and no troll is perfect. For that I need to look wise gazing into a fire"

She has clearly considered this all

"Why do you have to be any of those things?"

"You could just have lots and lots of dogs."

"Oh that I've got" She beams "Only one is mine, but each is special to me. Only sad thing is when I have to say good bye but they go to good homes."

"Not that sad."

"Nope. Heck, I'm making good money teaching obedience and such to the daughters of eve and sons of adams dogs and the people are more trouble than the dogs"

"And I get to see those mixed breeds we wouldn't have here. Seen a Dorgi... Pembroke Corgi Daushound mix... cute, but makes Muppet look dignified"

"Usually the case."

"...Dorgi? Really? Can't they just call it a mutt?"

"Well they know the parent breeds so they feel inclined. Often it's just a way to jack up prices on mutts, but sometimes it does at least tell you what the looks and temperment will be drawing from. Honestly, PUggles sell like hotcakes these days as do Golden Doodles. I think the Baron has rubbed off on me. I LIKE mongrels , but when someone tries to treat them like pure breeds worth top dollar I just want to curl my upper lip at them and go 'really? Papers or it didn't matter'"

"Muppet, meanwhile, looks like a mutt."

"You do! yes you do!" Ear-rumple, shoulder-scritch

"But his heritage if that of lords" Gwen grins "WHo's a rare stud? YOU ARE"

Ivan nods, the one called Muppet is worthy of much love. Not too much love. Save some love for me

Muppet melts into the ear rumple and shoulder scritch

A fond smile, that Thistle would never admit to.

And Gladiola has learned enough not to comment upon

"He IS a good dog.. I remember when he adopted you" Fondly THAT she can comment on

Snort. "Stubborn little brat, yeah."

"Well, that's how we knew he was the dog for you" A smirk

She rolls her eyes. "Like your giant dork over there."

"Oh Ivan I raised from a pup, and he came of fantastic stock. How could I not see the qualities we shared? Courage. Duty. Height" She holds out a fist. Ivan 'pounds it' and gets a pet for it

There is no repentance in Gwen for her love of her dog.

Though sometimes Ivan can be a dork. He could also rip off a limb at the slightest command, but dorks can be deadly.

"Mm." Content enough.

For a bit, both dogs get lots of love and affection in silence. Then Gwen speaks up again "I love it here. Questing is calling, but it's also going to suck to leave even for a few weeks"

"A quest? For what?"

"Help for mom's leg and hip she's so stubborn, I need magic that is long lasting to help it further"

"She won't go to the hospital, so... well, while it's nice to get help from Sylvi now and then, I know she gets busy or might forget. Mom wouldn't complain if her leg was on fire" A hurumph

Thistle has a look.

"What? Don't tell me I'm being unreasonable here. You've heard her. No hospital, no surgery. Her mind's made up. A quest is MY choice"

"What if she just had... support?"

"I love her very much, and she has Madern and FLo to get things"

"Like - you ever see Marvel movies? Rhodey's paralyzed, but he's got these high-tech braces that help him..."

"So, like, if something can help take the weight... why, I'm sure some Dougal already have something?"

"They have lots of assistive tech."

"Yeah but... hers is kind of hip not just knee and... she won't let them.. ." She ponders "You think some sort of brace is possible? She's frowned at that in the past but to be fair that was mortal tech"

"Right, some kind of chimerical framework? Take off pressure, add strength and support, and just... I dunno, help?"