#baronyofthesilverwolf

Gwen found a book that mentioned Fubars in the library. Five minutes into it , her head hurts

She reads softly aloud, "the trans-correspondence should harmonize in an asymmetrical conjunctive pattern of rigid flexibility..." a blink "What does that even MEAN?"

Gladiola rubs at her eyes. She knows she's not DUMB, but there are days she feels like the intellectual runt of the academic litter around here.

She closes the book, makes note of it's title, and puts it back.

And..she texts a certain redcap, not Briar either

TXT: Hey Craw, thinking of going to see Nosferatu. Figured it might be up your alley too?

TXT: FUCK YEAH

Followed by

TXT:only if we hit up a shitty theatre where they won't kick my ass out for yellin at the screen

He might be joking?

TXT: I might know one. Why, you gonna scream from fright? 😉

TXT: I hear the monster has a big ol fuckoff mustache. Might laugh 'em off the screen

She's amused. It's a little like her and Briar speaking 'cap' or in Gwen's case 'cap lite' . Whatever comees of this, they might just have fun TXT: Okay. I'll buy the tickets, you have to buy the popcorn?

Definitely a money saving move with a redcap

TXT: Only if you pocket somma that good nosh yer steward makes for 2nd course

TXT: You're a bad influence but will do

---- and later ... on a movie night?

There is popcorn scattered all over the theatre. Crawford bought three larges, and even gave one to Gwen. And some of it got thrown at the screen as he hoots in admiration or jeers at the movie. At one point, another patron stepped over with something on his mind, but he RETHOUGHT that quickly after getting a single look at Craw.

"Damn fine movie." Craw says as they head out. "Even if it was a bit of a slow burn. I bet Mulady spiderlips will like it plenty, even if it gets a bit loud."

"Oh wow, that was gorgeous, in a creepy as way" She agrees. She would feel guilty about the behavior here but they DID pick a shitty theatre for a reason and it was kind of fun cutting loose. And the movie was great "Definitely had a build up and you're probably right. I've a whispering friend who would probably love it. "

"Gotta respect the slugs. Even if I waren't contractually obligated t'do so. They do a fine scare. Mulady Stalker, she rules the winter round my parts, it's her time now. Boss Marrow runs the summer, when the blood runs hot. He's a Baron, but might slug you if you call 'em that." He advises Gwen.

She remembers from her studies of the local counties that Catawampus is ruled by an unlikely Redcap and Sluagh couple.

"Well, I work for a Varich" She reminds trying not to sound apologetic, "Some bad blood there with your lady's people"

"Good blood, bad blood, it all runs red in the end." He shrugs. "I ain't holdin' it agin ya."

That gets him a smile, then says "ours tend to do a similar swap too.. more even steven but in case of tie, the time of year determines who gets final say. For her, it's Winter and Summer, for him, Autumn and Spring. Though he gets more say over horses and hounds, and she often handles social situations. Other than that, very traditional set up. I suppose you'd think we were hoity toity but I like it. Yours sounds rough but fun. Boar hunt was a blast" She keeps an eye out for eavesdroppers. RIght of ignorance and all that

She finds that there is no one nearby. It's a rather mild early evening, but the aura of menace around Sir Crawford keeps the locals at bay.

"There's been signs of a big 'un. Nasty critter, could be the size of a land rover based on the tusk marks I saw. If I get gored, you wanna avenge me?" He says, grinning toothily.

"Mmmm" She muses over the notion "You DID buy the popcorn. Sure."

"Or maybe I can catch it to use as a wicked mount." He muses, chewing on a knuckle thoughtfully. Luckily his leathery skin is tough enough to withstand it. "Horses and such won't abide me. They sense the hunter. Hard enough to get the dogs to accept me, and that takes a helluva lot of training from pups, and only the toughest make it on the hog team."

"How about a carriage or wagon pulled by horses? Enough distance?"

"Mulady doesn't like it. They get freaked out and roll their eyes like they're being harried. We can do it, but mainly stick to fae steeds that can understand killer nature better."

A glance a Gwen, "Yer Briar, she's a smart 'un. Trains up the pups from tiny to know her stink. Ain't many caps that can work with animals."

"Briar's like a little sister to me, though sometimes I DO consider SOroricide and I'm sure she does too. ANd yeah, she works with the dogs by making them feel their hunter side too. " A nod "I wonder if a regular horse possesed by a feral chimera would work with you? "

"I get by okay." He reassures her. "Trackin' is best done down where I can see the ground ennyways. And I ain't tempted to eat my own feet if I miss the quarry."

"I bet you can clear a trail" She can imagine some foilage getting bit if it gets too thick

"You think y'might want to come on another hunt some time? Ain't got many interested. Some hoighty toity Sidhe come to prove their might. Got a Fiona lord not too long ago - he was fearless in battle, I give the shit that, but he still sicked up his afternoon tea when the prey got gutted proper."

"A course, maybe it was me eatin' a bit of the entrails." He considers, "But they were fresh 'n steamy, I couldn't resist."

"How do you hunt and NOT learn how to clean and dress the kill?" Then she laughs as that mystery is solved "Ok thtat might even make ME blanche a bit. Well played" She offers a fist to bump "And I think so . I don't mind hunting as long as it isn't just trophy hunting and we try to make it as painless as possible"

Crawford hawks and spits a loogey in distate, though he spits it off the path in deference to his company. "Trophy hunting is bullshit. I hunt, I eat. And we hunt what needs huntin'. Else the entire Catawampus would be a swamp of wild boars, and then they'd eat everything like a corby at a buffet. Then nothin' would live there."

"Hunger is powerful" She says, and it's one of the reasons she can respect redcaps. They seem beastial to some, but in the end, they're an important reminder "GLad we agree. Even Deer need hunting or they'd famine themselves over running ."

Granted, Lord Aiden does hunt the White Stag, but that is part of a story that must be played out. And he doesn't always win.

Indeed, Gwen has theories on that

Craw belatedly notices her fist, and bumps it. "Thanks for callin' me, Glads. Might surprise you, me being a muckety-muck knight and all, but I ain't got many, qu'est-ce que c'est, 'boon companions'." He says with a bit of a shrug.

"You spoke French... tres romantic" She smiles then says "And you're welcome. Thanks for accepting. I have a knack lately for putting my size good huge foot in my mouth even with friends. So I can't throw stones at you. I mean, you spit on my mom's floor I'll fuss sure, but you know what I mean. Sometimes it's good to just..." She looks thoughtful "To not have to navigate mine fields"

"Though lord knows, sometimes I'm the one who blows"

"How is the old broad doing?" Translating from redcap, a polite inquiry about her mother's healrh

"Mom's great... except for the leg and hip thing. She's.. stubborn about it" A sigh

"Good thing she ain't a horse, you'd have to shoot 'er." Clearly commiserating.

Not laughing, but not angry "She won't go to a hospital."

"Stubborn. Can you just knock her out and drag her in?"

"I.. can't..and I wouldn't let anyone else, befoer you offer. So instead I'm going to risk my neck questing for a cure or a fix. If I die horribly she'll blame herself but that does NOT give me comfort"

"Then don't." He shrugs. "Not don't go. Don't die. I ain't got friends enough to spare one."

"Just be sure that whatever you are lookin' for is what SHE wants. My old lady - not me mam, an old corby Chief, had a bum leg after a run in with a lindwurm. Stepped in the wrong hole. I got her a cane, and she beat me with it, said it would make her look weak." He snorts.