#baronyofthesilverwolf

Thistle is hanging back, and the head-tilt has returned. She's observing.

He keeps going on as he was told by Marigold

Keeping the heat ready for when she returns. He DOES steal peeks at the book though

Page after page that has both that strange, rounded- art? Script? Pictographs?

There are also some pages with other writing in them... but again, Madern finds he does not recognize it, even though it is written in text that is more familiar... but SO many accent marks!

Wakȟáŋ Tȟáŋka, tȟokáheya čhéwakiye ló Mitákuyepi, ob waníkte ló Tȟuŋkášila, wakh'áŋlaka yo...

It goes on, in careful script in some unknown ink.

"Pretty language" He observes

"NO idea how to pronounce it"

There are also several pages of drawing of... corn? Or is it a woman? It melds together in a way that makes the two seem to be one.

Marigold, returning with a grunt of effort up the stairs, sets the bag of root vegetables on the counter. "See, I figured that must be some sort of corn recipes." She nods, certain.

"Might be nice in the fall when sweet corn is in season!" She hums happily as she starts peeling a turnip.

She squints, knotted fingers working a little shape in the air as if to visualize a calculation.

"Didn't Gwen say something about a Corn Maiden at Thanksgiving?"

She does! Every Thanksgiving in fact.

Marigold nods, "I love her stories. I really should ask her to write them down, maybe Art could have it bound into a book for the library."

"We sure this is a cookbook?"

Marigold hums softly, her voice carrying a cheerful rhythm as she begins, “Corn pudding, sweet and golden. Corn fritters, crisp and fluffy. Ah, corn chowder, creamy and warm, perfect for a cold day.”

“Let’s not forget cornbread with honey, corncakes for breakfast, or roasted corn on the cob.” Her tone grows lighter. “And, of course, succotash. Cornmeal dumplings in stew... oh, the possibilities...

Marigold looks up from her peeling and musing, "Well, of course it is. That's what I bought."

"I just... There's glamour too it. I kenned it. It doesn't feel evil , jsut different, but it isn't ordinary?"

"Oooh, I can make a Brioche au Maïs, or a corn galette..." Clearly distracted. "It is a book of native recipes from the... oh, heavens, Gwen could probably pronounce it. The Native fae, their little people. Though I bought it through a dealer. It probably has some of their magic to it, just as my cookbook might feel odd to them."

She drops the peeler, and glares at it. "Dang thing." Rubbing her swollen knuckles a bit. "This cold snap needs to move on already. It already done snapped."

"Nunnehi? " Madern has traveled before this and, well, he hears stories

And he picks up the downed peeler "It's good... I got it." he rinses off the peeler

"Does the recipe have to be done during the right phase of the moon?"

"That's what them circles are."

"Oh, yes, but I forget all their little titles and such. They have kiths, or something similar..." She sighs, "I can't remember much. I guess all my head is already full of recipes and other things." Half joking.

"Gladiola might know more about it, or even read it?"

"She's so busy - I didn't want to bother her with homework, not over vacation." She suddenly frowns a bit, Did you know she's been seeing that 'Sir' Crawford? I don't know about that man, he is so.... " She trails off. "Well, Gwen is a grown woman, but she does deserve someone to treat her well!"

"Art's good with languages?"

"SHe's SEEING Him? I thought they just went to a movie"

"And... it's not homework, why don't we show it to Gwen and Art. Can't hurt?"

"Oh, do you think he can find out if there is any sort of drink recipes?" Obviously convinced. "I think Gwen might be able to read it, but I was hoping to surprise her. Oh well, it's better to use all the heads we have, and Gwen does have a wise head on her shoulders." Proud.

"They went to a movie." She says, a little huffily. "He didn't even come to dinner. Though..." Wavering, "Maybe that's best."

"I just don't know about a man of his... inclinations around my little girl." Who has ever called Gwen little?! "You know he tried to petition the Baroness to steal her away from us?!"

"Well, your daughter is a lovely young woman, but she's also a troll and a warrior, she can defend herself if she has to" He assures "Why she might even bury him in the snow"

"How rude! She'd never." Marigold is certain.

And, realziing she missed Thistle speaking up. She hesitates, then carefully closes the book and slides it over to Thistle. "It was very expensive, but I trust you to take care." A GLARE towards Citrine, who even now is hovering over the stew pot curiously.

"This is VENISON stew, if you drop a single clove in there like you did last time..." Marigold warns.

Citrine Chimes in dismay and flits back to Thistles shoulder. She was only trying to help, GEEZE

"I know, you were trying to help. I hear you." She takes the book. "I mean, Art's real careful with books AND I know a good bit about repairing them anyways, anymore."

"Should I continue with the squash?" he has it out

"Oh, yes please!" She gives Madern the recipe translation. This looks... well, he never heard of putting hominy and squash in venison stew, but he knows the general gist of it and thinks he can make it darn tasty.

"Do you have it from here? Dang snowfall has my joints achin'. I think a visit to the bathhouse might be just the thing. Did you see the lovely bath bomb basket that Bluebell gave me for Yule?"

The nocker inspects the book, but Marigold's comment drags Thistle's gaze right back.

"Not just my hip, but my knees, oh, elbows... even my darn knuckles." She shakes her head a bit. "Don't get old, my lovelies, that's my advice." A chuckle though, and she pats Thistle on the arm.

Her dark eyes are sharp, flame flickering on obsidian.

"Hey, you take care of yourself, Marigold. No I didn't see the bathbomb but I hope it's a nice one." He keeps making the stew

"Oh, Bluebell knows better than to fuss with me. I'm the one who held back her ears when she vomitted up about 6 pounds of raw veal that Briar gave her."

A sigh, "So much for my scallopini."

"Man, these cookies sound WILD" A bit envious. HE could have been something badass

"They were something alright."

"The Baker comes and goes as he chooses. Who knows, he may visit again someday.. when I was just a slip of a wilder, oh, you should have seen me..." She chuckles. "Let's just say, I was lucky we are so close to the bay. Oh, what a day that was..."

She leaves, humming a song to herself.

After Marigold goes, she shakes her head. "Brace won't do it."

She waggles her fingers, thoughtful.

"Brace? You're helping her?" he says hopefully

Even as he makes the stew

Her face pretzels and she shrugs.

"Maybe? She's hurting."