#baronyofthesilverwolf

....MEANWHILE....

The drawing room receives them in quieter light, the garden air softened by curtains that stir with a faint refreshing breeze,

A low table is set for service, cups arranged with care beside a polished pot of dark coffee, its aroma warm and clean. The selection is distinctly Nordic in character, chosen with care to suit that palate, simple sweets laid out in neat order: lightly spiced cakes, delicate pastries, thin crisp biscuits, and soft rolls brushed with butter.

Seryn steps in beside Nadeen, her pace unhurried. Her gaze moves over the room as she enters, taking in everything with a measured eye.

Marigold moves ahead just enough to take her place at the table. She stands there, hands set neatly, ready to serve.
The Aesin lady remains composed and standing until Nadeen chooses her seat.

Nadeen moves to her own seat, "Please join me." ANd does take a seat.

The Varich does keep an eye on Marigold ; more for her sake than Marigold's. Marigold's perceptions have proven invaluable and any signs that dear boggan might grant her could aid in her own observation of patterns about their guest.

Marigold waits until both are seated, and Seryn takes her seat only after Nadeen does. The boggan moves to offer the coffee.

“None for me, thank you,” Seryn replies.

Her gaze passes over the table again, lingering a fraction longer on the arrangement before returning to stillness, her lips pressing together just slightly, the look of one who reviewed and found things wanting.

"So, tell me if you would, Lady, more of your travels, you mentioned having considered other holds you declined, this denotes you make a study of Concordian Geography or have servants who do the same for you," Nadeen inquires, "Is there a manservant or the like i also need to provide some room for?"

Seryn’s gaze lifts from the table back to Nadeen, calm and composed. “No servant attends me,” she replies, “I prefer to travel without such encumbrance.”

A brief pause follows, just enough to settle the statement before she continues, her tone unchanged. “I have found it… more reliable to trust in the hospitality of the houses I choose to accept.”

Her attention shifts drifting pointedly back toward the table between them. “Though that, of course, rests upon an understanding of what is properly offered.”

Marigold does not interrupt or change expression she is much too well trained for that, but there is a brief pause in the motion of her hands, then resumes service as normal.

"I see, well, I would not wish to disappoint, is there something in particular you would like? I understand Aesin is a nordic house, we have fine liquors from that very region and food can be prepared in a Norweigan and Swedish style, " While she will not mention she got all this from being mentored by trolls, she must thank Hearth Kerri silently for introducing her to them.

Seryn lets out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh.

“It is not, of course, reasonable to expect the full observances of higher circles in more… remote holdings,” she adds, the phrasing carefully stated to avoid OUTRIGHT insult...

When her place is set by Marigold, Seryn selects the smallest portion of cake offered, placing it neatly on her plate without comment, and idly adjusts it with the edge of her fork rather than eating immediately.

After just a moment, she sets the fork down and dabs lightly at her lips with a handkerchief. “Morrowfruit, when it is in season, has graced the finest tables I have visited of late,” she remarks, tone still even, as though continuing a matter of general observation rather than request.

"Oh, that little trend," Nadeen says with a tone indicating one speaking of hula hoops or trying to call orange 'Saffron' in hopes of making it posh, "It's an adorable little fad, and we'll be happy to accommodate you if we can." SHe looks at Marigold, "Marigold, would we perchance have such on premises?"

Nadeen takes her lumps and waits to see if Marigold will answer if they have such on Premsis.

Seryn tilts her head slightly, the pause just long enough to carry weight.
“Oh, I wouldn’t have thought—”

Marigold speaks up, smoothly enough that it can't be called an interruption. “Of course, it is not something that is typically held in a house’s regular stores,” she says, “as I am certain the Lady knows.” A placating bob of a curtsy.

“If it is desired, it is possible something could be arranged, if my Lady Baroness saw fit.”

Nadeen senses a hint of hesitation from Marigold, that she is not promising they can get it... but why?

Seryn looks momentarily annoyed, her eyes flashing as the Boggan speaks to her, but Marigold keeps her eyes downcast politely and the visiting sidhe settles on tapping her fingers against her fine porcelein coffee cup instead of saying anything.

Nadeen says to Marigold, "As ever you are alert to the keepings of the household," Which is a way to say 'thank you' without offending Aesin prejudices, she hopes, "As for the fruit we..." She looks up and sees the door open, "WHo is it?"

As the door opens, the sidhe fledge Mavis enters , pauses just inside the threshold and takes in the room in a single glance before stepping forward.

Her mortal clothing is modern athletic wear, layered chimerically with fine voile in gold and black, the Varich colors worked in to honor the hold that hosts the fledge of house yet unknown.

“So sorry to interrupt,” she says with a small bow, first to Seryn, then to Nadeen. “Forgive my timing. I lost track of the hour and I would not have kept the Baroness waiting had I realized I was so close to it.”

Marigold quickly introduces them, and Mavis straightens. “Lady Seryn, I am so pleased to meet you.”

"Yes, Mavis, I feared you had come down with something after your trouble yesterday," A lie, but one she hopes the Fledge has the sense to play along with, "Are you feeling better?"

She smoothly picks up and runs with the thread.

"But a spring cold, thank you for your concern. I am pleased to say I feel well recovered, because I had hoped I might escort Lady Seryn on a horseback tour of holding. I am sure you will find that even this close to Carthage town, our wilderness is kept pristine."

"If my lady would permit, of course." To Nadeen.

"An excellent notion," Nadeen observes, and looks to Seryn, "My husband boasts some of the finest Steeds in the Kingdom of Apples, he would say Concordia for Dragons roar proudly. If you are willing you will find them of high quality. Some DO require expert riders but each is a treasure."

Seryn’s attention sharpens slightly at the suggestion, interest replacing the earlier reserve. “A ride through properly kept land would be acceptable,” she saysd. “It is often in such places that one can best judge the care a holding takes with its domain.”

She lifts her cup, just barely touching the steaming liquid to her lips before responding,

“As for game,” she adds, “spring hare is particularly well suited when stewed with Morrowfruit. It is a combination that has been increasingly favored in certain houses of standing.”

Making a mental note to warn Bluebell, she says "Always delightful to hear of culinary trends." She does not promise it will be served, merely giving positive commentary.

"If we may be excused?" Mavis offers after a few more polite pleasantries

"Of course, and well done, Mavis. Whatever House you go to will be proud to have such manners among them." She inclines her head.

A bright smile, "I hope they can keep up with me, as I know they will be hard put to measure up to you and Lord Aiden." Even as she takes Seryn to guide her.

The Aesin remarks, just loud enough to be overheard as htey step out, “I was recently guested at the court of Duke Gwydionface ap WHosit, where they served a preparation of Morrowfruit glazed venison,” she notes, “quite in keeping with current tastes among houses of standing.”

"how quaint," Nadeen watches her go, I think I hate Marrow fruit already Then turns to Marigold. THey need to confer (Later for t he player though)

(PAUSE!)

Alone she says "Marigold, apparently I've missed some culinary cult movement, either that or our guest is looking for a very minor thing to complain about with the zeal of said cultist. What pray tell was all that about you think?"