#baronyofthesilverwolf

Dreaming Bless Mavis Nadeen says as more time is bought. She fills in Marigold on all the options, all the notes, "I'm fondest of the Amberheart, but you are the chef supreme and would likely know which would be most popular and that you could do the most with."

Marigold considers the options thoughtfully. “The fruit itself is the important part,” she says at last. “If this were merely a contest of chefs, I’d have won already.” A faint smile.

“If you ask me, and you did... what Lady Seryn wants is rarity. Story. The feeling that she has tasted tomorrow before anyone else. The Amberheart may suit that best. Delicate, seasonal, difficult to transport, beautiful to showcase. One does not merely eat an Amberheart. One presents it.”

Her fingers tap lightly against the notes.

“And whatever you choose, I’ll keep the presentation restrained enough that the fruit remains the star. Otherwise they’ll claim it was merely cooking talent rather than the quality of the prize.” Another small smile. “The goal is to make everyone else wish they had thought of it first.”

Nadeen says "Marigold, I do not praise you enough, not just for your unsurpassed cooking, but your kind wisdom. Had it not been for you, I would not have thrived here. It will be Amberheart then. "

Marigold pats Nadeen on her hand in a motherly rather than servile fashion. "You say it in more than words. We all know and feel your appreciation."

"mmmph, to think I would ever be a 'soft hearted' kind of noble, I, a Varich," A sad sigh "Rivervale, then kind people here. They've ruined me."

A soft knock on the door. Rat, tat a tat tat.

Nadeen steps back once from Marigold and says "Yes? "

Before much invitation can be offered, the door eases open and Bluebell peeks through with very little attempt at looking innocent. Julius stands just behind her.

“We did knock,” Bluebell says brightly as she slips inside. “Eventually.”

Julius inclines his head mildly. “My apologies, my lady. We may have overheard portions of the discussion regarding impossible fruit.”

BLuebell shrugs, not bothering to even pretend shame. "My lovely ears hear much, I cannot be blamed for the blessings of my nature."

A sigh, and a look to Marigold again, "You see what happens? I coddle, they take advantage. I should at least get thumb screws in the foyer to add to the pretense of respectable unseelie noble ruling," Then she looks back at Julius and Bluebell, "Given your restraint you've shown so far with a rather ... unpleasant guest , I suppose I can accept your apology. But please, it sounds as if you have either information I might need or advice you would like to offer?"

“We might be able to offer a little guidance,” Julius says. “At least in part because of my viticulture practice.”

Bluebell leans in, her pert nose twitching. “And because I hate riddles, and this absolutely sounds like a riddle.”

"Please," She motions to Julius and Bluebell, "Go on."

Julius adds, “In fairness, my lady, the discussion involved rare produce, strange growing conditions, and potentially magical cultivation. You were never going to keep my attention out of it.” He gives a rakish grin.

Though, he does give her an apologetic half-bow. Bluebell, just grins.

I'd make a threat about flogging but I fear Bluebell would start giving advice "Your expertise is welcome."

Julius clears his throat, and considers, “The description does make a certain sort of sense. Valleys keep cold longer than the surrounding land. Frost settles there. River valleys especially.” A small gesture with one hand. “If you were trying to grow grapes that favored sharp nights and slow thawing, you’d look for similar conditions.”

Bluebell nods emphatically as though she understands. "It is KNOWN."

Even as Julius rolls his eyes at her, the pooka's voice softens, turning airy and poetic.

“Winter beneath the soil while spring dances overhead? Those are faerie directions.” A smile curls at her lips. “Not the sort you follow with a map. The sort you stumble into when the world forgets itself for a moment.”

Julius glances fondly at his wife, then adds more practically, “The river hollow beyond the old quarry has a reputation for strange frost this time of year.”

Bluebell brightens immediately. “Exactly! A place where the air feels wrong in the right way.” She leans forward slightly. “If there’s a path into the Dreaming that leads toward Amberheart country, I’d wager it would never appear in a place like that."

"You think there is a trod in the valley beyond the quarry that could lead to the Amberheart?" SHe wants to be sure she heard right.

“There are said to be places like that there, my lady,” Julius says, “Not a true trod, and not reliably open.”

Bluebell tilts her head. “A seam-place. Glamour-rich. Where the world runs thin if conditions are right.”

Julius nods. “It may open only at certain times or under certain circumstances. Hard to predict... but if there is a path toward the Amberheart, it is more likely there than in the settled world. At least, it's a start."

"A Rathe, dangerous..." She knows of such, "We shall see if Thistle is willing, and Art's knowledge may prove useful more than just his moral support. I thank you, Julius, and you too, Bluebell."

"Unless there is something else, I think I need to research this some more. The library, the old notes... and maybe a short trip myself to feel it."

“One thing…” Bluebell says “Just make sure you really stick it to that pompous fox.” A sniff.

She gives a decisive little harrumph, ears flicking. “Stewed hare, indeed!”

Nadeen nods "Yes, that was rude."

"Do not let us delay you, my lady. We had best get to work on Lady Seryn's rooms to ensure they are up to her standard."

Julius excuses himself and Bluebell, and Nadeen is free to seek the library!

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