#bergen_county

"...fruitfrogs."

A bit away, Kerri is trying to find something positive and encouraging to say to the creator of a banana-onion tart.

Madern, the piskie of Silverwolf, would encourage Thistle but he is frozen as THE Kerri approaches

Dugald tilts his head "Fruitfrogs? " He looks them over, and ... smiles "Whatever inspired you to these?"

As Kerri moves away from the baker who perhaps has experimented a little too far, she takes a healthy drink from the water skin she has slung over one shoulder. She's also carrying a clipboard, and she pauses to make a few notes before considering which competitor to visit next.

She rubs the back of her neck. "Uh. Marigold was baking pies, and all the things in the garden..."

"Just, I thought it'd be fun." Well, her spirals have gone from yellow to a bright pink. Matches the blush.

"They do look fun" he says "May I?" Asking to handle them

"Sure. They're a bit hefty, but they're Cone 9, real solid."

Gwen , who Hearth Kerri has seen before, of course ,says "Baroness, would you like to sample Madern's entry?"

"Glazed the bottoms, too."

Dugald looks it over, "This is... more than solid, it's... complete. " Speaking as if she should understand what he means by complete

Connor, having finished de-armoring his Knight, slipped away - headed for the food tables, which should not surprise Dagmar.

Kerri may notice him lurking nearby, bouncing a little on his heels as he scans the crowd.

Gwen gets Kerri's attention, which is good, because her eyes might have skimmed right over Madern as he stands there. "Oh! Yes, let me see what you've got." She approaches optimistically, fairly confident that anybody who has been using Marigold's kitchen is not likely to turn out an abomination.

"Sure?" She doesn't, but she won't SAY that.

Dugald nods, "A high whimsy factor too... do you know what makes craft stand out to me?"

She shakes her head.

Madern snaps out of it, "Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie.. your hearthiness baroness, ma'am"

"Wonder and seeing what lays within the shape and substance so you can share that vision with the world" DUGALD nods "This ...impresses me"

"I thought it was the spots." Art remarks, coming up alongside Thistle! "I mean, the seeds. See, on some of them, it is the spotted pattern frogs can have, but the spots are also the seeds of the fruit!"

"Ggrrrk."

The mischievous grin on the Sidhe teen's face shows that he may not have been unaware that he was startling her.

"Peanut Butter Pretzel Pie," she repeats, trying not to cringe at the excessive titles he bestows on her. "Tell me a bit about how you made it?" She takes a good look at the pie, examining the shape and crust.

"Hi Art." Spiral light show - now it's coral. Not an unusual color for Art to see, mind.

Dugald nods to Art "I do see that. It harmonizes well, yes. "

Connor bounces a bit more animatedly on his heels. Inching closer to Kerri.

"Aherm ahruff huff huff."

He clears his throat.

"Well," Madern says "Expertly I hope," Sheepishly he goes on, "But if you mean the process? I am lucky enough to work at a place where I have amazing ingredients available so credit to my mentor and patrons there. After preheating the oven and spraying to coat a 9 inch plate I processed the pretzels in a food processor to fine crumbs, poured it into the mixer with sugar cane sugar and hand churned butter...Press evenly into pie plate. Baked at 350°F until browned. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes, pray to your goddess of choice...".

Art reaches over and pokes Madern in the ribs!

"Keep some of your secrets!" He stage whispers.

Kerri has been listening attentively to Madern as she takes a slice of the pie and checks it for no-soggy-bottom. A brief grin to Art.

And then she gets distracted by Connor's throat-clearing. "Connor? You need me?"

"Oh.. right" He gets nudged "well... the hows aside, Make peanut butter filling and add toppings"

The Squire straightens and bows to her - Art, that is -

The other Squire, Connor, bounces up and down. "Yes!"

The pretzel crust tastes buttery, sweet, and toffee-like, with the malty pretzels getting a boost from butter and sugar. The no-bake peanut butter filling is firm, slightly dense (in a good way), and very peanut butter-y. The garnishes are optional but take the pie over the top.

"Can I help?" Connor asks. "I came to help. Help is needed."

Dugald looks at THISTLE and says "Good marks. I don't want to get your hopes up, but like I said, whimsy and wonder mean a lot to my judging" and he moves on

"Give me just one moment, and then you can help." She takes that first bite, and the fact that she enjoys it is clear in her expression. Olgar would LOVE this.

Madern looks like he might faint with hope

But she turns to Connor and says, "I'm not sure, how about you give it a try?" Aside to Madern, she says, "Connor is assisting me with some of the judging." She offers Connor a bite of the pie.

"I'm honored if Lord Howlington wishes to give it a chance" Madern says, then looks to Thistle "I think Master Dugald liked your work"

He shakes his head, then hesitates... his nose TWITCHES... then he can't resist and leans in to take a bite. "Ish turble." He mumbles as he swallows quickly.

"I don't think he hated it."

Gwen pats thistle "He loved it, you goose"

"A refined palate," Kerri notes, then looks back to Madern. "Thank you so much. I'll be announcing winners later in the day." Then more quietly she says, "Well done," before walking off, making notes on the clipboard.

"Thank you" Madern says gratefully

"Right, right, we both survived, go us."

Madern offers a fist bump.

To Thistle that is