#debukefarmhold

"Thistle, it's butterscotch!" He grins hugely! "That explains the name... partly." He looks very pleased to have decoded at least part of the mystery, and helps himself to more tenderloin and... "This corn is very good." Surprised. "Ours - that is, my mortal family's - comes in a can."

"Makes such a big difference" Gwen nods "I didn't eat well either for a while. Mom has spoiled me. ALso I hear Iowa boasts it has the best pork. Maybe it does"

"Nadeen and Marigold's training, really..."

"Do you think that Marigold might like some of this fresh produce? Perhaps we can arrange an exchange."

"...Frankie would like these." She says while chewing a scotcharoo.

"What could we offer, though?"

He considers. Then, looking to Gwen. "You're the guide on hospitality - would it be offensive if we offered in exchange some of Miss Marigold's baked goods? Which is not to say that they are better than what they make here.." Though they might be, at least to Gwen! "But something new?"

"I think, particularly as you have expressed your appreciation for them AND want to feed your family which is an honorable endeavour, they would not be insulted in the interest. What's more, we did come here to establish trade of sorts, so this is close to that as well." Gwen nods "Want me to make the request or would you?"

He shakes his head. "It might come better from you? I might put my foot in my mouth." He puts more tenderloin in instead.

"Actually Art, you really have gotten better. " Gladiola tells him "Though there are still moments. And your heart is usually in the right place. But okay. I'll ask on your behalf"

"Did nearly freak out when you soveriegned here of all places" She admits taking nother bite

"I did not know I could." He admits. "Do all sidhe know sovereign? Is it in our blood?"

He chews his meal, a rhetorical question perhaps, or one for the Baron and Baroness.

"From what I hear it still takes training. The baroness is amazing at it. Uhm.. I think one house, Scathach? can't or won't do it"

"Maybe you remember how to do it? Nobody taught me how to jump, I just... needed to, y'know?"

SHe stops "Hey, one down. Arty, whatever House you are, it's not Scathach"

He straightens up! "A clue!"

"And yeah, you did, Thistle. I hope that Autumn stuff works for you but don't stress if it doesn't. I hope I can learn spring but...not sure I have the knack there. More of a primal girl"

Clem peeks out "Ya'll want seconds?"

Art realizes he's cleaned his plate. "Yes, please!"

"Art really loves this food" Gwen says "In fact, he was hoping we could get some of these...scothch.. uhm.."

"The Scotcharoons. We can share them with the childlings - and Frankie."

"Frankie?" She says

He nods towards Thistle!

"My little brother."

"Both of them have pretty cool younger sibs" Gwen says "And while Mom feeds us great, Well, Art normally gets his pork in a can"

From the kitchen an old woman's voice is heard "In a CAN? "

"You poor thing, you eat up" Clem says seconds are served, "As for the Scotcharoos, we'll get you a bag to take home ... "

"We'll do more than that" A voice says. The old woman seems to have found energy

"We're happy to trade, my mom would be happy to make..." But Gwen barely gets time to offer

Agnes pops out "You folks will be taking a bit more than riverclay home... how many kin do each of you have?" " She looks at them

"I have my mother and father, and 4 siblings - but my elder sister is away at college. I have not met her yet. Three brothers at home though, two elder and a younger." Art offers. "Yes, the pork comes in a can with beans, or pressed in a square can as luncheon meat? This is far more sumptuous fare though, I must say. It is delicious."

"Good sized family. " She says "How about you?" the old woman looks to Thistle

"Frankie lives with Dad and Janice..."

"Well you planning on visiting them if I give you food?" Agnes asks

"Yes?"

"Well that's that then" Agnes says "Ain't proper for children to go eating tenderlloin pork out of cans if it can be helped. I can help so..." And she moves back into the kitchen

Clem looks surprised, then pleased , "Well, haven't seen her this lit up in days"

"I still feel we owe you at least something?" Gwen says

Art leans in to whisper to Thistle, "Do you think Janice would put those yellow spices on her pork?"

"Nonsense, Gladiola" Clem says "You're helping one of ours hold onto herself with this... there's power in feeling useful. Feeling needed. You done right by us with this. Sides, She still feels bad about a sidhe we didn't treat so well here once. Let her make up for it"

"Janice puts all the spices on everything..."

Art grins! "She's like the opposite of my mother in that regard."

Gwen nods to the Chief, then looks to her charges with amusement and a confident smile. HER mom is the best cook of all. But not the place to say that

And... after fantastic seconds, that's how Gwen finds herself pulling along a little red wagon. LIterally, the sort of wagon you thought only existed for kids to play with in movies, and on it, a cooler of clay, and SO much food carefully sealed. Of course her friends are with her as they leave the farm "I feel vaguely ridiculous" Gladiola admits now that it's just the three of them. Farewells were made, interest in lessons expressed and noted, and of course, dog talk

"I ate too much, I'm gonna explode..."

"Not on me , please" Gwen asks "Clearly you enjoyed it though. Good lord. There's enough food to feed 10 people on this little wagon. Nevermind the wagon itself which we were told to keep and give to either Frnakie or Gawain"

"Wayne needs it more."

"You think so?" Art beams gratefully. "Frankie should be about ready for a first bike soon, no?"

"It's an authentic little red wagon... I really thought these things vanished in the fifties or something" Gwen says. It is excellent craftsmanship, bright red paint. "He should love it. ANd yeah, he's getting close to bike age"\