#elsewhere

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"And this is my room here" Nadeen shows Sylvi her room in the hold "And yes, I am quite aware I'm being indulged."

"Okay, yeah, you're spoiled silly," Sylvi says, looking around. She's been to noble holds before, but she's rarely seen many of the personal quarters.

It's a little intimidating.

The antique wardrobe in the corner looks so elegant, the bed has lace that almost looks like snowflakes and ice in design, and there's a stylus desk some sluah would give their left ears for except it's not dinged, scratched, or damaged enough "Aiden is generous" She admits "And I'm too petty to say no. " A smile "Speaking of NON petty things. Ready to seek out Marigold? Showing you my room is one excuse if we need it for you to 'happen' to be here, or we can be blunt with her?"

"Well, you know her better than I do. Which approach seems more likely to work?"

"I mean...you told her about me doing Spring work, right?"

"Yes, I did" A nod

"Okay, so...well, if she's been resisting getting help, better that I just 'happen' to be visiting. Is she likely to 'happen' to walk in here? Or should we 'accidentally' corner her somewhere?"

The air-quotes are getting a workout.

"Let's 'happen' to get hungry" She says

"Sounds good to me. Lead on!"

And lead on she does speaking airily "She's really quite talented"

"Oh, I'm certain of it. Of course, Marcellus would have things to say."

"Marsellies says a lot" A smirk

After a bit of seeking, Marigold is found in one of the studies, where chairs have been cleared away to make room for an open space on the (undoubtedly antique) rug. Which now has some paper spread out on it, and a small, red-headed cherub carefully scrawling with a crayon that he holds in a chubby fist. Marigold is nearby on a couch supervising, with several pillows stacked behind her back.

"Marigold, how are you today? I think you may have met my friend and housemate? Sylvi , now Bridge of Darkgate?"

"Oh, Nadeen!" She looks perhaps a touch... guilty? "I'm sorry - I insisted that Flo bring the wee one. Pardon me, Bridge Sylvi." The boggan reaches for a side table and braces her hand on it to help lever herself up to greet them properly. "Now then, would you care for tea, coffee? I have some cakes that are resting and should be about ready to slice..."

"Hello, Marigold," Sylvi says with a smile, and she resists the urge to help the woman up. "I don't want to be a bother, but that sounds lovely. And I can do either tea or coffee, whichever is easier."

"Oh I see he's taking to the arts already"

She also smiles at the boy and gives him a little wave. "Hey. Nice drawings."

"He is a master of the single-color scribble. We do have some toys, packed away somewhere... I'm afraid I had to hide them to save them from Briar. Perhaps I can look for them later."

The boy looks up, and shyly smiles at Sylvi. "Bwoo." He says solemnly, pointing with a chubby finger.

She laughs a bit. "Yup, that's me all over. You can call me Sylvi. And your name is...?" she looks ot the others for a hint.

Marigold offers, "This wee one is Rian. Rian, can you come with Nana Marigold to the kitchen? We can check on the cakes."

The boy was curiously examining Sylvi, but his eyes light up. "Cakes!" And holds up his arms towards Marigold. "Up?"

Marigold has a pained look for a moment, but straightens, and in a light tone says, "Can you walk for Nana?"

His chin wobbles a touch. "Up?"

"Oh, I've got him," Sylvi says easily, and holds out her hands for Rian. "We can do Up."

"We can do WAY Up."

And nadeen suddenly is givingg a half hug to Marigold "See, she's got him" And yes, that 'half hug' supports Marigold's weight some, gently

Rian hestitates, but at Marigold's gentle urging, he reaches up to Sylvi. Marigold smiles. "That's a good lad." A touch surprised, she pats Nadeen on the arm... but does not pull away from the support though she softly chides, "It's just the lifting, honest. I'm right as rain today."

And up! goes Rian. Sylvi puts him on her hip and carries him, following the other two. This gives her a chance to see just how much pain Marigold is in.

Her back is straight and she talks in a bright, cheerful tone, but Sylvi can see that there is a great deal of tension - evidently the movement is paining her, but she is hiding it well, and likely to suffer for that later.

"Rain can be stubborn and contrary" Nadeen mutters "Speaking of the weather, of course "

"We have currant cakes and some with fresh early plums." Marigold calls over to Sylvi and the boy, who is reaching for whatever shiny thing he might spy on the troll. Earrings, perhaps, or a hilt or badge!

And Nadeen does ease off the support a bit so Sylvi can observe.

"Marigold, I've got good kitchen experience. And it makes me feel weird not to help. What will you let me do? One handed, that is," she says as she takes out one of her hairclips for Rian to inspect.

"And plum cakes sound delicious!"

The way the boggan is leaning heavily on one side will take the pressure off her hip, true, but will cause cramping later. Tsk.

"Now, what kind of host would I be to ask you to do so? Though, if you wanted to reach the plates from the shelf up there, we have some that are a nice size for a treat."

"Oh Sylvi's a dooer, Marigold, and multi talented. She cooks, cleans, fights, knows spring arts, and is an amazing diplomat herself" Nadeen helps prepare too just a bit

"Can do. Right, Rian? Can do?" She coaxes the boy as she gets the plates arranged.

Sylvi has the good graces to look bashful at the praise. "I also do a mean make-over."

"She does" An admission