#elsewhere

Julius is doing something rather curious. He has set up in one of the meeting rooms and has not one... two... six glasses of wine. All filled partway, and arranged in a row. However, he is not drinking them - rather, he moves back and forth, just - looking at each one?

He doesn't even notice immediately when Gwen steps in. For a troll, and one with stone for skin, she can be surprisingly quiet at times...

"AH, Julius?"

He startles upright, but luckily does not jostle or spill anything. "Gladiola! Perfect. Come look at glass three here. Doesn't the color have a little more depth than the others?"

"I'm not sure I'm qualified for this, Thistle has a better eye, but ... sure" She goes to look at glass three

It's... red!

Well, they call it red wine. It's really more of a burgundy, a lovely deep shade.

"Try it." He encourages. "Just a sip."

"On your head if mom finds out and dissa.. ah who am I kidding, she splashes wine in some dishes like she was watering plants" She takes a sip, feeling a bit silly with her big stony mits holding the delicate glass, but she does try that sip

"What do you think? What stands out to you most of all?" The wine is... red flavored, she knows that much, and sweet...

"I'm really the wrong person to ask" She savors and checks for after taste. She's HEARD some liquors are known for an after burn, or a lingering flavor so she wants to make sure

This one has a hint of tartness on the tongue, like the apples that her mother uses for baking rather than snacking. "Now, try this one." He offers out a second glass, this one is a little paler in color.

"Sweet... tart..." Then she blinks as another one , the paler one comes up and she tries it, a sniff, then a sip

This one is vastly different despite only a small variation in color! It's odd how liquid could taste 'dry' and a hint of bitterness, but in an... oaky way? Not unlike nibbling at an acorn.

"Huh" she admits "Surprisingly dry? A teeny bit bitter? But.. good."

He holds up a finger, with a grin! "Ah, but did you know that taste is only ONE of the elements of a glass of wine to take into account? Look, here... to understand and truly appreciate the glass, first is sight - not just the color, but the density, viscosity, flocculation... then the aroma - primary, secondary, and tertiary. The taste, of course, that's where you picked up the acidity first and the tannins in the second... "

"I did not know that" she admits "Must be part of why mom is so exacting on what glasses or cups are used"

"Well, cooking with wine is another cup of tea entirely - though any cook worth her salt will tell you to throw out "cooking wine" - you never want to cook with anything you wouldn't be willing to drink." An easy smile.

"Well, I'm an amateur wine taster at best but I like them" she says

"What brings you here? I sadly doubt you were interested in a drink." He says ruefully. "Are you looking for Julius the Steward rather than Julius the amateur vintner?"

"Actually, the vintner might have what I have to say more interesting" Gladiola answers "It involves an offer from the DeBuke farmhold"

"The DeBukes?" He straightens up, curiously, re-corking the bottle he most recently used. "I didn't think they did any wines. Moonshine, corn liquor, maybe? Which has it's place, you know, as of late there has been a hipster uptake in popularizing such previously seen as 'redneck' type brews, why, there's even a major distillery called 'Bathtub Gin..."

"Well, they grow things and... while they don't share all thier secrets, they've offered to teach some Silver Wollf folk Seasonal arts...including Spring? WHidch is all about growth and I imagine would work very well on grapes and the like"

"Is that so?" He looks a bit surprised. "And they're just... offering this, out of the kindness of their hearts?"

"Well, the Spring magics I think is more the healing potential. Chief Clem is big on healing magics being spread. But It may cost us antoher Dog , not of THIS litter, but the next."

"Ah. See, there I don't have any coin to trade. If they were interested in wine, perhaps brandy, even vine starts..."

"They might be, and if they're not, I'll help cover it" She says

She lifts her chin "one way or another"

He gives Gladiola a puzzled look. "Why the sudden interest?"

"I know trolls have good poker faces, but I think it would be obvious." She is honestly surprised he doesn't get it "You're not an ass, Julius. If you had spring magics, and someone was hurting around here, you'd help them. I'd like to think any of us would. Unfortunately so far I don't seem to have a gift that art. Maybe you do."

He frowns a little. "Spring is more than just healing. We have Primal for injuries or emergencies, and..." Something dawns in his expression and he nods. "Ah. I see. This is about Marigold, isn't it?"

She looks jUUST A bit sheepish, which by troll standards is quite sheepish indeed "Yeah. I love my mom. Spring makes her feel better. And yes, of course it would help plants grow and your work with wine, and I think that's great, and why you would be one who could gain the most from it over all. But if you say no, that's fine. One of us would likely try it, blossom or Bluebell maybe."

"No, I'm interested. Even an older goat can learn new tricks, and I'm not all that long in the horn yet myself." He smiles. "Thanks for thinking of me, Gwen. I'll plan a trip over."

"Well, I've admited there's a lot of enlightened self interest involved" She says "SO thank you back. If it's not for you, no harm done. " Then a look "How are you and Bluebell with the plans and hopes and such?"

"Well, I've been pretty focused on the new vinyard expansion. Bluebell has been fine." He says with a fond smile. "A bit quiet lately, but I think she's just worn out from Easter. Did you know that she visited a half dozen children's hospitals to deliver baskets?"

THAT gets a large smile "She did? Awww... she really is too cool. "

"It took a bit out of her - not sure if you've been in a hospital since you Chrysalized, but they're rough - but she toughed through, and we all helped out with dross. Even Briar kicked in some, though I managed to hide it and replace it with something less... furry... before Bunny saw it."

"Dare. I. Ask?" The mind boggles

"It was some sort of small animal, by way of an owl."

"AH... fully processed.. how efficient" A shake of her head "Briar's gotta briar. Nice catch though. Wish I knew. I could have helped hunt for dross too."

"It's spring, and that means LaCrosse season. You mustn't neglect your mortal concerns as well."

Indeed, it's just a month out from the spring quarterfinals...

"Yeah" She nods and takes a breath "We've really got a chance to take it to the finale this year. The girls are working their ass off and we've gotten synced without getting rigid"

Nervous pride

He grins. "I can't say I follow most of it other than "ball goes thaddaway", but I look forward to cheering you on."

"And if you lose, you can just be a cheerleader for Chonk." Briar's voice pops in. "At least you could be good at the bottom of the pyramid?"

"Thanks Julius, I'd love to have you and Blue bell in the sta..." She turns and looks at Briar "He's Chuck , not Chonk. Oh, I know you already have lessons on the farm, but are you interested in any seasonal arts? Spring, Autumn, Winter, or Summer?"

"I dunno. Should I? Which one is baddest ass?"

She's tempted to say Spring but that's too selfish "Well, Spring can be used for healing but also growth, creativity and renewal... one can use it to heal, help grow grapes, or a wall of razorsharp thorns or give you ideas how to torment someone... not that I should encourage that last but there you go. Winter stills, calms, and freezes, it alarms folks because it can be almost banal, but it's not, not really. Two forks to it I hear .. one more focused on ice. Summer is about Passion, and feelings, but you can enhance uhm.. more than just happy emotions? And it does create a sword I THINK at the high levels? And... then there's Autumn, Thistle is trying that one to learn about any weaknesses in her work, but it also lets you do shadow stuff?"

A snort at spring grapes or healing, but she looks interested at the thorns. "I dunno, Winter is cold, and still - but also hungry and deadly. But I ain't about to hibernate..."