#elsewhere

Art watches as Gwen eyes the bags of souvenirs Thistle picked up. With a small smile, he nudges her lightly with his elbow. "You know... I don’t think you have to worry about it."

"Worry about what? " She asks, then it occurs to her "Oh, well, yes, Thistle with a credit card is something" Wryly "But I feel like I SHOULD contribute on the purchases."

"No, that's not what I meant." He grins. "It looked like you were worried about coming back without any gifts." A small chuckle. "I think you really took the cake in that arena, as it were." Nodding towards the Belt, which is safely packed away, possibly in a box or bag bought from one of the festival crafters.

"That's not a gift, it's... more than that. And WE got it, not just me." She smiles "Are you worried I'll try to see if an Alaskan Malmute is for sale? and you'll have a dog in YOUR Lap?"

"Ivan already takes up the entire backseat, including my lap." Art smiles, "If you found another she would have to be tied to the hood of the car like a deer."

"Oh you'd fit up there fine. You know I don't endanger dogs" Deadpan. She does however look to see if there is horse or dog related gear. Hand crafted collars or horse blankets.

"And yes, it may have been a group effort, but nothing would have been done at ALL if you hadn't had such love and drive to go for it." He says honestly. "And a gift for Marigold DOES benefit the entire Barony. She's the glue that holds us together in a way."

A fond smile at the praise for her mom "I seem to recall I didn't have a chance at translation without a certain someone, but thank you. And yeah, mom's... even the bosses adore her."

The horse blankets, hand crafted come in a lot of colors and styles. She's not a horse person but she's impressed.

The Gathering is still going strong, though it will start winding down as the day goes on. Their trip to the Upper Lands returned them in the middle of the 2nd day of the festival. Somehow, despite being going for a day and a half, the trio feels as refreshed as if they just had a lovely sleep in following a relaxing vacation.

Gwen scans the vendor stalls, eyes drawn to anything crafted with care and tradition. She spots a table displaying hand-tooled leather collars, some adorned with beadwork in intricate patterns, others set with small conchos or silver studs. Nearby, a stack of wool horse blankets catches her attention, each woven with bold geometric designs in deep reds, blues, and earthy tones.

Further along, another stall showcases jewelry and trinkets in warm, honeyed amber—polished pendants, carved figurines, and even beads strung into delicate bracelets. A few pieces hold ancient insects frozen within, tiny remnants of a time long past.

There are several stalls with treasures that would delight children. Small, hand-carved wooden animals—bears, wolves, and horses—sit neatly displayed, each polished smooth and warm to the touch. Tiny beaded pouches, perfect for holding secret treasures, hang beside soft, rabbit-fur dolls dressed in miniature regalia.

At another table, simple spinning tops and woven corn husk dolls rest alongside delicate dreamcatchers no bigger than a palm, their feathers dyed in vibrant colors. There's even a fae vendor, a Satyr lady with elaborate woven braids, selling, alongside her mortal works, tiny chimerical charms—whispered to bring good dreams or protect against mischief—woven with strands of shining stones and silver beads.

And much more. Soft, handwoven blankets with intricate tribal patterns, their fibers dyed in deep earth tones, are draped over wooden racks. Delicate silver and turquoise jewelry glints in the sunlight, some shaped like animals, others bearing symbols of protection and guidance.

Hand-carved flutes and drums sit beside woven baskets filled with fragrant herbs and loose-leaf teas, their scents drifting lazily through the air. There are also intricate beadwork pieces—belts, bracelets, and medallions.

For those drawn to the mystic, there are polished stones, wood and bone amulets, and small bundles of sage and sweetgrass, wrapped carefully in deerskin.

And more, if she only had the time to look forever.

"Wow" She now sees why Thistle has so many bags. She's not a material girl, but damn. She goes over the leather collars first, and ends up getting a few dark ones with silver studs, knowing the baron will appreciate the nods to Ailil colors for his kennels. She plucks up two horse blankets with geometric patterns, one bold red, the other a more laid back mix of earth tones. She finds a pendent crafted that depicts Jitsu (For one version of the spelling) the trickster Rabbit beloved by the cherokee and other tribes, and buys it for Bluebell. Vikings (And trolls) love Amber too, as a rule, and while she knows the Thanes would argue they don't need such, she gets them each a set of jewelry adorned with that. Linnae will have something to surprise Chief Hewit with if she likes. Rochalor gets a hand crafted horse, and Franki gets a wolf. Blossom gets a bracelet that's quite colorful.

Julius gets a book on the various drinks and liquors of Native American cultures. He could probably look it up online with effort but he'll appreciate the personal touch.

Mato follows after her, watching her shop in interest. He plucks the bags from her arms and carries them, without a word said. Though his coal eyes glint a bit as though it would start a fight if she refused - despite the fact that she could easily carry them all and more, it IS easier to shop with her hands free.

After a time, he remarks in a soft rumble, "It is almost like seeing these goods anew with fresh admiration, through your eyes."

She looks at Mato with a mmph. To let him know she is HUMORING him. The fact it's kind of sweet, well, there you go.

"The hard part is finding what my family and friends will like most." She admits "I need something for Briar. She's like the mean little sister I always wanted. " In lower tones "She's a redcap. Her people are even hungrier than yours."

He blinks in interest. "I find that hard to believe. I would like to meet this sister." Considering, he points to a booth that sells pemmican, traditional jerky seasoned with berries. "This is an acquired taste to some, but it is long lasting and savory."

She gets some jerky "Long lasting but she ccould swallow it whole. Still, nice suggestion, thank you" A look at him with amusement "My only worry is she might trigger that temper I hear of in the legends. How true is that?"

"It is true." He admits, "But we are not as cruel as our ancestors, who lived in harder times. In a way." He considers the question. "Though we may be easily pressed to anger, it is also satisfied easily. Not that we cannot battle to the death if we wish. We are mighty fighters, but the joy in a brawl - for me - is not to win, but to fight well."

"Pemmican may indeed be swallowed whole, though it is a shame to use it so - but the tallow that keeps it fresh coats the mouth and will be savored for a long time after the last bite is gone."

"With my kind, we tend to anger slow holding it in until we snap abruptly ,and we can hold grudges, well. I can. Work in progress" Gladiola admits and looks almost demure as she does so, "Maybe your way is healthier in the long run. Ah ha. Just in case." She gets a knife as a bonus gift. "Briar's actually good with knives. Had braces on for a bit so she had to... well, let's say she couldn't bite though she really wanted to."

"It is wise to know all weapons at one's disposal." He says, nodding as he tucks the knife away once paid for.

"Yeah." She gets something for others too, Dolph and Willie, Madern and ... eventually she circles back to the jewelry section.

Thistle can see Gladiola eying a pair of Sunflower designed ear rings, no doubt for Nadeen who likes sunflowers AND Amber, with almost nothing in her hands, while comicly, Mato keeps stealing her stuff... well, HOLDING It, as if she were indeed the delicate flower she was named after.

Gladiola makes the purchase for the sunflower designed ear rings made of amber. "I am so gonna cause Julius head to explode when he gets the bill" she feels ALMOST guilty

Thistle, thank you very much, did NOT overspend her allowance.

She does have a keen sense of value, and can haggle with the best of them.

Gwen will apologize when she learns of Thistle's wise bargaining latter

Thistle DOES observe that the vendors she strong-armed (er, cajoled) earlier into working together and raising their prices actually have MORE booth visitors now - in fact, they almost sold out and are animatedly discussing future collaborations. She done good.

THAT leads to a rather pleased grin.

She might haggle, but she's not cheap. There's a difference.

Gwen looks for Art to see what HE is up to. She admits to herself she got caught up in her own shopping and Mato

He's... lord help him, Gwen might roll her eyes, but he's sitting and reading a book. At least it looks like one he bought at the Gathering, and not one of his dry old novels.

"Art, you got everything you're going to get? We need to get ready to go"

She's sure he won't hear him if he's engrossed, and that's okay if so.

"And you, Thistle? Ready to get going?"

She juggles all of her tiny shopping bags, overflowing with colorful tissue paper and dangling cards. "Oh, yeah, I'm good!"

"Let's load up the vehicle and give Art another ten minutes of reading" She suggests

A fond snort. "Sure. That's a plan."

Gwen chuckles and lets Mato assist her IF he insists. Thistle who knows her well might catch on that despite the near eye rolls, a part of Gwen is not displeased to be fussed over. As they load the vehicle, Gwen says to Thistle "I need to drop off the journal but unless you guys want I figured we'd just stop and drop it off and then keep going. Get some good time back?"

"I'm looking forward to that sweet, sweet first class lounge."

A sheepish look "I feel almost guilty about that"

"But heck with it, they DO have more storage space for those and we need it"

"Hey, he offered."

"Besides, can't risk Ivan in the hold."

"Agreed" She says patting Ivan