#rivervale_lodge

Kerri's Cauldron has been used, a lot.

A note from Gerd indicates it's for the storm and some of 'The cooks of Fenix had their food duplicated so I could spread it to the locals. Touch of home and all. PS Jessica sends her love'

Kerri doesn't mind in the slightest, and only regrets the fact that she missed Gerd personally. She does check over the cauldron, though. It's been reliable, but she certainly doesn't want to risk draining or straining its abilities. So she looks and looks for signs of weakness, physical or chimerical.

So far, holding up, but it may need a rest soon

And she has ... help?

Gladiola , wearing gloves so her rocky skin doesn't flake, is cooking by Sally mae

Kerri wipes off her hands and pats the cauldron with gratitude. Then she turns to the kinain and the stone-skin troll. "How's it going, ladies?"

"Dame Gladiola's doing well" Sally mae says "Follows instreuctions if she doesn't mind me saying so"

"Oh that's the only way I cook right really" Gladiola says "mom taught me a little"

"Your mother's an excellent source," Kerri affirms. "So, if it won't interrupt your work, can you tell me more about how you feel the pups and their mom are doing?"

She takes care of whatever task might need doing on the other side of the kitchen.

"Getting close to eight weeks. Their personalities are shining through" The Daireann says "And they're all very promising. The runt has caught up with his sibs. The local kids have been great for socializing them. " A beat "I... got the list of names. It's a bit.. different from what I was expecting but as the eventual owners will be able to rename them that's not a problem"

"What's the surprise? And what would you have chosen?" Linen napkins being folded into neat rectangles and set in a press.

"Well, the Baron prefers Tolkenian names. " She says "Just the... well, this is a noble hold.. pardon, lodge, so the founding fathers who defied monarchy... being used as role models, well, they were born on the 4th. But I would worry that might discourage noble holds from the dogs"

"Oh? Interesting. I think the intent was to focus on the legacy of those powerful dreamers. And honestly, how could one resist the Yankee-Doodle-Dandyism of fourth-of-July pups? I think the Baron might understand."

"For a noble hold, I'll admit we're rather prosaic."

She nods "Perhaps. This is my first time in charge of a litter and I maybe worrying needlessly. I want this to be perfect"

Sally Mae mutters something

Kerri might have meant the prosaic comment in self-deprecating jest, and raises a brow when it's taken at face value, but doesn't comment on it. "'Perfect' is a pretty high bar to set."

"Sorry, Sally Mae, didn't catch that?"

Sally Mae IS a DeBuke, and sometimes when asked they speak their mind (Sometimes when not asked) "I was saying some days I'm very glad I am not a full troll. Love you all, I do, but you often do not grasp that best is best and nothing to be ashamed of. Pardon me, Gwen, but no such thing as perfect. "

"Well, full-troll here tends to agree with you. But I also understand what you mean, Dame Gladiola. I think you want to do your job close to perfectly...but you'll need to accept the puppies at whatever their 'best' is. I suspect that's what you meant, though."

"The chances of perfection on a first attempt at anything are unlikely."

"Oh, dogs are wonderful period. There's no bad dog really, just bad training and putting the wrong job on the dog. Every dog has a talent or a knack. Some might be poor guard dogs but good therapy dogs, or alert dogs. Some might surprise you as rescue dogs when they failed at drug sniffing. Honestly if more people were patient enough to really get to know the dogs they'd find there was so much each dog can bring to..." And she blushes a bit "Sorry. I am a bit hyperfocused on the subject. Don't worry. Even if a dog isn't up to what we want for the breed to be's standards, the individual dogs still have our full support in finding the home best for them."

"I'm glad to hear that, and really I should know that you would. I suppose...well..." She pauses. "I'm sure the Baron will be pleased with the work you're doing."

A curious look "Well what?"

Kerri sighs and looks like she regrets having made that comment. "I'm sorry, it's just...well, first impressions die hard, sometimes. And you have to remember that when I first met Baron Aiden, he was not one to accept things that didn't meet his standards of perfection." A bit of lingering bitterness. "I know, he's a very different man, now, but sometimes I have to remind myself to put the first impressions away."

Gwen ponders then says "My lord was not himself. I.. don't know how much to go into, but were it not for Baroness Nadeen, he would still not be himself. I would not have sworn to the man you met then. He was.. not whole"

A bit of relief at that response. "I know. I didn't know then, but I know now. It was just hard to witness." She shakes her head. "But now is now, and I am sure he will be willing to see the good in each of the pups, even those who do not measure to breed standards."

"Oh, we've done that already. There's this goofy looking horse that we have who ended up finding just the right person" A smile of fondness "i'm not a horse person, but when someone is lame, watching their eyes light up as they get a partnershhip like that works great"

A surprised look from Sally Mae at that "Well, That IS nice"

"And the Baron's idea" proud lift of chin "honestly, the baroness is the more people oriented of the two. "

Kerri grins. "I think they make an excellent team."

"Now, show me what you two have put together."

((fade to talk of kitcheny goodness))