[Red Lion]

"Yeah. Mama likes flowers, our gardener is very talented, he doesn't speak much English though, mother picked him up on her travels, that's him now. Hello Hans!" said Alissa. A tall, hawkish blond man hunched his shoulders and waved shyly as he pruned away at a cluster of roses.

[uncledaddy]

Randy nodded to him. "Good morning!" He supposed they couldn't all be as attractive as Ellen...

[Red Lion]

The man responded in a soft, gravelly voice, "G..good morning," his accent was heavy and he spoke slowly.

[uncledaddy]

"I am Randy; it's very nice to meet you." Randy offered him a hand.

[Red Lion]

"...I....I Hans Kraus," Hans replied moving to shake the hand but thinking better of it when he saw that his own large, rough hand was covered with dirt. He was a young man, only perhaps just into his twenties and his shaggy curls nearly hid his grey eyes. He looked almost frightened as he quickly turned around to tend his flowers, "I...I work. Not stop now,"

[uncledaddy]

"Of course. Carry on," said Randy with another brief nod. "Poor fellow seems a bit shy," he noted to Alissa as they continued on their way.

[Red Lion]

"Some of Mama's visitors like to have a laugh at his expense, he got hurt once when Lord Stickbottom tried to jump a horse over him, so he mostly doesn't come out when new people are around," said Alissa, "I left him a cake once, I think it made him feel better,"

[uncledaddy]

"Well, that was very kind of you," said Randy. He frowned. "...'Lord Stickbottom'?"

[Red Lion]

"He's a horrid man, he treats everyone like he's better than they are and he pushed Ellen down the stairs because she was cleaning the banister and he couldn't be bothered to wait for her to finish and move out of the way," said Alissa, "He looks at me funny too....I don't think I like him."

[uncledaddy]

Randy grimaced. "Well, from the sound of things, nor do I," he muttered.

[Red Lion]

"Ellen hit her head hard and broke her glasses, mama bought her new ones but now Ellen won't serve Lord Stickbottom, so I have to bring him his face mask," said Alissa.

[uncledaddy]

"His... face mask?" Randy looked at her in confusion.

[Red Lion]

"It's mashed up meat, honey and eggs, it keeps his skin soft," Alissa explained. "You'll get to meet him when Mama brings him home,"

[uncledaddy]

"I'd rather not," Randy lamented. "He spreads food on his face and doesn't eat it?"

[Red Lion]

"It's his skin treatment," said Alissa "and you'll probably have to do it when he gets here,"

[uncledaddy]

"I'd rather not," Randy repeated with a groan.