Everyone laughed at that, and they spent the next little while drinking and catching up on how Ellen's business was doing, as well as telling a very abridged version of the poisoner gossip. It would be all over anyway, with so many people involved, soAlex wasn't worried about being scolded for giving her a more accurate perspective.
Especially since he was sending Lapointe chocolates.
"So," said Julian, once their cocoas were all drunk, "what new things do you have to sell me?"
Ellen laughed and led them out to the cases where her season and weather sets were still going strong, and there were a few of the very popular Solstice sets still in stock, as well. "I haven't decided what to do for after Solstice, to be honest," she said, giving them each a free sample of a truffle.
"You should do mood truffles," said Alex, sighing over the joyful brightness of cranberry and spice with just a hint of winter fir. "Spice for anger, something rain-soppy for sadness, that kind of thing."
"Well, not soppy," said Ellen, "but that's a fair idea. I might save it for the spring and do something more cheering for winter, though."
"Well, everyone's full up on winter everything right now," said Julian, "so what about early spring? A floral, some berries, that kind of thing. Expand on the coming season and get people who are heartily tired of the snow."
"And of the spice mix that comes with it, though that's not me," said Jacques, finishing off his own gingerbread truffle. "You could do that for four seasons, really, summer in spring and on to the next, making anticipation into flavours."
"Oh, now that is clever," said Ellen, taking more notes. "I should have known you all would have fun ideas for me."
"That's why you asked," said Alex. "I also think it would be fun to do some unusual flavours, like a savoury set with those cheese truffles."
"I've been poking at that sort of idea," said Ellen, "but it's going to be a very delicate balance."
"Well, you only need four to make a set, really," said Julian.
"That's true, and there's always bacon and chocolate to make a second one," said Jacques. "That's a tried and true combo."
"Yes, I've been considering it, but it's so done," she said with a sigh. "Well, it'll go in the development pile and we'll see what comes of it. I like this expanded seasons idea, it gives me a starting point and some ideas of where to go next."
"We like it, too," said Alex. "Your berry truffles are always divine, and I know you'll think of something else amazing to hit that spring note."
"You're good for my ego," said Ellen with a pleased laugh.
After that they got down to business, ordering florals for Lapointe and seasons for Thomas, an assortment in a tasteful gift box for Lady Nonami-Finklewick, and more cheerful ones for Chudleigh and Geoff. They sent Solstice boxes to the two servants and then a larger box of Benedict and St. Albans truffles to the main household as a treat for everyone.
Once that was paid up, along with Alys' orders and Jacques' big blocks of chocolate, they all piled into the car with their goodies and shared around the persimmon slices, including Jones in their treats, of course.
The next stop was quick and easy, no one having to get out but Jones, and soon enough they were headed back towards home.
Chapter 35
With nothing to occupy him otherwise, Jacques let himself be co-opted into the kitchen while James, Julian, and even Alex went out into the chilly conservatory to check over all of the plants in their wintering state. And the bees, of course, who were hibernating and hopefully would survive the winter without having to repopulate the box in the spring.
It was lovely for Julian to realise how connected he was becoming to the seasons, to the nature in their lives and the ways it intersected.
"We'll have to visit the Source tomorrow when we go out to practice," said Julian thoughtfully, sending a little energy in to keep the bees healthy as they slept away in their hive box.
"I suspect it will insist," said James. "It usually does, once you two get close."
"That's a tomorrow problem," said Alex, looking at the wintering stems of another plant curiously. "It's weird to kind of feel and hear the sleeping plants."
"It's weird," agreed Julian, "but it's a good weird." Not just learning to listen to those feelings, to understand what they meant and how to interpret them, but the music that came alongwhenever magic was involved now, a gift from his bond with Alex.
"You're a good weird," said Alex childishly, pulling him in for a teasing kiss.
"You two are gross," said James in the same sort of tone.
They laughed and went through the rest of the slumbering conservatory, only to find Con at the fairy door when they got around to the side of the house again. "Why hello! Are you here for a meal?" asked Julian cheerfully.
"I won't say no if I'm invited," said Con, looking pleased. "I ain't got news or nothin', though."
