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Tam waves a hand at the cub and continues on, thinking he'd ask for the apple wood first, as since it is the most recent delivery, it's shavings would be purer than the rest. He also decides to ask for any fragments, splinters and such, they might have lying about, as he loves the scent of apple wood burning.

He returns some time later with two sacks... One of apple and one of maple... for the shop is quite familiar with his requests.

"They be bringing the box by in a barrow when they are done with it. I told them to bring it to the cottage's garden gate. They are also bringing an order of apple kindling. If I get busy and you let them in, have them put it near the wood pile by the back door, okay. Shall I take this out back as well?"

Tam does as he is asked, then walks down to the market to pick up some vegetalbes and seasonings. On the way back he meets up with his next door neighbor, a tiny little old woman who seemed to believe it was her duty to tend to everyone on he street.

"Did my eyes deceive me or has your young one returned, Master Bard?" she asks kindly.

Tam flashes her a fond smile and realizes he may have a means to identify all those dishes after all. He explains his predicament and she laughs merrily at his confusion.

"Just clean them up and set them on the bench near the fountain. We all have to fetch a fresh supply each day, so's their owners will simply pick them up and haul them home fer ye. An' I' surely glad to see ye smiling once more, laddie boy... Ye know... it matters not how highborn or low ye are... ye never truly realize what ye got until it's gone... More than anyone, a parent finds this driven home to rest... be their child blood born or not."

Tam juggles his bundles to one arm and doffs his hat to her wisdom, making her laugh even more.

"Ack! Get yerself home now... I'm sure he misses ye even more than ye missed him... off with ye.." she laughs making a shooing motion with her hands.

Tam chuckles. "Yer in a mountainous region and no where near a sea... What did ye expect. Though if ye don't need all that,I know a few people who'd be grateful to get some." He is thinking of all those individuals who had prepared him food.

Tam washes his hands and finishes the task. And it is a good thing the cub goes back, as he really could use a bit more in the sack.

Then he goes to clean up the dishes he had put to soak in the wash tub. Scraping and scouring he realizes that no one had used their best dishes which in a way makes him happier than if they had, for it meant the food was meant to nourish him, not impress. He finally gets them all clean and stacked to dry on the sink, then sits down with a cup of tea, setting a second one out to steep for the cub.

Tam pulls the bag from his back and tells him to rest. He has made him a new cup of tea ever so often and there is a fresh one on the table along with a slice of dewberry pie.

Tam watches him work with a small smile, seeing in his actions another cat, one far older and just as particular about his efforts as the cub is. In the back of his thoughts he finds himself wondering how much the older Kerobiain is going to affect the younger from this point on. In a way, he is saddened by the thought, already bracing himself for the day he knows will someday come. He truly doubts he will need the vial hidden beneath his bed. When the time come, Kerobian the elder will simply surface and absorb the younger. One day the cub will be there, the next he won't.

*Kero soon pulls the cloth off the meat, and pulls a grate out, placing it over the fire when he pulls off the pot...and he calls for Tam*

Sira...would you mind turning this for me...I have one last thing I want to do...