#anywhere

Star is feeling better with the herbal remedies, and that is making her fussier. I feel well, she seems to say, why may I not run?

Stormwake, noramlly so subject to her whims, has become a bit of a bully, going where sshe goes, or slowing her if she strains herself. Even nipping at him doesn't help him see sense

A huff, and she settles with taking the best sunny spot in the pasture. And when Stormwake chooses a spot, she must have that one instead.

She is still headmare, and he will remember.

Dagmar is standing on the fencerails, keeping an eye... possibly dozing, just a little.

THis he abides. But he doesn't let her strain herself

Kerri approaches with a tray. "How are they doing?" Lemonade and sandwiches.

"Stormwake's worried."

Star has relaxed and is dozing again in the sun.

Oak snoozes in the sun. He's been on Double Dog patrol lately. Brown Dog is..ah.. Brown Dog tries

Dagmar doesn't say she's worried, but her ragged cuticles and knuckles might betray her.

"Well...I don't know many fathers who aren't worried. There's not much they can do other than what the mother asks, and the mother often doesn't know what to ask for that will help." She sets down the tray. "How about you eat?"

"Oh, I probably should... thank you, Kerri."

"My pleasure, hon."

"I heard from Nadeen. She's doing fine."

"Yeah? Good..." A frown.

"I should be more concerned, Ailil are dangerous..." But her amber eyes dart over to check to dozing mare.

"You have your role, she has hers. The fact that you're not more concerned is also, I think, a sign that you're confident that she can handle this, isn't it?"

"Partly. She's really good at court stuff - Varich see patterns, right? So she'd see if they were hiding anything."

"Right. That, plus her rank grants her some protection. She's the person for that particular job. And you're the person for this one."

"At any rate...I'll check back in a bit and fetch the tray. You might want to try to shut your eyes for a little while. I'm sure Star and Stormwake will wake you if there's a problem."

And Kerri leaves Dagmar with sustenance and the company of the horses...and any squires that might be lurking about.

"Thanks, Kerri."

Dag sits on the middle rail of the fence, arms hooked over the top, and eats a sandwich.

Connor returns after a time, and has a basket over one arm. "I went by the Barn and helped with the dishes and the laundering, did you know that even SOCKS have to be folded? It's silly, they're more fun when they don't match. And I'll ask Sylvi if she can walk your patrols and I will even help her if she wants. Because you have to stay here and watch the stars. Oh, and this is from your Tove." Offering the basket.

"More food? Kerri brought sandwiches and lemonade, if you want some..."

"Sandwichades! I can help if there are too many." He sets the basket aside and helps himself to one, taking a big bite.

"And too much lemonade, too."

"Leastwise for one person."

"You'd need more to fill up a trough. But I don't think horses like lemons, even if they like sugar." He looks concerned. "I fed Star lots of carrots and apples to help her like me. I didn't make her too fat, did I?"

"No, Connor. The foal is just too big."

"We wanna be careful, so she doesn't get hurt."

He passes the basket over to her - inside she'll find that Tove has packed a number of her favorite comic books, and a CD player - ancient tech, that, with tunes.

"If she could get bigger like Stormwake, then the foal would be a normal size."

"I know... but she.." Pause.

"Jonas!"

"Jonas could do it - make her grow!"

"Wouldn't the puppy grow too? It's still part of her insides until it becomes her outsides."

"Maybe, I don't know... can't hurt to ask, right?"

She does have his text number

"It's too bad Gerd doesn't know the foal like she does me. It could say something rude and get flicker-flashed right into the lake."

"Horses can swim, right?"

"They can, I think..."

"But, I mean, like people - they probably need to learn. And I wouldn't risk it with a rider..."

"I would try to draw a doorway to let her out... but I'm no good at doorways and she might get lost or stuck. And Hopscotch is a BIG JUMP, that doesn't sound good, like when you fall out of a tree and your belly is up in your throat."

Star fidgets a bit and gives a low nicker. Annoyed, she shifts her weight.

"I know, sweetheart." Dag squints, trying to gauge if she needs to fetch Clem yet.

"And a portal passage might work - I don't like the idea of cutting her open, either."

Star moves over to lean against Dagmar, and she may feel... a movement! Much as Tove's belly twitched as CJ danced, the foal shows impatience. A huff - Star is discomfited, but not in pain.

Pats. "I hope maybe we were wrong, and you're just further along than we thought."