#anywhere

As the party goes on, Adam feeds the dogs in the kennel. They're less exotic than the birds to him. PErhaps not as 'wow' but they do wag their tails and they're cool. Oak has shown him how smart fae hounds can be

((And these are Fae hounds?))

(Yup)

"Oak's a good guy. We're battle buddies." He explains as he works. "Now, come on, manners? Is that how you act?" To one eager snout rifling for dinner.

"You guys all hunters, or are some of you battle hounds?" As he feeds them. "Wait your turn, c'mon."

One German Shepherd Fae hound looks ashamed. he has shamed his family by his greedy behavior

More for the Fae Beagles! Chomp Chomp

"Sir Seirgi says you have to show manners to get dinner." He tells the beagles.

Their facial expressions seem to indicate that the Varich is an okay guy, but he says a lot of silly things

"Wait by your bowls. I know you can understand me."

The One beagle scratches his ear. The other tries the forlorn puppy dog eyes. Starvation is setting in!

Adam folds his arms and waits. "I'm going to get -my- dinner."

The German Shepherd shows them how it's done.

The Beagles are pretty sure the German Shepherd is a suck up

Adam feeds the Shepherd. "Good girl." He approves. Then he looks at the beagles.

They can't stand it. One leaps at his legs . The food .. he's got the food

Sir Sergei comes in, a Borzoi on a leash with him "Do not feed them when they do that"

"I'm not." Firmly. "Go wait by your bowls, guys! I -want- to feed you..... so go wait."

The Sighthound also looks eager for food, but is still on a leash, and when Sergei says to him "Azoff, be still." The sight hound waits. Then he looks at Adam "People think hounds are not as intelligent as other breeds such as the workers or herders. The truth is, they are quite intelligent, evwen the non fae hounds, but they are independent thinkers. They are traied to make choices in the hunt, during action, where orders are not always able to be heard and response times can be crucial. Alas, it does make them difficult to train at times, at least compared to some. You are handling them well. Patience is key with animals. "

Finally, the beagles settle down. And assume a position of waiting as told. They're SULLEN about it

"Now stay till I tell you....." He measures food into the bowls, and they have to wait to eat. When everyone has a serving.... "Ok, eat."

Adam finds an echo of his cocky smile as he says "I used to organize pizza parties for the basketball team. Same thing."

The knight's lip twitches at that , "I confess, basketball teams are one thing I have never experienced training. " He nods approvingly as the dogs eat on command and not before. Even the beagles. he has let the Borzoi go.

"Well done. you like the dogs, but you love the birds. Am I right?"

"I like them both just fine; just, they're different, right? We... there are dogs at Rivervale but we don't really have the birds so they're newer to me."

"Ah, well, it is permitted to enjoy both. But which will you prefer to work with more? do you know yet?"

A helpless shrug. "I don't know."

"Very well, in time i may have you focus on one more the other so I may set my own plans with more certainty. For now however, you will learn mostly on the birds but work with both. Later, when you are ready, I will teach you how to hunt with both. We will not hunt for sport alone. The baroness frowns on that. What you and your animals catch, we will eat. So pick well your prey"

Adam seems uncertain.

It doesn't appear to have been a question, at least not one that needs answered now. "The German Shepherd is Camilla. The two beagles are Twixt and Tween. The Borzoi is Azoff"

"Yes, Sir. Excuse me, Sir?"

"Yes, Apprentice Adam?" He says

"Uh. Am I staying here, then? I mean.... no one said anything to me."

"I think that's still being settled. However, if you wish to go home or join the party for now, that is fine."

"Oh. I guess.... I don't understand. I'm going to learn about the animals with you, but I'm not staying? Or I might be staying?"

"You might be staying." he says "Adam. One thing is not always reliant on another"

"Oh." He goes about cleaning up from the feeding. "Yes, Sir."

"Now, for example, you might live at Rivervale yet, or about there. This does not mean you are barred from lessons from me or helping me out. It might mean it would be less frequent but it would not entirely destroy your chances of such. You might move here, get a Fiona mentor, and I find a better helper and so even though you are here, I might not use you. Try not to take either as an insult should either happen."

The boy takes a deep breath, nods. "Yes, Sir."

"For myself, I find you more than adequate in temperament. You seem eager to learn, and quick to respond. This is to your credit as an apprentice. I understand you can willow whisper yes?"

"Sometimes. If I have help."

"Such is true for most of us. " A nod as he looks over the dogs "You are at that age where you likely wish to prove yourself your own man, yet still want to be a part of a group. For many teenagers and wilders alike, this leads to poor choices. Poor choices can lead to doom, or adventure to escape the doom. My House is Slavic, we are used to tragedies, so we shrug such folly and move on, or take that tragedy and make it a part of us, a strength. You are, I am told, a Fiona. Our houses are different in many ways, we Varich watch for Patterns, Fiona leap forward often heedless a pattern is there, but I can tell you that Fiona who learn from their mistakes gain a sort of wisdom as they go on - assuming they survive the mistakes. You'll learn how to harnass pride. It's like any beast. A useful companion on the hunt or to get somewhere, but it should never be the master. I learned this myself, years ago."

Adam washes bowls for a moment or two. "Sir Bachdion talked about consequences and learning limits."

"A better talker that Bachdion. " A nod "Were his words of any use or comfort to you to your thinking? I will keep your confidence"

A shrug, stacking the dishes away. "I mean.... what he said made sense but... it was like he was testing, flexing on me. I don't think I passed. I don't think I'll be staying, Sir."

"Flexing I do not understand the..term. Testing, I do, but perhaps not right. Isn't a teacher supposed to test even a perspective student?"

He seems truly curious.

"On the first day?"

He closes the cabinets. "Maybe. I don't know how Fae do it."

"Of course, how best to find out what you know? how far you've gotten? You are a transfer student of sorts. They need to know your limits as they are..so they can help you rise above them. Still...a few dislike being challenged. Is that how you saw the test? As a challenge?"