#baronyofthesilverwolf

Mister Tibbs takes a few tentative steps. Or rather, the odd and awkward looking, sway-backed horse underneath him takes a few steps, as Willy looks on. Aiden is also in attendance, his attention on the horse and rider.

"Incredible. I understand now. I wasn't sure I could ride without any leg power to hold on... but with these straps for security, and these to apply pressure where my feet would normally squeeze..." He pulls on a slender lever, and Bandersnatch picks up his pace into an ungainly trot around the workshop.

Wily watches, arms crossed and squinting.

lavender watches too, grinning.

"What does THIS button do, though?" He looks at a brass-rimmed button set into the saddle. And, ever adventurous, pushes the button!

Lavender moves closer ready to catch ... if that does what she thinks it does...

Yep. It's an ejector seat.

HOWEVER..... there's a hover function as well; the rider levitates and then hovers over the saddle, wherever THAT heads to....

Aiden's jaw drops just a little, but he pulls it off with aplomb, managing to make even startlement look elegant.

"Whooaaaaa!" Tibbs calls, but there is more laughter in his voice than worry. "And I didn't even know I had a back pocket filled with pixie dust!"

"All you need is faith and trust.. and apparently a nocker 's craft" Lavender gives credit

Wily smirks.

Bandersnatch moves forward, and Tibbs snatches precariously at the reins, pulling himself back in before the horse can get further away. It's almost like towing a tugboat. A SNICK! And as he gets into place, the saddle latches back onto a mounting harness on the horse's back - magnets, or clever latches!

Aiden nods slowly. "You've done a fine job, Miss Holstlerfrau. Or do you prefer Willy? Craftswoman?"

"Oh. Willy's fine."

"Willy then." The Baron nods. "The stirrup levers were especially inspired. Would you be interested in commissions in other similar work? If it doesn't take time away from your own projects. There is a hold that has a pegasus foal. Out of our own bloodlines." He adds the last with a touch of pride. "Someday they will need saddles, and you have a clever touch. Sooner, however, they may need some sort of restraining harness."

Lavender grins "Spark's gorgeous"

"Lavender, I meant to ask. Are you still on friendly terms with Dame Dagmar? I do not want to impose into their affairs, but worry that the foal may become a flight risk. I know well the antics of growing colts. I doubt any offer of assistance from myself would be welcome... but I am still in debt to Dame Dagmar. I had thought to offer outfit for the colt as a method of repayment."

"I am, and I'll talk to her.. I was thinking of suggesting of maybe a hair from the little guy's mane, or a pinfeather being kept so they could tattle tale the little guy if need be, but if my lord wishes I'll check on that promptly"

"That's a wise precaution. I have mane and tail hairs from all of our horses." He nods at her idea. "And yet, if a colt escapes on foot, they can be found easily enough with tattletale. One that can fly... if not found in time, what then? He may happen into a sky trod, or unfriendly chimera. Or even be sighted by a mortal. And I need not beg you to imagine the results if noticed mid-air." Shaking his head.

"I had thought, if our Hostler is obliging, a harness that may be..." He looks at the nocker appraisingly. "Weighted, perhaps, would be the mundane thought. But surely something more elegant. Perhaps a binding that prevents him from leaving more than a certain height off the ground? If there was a way to affect that magically... he could leap and cavort, strengthening wings, and yet still be prevented from taking off. Maybe even a way to adjust it over time as he grows both in strength... and more slowly, in wisdom. Miss- ... Willy. What might you suggest?"

"Yeah....." the nocker is thinking "I could maybe reverse the polarity?Or..... hey, could I see the horse?"

Lavender nods growing a bit grim at the risk of threats to Spark, then says "if our Craftswoman wants to escort me sometime to Rivervale. I'd be willing to have the company"

"Yeah. Yeah, could do that. Where is it?"

"New Jersey, a few hours drive south. Speaking of driving. How is your vehicle? If you will be driving on behalf of our hold, I would ensure that it is in good shape." A pause, and he adds, "Not to cast aspersions on any device nocker-owned. But if it needs a tune-up of a more mechanical nature than you may be inclined to, there is a local shop that does good and fair work."

"Naw, Baron, it runs fine." Adien may or may not be aware that the truck, while it may run fine, is a Ford F-100 circa the 1950s and shows it.

(Not much to look at)

"Looks like I'll be introducing you to the blue crew" Lavender says

"If you say so." He turns to check out Tiberius, who has been testing the saddle on canters, trots and gallops.

Bandersnatch has worked up a bit of a sweat as the Eshu pulls back around - sitting up taller than ever in his saddle, and eyes bright. "It's like having my own legs under me again. A bit of dignity..." The ungainly horse farts. Tibbs laughs! "For ME, if not for my good and noble steed."

"Yeah, well, still needs work."

"Bandersnatch is.. ah, well, one of a kind" Lavender grins

"The best projects are never truly completed." Aiden responds to Willy. And merely shakes his head a bit at the oddball horse.

Willy looks almost suspicious at the baron's comprehention of the best projects, but says nothing.

"Well, I should check in with Gwen before I head off. I believe the nearest trod is the petrol station that heads towards Missouri-ways." Tibbs says. Aiden looks a bit surprised. "So soon? Do you need any supplies?"

"Just my own two... that is, our own four feet, and I'll be on my way. I can stop for supplies." He smiles. "After all, I don't want to burden poor Marigold with any extra work on my behalf, considering."

Aiden frowns a bit. "Considering what?"

Lavender says "Baron.. her hip gave out. We thought you knew?"

He looks startled. "Excuse me." And he turns, heading for the hold at a double-time pace.

Tibbs sighs a bit. "If I knew he hadn't known, I could have at least tried to ease the telling of it. I'm out of practice in the tales business." Bandersnatch whickers and switches his own tail.

"Hey, you gonna be up there long? I can see some adjustments I gotta make."

"Sorry, satyr hoof and mouth"

"That's a good point, Miz Willy. Let me practice the dismount again." And he pushes that button once more, ejecting to hover - but this time, he unsnaps his limp legs from the braces and reaches over to hook a hand onto and reels himself over to his wheelchair. "Smooth as butter."

"If you don't mind, I'll stay and watch. I don't claim any craftsmanship m'self, but knowing how it mostly all goes together might save me down the line."

"Some-a this tech is propriatary." Willy mutters as she approaches the horse to get the gear off.

"Oh, sure, sure." He says easily. "But we're talking owner maintenance, not reproduction."

Bandersnatch is easy to work with. He's stuck his head into a sack of apples and that keeps him easily preoccupied to unsaddle.

While she might not be much of a rider (so she says) she certainly knows her way around a horse, and the tack. Bandersnatch is quickly stripped and she has an armful of saddle, bridle, and so on which she carries towards the shop.

"Sounds like you two don't need me" A smile from Lavender "I need to check on some things" She waves

Tiberius waves to Lavender, and settles in. And if Willy doesn't object, he proves a fairly inoffensive companion while she works. Watching without interruption, but also offering to tell a story about a saddle-maker he knew once, if she wants to listen...

(end scene)