#baronyofthesilverwolf

""I have my dog too." A smile

"Still, you are a Baroness. It seems... somehow improper, for you to not have an entourage to fit your station."

"Flo, we are a small hold, the thanes have their own duties and l.oyalties " And indeed, are bound to Calanthe "And Dame Lavender not my knight. I will be fine."

She bows her head again and murmurs, "I meant not to offend."

"I know" and she smiles, "Truth, Flo," A hand on the mortal's arm "You quite appeal to that which is in me that is most sidhe. Much is due me, but we are in a world where dreams are dimmed atimes and not all sidhe get their due, so I must priorltiize it. But I am up to the challenge. Now, I am in better mood I think than I was. Before I go, tell me, how is Rien?"

A true smile now. "He is flourishing in the new day care Miss Marigold recommended. At first I was a little hurt that he hardly fussed when I left... silly of me, isn't it? But I see now how much he was longing to play with other wee ones his age."

"Very understandable," She smiles "But it's not justt he was longing to play with young ones, thouh I am sure he was- but also you helped him be brave. He trusts you, even a so young an age, so of course his fear diminished. At least that's my theory" A laugh "I shouldn't act as if I know much of children"

Flo laughs. "I'm no expert, I'm learning everything alongside Rian." Giving Nadeen's hem a quick tug to ensure that it's laying properly, and brushing a bit of loose fur that got on her sleeve.

"Do you want me to pack you a lunch for your hunt?"

"A small one" she says "And the usual treats"

She nods, and heads to the kitchen. Flo has picked up on both Sylvi and Nadeen's habits, and the little home is well stocked with favorite staples, and when Nadeen is in residence, quickly filled with perishables to her taste as well. The fresh flowers set out aren't too shabby, either. It may not be a castle, but she is treated like a queen!

Soon a small bundle is prepared, and by the way Pyschka's nose lifts into the air, she approves of what may be in the little side pouch Flo slips in.

"Will we expect you back this evening? I can put together some supper or order in for you, unless you plan on dining at the Manor?"

"I shall see if I'm invited but if so I will let you know, just a few hours I think" She ponders "But that's unkind to you for preperation isn't it? I'll see to my own dinner I think. "

Flo looks slightly surprised. "Surely you do not need an invitation? Even if not the Lord's consort, and a baroness in your own right, you are part of the court and as such, should have an open..." She trails off, and curtseys again. "I apologize for making assumptions, Lady. There is yet much for me to learn about how your Silverwolf conducts business."

A wicked smile "Oh Flo, I am Reeve, I can go anytime I like. However, I rather enjoy seeing if the Baron will realize he should request me specifically now and then. Perhaps he shall forget and I shall not show and confuse him , orr may haps he will think of it and there fore petition? A shallow game I suppose, but Bashful Beloveds and Ardent Admirers is a dance"

"It is not shallow at all, it is the courtly dance, and is practically tradition." Flo grins, at ease now that she understands the game afoot. "It is a shame we do not reside within the Manor, that I could properly speak to his own groomsman and coordinate a 'surprise' tryst in the woods when your paths just happen to cross..."

A delicate blush "An.. interesting notion"

"It is a Handmaiden's duty to see to her Lady's needs." She says lightly, hiding her smile.

"There are advantages for me to a mortal dwelling" she explains Not the least of which is that I age normally while my lord does not. He looks far younger than he is, and I shall close the gap

"Oh, yes." She nods solemnly. "Miss Marigold was very clear with me about not spending too much time there." A sigh. "It is so lovely, but I do understand. I don't even mind it so much, after all, there is a magic of it's own just watching Rian play in a park, that fairy castles have trouble matching."

"Oh more than you know, he maybe creating tiny chimera that attach to the Dreaming" A look "however, Flo, I do not want Marigold to disregard your help .. if you feel she is trying to 'sneak increase' her work load, let me know. You will 'happen' to accompany me"

She nods firmly. "I won't let the dear lady work herself too hard."

"Thank you, Flo" Sounding as grateful as she feels which is much "She's dear to us all."

And with that, Nadeen has kestrel, has dog, and goes on the hunt

It's a lovely day for a hunt! Mid-seventies, warm enough that Nadeen has a bit of a sweat until she loosens her cloak and finds a cooler breeze along a creek. The clouds that drift in the sky provide welcome bits of shade, the landscape patchworked with sun and shadow. Vespa perches on her shoulder and chirrups softly as they go, a quiet conversation, in a language that Nadeen cannot understand, and yet not quite one-sided.

"Yes yes, Vespa, I know..." Nadeen smiles "Any prey I get from you I feed you in exchange"

Vespa is eager, she can practically feel the energy vibrating off the tiny bundle of raptor. It's not only the two that enjoy the summer day, either. Flowers bloom along the creek, and are visited by bumbling bees and fluttering butterflies. Dragonflies dip to touch the water and flit away again, and in a tree overhead, a squirrel chatters an alarm as Pyschka sniffs at the trunk.

The dog looks up in tall-eared surprise as something small bonks off her head! "Boof?!" An acorn rolls away...

Vespa chirps a question, her talons flexing. Shall she teach that tree-rat a lesson?"

She kens the squirel

It is mortal, and chattering angrily!

And she decides it will do, and she launches Vespa!

"Skree!" Baby griffons are not the only ones who can shriek, it seems! The squirrel, focused as she was on the dog, barely has a chance to register the feathered bolt coming it's way before she connects! A normal kestrel is only about 6 ounces, where a squirrel can be easily over a pound, so it's not unlike Pyshka tackling a black bear!

The dog barks excitedly as wings flap and the squirrel fights back, Vespa darting in and trying to sink a killing blow! Loose furred skin works to the tree rodent's advantage, it's hard to get a grip on a meaty part of the dang thing.

Honor , she realizes, is a lie, annd so. she dictums the squirrel, "Squirel, flee your cover!"

The squirrel doesn't even get a roll and immediately scrambles out of the branches that gave it an edge - in a split second decision, it decides against running down the trunk where the dog awaits, and instead launches, tail waving like a sail for balance, towards the next tree over!

Where it would have landed, if Vespa didn't strike midair and bear it down to the ground, the intelligent fae raptor using velocity in place of her lesser weight.

"Brava, team work!"

Vespa mantles her wings protectively over the squirrel, now carcass rather than critter, and is ready to start ripping into it. A warning hiss towards the dog - this is HER prey.

"Pyschka, don't take it personally" Then she tests the next "To me, Vespa.. we trade. " Holding up a treat. That's how it works. You bring the falconer the prey, but get something else in turn. But will it work?

Vespa considers this... then shakes her talons free of the squirrel. It's a rather clean kill, in fact - she snapped it's neck neatly on impact. But she does clack her beak a bit impatiently, waiting. Nadeen finds two packets - one with small chopped bits of prime steak, and the other with a meaty bone. (The steak sandwich she might guess is for herself)...

She gives a few small chopped bits CAREFULLY (don't want to risk a finger) to Vespa "Fine Huntress, Vespa. Fine fine work"

The meat is snapped up delicately and swallowed. Pyschka eyes the squirrel, wondering if Nadeen is going to eat it all herself, or perhaps share.

Pyschak is not, she has a plan, and athers it up in her hunting bag "Come, Pyschka.. your turn. Bit of a run eh?" Securing Vespa gently, she finds a dog friendly area and pulls out.. 'the ball'. Red and big ennough not be swallowed "Shall we play Fetch?"

The Ball! THE BALL! Dropping into a play bow, the dignified she-bear looks the puppy again as she wriggles in anticipation.

"один" She begins to count to three "два" then she hurls it on three "три!"

Pyshka is wise, she is smart, she knows THREE! Bounding into the brush, and then she STOPS. The ball rolls forward into the tall grasses, but the dog has stopped, and whines, ever so softly.

Now that troubles her, and she moves. There was a time she would have yelled 'go get it' but if her dog is stopping there's a reason. She goes to see what is up "What's wrong, sweet one?"

She whines a little, and snuffles towards the edge of the grass. There is her ball, and it's rolled up against a small depression of flattened grasses, where a small animal lies. A faun, perhaps only a month or so old, curled up with spindly legs tucked in, and laying still. But unusual - instead of mellow brown fur with white spots, this baby deer is creamy white throughout!

"Oh" her eyes widen with wonder. Even if she came to hunt, she couldn't bring herself to hunt this .

Pyshka seems to be of the same mind. Where other trained dogs may have savaged the helpless creature, she looks to Nadeen, and then gives just her softest whuff.

"She's beautiful" A tilt of her head "And a good omen I think but where is her mother and.. " She kens. It seems to be her default habbit these days

Indeed! She realizes that a normal hunter... or hound... would not have come across this creature. A glimmer of glamour on the lovely little creature. It does not appear to be in any distress, and then it blinks up at her, it's sleepy eyes are brilliant blue.

"In the legends, whoever could catch a white hart or hind got a wish, but I fear it is you who has caught me," She admits

She reaches, and strokes the head of the sweet creature

The fawn's head turns to follow her hand, and if he - for it is a he! Can catch a finger, he suckles it curiously. Alas, no milk. He will have to await his mother's return.

Pyshka leeeaaaans in and carefully manages to roll her ball free with a paw. Priorities! The small Not Food is interesting to her Human, yes, but Ball.