#baronyofthesilverwolf

"So how was it at the DeBukes, Briar?" Gwen asks her fellow dog wrangler. "Hope it wasn't too boring?"

A grunt as she scoops up a load of... er, if it were from horses it would be fertilizer, but from dogs? It's just shit.

"The cornboys are same as ever. All they talk about in Spring is weeding and planting."

She considers the receptacle for her scoop of whatsit, and seems to be pondering if she should fling it somewhere else. I mean, Gwen is right there.

"Don't." Warning look as she helps, "I can throw more of it than you can. So nothing new ? Sorry, at least you get to butcher hogs nearby. Did you get to keep some of the meat?"

"Yuh." She dumps the shovel, and scoops again, a bit viciously. "What do you think about vampires?" Suddenly.

"Bad news, often very banal I hear," She is startled by the question "Avoid at all costs. Children of Lilith are spiritual leeches as well as blood drinkers, at least that's what I'm told. Though House Daireann says some do have hospitality manners."

"Yeah, that's what we know about 'em. But what do you THINK about 'em?"

"Mmph," Gwen grunts, "If they are truly prodigals, fae who got lost, they went so far I think they're more lost than Thallian by a lot. I think they ARE Dangerous. I guess they scare me. They put the bite on you, it breaks the fae spirit, you're just a dead mortal who burns in the sun and is miserable ... like being a prisoner in a corpse. That is...beyond spooky. THat's that I think about htem. I think they're better off probably walking into the sun and getting it over with. I'm sure they'd disagree."

A final scoop, and the kennels are clear of solid matter. "You want to hose, or should I?"

"I'll do it. Look, why are you asking about vampires?"

She tosses the shovel into the corner where it lives with a clatter. "No reason."

A troll brow lift.

"I met a stupid pooka, and didn't even twist her feathers off even though she's annoying."

Faux somber nod, "You deserve a medal."

"She don't belong in Iowa though. Pigeons go in cities so they can crap on statues. "

Then, a sudden look of inspiration. "Hey, can I go to Firnost?"

"Umm not sure it's my choice," She says "But first... let me say 'no' not if your'e going to have your pigeon friend crap on Brekke's statue."

"We want the RV crew to STAY allies," She reminds.

"She ain't even boss there anymore!" She whines

"No but she's part of their heritage and history and stuff. ANd it scares me that I actually know your mindset well enough to have guessed what you were thinking," Gwen opines, then lightens a little, "Sounds like this new pooka has the Briar seal of approval though."

"NO." She grunts.

"I just haven't beat her up because she has a cap brother."

A wicked grin though. "Heard that Dirk whupped him though. Good." Still a bit of hero worship there.

"This guy threw down with Dirk? He's either brave or stupid," She remembers getting beat on by that brute for a Pennons.

"Probably stupid, if his sister is a birdbrain and his brother is a dumb pony. You know how dumb Blossom is."

"Okay Cap older brother, Pooka mild child, and a Centaur youngest? No wonder they hung out with the DeBukes. THey're a bunch of breeders too."

"Yeah, glad we ain't got a bunch of snot noses round here."

"Ah, about that," Gwen says "Apparently we got a new sidhe soul so if you see a fancy urn do not eat it or its contents."

"I don't just eat shit for the hell of it!" She grouses.

"But since you brought it up... what's for lunch?"

"Talkin' about the newbie makes me think... fried chicken?"

"Actually close," She gets to working with the hose "We have left over pheasant which I think can be made into sandwiches."

She wipes her drooling mouth. Then makes a face. "I guess I'll wash my hands first."

"Dare I suggest a whole shower?" She sniffs the air, "I know I'll take one."

Gwen suspects a middle finger has been thrown her way while she uses the hose, but if so, she's not fazed. SHe's got a job to do.

A grousing grumble, but Briar vanishes towards the house. Mmmm, bird sandwich.

Gwen smiles, I mean, her lip twitches so troll smile I think she's made a friend, but I don't dare use the word

(Fade to hosing crap and showering caps)

Gladiola practices using her spear against targets, thrusting the point through one object, then another.

Poppinjays and strawmen.

She practices her side steps and evasive moves, then feigns blocks.

Training with dogs is her usual thing, but she's got to stay in shape as a warrioress.

Soon there are three destroyed targets.

Muppet is plopped down nearby, next to the much bigger Ivan, being Perfectly Good.

She smiles and looks at the dogs , "How'd I do guys? I Thought I was okay on follow through speed but I might be biased."

Ivan wags. Ten out of ten! She's amazing! Muppet concurs, but would give an 8 out of 10. Pearl, a cat nearby, gives it a four out of 10. Because Cats are the French Olympic judges of the pet world.

Muppet wanders over to sniff at the destroyed targets. Maybe they are treats?

They are not, but Muppet smells nothing yet, but hears something.

Then Ivan hears it too and looks to the distance, to the road beyond the freehold grounds.

Head-tilt, ear-cocked, tail-stilled.