#bergen_county

The rider shoots by on a horse and stops. Staring at the lodge from a distance... or more accurately, the stables.

The stables have a worker - one broad-shouldered teen, carefully introducing the mare to the quintain.

"Star, the popinjay won't hurt you. Sniff it."

the figure turns and stares, her own horse golden hued beneath her ,a fae steed . She removes her hood and looks over. An Eshu. She looks amused.

Star stamps! She does not like this strange spinny thing!

A sigh. "Well, fine. Stormwake will be the only jousting horse at Rivervale - is that what you want?"

"You should try having the other horse do it. Show her how it's done' A voice cries out

She looks up. "Hey?"

"Oh..." Distraction. "Oh, he's beautiful."

"Thank you. His name is Dance. Sometimes animals learn from other animals..and fae steeds are smarter still."

"Did I hear right, you are training for Pennons?"

"I am, yeah. Who are you? Are you a messenger?"

"No. I'm a Rider," She says "I came by to check out the competition" A beat then a smile "I also sometimes deliver messages"

She grins. "You're gonna joust at Pennons? Cool! This'll be my first time."

"I'll probably lose." Easy-going shrug.

"I might lose too...but I'm riding for Teaneck." She smiles "I'm Shasta, like the drink." A shake of her head 'Though it also means Praised"

"Well, this is Rivervale, so you know. And with Chief riding, we're all going to lose."

"Oh? You haven't heard then?" A grin

"Haven't heard what?"

"The Baron has a new knight...and she's an expert jouster. Has competed at the Kingdom level"

"Well, obviously, you don't know the Chief. She's the Shacklebreaker."

"But, so, who's the new chick?"

"Oh, I have heard the stories, the knight, she is known as the Doomwind... and she too has her tales of legend. Oh I am so tempted to tell you them. I'm afraid your Chief may have to deal with being second best, which is no shame"

Snort. "As if. Can I meet Dance? You could meet Star..."

"Well, I should be heading back and being responsible..." Then a bit of mischief, "But then, what kind of messanger would I be not to learn more about where to go?" And she rides Dance over. Oh he's a fine figure. He looks like he was coated in gold.

And she dismounts, "Dance, remain." then looks over Star "oh she is well named. Magnificent form"

Dag steps up to stand on the bottom rail of the fence so she can see the steed better.

"Isn't she though? And she knows it, too. But she's whip-smart."

Dance 'remains' but his legs seem to shuffle, ready to go

She extends a hand for Dance's inspection, palm up.

"Oh? You should definitely see if you can get her to feel competive with this fine fellow nearby" Shasta grins

"So this new lady rider - is SHE named Shasta?"

"you flatter me. No, I am not the Doomwind"

"Worth asking."

"Do you need rest or anything? Hospitality? We got food and drink at the lodge."

"Thank you, no " She has a sugar cube and is offering it to Star

"I want to endear myself to this lovely lady, then race off in a flurry of speed and impress you"

all true!

"Teaneck is nice, I've visited a few times."

A laugh. "Well, okay."

"Well, if you visit us in return you might see the lady knight for yourself." And Star takes the cube and crunches. A slight horse tail swish

"She's gonna gloat to Stormwake..."

Indeed, Star does the 'I got it, you didn't' prance.

Dance nuzzles that hand btw

"You should definitely tell Star that Stormwake is an AMAZING jouster...but you understand not every horse can do it" Shasta smirks

"Not every horse can, but Star is going to be great."

"And I bet you will be too, Dance." A grin for the golden horse.

Dance does this head bob step back that looks like a bow!

"See, I taught him that" Shasta says

"Impressive!"