#bergen_county

"Good. I'm ready for her to be done." Pause. "You think they'll knight her?"

"If they don't, it's going to be HILARIOUS" Nadeen says "Because Connor will out rank her"

Eyes widen and she snerks.

"I know, I know, I'm bad" A smile "But it IS funny to think about"

"It is. Well, I'm sure she'll get at least squired. But I'm sure she's knighthood material."

"Pirate knight."

"Oh she's done enough to earn it three times over even I, a die hard traditionist in some areas can see that. Besides, it's Fiona knighthood. Tickle someone's ass with a feather, rescue a pretty face from a tower, and coordinate your fashion for a ball ... and boom, you probably met the requirements"

"Hey now..." Not arguing, really.

"I wouldn't say it where a Fiona could hear"

"Best not. The Fiona I met seem nice, at least."

"Good for a fight."

"Oh, I would say the Gwydions are their better with a sword on average, but for archery the Fiona have a slight edge. Now as for who has the best jousters? " A pause "Clearly you and the Chief tipped the scales"

Dag grins.

"Well, Chief still wipes the floor with me."

"And Star's getting too big to practice much right now."

"Honestly at this point, the Chief's shrugs cause small quakes."

A laugh

Nadeen smiles "I like your laugh. It's so honest"

"Gwydion!" Grin, and a gentle splash.

"Your laugh is yours" A light splash back

"I like your laugh."

Paddle-paddle-splish.

Good thing COnnor has Jack for ocmpany - this threatens to get mushy.

"You are one of the only ones who gives me reason to laugh, with joy, in this gray world" Yup. Mushy . Closer, lots of eyes gazing

She cups the sidhe's cheek in her hand. "Oh, the world isn't grey. Not these days."

"No," A cheek stroked in return... " Lovely shades of blue mostly"

"And amber" A smile

And, it seems, purple.

A soft smile, and a kiss, very light, on the lips follows that smile

VERY purple, but her eyes are shining.

Over at the shore "Connor, we've done it, it's the biggest mud castle EVER..." Jack says. Though.. "Does look like it's not holding steady though"

Meanwhile, yeah, more smiles and little kisses from the Varich

And then.. a rumble

"Oh, shoot!"

Dagmar starts back to shore. "BOYS!"

Jack says "Our mud castle is falling" He's filthy as he tries to hold it up "Come on, Connor we can save it, exert yourself"

"Ya'll gotta let it go. C'mon, before the storm hits!"

"The Chief wouldn't ever!" Jack says

"Not That storm" A finger point up from the Varich getting OUT of the water.

Dark clouds rolling in

"Maybe if we dunk the mud off first, we don't need a bath." Connor dips into the water and swishes around hopefully, and splashes Jack's way as well.

Dagmar shoves her shoes back on and drapes a towel around her shoulders. Picnic basket re-packed.

"I think hold is closer than the Barn..."

A voice calls out from a small ways down the shore. "Is your weather always so intemperate, Dame Hammerstrike?" She may recognize that cultured voice - or may not, they only met the once.

Dag squints. "It's Jersey, the weather likes being contrary. Boys, out of the lake."

Jack splashes then "yes,"

Nadeen has slipped a garment about herself hten turns at the new voice

Standing at the head of one of the trails is a small grouping of fae. Foremost is a sidhe knight is garbed in rich clothing, a casual noble's silks appropriate to the day's heat and for ride. The horse's barding is black and silver, accenting the color of the mount herself, a midnight mare with silver mane and tail. Dismounted behind her is a tall woman troll in leather armor, who is digging through a saddlepack, looking for an umbrella. Behind them, a shorter figure on a grey mount, wearing a sweltering looking oilcloth rainslicker.

Connor tries to get one last good splash in, then follows Jack.

"Dagmar, this lady knows you" Nadeen whispers "Would it be wrong to guess you know her?"

"Dame Calanthe."