#bergen_county

"Our Marigold is a deft hand at petifours and choux pastries."

"Dame Calanthe," a return of the bow. "Dame Dagmar is loyal and kind in her praise, but I do try my best. Will your thane be joining us?" She still holds the door open for Linnea.

Connor returns down the stairs, washed and hair still wet in his hurry. He wears some of his nicer clothes, a button up shirt, but not the ailil-branded garb from earlier. A locket hangs around his chest.

Softly. "Looking good, kiddo."

He moves to Dagmar's side and stands there a moment, before inhaling, exhaling, and bowing to the visiting Dame. "Welcome to River Vale, Dame Calanthe." He says, shyly. "Dagmar is my Knight, and Miss Kerri, she's night and day around here."

A fond grin to the pooka. "Thank you, Squire Connor."

Calanthe looks a little surprised, and shakes her head. "No, the Thane will be fine. Thank you." Answering for Linnea.

A moment of consideration to Connor, and she nods. "Well said, son of my sister. Will they make a Gwydion of you, forked tongue and all?" Perhaps, amused.

A slight frown. "I assure you, we are well-secured here, Dame Calanthe. There is no need to post a guard at our door."

A frown, and she goes to fill one of the travel-mugs with coffee.

Her head tilts a little, as she interprets the frown. "Even so, there is little need for a guard to sit in state with knights. She is paid, and well, for her duties."

Connor edges towards Calanthe, a hand on his locket. He fidgets, waiting to show her.

"Interesting...I thought it was serpents and their kin who had forked tongues." Then she steps outside leaving the door open.

"Thane Linnea, I welcome you to join us. If you prefer to remain here, I can bring you refreshment."

Dagmar crosses to Kerri, travel mug in hand.

The thane gives a look over at Kerri, and a glance inside towards Calanthe, and a small shake of her head. "The welcome is appreciated, Hearth." From one who knows Trollish roles, it sounds. "I am fine here.." Seeing the travel mug. "But would never say nae to a cup of coffee." An honest smile.

Dag offers it out.

Kerri steps aside for Dagmar to deliver the coffee. "Be comfortable." She indicates a porch chair, and then heads back inside.

And the coffee is accepted with a bow to each. "Thank you, Dames."

"Plenty more if you need it."

Meanwhile, Calanthe is leaning forward slightly to look at the locket Connor holds out. She does not kneel down to look, but he lifts it up to her, even having to stand tip toes as it is around his neck. "My sister Gerd, she made me a pretty."

Kerri returns and observes the tableau of Dame and Squire...and goes tense.

Brow-furrow.

"Sister by blood or by oath?" The Dame asks, her lips narrowed a touch. "Or is this a pooka jest?" A glance at the others to answer, if Connor cannot.

"By Deed" Gerd speaks up

And enters from the kitchen area

"She's just... GERD." Connor fumbles, opening the locket. "See, it's... Gerd!" He squeaks in relief, even as the almost holographic image of the lovely dark-haired mortal lady appears within the locket.

Gerd inclines her head to Calanthe "Welcome to Rivervale. I'm Gerd Hornshield. Ember of the Hearth, and Sister by Deed to Connor the Squire of Dagmar."

"By deed is a good way of putting it. Rivervale is a place for kinfolk."

Kerri steps closer. "I trust you can help yourself, Dame Calanthe," she invites again, indicating the food and, ah, a tea set. Not Gerd's but still, tea is an option along with the pastries.

"Can I offer you tea or coffee?"

Calanthe looks taken aback - eyes on the locket and her brow furrows - but then Gerd appears, and she is able to turns away, expression carefully smoothed. "Miss Hornshield, I was not aware of your kinship claim from our last acquaintance. I pray that you forgive my question. My sister is these... is it ten years, already? Passed from us, and dear brother Aiden has yet to give up his mourning to seek another wife. Appearance of another scion of Lowell - would be, unseemly. Tea, please, Assam or Yunnan if you have it."

"Otherwise, water, would suffice." She does not seem too hopeful.

"To abandon a brother by deed merely for appearances would be more unseemly, Dame" Gerd says and smiles at Connor "Isn't Bertrand's work wonderful?"

And she looks at the tea set, and does admire it. "I can't say I follow your remark." Eyes flicking back to the young troll.

"Gerd, do we have..." Gestures. "Ass-Yun tea?"

"Oh, I have already prepared tea. It is a simple Earl Grey...I hope it will do."

Gerd nods to the Hearth "If I can help, let me know, Hearth. I'm yours to command."

Kerri smiles charmingly but briefly at this and pours the tea for Dame Calanthe. "Please make yourself comfortable."

She pours herself some tea as well. There are all the appropriate accoutrements for sugar and cream.

A nod, and she waits a moment, perhaps to see if a cup will be poured- but she is capable, and pours her own cup, adding cream and sugar. She does not hesitate to sip. "It is very pleasant, Dame Kerri. Please, is 'hearth' equivalent to a stewardship? I mean no offense. I wish to understand your rank." And Dagmar will hear truth in that.

Gerd seems to let the comment about not following be, as the subject has moved on for now.

"Lodges are different - you know how Rome had a triumvirate?"

Calanthe still watches Gerd, waiting to see if she will get a response.

Connor waits a moment, then closes the locket, slightly deflated. He gives it a soft pat, as though reassuring the locket that yes, it is pretty.

"I hold the rank of Knight, as you do. My position within the Lodge is one of three equal stations. Hearth, Mountain, and Storm. Our Storm is also our Chieftain. She is absent at the moment, but perhaps she will return shortly. In the interim, I am curious about what brings you to Rivervale today."

Seeing the Dame waits, Gerd says "If you cannot follow, well, I suppose I can only hope one day you will. There's a strength in family embraced, be it one of blood, or Da'an, or mutual choice"

"My brother's only son granted the rank of squire? Of course I would come. Congratulations are in order." And her eyes FLASH at Gerd's thinly veiled barb. "If you have aught to say about how my family is run, I will ask you to say it outright and I will answer."

Dagmar drifts about... soon Connor gets offered a glass of strawberry milk.

"You miss the point, Dame Calanthe. I speak not of your family at all. I speak of mine. The fact the two have a connection well, " A shrug

Kerri gives Gerd a brief, sharp look. "Yes, Dame Calanthe...we are very pleased that Squire Connor is embarking on this venture." A glance to Connor and a slight wink.