#bergen_county

The Baron of Silverwolf is a reclusive man. At times he remembers why he prefers not to socialize. Snide shots at his House under the mask of genteel greetings from a few. Small talk from those meaning well but having no idea how dull their small talk is. And yet, there is Nadeen who acts for him as a filter now and then, or even a barrier as she walks on his arm and guides him to those who specifically love horses or at least are more tolerant of Unseelie Houses

Nadeen says "I think you'll like Sir Octavio... an Eiluned Greybeard who seems reclusive himself but some suspect is more involved. He was once well connected but does not over play. Alas i don't think he's interested in horses. I know not his view on hounds. Now on the other hand, an Eshu knight, Ser Emil of Fiona, has two fae greyhounds of fine blood."

"Ah, Eiluned are our sister house, after all. I've worked with several in the past. There are none better to ferret out a secret." He thinks, for a moment, on the rather mild-mannered and pleasant librarian from Earth Runes, but wisely does not mention her.

"Speaking of hounds, how has Pyschka been behaving? You haven't spoiled her now, have you?" A hint of a smile - he teases?

A light blush "Ah, Pyschka is given much excericise"

Strolling comfortably - he does bristle a touch at an offhanded comment that may have been directed his way, but Nadeen's presence seems to have a calming effect.

she does not mention the dog is using that to work off the treat she got. Or that said dog helps herself to her bed sometimes

Nadeen seems to know the comment "Ignore Dame Drezelia. Her star falls with every house not her own and she does not know how even they are starting to see her as a liablity" She says kindly

"Hmm. Just so." As they pass a few folk working to set up banners for the Joust, he asks, "Dame Dagmar is jousting today, you had mentioned. Does she mean to face against the Shacklebreaker?"

"I think she both hopes to and dreads it, but she think sshe will place in the mid ground, she is still new to Jousting after all. Then again" PROUD "She took the Melee against Olgar, who had no small part in her teaching and is a force. So who knows how the fortunes favor her? " Nadeen does go on "Chieftain Brekke has one every year for five years, and not for lack of strong opposition. I fear there is something of a tradition that she must knock the baron of teaneck into the air. Some of the locals believe if he is unhorsed completely it means a good bounty come spring"

"This promising young Gwydion.. She was oathed in vassalage to you, was she not?"

"In a past life she was oathed in vassalage to my father." A troubled look at something

"Ah. Family... complicates things. Though I do recognize - the value of a trusted vassal is not to be underestimated. Your father, does he yet remain in Arcadia?"

"In truth lord," she seems unsure how to say this "He has, at last returned, and in a most dramatic fashion. He's a childling now. We may yet see him around here. He becomes more the new fledge and less the lord I knew in dreams. That is, not bad. He will perhaps remember more again at his saining...but we are all changed by the landing are we not? My mortal host's name was Tanya. It is amazing how much the echo of her has become a part of my own song, if I may wax metaphorical"

"I admit, I seldom think of my host these days. Perhaps as I've aged, the dividers between he and I have faded, and I no longer feel it as sharply as on arrival. His boyhood memories remain... it may be that with a mortal family intact, you will retain those ties longer. My host mother remarried some decades ago, and host father has his own pursuits. We seldom speak." Thoughtful. But, not to be too long distracted from the direction of his initial thoughts, and finally asks,

"I beg your pardon if this is an intrusion, but I must ask - what is your current relationship to the Dame? If she is not bound to you as a vassal - you are... friends?" An unasked clarification hangs in the air.

"In truth lord" A breath, "We are good friends. And, we date now and then. I would call her a girlfriend to use the mortal vernacular" Though of late I worry I annoy her more than I delight her.

"Ah." He inclines his head in a nod. The stroll continues - saying nothing for a time, or perhaps the silence speaking volumes.

"I hope that she will acquiesce to a visit in the near future." His gaze on a horse being lead towards one of the judging stalls - a fine looking mare - but no majestic beast of desert legends.

"I hope so too. I think she you and I might come to an..accomidation some time. She knows I am a practical woman" A pause "In measure. Lovely back on that one, straight as a rod" She has clearly upped her horse appreciation game

There was a subtle shift to the word 'practical'

and accommodation for that matter. Only a sidhe might catch it

But to most she merely admires the horse

He admires as well, and then a light touch of his hand onto hers, where it rests on his arm, as though to gain her attention, before gesturing. Though, their attention was already both on the horse. "See the carriage of her neck? That's a sign of thoroughbred breeding...."

Leading into a congenial conversation about horses - perhaps a few gently leading questions about what mount best suits her taste. Conversation ensues, until the next event calls for attention...

(and so it goes)

Kerri ends up playing damage control for her own good name as folks ask if she was cheated by a butcher for her Thighs this year...they weren't AS Good.. politely said

others went ot the singing and got the news from Tove and are ired on her behalf

"I didn't see the pooka myself," she assures them. "I'm sure the food was...adequate."

"I did get to see a recording of Tove's performance." A pleased grin. "She really was supposed to perform something else. She didn't need to do that...but it was a very kind gesture."

Etsie the old grump satyr says "She rocked it. Bit slow for my tastes but can't deny how good it is. Real surprise was that Finkle boy.. or was it Frinkle? So.." She eyes the food "What do you suggest for something sweet?"

"Oh, I've made some tartlettes from the same pie crust and filling as my main entries." A nod to the pies on display for the competition. "I've got blueberry, lemon curd, or mince meat for filling." Indicating the little treats artfully displayed. They look rather simple...but precise in their simplicity.

"Hey, rock on" She says clapping er hands together "How much for a blue berry or is that for the judges?"

Kerri gives the price for the tartlettes. "But you get the friends-and-family discount," she adds with a wink and only accepts the small amount.

"Did you perform in the singing competition, Etsie?"

"I did, but the judges didn't care much for the electric guitar. I'm more of a player than a singer and well... if they don't like your choice of instrument so be it"

"Well, that happens."

She pays, of course, then grins "Friends and family discounts? Ooh my. I think I'm going to have to let you call me granny at this rate" and she takes a bite. "Oh my goodness, I remember what sex is like"

That gets an outright laugh out of Kerri. "Now, Etsie, I don't for a moment believe that you're as far out of the game as all that!"

The old goat winks

Then voices "I just don't know she can beat last year" "She only has to beat the others..." "Well, it seems to me a level of complexity is almost the default"

Crap. THe judges

"Who are the stiffs?" Etise asks

"The judges," Kerri says quietly. "Excuse me." And she moves to stand by her entry display.

"Good to see you again, Hearth" A boggan male she recognizes as Jerry

"Hello, Jerry. You too." And nods to the other judges. "Are you enjoying your Pennons so far?"

"Seems a lot more rabble this year" One judge sniffs. Ah, Adyella.. a sidhe with no title, so naturally she became a food judge to compensate "I don't mean commoners, of course. I mean trouble making commoners"

"Well, yes, I've heard some people made some unpleasant choices. But...that's done with. Would you like to see the pies I made?" Yes, don't buy into the invite to complain.

"Oh thought you'd never ask" The third judge says sniffing happily

She directs them to look at the three pies. In addition to a lovely crust, each has decorative crust on top in the shape of little people. "This one..." she taps the table near the pie, and the little crust figures of a 50's greaser and bobbysoxer start dancing together in a slow two-step. "...is blueberry." And there, very faintly, one can hear the tune of Blueberry Hill.

Another tap, and a team of four female dancing crust girls get up and start doing a hip-hop routine to The Lemon Song. "Lemon curd," Kerri elaborates.

Gasps!

"And finally..." Tap tap tap, and a ring of little dancers join hands to do a medieval prance around the edge of the crust. "Mince pie."

All the dances come to a close at the same time. "And as you will see...." A final tap, and all the dancers turn and bow, but with their backsides facing the judges. "No soggy bottoms."