#bergen_county

"You got this! Wooooo!"

She gives Star a reassuring pat as they join the queue.

Sylvi cranes to see if she can figure out who will be matched against Dagmar.

Star lifts her head proudly, but she is grateful for the assurance.

It looks like they're lining her up against a Rooster Pooka Freelance, named 'Sir Drumm of Stick" despite the humor of the name, roosters can be aggressive

Sylvi remembers Gerd's early run-ins with the DeBuke roosters. They're no joke.

His horse is FAB, with a flowing mane laced with the feathers of his master

"Gotta admit, that's a nice touch," Sylvi says to Siv about the feathers.

Siv mmms "Hope he's not a jerk, House Fiona is always hiring" A look to Sylvi "Hint hint" A wink

"Oh, yeah, like that's gonna happen ever. No offense."

And as Dagmar and Sir Drumm are announced, the flags are readied, and the trumpets sound... and the Joust is on!

"Go go go!!!"

And the two go out, alas... one of the feathers flutters loose from the fab mane horse and goes right in the gap of the POoka knight's helm.. blinded , he almost FALLS into the lance blow of Dagmar, sending him spiraling and completely unhorsing him

Sylvi blinks. "That was bizarre. They've got wards up against sabotaging cantrips, right?"

Siv nods "Yup. I think.. I think that just happened" Gawking "Oh, and Rivervale can demand a ransom for his horse's return"

"Oh, this is starting off great!"

Cheers for Dagmar as she rides back to her side of the ring.

Dag dismounts, and offers the pooka a hand up.

He takes it "I thank you, and your twin for your pooka like manners"

"Bum luck." She offers a wry smile.

Sylvi claps loudly in praise of the honorable act, looking around to encourage others to do the same.

Other jousts happened at the same time, of course, but not as..abruptly. Dame Lavender didn't dismount her foe, but looks like she may win if she scores twice more. Her form is perfect. Doomwind? Dismounts her foe

And Sir Drumm says "I will miss my horse, may I ransom for a stick of gum and a keg of Ale?"

He clearly is worried about losing his horse or that the price of return will be heavy

"Mmm, no, I don't think so."

He looks curious "What would be your poison?"

"Dr. Pepper is clearly superior to ale. I demand the good stuff."

He grins widely "A woman of culture and entitlement. Zounds, it will cost me dearly, but I shall do so , if I have to hunt the wilds for the liters" And softer "Thank you" He pats the horse

Cheers DO abound about this good sportsmanship. It's possible Symon has to have muffs on

"Sounds fair to me." She offers her hand again, this time to shake on a deal.

And they do

Meanwhile, Dame Lavender has beaten her foe by points

(TBC)