#bergen_county

And, like thunder, her lance drives home on the Baron's shield. It shatters in a cascade of splinters and.... oh, it will rain WELL in teaneck this year.

YEET-eth, verily, doth Kealan fly. Up, up, up, into the sky.

And the crowd cheers, beer cans are opened, one section of the stand does the wave

Symon idly wonders what the omens for the harvest say if Teaneck dies on the way down. That's not Dagmar's fault. That's just gravity!

Across the fairgrounds, Kerri hears the uproar and grins. "Tradition," she sing-songs quietly to herself.

If there's one thing the Baron has mastered as a jouster , it's landing

Meanwhile Connor is continuing to bend Kerri's ear, though he politely hushes for a few minutes as she judges each treat.

"And the mare's mane is all tangled, and her bridle is on so tight she can't even eat her oats!"

Eventually, Kerri stops and says, "Connor...what exactly are you asking me to do about this? I cannot make Dagmar claim a horse. Have you suggested this to her yet?"

Two pooka make like sports announcers and old prophets combined "And the virgins remain safe this year as we get rain and bounty the old fashioned way! Lovely Wilhelm scream as well" "Yes, the scream means fewer mosquitos" "Really? We should let her go to town on him more often"

Kealan lays there in a celebrated heap for a bit . He's pondering just having a name plate installed on this half arce

"She's busy making the rain fall." Connor says, "And you... you're a baroness. You're OUR Baroness. You're OUR Chief. They tried to HURT my KNIGHT. I'm sure they'll listen to ME if I complain." He looks down at his feet. "And Dagmar, she's SURE to make a fuss for herself."

Dagmar trots over on Star. "Need a hand up, your Excellency?"

Kerri considers, then nods. "You're right. But I have a duty to complete first. Can we attend to this a bit later?"

"Traditionally" KEalan answers "I got my horse back by offering a keg of fine liquor. Same deal?"

"Oh. Ah. I don't really drink." She pauses. "I could give it to Kerri, though."

Connor considers, then nods. But, clearly he is sticking near her, to make sure she doesn't forget. Not that Kerri would be expected to, but... so often children are forgotten by grown ups. It can't hurt to just.... hover a bit.

"Tell her to name her preference and I'll get it for her" KEalan rises slow, and offers a hand "Well done. The Shacklebreaker is smiling somewhere, trust me on that"

Kerri resolves herself to having a shadow for the rest of the day, and finishes with the sampling before making her final determination.

(Pause)