#rivervale_lodge

"Marginally I suppose" He says "I don't mean it disparagingly, but my take on the code might be in a different order than some. Still, most of my influence has been Seelie. Even before I came to this area. "

"Interesting." She takes one platter after another, dries, stacks. "Tell me more about that, your take on the code."

"Well, Death Before Dishonor is paramount, though we Daireann tend to value our own honor over society's view of it. Not that we disgard the latter, it's still important, but I will not be wronged, nor allow slander to tarnish my reputation, and I will hold myself to certain high standards. Last place would probably be True Love Conquering all.. Fiona nonsense really"

A bemused look. "Really? Well...I think there's something to be said for holding someone or something as more important than yourself. Finding someone worth fighting for or protecting, not because of what they can provide for you in some measurable form, but simply because of your depth of feeling for that person? I think that's a powerful thing. But...well, our experiences vary, apparently." And you're still just a kid, she thinks.

"Such distractions risk one betraying one's duty" He says "But I am glad your own doesnt seem to for you. Rover Olgar is a fierce warrior and good scout, I know. He doesn't seem too frivilous"

She nods slowly, and carefully doesn't grin, but she does point out, "You're very serious for somebody your age."

"Well, I do have my moments.. but right now, I'm learning from you. Wouldn't not being serious now be ... well, disrespectful, or atl east me being a poor squire?"

"Hm." She considers this a moment. "I suppose so. So...ah, you missed a spot on that one," she hands him back a plate. "So what are you hoping for out of being squired to me, Brogan?"

His brow knits and he frowns as he seesthe spot and goes at it with renewed gusto.

She watches, then nods as he hands her a properly cleaned plate.

"Well, I am not sure. I hear you are great at hospitality, and from what little I've seen it's no idle boast. So I would like to learn that. Not just about cooking and cleaning, but how to lead in the greatness of a feast and managing of others to such a task. It takes real leadership to direct so, and I know you have that. But I would like to keep my skill at arms developing too, if not from you from another? It's important to my house. We pride ourselves on being warriors"

Kerri nods thoughtfully. "Well...there is hospitality for events, and there is also daily hospitality, which requires a great deal of planning and work on its own. It's easier with routines in place, and you're beginning to learn those. I think when we're done with this washing, you and I will go over what the work of a week looks like to keep Rivervale ready for company. As for fighting...that isn't my strength. However, The Chieftain or the Mountain would be good teachers, as would Rover Olgar...and there are certainly plenty of wilders with whom to spar. You might even find Gerd to be a good partner for practice."

"Well, I would be honored to learn from any of the warriors here if it's not an imposition, yes. Baroness Brekke is something of a legend. And I hear good things of your husband and Sir Frank as you say. Gerd, I, is she trained at all? I don't want to hurt a girl if she's not trained. Well, I don't really wish to hurt a girl at all, but you know wht I mean I hope?"

"I will help you ask for training from the adults. As for not hurting girls...be careful of that talk here, please, squire. The women here are tough. I appreciate that you don't want to hurt any of your sparring partners, but if you are gentler on the women than on the men simply because of gender, that will not earn you a good reputation here. Determine another's skill level, and fight appropriately. As for Gerd...she has had some training, though not much. I'm thinking perhaps that as you improve your skill, you might also be able to coax her into working on her own some more."

"Oh our House has many fierce warrior women, I never meant to imply a woman couldn't be a warrior and will try to choose my words more carefully. I mean thrashing a girl who wasn't trained as opposed to a woman who isn't... and that I had no eagerness to hurt someone for yucks? "

"That much I do appreciate. Bullying isn't tolerated here." The last of the dishes have been washed and put away. She hands him a dry towel for his hands, then a pad and paper. "All right...let's see how good your eye is for what we need. Make a list of whatever seems to be running low in the refrigerator."

He towels off, then takes the paper, and frowns "Am I allowed to ask you questions about the preferences of others for this test?"

"It's not a test, just an assessment. I want to see what your first impressions might be. No harm in being wrong. Being wrong sometimes is how we learn." While he starts his task, she sets about prepping ingredients for making bread.

"I.. okay. I admit I don't like being wrong" He says a bit sheepishly.

"It might be a 'sidhe thing' " An embarassed look that makes him look his age and he begins to write on the pad as he looks at the fridge

"None of us do. It's not a sidhe thing, at least I don't think it is. But discomfort is survivable."

"Besides...you've got a good chance at being right quite a bit, too."

"Are you certain? I think one wilder claims to have died of embarrasment last night" okay THERE's humor. He keeps writing

She chuckles at that. "I don't suppose you remember which one said it?"

"I believe it was Lady Nadeen" He says "But apparently Dirk, the redcap, is going around making threats that 'it never happened' whatever it is"

"Ha, yes. The Day-After-Beltaine-Grand-Denial. I've seen it many times."

Squire Brogan actually grins "yeah, that's the fun thing about Beltaine and Samhain sometimes.. it's like those who are DIE hardi nto their courts are like.. 'let us never speak of this again'" Faux deeper voice for that part "But of course folks will talk because it' s not unnatural or anything, but it's funnier now that they're making a bigger deal about than you would if they hadn't said anything"

Another chuckle from Kerri. "An excellent observation, Squire."

She continues work on the bread while he completes his first of many inventories.

And he gives an evaluation, thinking of MEAT.. apparently he thinks trolls need a lot of it. But he does not neglect the veggies even if he makes a face.... this gives the HEarth time to evaluate him.

(End scene)