#rivervale_lodge

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Predictably, Dagmar is back at the stable after her two weeks away. Stormwake is being regaled about Real Professional Basketball Players as she cleans his hooves.

"Hey! You're back!" Sylvi comes over from the Lodge. "Hey, Stormwake," she adds. "So," to Dagmar, "how was it?"

"Hey! Omigawd, Sylvi, it was AMAZING."

"Yeah? You learned good stuff?"

"Like, I was telling Stormwake, I got to meet real WNBA players. Pros!"

She drops her voice. "One of them was a troll, too!"

"Like, what kind of meeting? Like, they talked at you? Or did you get to play them?"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"Did you get to talk one-on-one with her? Make a connection?"

"She was built more like Siv, you know? Light and fast. And they came to talk to us, and watched us do drills and gave feedback and talked about how they got to be where they are..."

"Wait...who was it?"

"That sounds like a for-real meeting, not a photo-op. Cool!"

"Number 31! You know, the New York Liberty? They play in Westchester..."

"Whoa...yeah, I've seen pictures, but never caught on that she's one of us. Wow...."

"I didn't really get to talk to her one on one... " A sigh. "I mean, she smiled at me and like.. I mean, you know? It was like... recognition, but it was kind of busy..."

"You should invite her to visit the Lodge. She might not have time, but still...it's the gesture, right?"

"I could write her a letter, maybe... hey, what you bet there's chimerical ink?"

"So it could be a regular letter, and then a changeling letter..."

"I've heard of stuff like that, yeah. I haven't used it. I think it might be pretty pricey to get, but we can figure out a way."

Sigh. "Probably silly, she's really busy."

"But it was cool. And May and Lupe were there, too, so... man, we HAVE to be starters this year!"

"Well, like I said, she might not be able to actually come visit, but making the invitation is something she'd remember. Good manners, good connections, future possibilities."

She nods.

"You rocked it last year, so I can't see how you wouldn't."

"Still, yeah, gotta get through try-outs."

"Maybe there's some amaaazzzinngggg freshman, you know? Hey, are you going for cheerleading again?"

"I'm going to try to A-squad this year...but that means I wouldn't be cheering for you guys. So...that would kind of suck."

"Well... kind of, but I want you to make A-squad."

"Have you met the new guy? If he makes the team, you'd be cheering for him..."

"I heard some guy was around, but I haven't met him yet. Kinain?"

She nods. "Kinain. We think sidhe kin?"

"His ears are a little pointy, but, like, Sally Mae ain't blue..."

"Siv said he's kinda cute."

"Which, okay, sidhe-kin, he's kinda gonna have to be."

A rush of purple. "I guess."

She releases the last hoof and gives Stormwake a clap on the rump. "Good boy."

Sylvi blinks at her. "Um..."

"I mean, I guess he's cute?" She tries to cover but manages to blush again.

"I dunno. Siv's a better judge. Um. He works at Greely's Sports."

Sylvi smiles. "Is he nice, too?"

She nods! "Yeah, seems to be!"

"Cool. Glad he's not a jerk. Greely's, huh? I've been there a couple of times. Maybe we should go over later and you can introduce me?"

Her brow furrows. "We gotta be careful..."

"How do you mean?"

"Chief made him swear an Oath. So he'll need permission to speak to you, I think."

There is a woosh of glamour and like a dark cloud gathering, Gerd forms carrying groceries.

She blinks. "Oh. Huh."

"Well, see, he can see us. Like, all the time?"