#rivervale_lodge

Dagmar has TWO horses to tend! She's in heaven! Star is still wary - so the trolless is using her care of Stormwake to try to convince the mare that she's safe. Hopefully, the dapple will allow herself to be groomed without too much fuss.

Sylvi comes out to the stable to see her, Flopsy in her wake. "Whew...okay, so that's a heck of a crowd we've got in the Lodge, now."

"I heard. Siv brought home five?" Brush-a brush-a brush-a. Stormwake is smug.

"Yeah...plus one sent by Count Jude. It's a party." A wry grin. "How's the new girl? Need help with them?"

New girl apparently means the mare.

"One sent by Jude? I missed that."

She considers. "You want to finish Stormwake, and I see if Star will let me comb her?"

"Sure." She climbs through the fence. "Hey, Stormwake. Let me know if I do anything you don't like, I know I'm not your regular person."

"Sooooo....?" to Dagmar as she begins to brush Stormwake.

She passes the currycombs to Sylvi before snagging a second set. "Okay baby-girl. You going to let me help you?"

"So.... well, okay, so I remembered what you said about onions. And, like, Tove helped, but you got the makeup selfie?"

"I did! You looked great...just the right amount, not trying-too-hard. What did you wear?"

"That red long-sleeved shirt and the necklace." Star dances away from Dagmar's touch, but she clicks her tongue to reassure her.

Sylvi continues to groom Stormwake so Star can see what's going to happen. "That's a good look on you. Buuuuut....I want to know what haaappennned." She smiles with the sing-song.

Stormwake is behaving himself, rather enjoying the attentions.

Patience... allowing the mare to settle before slowly bringing brush to flank. "Well, we went to a movie and took a walk."

"He paid, he insisted."

"Deeeeetails, please!" Sylvi makes sure to get the dust out of that tricky spot just in front of the point of the hip.

Careful, gentle brushing.... "Star" is still, for now. "Well, um. He thinks Jaymes is intimidating, but dad's just dad - y'know? Quiet."

"Uh-huh..." she coaxes.

"We saw the new Fast and Furious, and, like... we had hot dogs. Um." Blush. "His hand kept bumping into mine in the popcorn."

"Which was.. I dunno... cute?" Blush.

That gets a smile. "Popcorn-collisions are, like...it's so dorky, but it's a little thrill, isn't it?"

She ducks her head. "Yeah."

"And we... we talked, you know? He thinks I'm pretty."

"He means it."

Sylvi pauses. "You mean...."

"He didn't ding?"

"Like... like he said he liked me and thought I was pretty and he... he meant it?"

Sylvi's looking at her, choosing words. "Y'know...well, you know I have issues with him. And...I guess part of me was worried something was going to be...well, that it wasn't going to be a good date. But...wow. It's really good to hear that." A smile. "I'm glad for you." She goes back to brushing. "So...have you spoken to him since then?"

She shakes her head. "He's gonna be by later for training with the Chief..."

"I mean, we texted some... does that count?"

"Like, figuring out our schedules and we're gonna see another movie..."

"Texting counts, yeah. I mean...the rule is supposed to be that he gets in touch with you within 24 hours after the date. I think it's kind of old fashioned...but at the same time, it does mean that he has to show a bit of courage, y'know?"

"Second date? Niiiice."

"He wasn't pushy. I was.. I sorta worried, dunno, since he paid he'd want to... I dunno. Do stuff? But he said it's more important being friends than dating, and that... I like being friends with him. And he was really polite the whole time."

Her smile slips away. "Yeah, well, if he ever does try to pull that I-paid-so-you-owe stuff, you text me and walk out. If it's a mistake, you can fix it later if he cares, but gotta stomp that notion quick."

She bites on her lower lip and nods. "But, I mean, he didn't..."

She sets aside the brushes and starts with Stormwake's hooves. She's done Lanark's, and has a pretty good hand at the job.

"I sorta worried he... I dunno. And I know he's gonna want to do stuff, and I'm not sure how to handle that. But he said just being friends would be okay, too, so... maybe that'll be how it is?"

"Well...maybe at first. And that's probably good. I mean...it's best to start out as friends, I think. Or...even enemies," she chuckles a bit. "Colton and I did not get along at first, not one bit."

It is slow-going with Star, but the mare seems to be calming down a bit.

"Yeah?"

"Totally. And then I we dared each other into crazy costumes for Carnivale and...well...we danced, and we kissed, and...things kind of started from there." A long pause...she seems to be lost in a memory for the moment while working with Stormwake.

"Oh. We haven't kissed yet..."

Sylvi looks up and grins. "Yet?"

PURPLE. "I mean... I.."

"I dunno. He's nice... and I know you don't like him, but he's nice to me... and he's... he thinks I'm pretty..."

"Well, he's not dating me, so it doesn't really matter what I think about him, except I want him to treat you right. And if he doesn't...I want you to be able to tell him what's not okay, and to get away from him. But I hope he does. Sounds like he's doing okay so far."

"I don't want to screw up, though..."