#rivervale_lodge

"Ohhh, I like that."

"Does sound classy" Siv agrees

"Rhymes with Soul less" Dirk says "i'm in."

"Okay, it's witchy enough to appease" Gerd agrees.

"No objections here," Nadeen adds in

"Solstice it is until a better name is found if ever" Tove says.

"Well, welcome aboard, Mr. Solstice," Siv raises a can of soda "I hope you stick around after your'e well enough to fly long, but if not, we thank ye for the gift of yer company."

Jaymes gives a nosewrink brow squeeze (Still not coming in the house)

Siiiigh. "I hope he stays."

Solstice does flutter to a darker part of the rafters, uneasily, for a moment it seems he won't make it.. .but he does, and there in the dark he continues to observe and rest. He's apparently eaten enough for now... as later found pellets will atest

Owl in the rafters means lack of critter-distraction.

"...Y'know, I should check on the horses..."

"Party is slowing down, I won't be offended," Siv says "But you know I love for you to stay either way"

"Well, can't miss cake."

At this point, Tove begins to sing "Happy Birthday to you" as the Cake IS brought out by Kerri... and everyone has a fine slice or two.

And the party thins out, allowing Dagmar a chance to slip to the stables or home if she likes

She will check on critters - after all, she takes her responsibilities very seriously.

And Nadeen joins her, outside at the stables, "Are you okay?" When it's just the two of them

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"Because Adam is there and you broke up with him" She says gently

"Yeah, I broke up with him."

"He's got a new girlfriend."

"Right, that's why I thought you might be upset... or at least hurting more than you let on. If it werent' for Solstice the owl you'd not be among them hardly at all"

"M'not upset."

"No? " an elegant brow

"He's allowed to get a girlfriend. I dumped him, right?"

"You did, but it wasn't easy on you to do so, and I imagine he..." A sigh "The fact he's seeing piper so quickly might sting a bit. I worry you're going to take it as a comment on you, that you'll let it undermine your self worth"

Grunt.

"Honestly, Varich kind of suck at empathy but I'm trying" A shrug

"It's fine. You wanna give the horses treats?"

Star’s ears prick up at that, and she canters forward. Then again, she’s starting to look a bit plump, probably from her greedy nature and Dagmar’s sucker for animals nature.

"Sure" She takes one and feeds Star first "Yes, Star, you first. We know"

A toss of her head in answer, and she enjoys the treat.

A chuckle and she shakes her head. "Starr's a diva."

"Oh, and she needs to run more... gonna get too chubby to jump!"

Stormwake's mane has grown back by now, and he gives a soft huff of protest and he puts his hoof down as if to disagree

Stormwake gets a carrot, of course.

with her getting the treat first, not the other

Stormwake crunches the carrot, all forgiven.

Nadeen laughs "Take her jumping then. She'll probably enjoy it"

"Probably."

"I always worry I'm too big for her...."

"Please, she's meant for trolls, Siv rides on her right?" Nadeen says

"She was a sidhe's..."

"And Siv's slim."

"Not a big old box of rocks like me."

and out comes the comb and brush "Yes but she's definitely a heavy warhorse, though she moves like an arabian"

"Maybe..."

"Here, you comb her, I'll fuss over Stormwake." Nadeen says "My point is, I think you should ask the Chieftain to let you ride her. If she disagrees, then that's that, but I bet it's safe and I bet she lets you"

Nadeen may not always understand her more sentimental friend (Let's ignore daddy issues ) but she does know the troll is usually more relaxed about critters than people.