#rivervale_lodge

"So who's the banner-man coming to visit? "

"I'm not sure. I don't know the gender or kith. But I thought I should at least let the Mountain and Chief know one was likely on his or her way"

"New friend!" His ears prick up.

"Possible. For all I know, it could be a childling"

"Oh, no! My rankings!"

"Kids tryna move in on my turf!"

Adam is looking around and ..... well. He sighs.

Head tilts at Adam.

"Nadeen, I was tellin' Adam that his new outfit is turrible. Isn't it?"

She looks over at him "It's actually rather fetching on you, Adam. I keep looking for a blazon, but it suits"

"Can I have a blaze on?"

"Mmm Talbot Guardant? Perhaps couped" SHe says to the pooka

"What's a Talbot? And a coop - is that like.. a chicken?"

"I don't have a House. But..... thanks."

"A Talbot is a heraldric design of a dog, not the only one I don't think. And couped means isntead of the the whole body as a symbol ... you focus on the head. "

"Is that how you get ahead in the game?"

Nadeen says "No, but you are allowed the honor of wearing a rivervale symbol."

Nadeen does a double take and looks at the boy

Tail wag. "Get it? "A HEAD"!"

"Some days, Connor, I think you are not merely smart, but highly intelligent indeed."

"Connor's a good guy."

"I'm blue-ribbon." He beams at Nadeen.

"You always give a good showing" She agrees

"I could be Connor Esquire if anyone wanted me to be." A little doleful. "I'd look good in lots of different colors."

"Do you really want to be a knight or squire?" Nadeen says surprised

"Oh no, I'm better during the day. But when you're a square you might know the shape you should be, rather than just being a-round."

Nadeen sighs "Sometimes I just cannot read a pooka"

His ears droop a little, but he reassures her with a pat on the arm. "That's okay. I'm at least a Master's degree reading level."

"Tempted to squire you and see how the Chieftain responds" A low mutter

He covers his mouth, eyes widening in surprise. "They like you, though. I wouldn't want you to be set back to square one to squire one."

"Oh, my lilly-bugs! I have to go find a jar." He suddenly exclaims, clapping a hand lightly to his pocket. "Come back soon Dancing-Sun! I miss you!" And he scurries away.

She watches him go... thoughtful

THen she looks back to Adam "SOmetimes I think that boy is far more than even a typical pooka"

"Maybe so? I'm not an expert."

"I suppose neither of us are." She says "Adam, it's obvious you miss Dagmar."

A shrug. "Yeah."

"SHe'd be flattered to know, I think she feels she wasn't a good girlfriend and that you might not want to talk to her" Nadeen says "But I think she just wasn't ready for dating...with anyone"

"She.....She was great, I think but.... it's up to her."

"How are things with you and Piper?"

He shrugs. "Fine."

A brow "mmm well, I suppose I shouldn't pry, but glad it seems okay"

(Pause)