#rivervale_lodge

AnneMarie whispers conspiratorially back, "In point of fact, it would indeed be him"

"She does, but too many will make her sick."

Brekke chuckles. "He is a good man." She nods approval. "And yes, is Symon present? I do not expect to see him in the midst of all this, but....?"

"Oh, he's supposed to be, but you know that boy, if I tell him he has to be here, he gets a stubborn look and is sure to vanish all the sooner"

Jack flap sighs "i'm sorry, Star. I don't want you SICK. But thank you for the ride"

"Mm. Wilders."

"By the way, Anne Marie, thank you for your help with Jack and Eden. Is there anything you need me to do in either case?"

"Indeed," Anne Marie glances over in the distance where a Mongoose Pooka and a Snake Pooka flirt with intensity that almost matches their awkwardness

"She likes to be petted... right there..." She holds up the satyr so he can reach Star's neck.

"I may need you to sign a paper saying you find her to be mature enough to be emancipated... citizen in good standing and all that, but otherwise she's fine." A sigh "As for Jack, why did you send out those fliers?" Anne Marie asks

Jack learns "You're very pretty," Scratch scratch

"Why, I forget all about her hooves" he adds

"Star is the most beautiful horse, yes. She's glad you see it."

Star stops as her hooves are mentioned

Brekke sighs. "I did not. I suspect he did them himself, or perhaps with help from another young friend."

"What about her hooves?"

"Ah, that would explain much" Anne Marie says "That boy wants a family so bad, I'm working on it, but he seems to want ..well, I think he wants them to be as amazing as you and Frank."

Jack Flap Says "Oh not just hers, all HOrse hooves are..well, blockhy and not as good looking as Goat hooves.. see?" he shows his

Star Stiffens

She sets the satyr down. "Now, that wasn't very kind to say. You should apologize."

"For what?" He says confused

Brekke shakes her head. "We are not amazing."

"It is not nice to comment on things people can't change, or to get uppity about stuff you were born with. You have nice hooves, and so does Star. They're different, but one isn't better than the other."

"Agree to disagree, and besides, it doesn't matter what you think of you, or what I think of you, it's about a young boy's standards as he sees you" Anne Marie says then looks over "I see folks from the apartment are here ..."

Brekke follows Anne Marie's gaze.

Jack Says "But... Oh kay, her hooves are okay on a horse?" Hoping that counts

"They are an interesting group. I am...glad that Caesar has established that space." But there's something held back in her tone.

There's a big bear of a man , a Pooka Kinian, smiling and looking about.

"Think how silly she'd look with goat hooves, yeah? She has lovely horse hooves, and you have handsome goat hooves."

"I didn't mean to offend you, Star" True "Horse hooves look fantastic" (lieeeess)

Star buys in and looks pacified. Bring on the next childling

"Alright, Jack... run along. Hi Lily, which horse would you like to ride?"

"Oh my. " Lily says "do you think one is more victorian than the other? Sluagh are supposed to be victorian"

"Hm. For a lady, I would say Star."

"Star, this is Lily. Lily, hold out your hand, alm up, like this..."

"Then Star, please," Lily holds up her hand

"Hello, Star," Lily says in a soft whisper, "You are as lovely as the night"

"Alright, now keep your balance..." She picks up the childling and sets her gently in the saddle, as easily as moving a doll.

And Lily is a gentle rider, mostly because she practices pining looks, as if she is tied to the grounds of a cursed castle, never to be free, for it is her doom to leave the moors

Star is a gentle ride for a gentle rider, tossing her flower-braided mane and stepping high to show off her (dainty!) hooves. There!

(Inside) Adam stirs with all the noise going on; actually, it's a mercy he slept through this much! He snuggles the satyr against him, and his face contorts with pain and puzzlement.

Zane grunts "you okay?"

Adam's hand wander just a moment. Stop. "Exactly how fucking much did I have of what the fuck to drink last night?"

"Ugh. My mouth tastes like something died."

"You should smell your breath. Don't worry, you were gentle" Zane says

Adam chuffs. "-Not- the satyr I wanted to wake up with, no offence." He lifts his head carefully. "Lodge?"

Lily clambers down with help, and says "You have lovely hooves, Star. Ignore the bleatings of jealousy"

"Yup. I think Tikki gave us a ride here... your car's outfront and.. uhm.. the Greening is going on"

Some coaxing, and Star gives Lily a bow. (the trick is worth a sugar cube!)

"The what? Why is there all the noise?" His head lowers back down.