#rivervale_lodge

The morning is crisp and drizzly, but the horses don't care about a little weather - at least, Star is up and about, frisking through the pasture to grab up the fresh shoots of grass that are peeping out before anyone ELSE can get to them.

Stormwake doesn't tell her about the one behind the post

Symon is lurking nearby - Star has kept a wary eye on the slender teen, but he doesn't move hardly, and hasn't made any move to come near her, so she treats him more or less like furniture that gets a suspicious glance now and then.

Covered in an overly excessive rain outfit for the light drizzle, the wide-brimmed hat never the less keeps the occassional droplets off his notepad as he watches the horses and makes a few sketches.

Dagmar is out early, dressed to ride - a flannel shirt to help defray the spring chill, sturdy jeans & boots.

Tove insisted on a coat too. Moms.

Darn straight, a coat

A slender hand twists the pencil, erasing, and a delicate flick to shed the rubber shreds off the paper before he makes an adjustment. But as Dagmar approaches, both keen eared creatures look up at the same time - Star greeting her with a high whinny, and Symon with a small wave.

She grins - both her best friends! "Hey!"

Oh, now she has Star's attention. Hay! She frisks over, tail held high, and ears forward. Snuffling towards Dagmar... and Dagmar's pockets...

Stormwake also wanders over, ever happy to see Hayheart

Star leans against Stormy for a moment, her skin twitches and her tail flicks, spraying them both with a bit of cool drizzle.

"eh!" Symon hisses, covering his paper.

"Whatcha doin? Drawing?" The horses are greeted with pats and ear-scritches. "Hey babies."

Stormwake nickers and nuzzles Dagmar, ah yes... good ear scritch

"Babies?" A sort snort. "That stallion is monstrous." He makes a quick adjustment to the drawing, then turns it to show Dagmar.

And yes - there's a sugar cube for each.

"Well, I'm a small giant. So it's relative."

Similar in style, but the perspective is a little off - Dagmar knows that Star's flanks aren't quite that long, and he seems to have focused more on the cant of her ears than the proper placement of the armored headpiece for her ears, but it's a good first draft... if one imagines more viking style imagery, rather than fantastical.

"See, I was thinking a Valkyrie theme, maybe, since you have that saddle."

"Is that too on the nose?"

Stormwake has taken to default staying sized for a troll ride so he IS immense , but should puny dead smelly boy ever prove worthy, he can shrink to a more 'regular' size horse wise

Speaking of noses, Star's is now practically within Dagmar's pockets, snuffling more insistently now. She smells SOMETHING good...

"Oh, I like the ears! They're just her!"

"Heh, yeah, she kept snorting and flicking them back like I was a bug she might want to step on." Amused. "Good thing I know well enough to stay out of squish zones."

"She'd look good in that armor. And yeah, you're smart enough to not be stepped on."

In the distance, howling sounds?

"Star, you ready to race today?"

Stormwake perks up on guard

Stars ears flick back, and she paws at the ground. She knows 'race' and that excites her, but she also hears wolves.

Symon also glances out at the treeline...

"You'll just need to remember that it's chimerical. So no jousting cars in it, you dig?"

Dag hops over the fence. "No jousting cars, okay."

"flesh-eating Unicorns, kelpies, flying pink rhinoceroses, sure."

"What about some crazy nocker automotive?" She snags the magic bridle.

Oak howls from the lodge!

He looks thoughtful and starts sketching again, a mutter... "reinforced panels... hmm..."

Stars head raises and she gives a warning neigh! A hoof paws and scrapes at the ground, a challenge.

Herd, be alert!

"Shhhh, girl." Reassuring, and she slips the bridle over Star's head in a move that could be sleight of hand. "Star, peace. They will not harm you."

A shake of her head and a snort, nuzzling Dagmar. A firm stomp. Swift hooves will protect Sweethands Hayheart from any danger.

Another howl along with Oak's, from lodgewards - higher pitched, and ending in a "yip yip ki-yay!" Apparently Connor is awake as well.

She activates the treasure. "I know you don't like this, but this will help."

Stormwake looks ready to stomp.

Star's head raises, and she nuzzles Dagmar. "Silly Sweethands. You can read the language of ears and tail nearly well enough, if you'd just grow your own." A fond nibble at her arm. "I mind not, though too much thinking in your words can be bothersome. Now tell me, why have you invited wolves to your pasture?" A flick of her tail.

"To race! They fly, but YOU are swift and brave."

"They will not harm you, or Stormwake."

Dagmar DOES speak Star's language, as she straightens up in response to the compliments. "Our herd is small but strong. They would learn quickly if they tried."

"They would be foolish to try, and it would be breaking their word."

A nuzzle over at Stormwake.

Stormwake nuzzles back , somewhat reassured and reassuring. A stamp of agreement. The Dogs are off limits but he will crush a wolf if it doesn't mind social distancing

A soft wicker of agreement, and her ears perk towards Dagmar. "We shall fly swiftly and best your foes."