#rivervale_lodge

"Point" Siv grins wolfishly "I can travel the world. Go to far off lands, and then cheat and get home in time for the Hearth's cooking"

Nadeen looks thoughtful at something, and tries to recall what bodies of water are closest to Carthage

"Exactly."

"And if a friend or two of mine wants to go somewhere, save an island of ponies, I guess I could give a lift" Siv shrugs

Snerk-grin.

"She's just trying to get out of being smote" Nadeen scoffs

Carthage is fairly land locked, she recalls. A rather prominent river flows through, and a smattering of rather lovely ponds and streams, but the nearest lake is a good 15 minute drive, or a couple leisurely hours ride by horseback. Might be a nice picnic destination?

"You got me, Nadeen," Siv says now petting Oak, "Also I kind of want to earn my keep with you guys. "

"Earn your keep?"

"Yeah, got to be useful. I mean, Dagmar you're practically the mistress of stables here. You've got a squire to teach. You patrol and more. Nadeen is Liaison to two places."

"Yeah, well, we'll see how both of those go..."

"Sparky got stuck in a gate this morning."

"He tried to go between the rails..."

"Oh Spark," Siv looks at the direction of the stables "Is he okay?"

"He is now. Star is fussing over the silly thing."

"And Stormwake no doubt telling him to 'trot it off'" Nadeen says "Which is probably the better way to handle it. Star coddles that colt."

"You need both, though."

"It's good that his mom is there."

"Yeah, it's good Spark gets the both, I agree," Siv says "Besides, Stormwake isn't the 'tough guy warrior hard ass' he likes to pretend to be all the time"

"Nope. I don't get how a HORSE got toxic masculinity, but we like him anyways."

"Have Uncle Olgar talk to him" A chuckle from Siv.

"it's not Toxic," Nadeen disagrees, "he's a warhorse, he cannot afford to show weakness"

"It's his son," Siv disagrees, as it gets philosophical.

"All the more reason to be a strong role model" Nadeen counters

"Weakness is being insecure and putting up a front."

Nadeen says "Sometimes illusion is the best weapon or armor one has"

"Not saying it isn't sometimes useful - but it takes a lot of confidence to let your guard down."

"You remember how Sam was, yeah?"

Nadeen says "Yes, I do."

"Well, she was 'tough' and didn't show weakness."

"It's different" Nadeen says "Stormwake is more aware of his true strength AND weakness .Sam wasn't aware of how strong she was"

Siv looks dubious "this is a Varich thing isn't it?"

"No" A bit of a lie

"I'm just saying, he gets kinda... thick-headed sometimes."

"Well, yes that I guess I agree on " Nadeen says

Siv smirks at something

"What?"

Biting her bottom lip to stiffle a snicker, Siv finally says in a low voice "you know how they say pets start to get like their owners?"

Furrow.

"Well, Stormwake is mom's horse and... " Siv says

Nadeen stares at Siv then says "Fiona fearlessness is going to get you in trouble"

"Stormwake was like that before we got him."

"If he becomes more like Chief, he'll be less concerned about putting up a front."

"Fine fine, ruin a good chuckle" Siv says "Both of you, hurmph. Actually Stormwake's good for mom in one big way." A smile at a notion "But not sure you'll find it flattering, Nadeen."

"The fact Stormwake prances and brags enoguh for them both , say when smashing sidhe at pennons?" Nadeen asks

"Aye, Guess you figured out she might actually enjoy that" Siv wonders how the sidhe is going to take it

"of coruse she does," Nadeen answers, "We sidhe are at the top, if one of us is bested, the bester knows they have achieved something." Loftily "Yet another gift the shining host provide to the commoner kiths. Even our defeats uplift you. You're welcome"

Siv gapes

Then Nadeen let's a smile out just a bit

Snort.