#rivervale_lodge

"Oh, the equivalent of knight, hence the lady part, but I am errant most at sea. Ships and waves are as much my passion as I hear birds of prey are yours"

Brekke nods back at Dagmar. "A good year."

"You may try a light harness, and then perhaps add weights. I suspect that even with the lift of the dreaming, it will do him well to strengthen the wing and shoulder muscles. Oh, yes. Not too soon. But wait too long, and he'll not welcome the taste of it after a childhood bucking in his bare hide." A smile as he watches the colt frolic, expression softening a touch.

She nods again. A glance at the stable where Connor is.

She might see Frank's mass there, or near there.

A laugh comes out from there, Calanthe apparently found something amusing. "Oh, I shan't go onto your domain any time soon, I fear. I loathe boats - no sea eagle, myself, I find that a firm footing on land, OR watching wings glide on air - two out of three is enough for me."

"Mm." Brekke also watches the foal bounding around. "Joy of childhood is pleasing."

"Oh, no Osprey to the collection then, a pity" Siv says

As they watch the foal prance and speak of horse things....

Calanthe laughs again and shakes her head. "Not even fond of fish." She steps over and clears her throat. Where Bluebell was chatting nonsense with Connor, she darts over. "Lady?" Curtseying. And is ignored as Calanthe looks past her to Connor. "I brought you a gift, did the Baroness tell you? I am so dreadfully sorry that the first was not suitable."

Frank's 9 foot form shifts at his post, arms folded carefully of his massive chest.

Siv follows along with Calanthe "Aye. The waves are intimidating for some" She nods

Calanthe doesn't seem to take note of the looming hulk. Trolls are good to have around, they block the sun and prevent an unsightly tan line.

And without being told, Bluebell carefully sorts through the packs and brings out a small parcel wrapped in soft black cloth. Calanthe takes this, and kneels to offer it to him. "I think you will like it, I picked it out myself with you in mind."

Connor trotted over, and he reaches for the gift. A hesitation, and looks to Dagmar - who is outside... so he takes it. "But I didn't bring one for you?"

She smiles and reaches out to lightly caress his head, brushing hair from his eyes to one side and tucking behind a pointed furry ear. "This is for you as a gift on being Squired. You don't owe me one in return. Though, perhaps." She lightly touches her chin, thoughtfully.

Nadeen was with Aiden and smiles as he smiles "Spark and connor are already friends"

Frank watches carefully, kenning the lady's moves.

And she finishes, "You might call me, Aunt Calanthe." Pronounced elegantly, auuunt, not the vulgar, "ant", like one might crush beneath a finger.

"Baron," Brekke says quietly in a gap in horse talk, "I trust that the blade brought here by Dame Calanthe has been properly returned?"

Siv raises a brow "Oh, don't mess the boy up too much, Dame. He's a squire.. and titles are part of his duties now"

Connor's tail wags. And he ducks his head. "You're a nice lady. Everyone says so, so I know it's true. Can I show my present to my Knight? She says she's Just Dagmar, but I think it's important to remember she's a Knight, so I call her Dame Dagmar the Just. Titles ARE important, that's why my friend Siv got TWO."

Calanthe seems a little lost on the pooka speech, but smiles indulgently down at him. "Of course."

"Right you are, Squire" Siv beams

Aiden flicks a glance over to the Baroness, and a small frown mars his countenance. "A misunderstanding regarding ownership of a... family heirloom. I have resolved the issue. I trust it need not come up again."

"It was returned, Chieftain" Nadeen assures

"Returned and resolved, thank you, Baroness." And he inclines his head to Nadeen, acknowledging gratitude for the clarification.

"Yours was a generous and thoughtful squiring-gift for Connor."

A nod. "I am sure no such further issue will occur. Thank you."

"I suspect the colt will grow to be Connor's mount, I intend to train them together."

"I agree with Dame Dagmar, the gifting of first-refusal was an insightful choice."

"And , well," A stroke of Oak, "We might, if you, Chieftain, and you, Baron wish, discuss Oak a bit"

That from Nadeen

Lips turned down at the corners, but he nods slightly, shifting his weight. "I do find the prospect of a flying mount intriguing - but it will take more study to raise one that I would be willing to draw away from my current lines. I specialize in hounds, and in steeds, and dabble in hawks. To divert attention more would be.. unwise. And it WOULD take much research to look into how to breed true... so many factors..." Though, he sound intrigued despite himself, and shakes his head ruefully. "I would extend too far, and my lines would suffer."

"Here, we are small and can devote the time to his particular needs."

"Ah! Oak. Now that's a fine dog." He nods in appreciation to Dagmar. "I doubt it not. Rivervale seems to..." He drifts off, not finishing the thought. "It was more the idea of trying to study for a line of pegasi that would take all my time. Oh, a worthy task, though. I might suggest that this Sir Sergei see to him, someday. I know him by reputation, if not the pleasure of meeting."

Nadeen nods "Sir Sergei is a house brother of mine. If it suits all I can keep him 'in the loop' of development"

"Now, for Oak... and yourself, Nadeen, if you will forgive me but a moment..." And he goes to fetch the 2nd pannier that hung from the packhorse's side - and is almost run over by Connor flying out the doorway. A quick step back removes himself from the trample path.

"DAGMAR!" Star prances back a step at the shout, and Connor colors and remembers to keep it down.

Brekke is about to speak when Connor shouts. She clears her throat. "No yelling, Squire."

"Whoa..." Horse first, then. "Yes, Connor?"

Connor freezes in his tracks and turns red, ears dropping. He bows to ... Star. "Sorry, sorry. I have a present. From... um. Aunt Calanthe. I wanted to show you." It's not even unwrapped.

Brekke's expression returns to that careful, watchful neutrality.

Frank has remained at the stables/with Calanthe.

Siv says to Calanthe, "No interest in Fish, but want to be an ant. " She says in the insect pronunciation, "Well, it is an industrious creature..very ambitious builder"

As if approving

A quick glance to Frank and back.

Aiden does not seem surprised by this, he watches for a moment, then moves to check on the horses. It's almost a dance, though perhaps not coreographed as such, as he moves into the stable and Calathe comes out, to lean against the door frame, watching.

Connor thrusts the small wrapped bundle at Dagmar.

Frank glances back.

Nadeen watches the patterns, and tries to take as much of it all in as she can

"That's nice. And the Baron is here would you like to say anything to him about your Squiring present?"

A quick kenn of the bundle.

Brekke also kenns the gift.

It is not at all magical, nor banal - in fact, the wrapping slips aside, and it's - electronic, and store bought? Oh! A smartwatch, rather a nice one, the kind that can be phone and computer in one.

The Ailil knight remarks, "Don't worry about breaking it. These new styles have reinforced screens, waterproof, and it is, of course, insured against damage or loss. I took the liberty of setting it up for you, nephew."