#rivervale_lodge

A brow.

She moves over, a smile playing on her lips, and reaches out to demonstrate. "Dame Dagmar, if I may?"

"Setting it up? I do not understand what that means," Brekke says, clearly the type of woman to barely tolerate a cell phone.

"How smart is it?" Siv asks, "Does it have a GPS?"

At that, Nadeen arches a brow. She seems to appraise

Frank slowly scowls.

An eyebrow.

"Dame Calanthe, perhaps you can tell us some of the details of this...device."

"This is a very generous gift. What do we say, Connor?"

Taking that as permission, she lightly picks it up, and turns to show the Baroness, and Siv.

"GPS, most certainly. It has maps that you shall know your way, and of course a phone so you can reach those you need when in need." Smiling down to Connor - she shows the adults, but her explanation is also to him.

With a few quick taps of her delicate fingertip, she is at the contacts screen. "Let's see... I added the manor house - no need to show up uninvited, though you are always welcome - this will likely ring to the stewards, but a message can be passed along. Myself, of course... and here, I've added some little playmates for you. Bluebell, and that 'Briar'. You know her from the Children's Home, I believe. She has a phone, if she hasn't smashed or eaten it. " A small smile, amused.

"Of course, you may add your own contacts. Your Knight master, the Baroness, whoever else you wish to answer to. Oh, and if you have other little friends - there is room for them all. It must be difficult, that you cannot walk where we may amongst the mortals. I would ease your burden, if only a little, in that you can have the means to speak with whoever you choose without worrying about your appearance, or breaking the Escheat."

Connor's eyes are wide.

Calanthe continues, "And they can even set it up with 'apps' that let folk keep track of where you are." A hand lightly pats his head - without quite realizing, Connor leans into the hand. "So no need to run off willy-nilly, you can always talk to us if you wish to - and my ear is open." A finger runs down the edge of her slender, pointed ear. "And your guardians may rest easy knowing that they know whereabouts you are. After all, you are a Squire now, with new responsibilities, new duties and obligations. It is fitting that you have the tools at hand to help you properly accomplish such."

And a glance at the observer, as she remarks quite pleasantly, "This, of course, bought out of my own pocket as a gift to my nephew - the service plan is pre-paid in advance. No strings attached. After all, it is wireless, you see." A small smile at her joke.

Siv says "Ah, but you must be careful yet, Connor. Some subjects shouldn't be discussed over phones or even texts. I had to learn that the hard way"

Dagmar frowns, watching Calanthe.

Connor turns his gaze on Dagmar - oh, he wants this gift. He doesn't need to say a word, the pleading in his eyes.

Brekke frowns. "Dame Calanthe, this is a most generous gift. However, I also feel it is not the sort of device that a childling in my care should carry. We will hold it in trust for him, if you wish." There is no mistaking the tone; Brekke is Not Happy.

Frank steps away from the stables and moves slowly closer.

The Knight's smile does not seem to waver. "Pray tell, why would you keep him from an outlet to reach out to friends and family alike? The boy clearly longs to be closer, I offer him a way to do so, safely, for himself, and for the Escheat we all hold dear. What harm is there in a simple device, granted, no more complex than the phones in every pocket? And, pray, should anything befall him, you yourself, or his, ah, 'Deed Sister', Gerd? May be able to know where he might be."

Nadeen moves to Connor, "I have an idea we can discuss later about how you can stay in contact with Lily, and even talk to Foam "

A brow. "I may know little of the workings of these devices, but I am not so ignorant, Dame Calanthe, to think that they are as simple at telephones."

Dagmar chews on her lip.

"They are as simple as you wish them to be. A manual explains quite clearly how the device works, it is most straightforward. Access to the internet may be restricted, if you see fit. However, keeping in mind, as I have not forgotten, our Connor may be a childling, but he is scarcely a child."

Brekke's jaw is clenched. She does not answer.

"I will use my best judgement on my squire's screen time."

Brekke takes a breath and looks to Dagmar. "You and I will discuss this. I trust you to guide him in its use." A nod.

She nods to Dagmar, and offers the watch over to her.

Dagmar takes the watch and nods. "Connor, what do we say?"

Brekke looks back to Dame Calanthe. It doesn't take Married Brain to read that expression: Strike Two.

Connor looks floored. Either at the gift, or the prospect that he might actually keep it? "Thank you, Aunt Calanthe." He squeaks.

"Sir - Aunt - Dame, Lady."

Another squeak. Oh, it's more of a squeal. Or a whine? Muffled, and from where Aiden is standing, watching this play out with a somewhat bemused expression that he clears away into nonchalance. "Nadeen- ah, Baroness Dancingsnow? We were discussing Oak, if this matter is... concluded?"

"Connor, go check on Stormwake." A gentle command.

Nadeen looks torn, then says "A moment, Baron." Then a look at Dame Calanthe "A generous , almost assertive gift, Dame CAlanthe, but perhaps your generous nature blinds you to ..full ramifications of your actions. As Liason between our two holds, I will be happy to advise you should you wish to be so aggressively charitible in the future" a tap on her shoulder

Aiden waits, watching.

Calanthe's eyes flash as the young chit - er, the Baroness, her superior, advises her. A smoldering glance is hidden in a politely downturned expression, and she says through a smile, "I shall take this to heart, Baroness." (Truth)

Siv says "To offer room where there is little space is the soul of charity indeed" an almost clueless smile

Nadeen nods to Calanthe "As do I."

A blink at Nadeen. She remains silent, jaw clenched.

Nadeen moves to the Chieftain and bows low "Your servant, Chieftain. May I attend to the baron? "

A deep breath and a nod. "Thank you, Baroness Nadeen. Please do."

A small frown from Aiden as Nadeen addresses Brekke thusly. Thoughtful. And when she joins him, he murmurs softly to her, questioning.

Then she moves to Aiden

Dagmar guides Spark back to his mother, and the foal is quick to nurse. A gentle hand on Connor's shoulder.

Frank crosses towards Brekke, standing nearby.

Connor looks up at Dagmar, and whispers to her. "Did I do okay?"

Nadeen talks softly to the Baron, a nod, a sigh

Brekke looks to Frank, a brief nod, then to Dame Calanthe, "You are fond of flying things. Would you care to meet our Kestrel?"

Calanthe moves to where she can watch the horses, contemplatively. They ARE beautiful to watch.

And she bows to the chieftain. "Surely so, I was under the impression that you had no mews here..."