#rivervale_lodge

"So," Nadeen says to Dagmar "In addtion to dancing... there's other horse events, which I think you knew about, and oh, did I mean the river spear event?"

"Other horse events?" Eyebrow.

"Oh...besides the jousting, there's show jumping.. and... "An amused look "A flat out race"

"Think Star would do well?"

Said in a tone that KNOWS the answer

Brow furrow. "Maybe with a different rider - I'm pretty heavy."

"WHich is why we have Siv shrink you" She says

"I checkeed the rules, nothing against it" Nadeen explains

"That... doesn't seem very fair..."

"how is it not fair? Others will be short too"

"Yeah, but they won't be SHRUNK."

"Maybe I'll do some fighting, like, the tourney?"

"Well, of course, but you won't race?" Surprised

"I dunno..."

"Well, that's optional for now, but I know you're going to do well in the joust. I saw that poppinjay, well, what's left of it"

"That's a lot on Star - she's fast for a cob, but she's not a thoroughbred. And she's going to be working HARD that same day."

"I suppose you have a point" She's not sold on it but listening "Does this mean I shouldn't dance AND fence?"

"You are not a horse."

"If i were," Nadeen laments dramatically "You'd love me more"

okay, melodramatically

"oh, you!" She laughs.

Nadeen smiles and kisses her on the cheek "I guess I'm more into YOUR fun than Stars, which may not be fair of me. Anyway.. the dancers have really got to represent. I'm 90% sure THAT addition was an attempt to get an even t they thought the lodge couldn't win"

"Um. I don't have to dance, right?"

"Not for a contest no, later for our victory celebration, maybe if you want to?" She smiles

Blush.

Nadeen ponders "I'm not going to upset you asking Sylvi and Siv and others but not you am I? I know you're not big on dancing in public anyway"

"Uh, no. I am not a good dancer. Siv and Sylvi are."

"Yes, but I'd rather dance with you anyway" Nadeen assures

"Oh... oh.. um.." Blush-smile-shrug.

"I actually feel excited about Pennons this year. My girlfriend is jousting, I get to defend my lod..." SHe catches herself

Then sheepishly "Well, it's official. I consider myself part of the lodge. How embarrassing."

"Well, you ARE part of the lodge." Plain-spoken truth.

"I suppose I am" She says seeming surprised "Was a time I felt like I was just foisted off by the Count"

"Well, you belong now." Firmly.

"Yes, your tallness" Primly, eyes sparkling with adoration and humor

"Oh, I like that title."

She laughs "really? You're almost overqualified for it." She reaches up to touch a nub of horns , slender fingters along the ridges

BLUSH

"You have a beautiful face"

"Um."

"Well, you do.. your eyes shine in the shadow of your brow. And your lips have a fullness which I like trying to cheat into a smile"

"Nadeen..." Shy.

"You're just going to have to deal with it but i promise, if someone else walks in I won't be leaping into your arms and saying 'ravish me, tree top lover, ravish me'" She says

"I.. it... Nadeen!"

Her eyes spark with mischief

"I.. I don't... I... you wanna go out and watch the stars?"

"I'd love to" She says taking her arm

And that's when Siv can be heard coming down the steps

"Quickly would be best" Nadeen whispers and it's HER turn to blush

Dagmar nods... and scoops up the sidhe to head outside.