#rivervale_lodge

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"What do you mean she's not here? She's always here, right?" Lavender asks Stormwake

Stormwake nickers and shakes his head

"Trouble? Shit. Should have asked me to help" Dee says

Brekke is approaching the stables, a somewhat subdued Oak at her heels. "Dame? I hope you are well."

"Oh, I'm fine, Your Chieftainship" She bows, and that rings true, "I was hoping to ride with Dagmar a bit, but she's out on some task. Wish I could have helped. Gwen is checking out Goldfinch, Lucia is taking her on a tour. The dogs are on the porch resting."

"Mm." She nods with a thoughtful expression at the comment about Dagmar. "Well, Oak has joined me," she indicates the dog padding behind her. "I think perhaps the relationship has run its course for the moment, though they seem to be parting on good terms."

"Got it done, did you big guy?" She looks over at Oak. And gives him a pat, Then looks up "Glad to hear they're buddies." Amusement then "Looking forward to Pennons?"

A bit of a grin and another nod. "I am. I anticipate a challenging field of competitors. You and the 'Joust Club' have been enjoying good practices?"

"Oh yeah, you know Dame Dagmar is well names, she HITS like a hammer, but I think I have an edge on her in last second adjustments. Either way , win or lose, it's gonna be a blast ifwe end up facing each other in Pennons. " AN amused look "I wonder if Gwen's figured out she maybe expected to participate in Pennons too now that she's sained? Or about to be... She's not have bad with a spear, but she's so touchy about her extra weight- the stone skin? that she skirts away from jousting. I told her that distrubing mass is what the big guys do, but... " She shrugs "well, if there's a spear throw or melee she might get good odds for a first year"

A brow. "If I can ride a steed, I believe that we can find one for her to ride. It would need to be a powerful beast, but it is not impossible."

"We have powerful beasts. " She assures "Some that would give Stormwake at his biggest form a run for his money"

"Indeed?" A slight grin.

"I do hope you and I get to test each other."

"Yess.. .and you know I'm proud of our horses at Silverwolf" SHe answers "I Hope too. You're the better , stronger joustier, if I lose, it'll be more on me than Snowthorn, he's a pro and a vet... but lose or not, it'll be an honor just.. don't underestimate our bloodlines. We've got some of the best"

She shakes her head. "I would never doubt the careful breeding conducted at SilverWolf. It is your baron's specialty."

"Training ain't bad either ,if I may say. I should know, I help with a lot of it and... " A pause "Are .. toying with my satyr passions just a litle for fun?" A smile escapes "Because I have to tell you, as a kith we're notoriously low hanging fruit"

"I am not sure what you mean. What I say, I mean sincerely."

"Sorry, but ..well, how would you feel if say, I told you that as an offer of generous nature, we would take one of your fledges and teach them how to fight properly? Or because we sympathize with somoene trying to learn cook apples here, we'd take them to Ithicica where WE have really good apples so it's the best place to learn an apple pie?"

Her brows go up. "It was not my intent to cause offense. I am still confused, though. If Gwen doubts her ability to ride a steed, but you have steeds mighty enough for her, why has she not been taught to ride one of them?"

"She knows the basics... but she doesn't want to learn further because she feels like she might be too heavy for ANY horse. I've tried talking sense into her, but short of the Baron ORDERING her, nope."

"Which is why I suggested we might find a steed to suit her. I meant no offense," she repeats.

"That's my point though, we have steeds that suit her. She doesn't want to ride"

"Understood." She nods.

"Mind you" She looks at Star and Stormwake "Your horses are wonderful."

A pause. "I wonder...has the Baron re-examined his thoughts on the creatures that are bred less-than-perfectly? Seeing the magnificent animal that Star is, and the fine foal she has birthed."

"I think... " She pauses "It's my place to critique my baron, but he takes other things besides bloodlines into account, there are ..signs, and portents. What may bode ill for some doesn't for others" True, but also hedging

"Interesting. I had not thought those elements would be part of the process. It makes sense." Then a tilt of her head. "Who is your seer for these signs?"

"The Seer is... you know?" She laughs "I've never bothered the seer" True "If they told the name I forgot it"

"Hm," Brekke seems amused. "The SilverWolf court must be larger than I knew."

"You should hear our barbershop quartet" No need for the boon on that one

A chuff of laughter. "I wonder, Dame, if you would be willing to ride a few passes against me now? I have not had the advantage of frequent Joust Club sessions."

"Well, she did say I could use Star. " excited "And I'd love to. I do some of my best learning knocked on my ass"

"Then let us prepare." She gestures for the knight to proceed her into the paddock, and together they get the horses ready for some practice.

"Woott! I mean, yes Chieftain" And off they go

(Fade to two high speed masses slaming into each other )

(But enough about Oak and Mischka)

(LOL!)