#rivervale_lodge

********************

Brekke hears a rubbing sound. Cloth against leather ?

She frowns and looks up from the carving she's working on by the balefire, trying to spot the source.

She sees Alisa, the new sidhe with an African American host has adapted smoothly, effficiently, and honorably. Perhaps it's the LACK off trouble wih her that hasn't made her stand out.. well, as sidhe go. A Squire with a wagging canine tail is cleaning her boots.

Then Brekke gets a second look. The boy with tail is NOT connor

She blinks and gives a closer look. "Greetings, Alisa. And...who is this?"

Alisa answers "This is Dagmar's second squire, Otto. He seemed eager to help so ..." She looks a bit sheepish "I didn't have tthe heart to refuse the polish" She looks down "that really is an excellent job, Squire Otto. Thank you"

Otto wags , his ears are different from Connor's "Your welcome your ladylordshipness" He turns to Brekke "ooo more boots" And moves to bend down and start on the trolls

A furrowed brow. "Second squire," she mutters to herself. Then a blink as the boy aims at her boots. "Ah, squire...wait a moment. Is this a job you wish to do?"

"I'm a Squire now," he says "Lily says that squires serve as minions for the nobility, we are the oompa lompas of Courtly set"

He's a pooka, so the lie dar goes off pretty constantly when he talks

Alisa breaks into a smile at the oompa loompa comparison, then covers her mouth and looks a bit embarrassed she almost laughed

She had braced herself for the lies. "Well, I am not of the courtly set by habit. But if you truly wish to attend to these...." She puts down her carving work and takes a moment to remove her boots. They're fairly clean already -- she takes good care of her gear, usually.

"Please do not work on these unless it is what you wish to do."

He nods then stops "I suppose wanting to chew on them would be okay?" curious ear lift

"Decidedly not."

"Otto, how do you come to be Dagmar's squire?" She's still trying to puzzle over whether she's met the boy and forgotten.

He is cleaning as he answers "Well, I had my guts torn out, but my rescue had to be delayed cause visiting hours were over, tha's how I met Dogmar and Lord Howlington the first time. So anyway... later, a secret shadow paw mission with him and deathflower came to me help me not be colorblind. We danced at the ball, and I became second squire. That's my tail"

A moment, then a nod. "Ah. You are the boy they met at the hospital."

Alisa looks curious "He's certainly not afraid of hard work. And, forivee, much more eager to please than autumn Dachshund dogs, who are quite intractable"

"I knew of you, but we have not met before. I apologize for that. It is good to meet you now."

"I'm doinng it wrong?" the boy looks up at Alisa, tail stops wagging, but wags again at the intro to thhe Chief "It's okay. I forgive you for not stopping saving everyone to bake me a cake. "He saluttes

A look to Alisa. "As long as the work he does allows him his dignity, I do not object to a willingness to work." A grin as he salutes, and she returns it with a trollish salute of her own.

Alisa nods "Indeed, it's commendable. I hope to have my own patrols increased" true

Otto assures "I don't eat much either" more a lie than other things. Boys can be ravenous

A nod to Alisa, and a bemused look to Otto. "I would not object to snacks." She says it more for the boy than for herself. "Please bring some from the kitchen. Dame Kerri can help you."

"yes " He says and keeps at the shoes. He's not done yet

Sidhe brow raise, different from troll brow

That is satisfactory to Brekke. She looks to the sidhe. "And how are you managing, Miss Alisa?"

"I worry I don't do enough for the lodge, Chieftain. Lady Captain Siv says it's commendable, but that I am still a wilder and a fledge and.. quoting here 'Am obliggated to have fun and make mistakes'" She wrinkles her nose "I would prefer NOT to err"

Otto peeks in the shoe "Hello .. hello hello.. echo echo..." then he goes back to cleaning

"I think we would all prefer not to err. However, that is not likely. There will be mistakes. You will learn from them," she says reasonably.

"As long as I don't dishonor anyone doing it" She says with concern "Yes. I must learn my limits. What I can do, and what I choose to do will define me."

The old troll nods. "And sometimes you will attempt that which will exceed your limits. It is necessary. Otherwise, your limits can never expand."

Otto finishes both shoes, which are indeed at a fine buff, and darts inntto the kitchen. Only to dart out "My paws need primpin" and he goes to wash his hands

no doubt, Kerri, or whoever is in the kitchen, told him to do that before snacks

Brekke had no doubt he would be instructed to do so.

Alisa smiles at the boy, then considers the Chief's words, "So this world, while cold, is not one for timidity?"

"No, definitely not. But I would caution against recklessness, as well. Take reasoned risks."

"yes," She acttually smirks "Be bold, but know there are consequences. LIke the warning on Rover Olgar's axe." Olgar's axe has been chipped and beaten over the years, and has required repairrs and restoration. He recently had an addition made to the weapon, letteringg... Fee Fi Fa Fo!

A brief sound of amusement. "Just so. Now...tell me what your patrols have been like."

"Uneventful, mostly. I begin to suspect Sir Vali is trying to soft ball me easy ..." She stops "I'm sorry, it's not proper to speak so of the Mountain, but I do wonder if I'm not being coddled just a bit. My patrols, that killer deer aside have been safe, are usually short ones, either in the nice neighborhoods or very tight to the lodge. "

That complaint about being coddled was probably tthe closest she's come to having a wilder gripe.

"You are still very new," she reminds her.

"Yes, Chieftain" A touch of sullenness, but just a touch. Siv would have made a face. Dagmar's brow would have furrowed. It's almost amusing , if one chooses o see it so, how Wilders are very poor sports about being told they're not invincible from the start

"Back... snacks" Otto races towards the kitchenn

and is gone again

Brekke watches Otto zoom through, then looks back to Alisa. "What do you wish to change about your patrols?"

In the kitchen, Kerri has prepared a tray with a platter of cookies, a jug of milk, and cups. "Do you need help carrying that?"

She brightens "I'd like to go into the wilds more, for a start?"