Our Canine Demihuman’s adventure continues with a brief walk and an introduction....
While separated from the city of Estorly in an arcane sense, the manor house and palacial grounds of Silberschmidt's home still follows the same time as the city that surrounds it. And in the days after Pritchard's victory in a duel, it has been open to the guests while the master of the house is recuperating inside in private. Which is why Prichard has asked Rhodie to walk with him one early morning, alone. He is out of his woodsman's attire, wearing the waistcoat and trousers more fitting his time as a guest in Silberschmidt's home given his economic and professional position. As the cat, for lack of a better term, has been let out of the bag on such matters. He paces the carriage road, waiting and looking into the distance at the slice of sunrise breaking over the treeline of the heavily forested manor grounds.
Rhodie has been taking the past few days to get a better grip on some personal situations, as well as events that have transpired since their arrival at the manor. She's wearing one of the newer outfits she received from the Estorly seamstress, white skirt, green vest with gold trim, even a headband with a long blue feather hanging to the side of one of her ears, might as well take time to try and break the new gear in, right? Her tail wags lightly behind her as she watches the sun rising. "As different as this world is, it is kinda comforting to see that sunrises are still rather pretty."
"So they aren't different where you're from?" Pritchard asks, turning to walk alongside Rhodie down the carriage path to a ring road along Silberschmid'ts estate. "Curious what things are so great that they ring true in multiple worlds." He wonders aloud as the pair walk. "I shouldn't badger you on the matter of your world. I've already asked so much. I think it may well be my turn to offer unto you," he says. "If there is anything of my world you wish to know." He pauses a moment, half hesitating before quickly adding, "I do mean about where I'm from and myself, I don't mean to turn this into a natural sciences lecture."
"Honestly, I kinda like doing the compare and contrast thing with our worlds. It's kinda helpful figuring out what exists here that I might already be familiar with." She laughs, "Though I suspect Ember might be getting annoyed with my constant 'does this exist?'" Those long fangs at the front of her mouth are more exposed as she smiles, "I have no problem natural science lectures, or your magic talks... but.." She bites her lower lip, hesitating herself before going ahead, "...So do you try to hide your background to keep folks from treating you a certain way?"
Pritchard is quiet for a moment, his stray bangs cross down by his eye when he looks downward. He fixes the hair to buy him an extra moment before answering. "Generally," he says. "The Geistmacher name carries a degree of weight. My father and mother are well connected people and my family is well-heeled for their financial prudence. Having an affinity for magic, and a magus title, that adds all the more to it." He smiles just a small amount. "On a more practical not, being moneyed is of little use in a forest, so it tends to not come up in casual conversation with young women."
There's a small laugh after the forest bit. "For what it is worth, it's kind of a cool last name, I think," Rhodie says. "Very distinct." She puts her hands behind her head as they walk, looking off as if trying to pick her words before she speaks again, "I'm.. yeah, I'm glad I got to get to know you before that little revelation. Might have caused some stereotyping in how I saw your behavior early on. We're kinda bad about that where I come from.." She doesn't seem to proud of that part, but continues. "But I got to get know you with a blank slate, and aiding clueless dog girls who threw a fit aside, you're a pretty cool guy."
"Really?" Pritchard asks, laughing at the interest over his name. He rests his hands behind his back as he walks with Rhodie through the forests of Silberschmidt's grounds. "We are not so free from social prejudice here. Though I suspect in some ways there are differences in action if not concept." He looks back at Rhodie for a time as he walks. "I'm glad I haven't turned you away. You're a very interesting woman, Rhodie," he tells her, stopping in his walk and looking into the distance back toward the carriage road.
"Heh, slowly getting used to being one. I think yesterday was the first time I saw my reflection in the bathroom and actually didn't feel like I was looking at someone else in the room besides myself," She says. "And really, just glad I haven't made you all kick me to the side of the road. I know I haven't been the easiest to deal with. Panicky actions, emotional outburts, questioning everything..." Rhodie's face scrunches up a bit, "Oh God, I HAVE become a teenager again."
"We wouldn't have. Not without crime or cause," Pritchard assure, stopping to put his hand on her shoulder. "Look there," he says. A carriage approaching Silberschmidt's home, bearing his symbol wrought in silver on the side. "Our host has sent a carriage for someone," he says. "Do you think you could move quick enough to get a view of them?"
That tail begins to wag faster at the contact, then she notices what he's pointing her toward. "Huh..." She looks around at the road, back to the carriage, and takes a breath. "You know... I have been wanting to see just what this body can do for speed." She steps to the side, and begins to try and get some quick stretches in. "OK, lemme just get ready here." She looks up, though not at anything in particular, "And this is not a cue to go full Irish Setter, Inner Dog." She readies herself at the side of the road, waiting for the carriage to pass.
The carriage is pulled by twin horses dressaged in silver threading and crimson ribbon. The carriage races by the pair along the carriage road. The driver holding his hat at the speed at which the vehicle races toward Silberschmidt's home. In a brief moment, the man inside is seen in profile. A human, his long hair tied behind him in a tail. His face shadowed by the dark inside of the carriage.
"Go," urges Pritchard. "Let's see what our scout can do."
Rhodie takes a starting stance as the carriage gets closer. She steadies her breathing, watching the figures as they pass, and then at Pritchard's word... takes off! She thinks to herself, 'OK, Body, you've been saying you wanted to cut loose and run since day 1. This is it, we got a wide open road, and a focus. Just you and me, show me what these canine legs got!' She feels her feet kicking up dirt, paws and arms pumping as she runs, trying to push her legs harder.
It all comes so easily to her. Breath coming deeply and steadily. Each press of a paw against the rough carriage road carries her forward. And for all the restriction of the dress and vest, Rhodie is simply a knife through the air. The horses are moving quickly at a trot, but Rhodie is swiftly gaining on the carriage. As it clatters ahead, she gains and gains on it and when the carriage slows to a stop she quickly on top of them. Fast enough that she's at the carriage before the door opens up and a man in a dour suit steps out into the carriage road. A severe looking man that casts a severe looking eye on Rhodie as she gains on the carriage.
The Irish Setter demihuman manages to stop herself near the carriage, thankfully without tripping herself up at the end. Slow down, don't just stop. You're not Wally West and able to stop on a dime... yet. She can feel her heart beating, blood pumping, slightly winded, but feeling like she could easily do that again. "Hoo, not a bad start, legs." Rhodie makes sure she's not standing in the man's way, and gives a small bow of greeting. "Sir."
The man looks at Rhodie and straightens his sleeves and breeches. He looks up the porch of the manor. "Are you Rhodie Michaels?" he questions. "Erno Bruchhausen. I am Meister Silberschmidt's solicitor. And as of today, your solicitor as well. It is a pleasure to meet you." His words are dry and measured. "Kleiner, to the door!" he calls out to the driver. The man on the carriage moving quickly and toward the front of Silberschmidt's manor. While Bruchhausen takes Rhodie in visually.
Rhodie is initially taken aback by him knowing her name. "O-Oh. OH! The legal kind and not the-AH, yeah, that would be me, Mr. Bruchhausen." She watches the other man take off for the door, and then back to Erno. "It's very nice to meet you as well, sir. I'll uh, try to not make your job too big of a hassle when dealing with me." She thinks, "Other than what it may be already?" Slight nervous grin. She never knows what to say around legal types.
"It's a matter of paperwork," Bruchhausen says, turning from Rhodie and heading for the door. "I should warn you, however," as he starts up the stare toward the door and his footman. "A state where the monarch requires a lawyer is a free one. But the power of the laws extend only insofar as the people are willing to follow them."
She listens, and nods. "Understood, sir." Paperwork. Ah, this must be what was being discussed the other day with the duel. "I would like to think I'm one that will try to follow them to the best of my abilities." Granted, that's going to require learning all the new laws and regulations in this world...
Erno Bruchhausen looks back at Rhodie. "Ms. Michaels, as your solicitor, no matter what you do, it is my job to believe you are in the utmost legal right," he tells her, "I am trying to tell you that whatever legal standing Meister Silberschmidt bestows for you, there are those who will ignore it for their benefit."
Good job misunderstanding there, Rhodie. Her ears twitch and she frowns. That would make sense. Folks knowing what she could do, looking to exploit it and her for their own gain. "So.. something else for me to keep my guard up for then. That is definitely something to be concerned for. Thank you for the warning, sir."
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