[ Video; Both Courts ]

[knightscode]

[ This video feed is focused mostly on a Lancelot's dog, so all that is really seen of him is his hands holding her still. She's terribly curious about it, but he's restraining her from licking it or chewing it.

His voice is distinctly tired, and anyone who is paying attention will notice that you can just about see a line of red, raw skin on his wrists -- leather guards covering how heavy the damage might be. ]

Is anyone good with names? I'm afraid my friend here has gone too long without one. She's brave, curious but cautious, much cleverer than I am...

[ She's also turning to nudge his hands. He lifts one gently and pets at her ears. She squirms a little, shakes her head -- then makes a quiet, high-pitched sound and...

... hiccups a tiny fireball. The dog's ears flatten back, perhaps unhappy or apologetic (maybe embarrassed, it wasn't very elegant) but Lancelot just huffs amusement and strokes her again. ]

Forgive me, I almost forgot, it seems these -- [ He reaches out of the frame and his hand comes back holding a small, blue feather. ] -- have some kind of magic in them. It appears it does not discriminate in who it grants it to.

[ Which means he now has a small, magically inclined dog. ]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[gordianknots]

Well, if fire-spitting was a regular thing for her, I'd suggest Thais, but I don't think you want a dog that will encourage people to burn down palaces.

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot gives a faint huff of amusement at that. ]

No, I think not. She is hardly a dragon.

[gordianknots]

No, unless she's wearing a very, very good disguise.

[knightscode]

She might be clever enough to.

[ He doesn't really think that. He does think she's clever, though, and his fingers work through her fur in a little sort-of-massage as she curls contently against him.

His voice drops a little quieter. ]

Reynard was transporting me to Caer Scima. She led a pack of direwolves to us. The soldiers had no chance.

[gordianknots]

---You're right she might be clever enough to do that. Although I don't know if direwolves would trust a dragon.

[Waver's glad to have a better idea of what's happened, but he doesn't dare prod further at that statement. It's enough to just know.]

[knightscode]

[ Lancelot huffs in amusement again. ]

They might if she was pretending to be a dog.

[ More than just a dog. A very important dog! She leans up and licks at his face, and he winces as her tongue scrapes over a cut -- gently discourages her. ]

I'll be fine.

[ That's for both of them, really. Slightly anxious guard dog and the other slightly anxious guard dog. ]

[gordianknots]

I know that you will be.

[Waver considers names again, yet again drawing a blank.]

Have anyone else's suggestions clicked for you?

[knightscode]

Not especially. Someone suggested names that take their meaning from her stronger traits, in their language. Sartë to mean 'loyal one', or Verië to mean 'bold one'. It feels strange to name her from something so unfamiliar, but the thought is a good one. A name should have a meaning.

[gordianknots]

It should. Are there any legends from your time period that match up to your friend's traits?

[knightscode]

Not that I can think of, although... [ RUEFUL SMILE. ] There is a chance I simply might not know them.

[ Lancelot's school for kids who can't read good & want to learn to do other stuff good too. ]

[gordianknots]

[Like be knights!]

Boudica springs to mind. She led an uprising in Albion against the Romans.

[knightscode]

[ GOOD MAN YOU SAID ALBION INSTEAD OF SOMETHING ELSE. Lancelot blinks curiously. ]

Tell me about her? If you don't mind.

[gordianknots]

[LANCELOT WE GOTTA TALK ABOUT NAME CHANGES TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY!]

My memory's fuzzy, it's been a while since I read the information, but she was essentially queen of one of the tribes who lead an uprising against the Romans. She was apprehended, but chose to take her own life rather than be sold into slavery or killed by the enemy.

[knightscode]

[ NAW BRO ALBION IS ALBION.

He frowns down at his dog, though, tilts his head at her. ]

I hope her ending is not as sad.

[gordianknots]

--Good point. [Waver takes a good look at the puppy, and sighs.]

It's weird that it's this hard to come up with a name.

[knightscode]

[ You are terrible at story time, Waver. Terrible. Lance is never asking you for a bedtime story be bets it'd end with everyone dying. ]

Perhaps we overcomplicate. Perhaps her name should be something simple. Perhaps she should just be 'Brave'.

[gordianknots]

[Story of Waver's life, kind of.]

That might work. And you can always add on nick-names.