#anywhere

"We're also older." He points out.

He chuckles at Gerd's witness.

She frowns. "Except I'm not... it's stupid to pretend I'm the same. I know you're trying to be nice."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not that nice, always" Gerd admits, "Sometimes I try to get away with things. And..well.." She shushes as Frank asks a question.

"I'm not one of you. Right of Rescue means you had to take me in, yeah?"

"But I'm not family."

Gerd looks over at Frank "She doesn't know?"

"She's learning."

Gerd looks at Dagmar "The Great Tree's root may not now it's limb, but they are bound. The Wheel of Seasons may have one part on top and another below as it spins, yet they are bound. Blood is strong, but spirit is stronger, and those who we knew as mothers or daughters or sisters for sure in a past life may come back to us wearing a stranger's face. ' A brow knit, "or something like that."

"But, like, you might have been related, so we'll treat it like you are. And maybe you weren't, but that just adds more to us to take you in if you'll have us. "

"Did I get that right, Mountain Frank?"

Frank smiles fondly, an actual smile on that stoic face behind the beard. "That was just great, Gerd."

Frank chuckles. "I guess I didn't think how we'd look from your point of view." He waves Gerd over to sit down. "There's no blood relation between Gerd and I, although she and Vali are related. Brekke and I are married, and Jessica is our daughter, but Brekke's by adoption through our traditions. Siv is Brekke's and my daughter, born in the Dreaming. Lut and Tig are not related to us, or even each other, in this life. Kerri and Olgar are married, Sylvi is their daughter but none of them are related by blood to anyone else in the Lodge."

The little girl blushees but look pleased.

"What happens when I screw up, though?"

She shifts her weight, seeming smaller.

"Depends on how. If you break an Oath, you'll lose your strength. Again, I can introduce you to some folks that can tell you about it." He pauses. "If you find something ... off putting... about me... that's it. I'm considered Oathbroken due to my House affiliation."

"And if I break the Escheat or Dagda, I don't get to be Dagmar anymore. But, like... other things?"

Gerd has sat down and is watching attentively.

"Let's be clear; you -risk- not only being Dagmar, but all of us. You open yourself to Banality. What do you mean 'other things'?"

"Like... like having an attitude, or going into the wrong room, or being too loud. Being late. Just.. just screwing up?"

Frank chuckles. "Heck, that just sounds like being a Wilder."

A distressed look, but she shrugs and looks away.

"You should see the stuff Sylvi gets away with" Gerd mutters

"What's wrong, Dagmar?" Gently.

Gruffly, almost angry. "Why can't you just tell me?"

"I don't wanna screw up."

Frank nods. "It would be easier if we had an owner's guide or user's manual, you're right."

"Dagmar, I know it might be hard to believe but... if you make a mistake, you stay. Here, I mean. This can still be a place for you, even if you make a mistake. Even if you break the Escheat. Rivervale is still here for you. That's part of our rules too."

"Won't ship me off to someplace that can handle me?"

"Nope."

"Actually with us Fostering is when they expect yo ut make mistakes. "

"Might put you to work. There're a lot of trails that need clearing in the spring, you know."

Gerd remembers her own first year

"She's right." Frank agrees.

Hesitates. "If so many people stay here, why...."

"Why....." He leads.

"Why couldn't I?"

Frank nods. "I've been thinking about that, Dagmar. I need to talk to Brekke. See, just about everyone here came here after age 18, or are children, or in the case of Gerd here, dependent on, someone who -is- over 18."

"We can't draw the attention of mortal law like that; it's not safe."

"Because we have to be secret." Quietly crushed, then. "Well. Not like I'd want to, anyways."

Gerd bounces a bit

"Dagmar, a couple different options are rolling around my head, and I know you don't know me but.... trust me just enough to leave the door open a little? I'll get back to you as quick as I can."

"It was a dumb idea. Don't worry about it. I should get home soon, before I get in trouble."

Gerd jumps flies into the air nearly hitting the roof, then lands down next to Dagmar al lfrom sitting, that glamour stuff having propelled her

....blink, blink, stare.

"Nope. Not dumb. We're changelings... what's dumb for mortals is just tricky for us. We do the strange daily, the impossible just takes a week..or so." A smile

And a hug "You'll be okay, Dagmar"

Frank smiles as the childling shoots into the air and back down.