#anywhere

"Do what, father? He never asked. I never said yes. I'm not doing anything except keeping folks from being tricked. I love you father, but you're a mean unseelie. Don't talk to me." She storms off..

Jaymes watches the ring spin and settle on the table.

Frank watches his brother.

Jaymes lifts his eyes, they are dark edged as he looks at Torrin "If she didn't love you, I might beat you with in an inch of your life." he grabs the ring an gives chase

Torrin watches him rush off, then ssighs "Well, that went well"

The food arrives to some confusion. Frank assures the waiter than they'll be back, just leave it here, and waits till he and Torrin are alone again. "Could have been worse."

"How?" The old man sighs then thinks on it "He went after her.. that's good sign. I suppose. Assuming he can catch her. Tove is wiley"

Frank nods. "And, no one hit anyone else. That's something."

"They'll have to have a real conversation about it. I'd bet anything that Jaymes was -going- to say '... it's no lie that I love you and want to marry you' or words to that effect."

"Wish he had moved faster..." A sigh "But it's that wishing that got me into this mess. US into this mess."

"Had a mentor in the House that used to say 'Wish in one hand and crap in the other, see which gets full first'.... which I think was supposed to be motivational but mostly just made me worried about his hygiene."

Torrin actually gives a laugh at that "Aye. I can see why. I need to sit back and let Them take it from here, don't I?"

Frank lifts an eyebrow. "Well, you are richer in experience than I am, but maybe you've done enough? You -did- get the ball rolling, so to speak."

"Oh, I'm sure both will have some thoughts if not words for me... and I'll have to face up to that when and if it's time, but right now, their priorities will be each other, or should be. " A sigh "he's not going to catch her, nto the first night. I know my Tove. She could out run a lot of folks in the Shanties of Thyle. Mind you, he's a hunter, but at first? he'll lose her. We should..gather the food and go."

Frank gesture with his fork as he swallows. "You want to eat first?"

"Might as well, Lord knows Tove is not going to be by cooking for me" And they eat, and Torrin explains memories of a little girl growing into a fine woman.

Frank tells Torrin about the new hot-spot his eldest has found in TJ.

"You must be proud... "He nods

"I think we both are. We have reason to be. Jess was... pretty damn angry with me for a while. There was a lot of baggage to unpack. You'll all get through this, Torrin."

"I suppose. I just...hate her hurting, and I really hate being the cause" The two men share more memories of their girls, and , of course, have a meal

(End Scene)

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Dagmar is home when the door swings open and Jaymes comes in looking alarmed.

"HI JAYMES!" She's up from the couch - Forged in Fire on tv - "Kerri was making cookies and..." She stops and frowns.

"Hey.. hey" HE looks around, "Is... is Tove here?"

"No? It's just me." A pause. "Is she hurt? Did something take her?"

"No i..." Jaymes sighs, "I'm sorry, Dagmar...s he might be hurt but not physically she.. she got some bad news. We both did. I'm looking for her I want to fix things."

She brings up her hand, chewing on her thumb. "Maybe... maybe she went to Torin's?"

"Torrin" His eyes darken just a bit "That old man and I are.. .no no, she's not there. I checked ..I was hoping she came home"

"...The Lodge?" Her expression sours, going tense and anxious.

"Maybe.. I'll call and see if they're there... I..." A sigh "I'm sorry, Dagmar Normally I'd watch Forged in Fire with you"

She shakes her head. "S'okay..."

A pause, uncertain and hesitant... and then she abruptly moves to turn off the TV.

"I.. nno no, you keep watching. You're a good kid you...this is my fault, I should have figured somethings out. You shouldn't have to deal with your dad's screw ups"

Her lips draw in and she obediently turns the TV back on.

A deep sigh "I.. do you need me here right now? Be honest. If you need me, I'll stay"

"I don't need you."

Jaymes pauses at that, a concerned look

She carefully sits back down, expression creaking over from anxiety to blankness.

His brow knits, then "Well, I think we need each other, but ...for right now I mean . Wish I were better at words." he reaches for a phone "Do you want me to get you a drink?"

She shakes her head.

He cocks his head and puts the phone down

Arms folded, eyes on the screen - it seems as if Dagmar has been replaced by a teenager-shaped blue rock.

"Dagmar. You...you think she's at the lodge. Would you , please come with me to find her?"

She looks over at him, anxiety threatening to win against her carefully cultivated neutral mask.

"We're a family, we should do this together"

"...Okay?" Is that the right answer? Please be the right answer....

"Thank you" he says gratefully and opens his arms

A stutter-step - starting for the invitation, but hesitating. "I'll... I'll get my coat..."

"Okay. I.. thank you."