#anywhere

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When Dagmar gets to the barn she smells.. comfort food!

That food meant to help one feel safe, secure, and loved.

Tove is singing

Nothing loud, gentle, relaxing

And Nadeen waits patiently stroking Odin.

Dagmar enters the kitchen (preferring, as usual, to use that door over the front one... and balks a little.

Tove looks over, "Dagmar?"

"Hey,honey " the smell of comfort food bubbles in the air

"Uh... hey."

"Hey Nadeen."

She frowns. "I.. listen, I gotta shower. I had a workout."

Nadeen moves to her, "You look like you've had a rough day"

A nod, and gently sidestepping. "Yeah, kinda. I'm sweaty, bet I stink."

"I've smelled worse, but if you feel gross I would be selfish to stop you from feeling better"

"Yeah, I feel gross."

"Thanks, sorry. I'll be back down."

Nadeen says with a worried look, "Don't take too long mm? I missed you"

"I'll be quick."

She retreats upstairs.

Nadeen bites her lip and watches her go, hugging herself.

"Thank you for coming, Nadeen," Tove says

"I want to be here for her," Nadeen says softly, "I just worry I'm not good at it"

Tove fights the urge to put in spices. No, this is plain mac and cheese, the heat is the warmth of the stove, "Trolls can be very slow to show emotion. And Dagmar has her trials. It's not about good enough, it's about not giving up on each other ..." A pause "or ourselves."

The sound of water running upstairs.

Eventually she returns, snuggled into her favorite red hoodie.

Nadeen actually smiles "would this make me the big bad wolf?"

A half-laugh. "Maybe."

"You staying for dinner?"

"If it's okay?" Nadeen nods

"Well, sure."

Tove smiles "you're always welcome, Nadeen. Dagmar, your father will be here shortly with the baby. Don't worry you two, neither of you has to babysit"

She fidgets. "Can I help?"

"Sure, set out some plates? The mac and cheese is ready" A sniff "Yes. I think it is. Don't worry, Nadeen. I only spiced mine so you won't burn. I know how delicate Varich are to some heat."

Nadeen takes the tease with humor "Ah, but we handle the winter so well" then "I can help set the plates with Dagmar"

A little nod from the troll. She seems subdued.

Nadeen moves to get the plates, and says "I've been improving my arts. Taking lessons at Hemlock's court as well as Rivervale"

"Oh yeah? What are you studying?"

"Improving the Sovereign lately," She says

"Useful."

"It's a scary art, but it's useful."

"It is. And it is saddled with a lot of baggage. Overusing it can get one labeled as a tyrant, with some justification" Nadeen admits.

"Ah, with respect, Nadeen, please don't use that art in this house" Tove says

"Yes, Mrs. King" Nadeen fights a sigh. Clearly she's not surprised.

"Right... I don't like it used on me, but who does?"

"Most don't want to be frozen or burned either" Nadeen says

"True. I use most of my fire magics on cooking" Tove says

"Yeah, not gonna use those magics too casually either."

"You'd probably be fussy if I dictumed Star, I suppose" Nadeen says resigned

"Not as fussy as Star, I bet."