#anywhere

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At the Ironhawk house... Jaymes seems distant.

Tove fusses lightly at him, coaxing but he shrugs and waves her off

Dagmar is down for breakfast, but makes herself scarce when she senses tension.

The Breakfast is nice. The tension doesn't seem between mom and dad.

...Between her and parents?

It's dad. She can't tell if he's mad but he is putting up walls. Dagmar can't read his grunts.

When he "mmphs" that's all he's giving. When he shrugs it could mean..anything.

And... she quietly shuts down, retreating to her bedroom.

Tove shoots her husband a look but nods to their departing daughter "We're very glad you're safe."

Grunt. Flee.

Odin waits for Dagmar, in that way that he does. Not always coming when wanted, but somehow arriving when needed.

She scoops up the cat and curls up on her bed.

Nose touch and head bumps and yes, he allows the cuddles. For all his bitchiness to the world, this time he listens to HER opinions, the silent ones she keeps mostly to herself. Cats are good at keeping secrets. He will guard hers.

She keeps her focus on the cat, trying not to think too hard on Jaymes is MAD and Dagmar is BAD and that little twitch of habituated response.

Odin helps.

Then.. a knock on the door, gentle.

"what?" (Go away!)

"Dagmar, we need to talk" Firm gentle tone , it's her mom

Grunt. Assent.

Tove enters in, and she closes the door behind her, then sits on the edge of her daughter's bed. "Are you okay?"

Shrug.

"I guess not," She says "Is it because your father's being a turtle?"

Shrug. (Yes)

A frown (Your father's a doorknob sometimes) then a breath "He's not mad or angry at you" True. Or she BELIEVES it's true.

"Yes he is." Muffled by cat.

"Nope" She says "He's not mad. He got scared." Tove says "Maybe still is scared."

True.

"He's mad. I can tell."

"If he is mad, it's not against you but himself. And even then, first and foremost, it's fear." She puts a hand on her daughter "You were in an Ailil hold subject to Soveriegn and demense and who knows how many thanes. Far beyond his reach, beyond his ability to help. It was a different sort of danger. One you couldn't fight out of .. one he couldn't fight into. Your father was HELPLESS"

"Nothing happened. We got Connor home."

"Yes, and you're to be commended. Sounds like you were a tower of calm , I think Nadeen would be proud of you, handling a potential political trap as well as you did. " A proud look, then she takes a breath "but it doesn't change that your father was helpless. He couldn't be there for you. He feels like he let you down, maybe even betrayed you. He is angry at himself for being weak."

"How did he... I'm a wilder and a knight."

"I know, I know," She says "And he was ready for 'battle' dangers. It's the other stuff that throws him. Remember, your dad has a whole history you don't know about. That I barely know about. HE was on Thyle for years, but he had a life before that in the Autumn world decades ago before Frank's current life. The Dreaming restored their brotherhood, but to this day we don't know all the saw and went through. "

"I was trying to help."

"You didn't just try, you did help." She nods "Gerd texted me with an apology that she hadn't kept everyone more in the loop, aith an additional comment about how you helped hold her together. I don't know what she means, but I know she's quite serious. I'm proud of you. A friend called to see to the safety of a kinsman, and you dared a strange hall where you acted with courtesy and courage. Your father is proud of you too, or will be once he gets over his feelings of inadequacy"

"He's mad..." Less adamant.

"Just scared, and maybe a little mad at himself. " A sigh "I'm not sure on the details. I think ..before he came to thyle, I think he had a bad encounter with an Ailil once."

"he doesn't trust them, doesn't like them, and he knows he can't beat them in games of politics and intrigue. And he's not alloweed to just punch one in the face" She adds

"I made him feel that way."

"I'm not sure I agree with that either" She says "I think you and your father are a lot alikek, both taking too much on yourselves in what you can do and how much is in your power. And both of you turtle up like no one's business. You up here, him down there, both of you not wanting to peek out of your shells and be vulnerable for a moment. I ought to bang the two of you together and see if you make coconut sounds like in that monty python movie" A shake of her head "I love you both so much, but you can both take far too much on yourselves. Curse of the kith I know, but you two should talk. Let him know you are alright. Let him know what he taught you about being on your guard and ready helped if it did. Ask him flat out if he's proud of you"

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head.

"I am confident I already know the answer but I think you need to hear it from him. See? I'm plotting to use that Gwydion boon against you. That's how sneaky I am. When i say I'm proud of you. You know it's true. When your dad says it, you'll know it's true too. Watch..." She says "proud of you" She tilts her head "What's that? Why it sings true to young falcon's ears. I love you! Oh truer still." Then she says "And you always keep your room so tidy" Lie "Okay... two out of three isn't so bad" Her mother tries to make her , well, nto laugh, but smile a touch

Blush.

Tove reaches out and gives Odin a stroke "Fine. I said my piece to you."

"Now I'll give you space, and go fuss at your father. You both love each other too much for me to have patience with his nonsense for long"

Quiet, then. "Love you, too."

A pleased look, and a soft "Then I am doing something very right" and her mom goes down stairs

Odin goes back to attending

Odin is a helpful cat.