#anywhere

TXT: Zane's actually more interesting than he was now that he's focusing on magic. Don't tell him I said so. Swelled head would clash with his horns. BUT I think I'll stick with tall girls. I may have a TYPE.

TXT: ❤️

TXT: _ 💙

and the girls get to text for awhile

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In the Rivervale Lodge kitchen, Kerri has just come in and notes Connor setting about some of the chores.

He may be stacking the plates on top of the mugs - not so they'll tip, but just... backwards - but he is putting them away dried.

She fights the urge to fix that immediately. "When you finish that, please come and sit here," she indicates a stool.

He might normally play a game of reorganizing and restacking to draw out the request, but he just sets the last troll-mug in place and goes to hunch down on the stool, legs drawn in and tail curled up tight.

"The Chieftain told me that she spoke with you. She told me you have certain tasks you have to complete, and that you are to serve out a consequence under my supervision. You already know what you did. What do you think would be a suitable consequence?"

"I know what I did... I was there for most of it. But I don't... know if I understand what I did, is what I did." And a frown. He tugs an ear fretfully. "It wasn't a good time. People need to focus on the Mission. But they didn't need me for that. Not until after, and then only maybe. But... she was terrible mad.. and I think... same mad if it was Christmas day or Wednesday..." Morosely staring at the floor.

"The timing was bad. But the deception was worse. You might have trouble getting people to trust you for a while, Connor."

"Maybe I'll understand Carthage better then." A troubled look.

A dubious look. "I do not think you want to go through life being treated as if you cannot be trusted. I know I do not want to feel that I cannot trust you."

"I don't think anyone does. I'm supposed to be an Ember, and welcome some but others are dangerous and I don't understand." Drooping again.

A sigh. "Well...you may need to learn a bit more about the Houses, and why we are cautious of some." There's something else she almost says but doesn't. Instead, she redirects: "When I made your bed earlier, I found a picture of a woman. Tell me about her."

His eyes widen and he looks startled. "Did you take her?"

Not accusing, but worried.

"The photo's on your bedside table. Who is NiNi?"

His small brow furrows as he works this through. "There was a Mary-Ann up north. She stitch-quicked clothes for Adam and me because I rolled in Mr. Stinky's house. " A sudden wince. "I'm gonna have to apologize to HIM, too." Refocusing. "She said she remembered me when I was a puppy. She must've snook the picture in my pocket... Nini probably means Ninja. And she brought cakes and tea and cocoa, and only bapped me once."

"She provided the clothes and the photograph. And the photograph is...your mother?"

He goes silent for a long moment, then nods. "Isn't she... " His tongue trips. "She's..." Not wanting to put a pooka spin on this. "Yes."

"They had pictures, all up and down the hall. Sparkly ones. But she'd've made them sparkle with just normal paint..."

A slow nod. "Connor...I think it's important you have a picture of her. However, I think it's possible that Mary-Ann may have included something in the clothing or in the photo itself that may be dangerous or...sneaky, somehow."

A confused look, and he realizes. "She's not Mary-ann, she's -a- Mary-Anne. But they call her Marigold, she's... I think she's nice. My ninja senses would tell me if she wasn't." A small frown, and he looks uncomfortable.

"A Mary-Anne....?" Puzzled. "You mean...AnneMarie? A boggan?"

A grateful nod. "But she acted like a fireplace. She was nicer that their Sparrow-Hawk. She didn't talk to anyone, but had a lot to say." Thinking. "Do you ever get talked to, but.. through? And she snapped her fingers at Adam. He didn't care... I didn't think I would care if someone did to me, but... I didn't like it when she talked to him like... see, I LIKE being a smart dog, but..."

"He just wagged his tail, though." A shrug, as though that should be enough.

"The sparrow-hawk did that, you mean. The talking-through?" She hmphs. "I don't like that done to me, either. But Connor, about the clothing and the picture...well, especially the picture. I'd like to provide you with a copy of it, but send the original back to Carthage. Would you be willing to accept that?"

He looks torn on this. "I don't want to... be a giver-backer. Maybe I can... keep it somewhere safe?" He asks, but with a somewhat defeated look in his eyes already, as though the treasure was already lost. "If I could just go... and I wouldn't even mind if it was hours and hours.. and I could look at it sometime. I..." He struggles to not sniffle. "I remember she was... soft. And warm. And smelled like flowers. But I didn't remember her face - then I saw it, and it was..." He shrugs. "Not... important."

A knock on the kitchen door

"I would like you to have a copy of the photo, Connor. I think it matters. But I don't trust...." Then the knock comes and she pauses. "Come in."

"I said so, to the Ninja-not-ninja. I think that's why..." And he trails off, looking to the door.

"Hey" She says "I.. oh. I'm interrupting "Gerd looks a bit dazed, and maybe even a bit pleased but she focuses "Sorry. It can wait. Ah.. Connor, tonight, do you want me to read something to you for a bed time story?"

He ducks his head. "No 'nk you." Looking guilty once more.

Kerri looks between them. "I think perhaps you two should talk. Connor, we still have details to discuss. But for now, excuse me."

"Ah, Hearth.. if you get a chance, check the jewelry box on the table? it's.. it's incredible" But she stays with Connor

"Miss Kerri, no, please? If you want to take it to punish me, you can." He says in a rush. "I was bad, and I hurt people, but.. even if it's hidden under a rock and I can't even see it, please don't send it back?"

"Oh, I shall, Gerd. I'm glad it was a pleasant gift."

"Wait what? " Gerd says

She pauses at Connor's request...and sighs. "Perhaps we'll find a place to store it away."

He is struggling not to cry, a clear effort, and hiccups.

"What is 'it'?" Gerd says "Please" remembering to ask

Then she says to Gerd, "Connor was given a gift, a photo of his mother. I...am suspicious of what else may be riding the photo itself, or the note attached to it. I want to find a way for him to have the image but safely. Connor, do I have your permission to Willow Whisper the photo and the note?"

Connor might realized that Kerri could easily go ahead and Whisper it without his permission.

Rubbing his nose on his sleeve. "You can use your full voice even... "

"Thank you" A nod and a thought "If ..if it comes to it, I'm sure the Mountain at the DeBuke farm could help ward it? then return it"

"That's a good idea, Gerd, thank you. And thank you, Connor. We still need to discuss chores. Now...you two speak a bit." She leaves the kitchen.

"Yes ma'am" Gerd says

Then looks at Connor "Soooo"