#anywhere

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Tap, tap, tap. Sam meticulously types on her phone.

She studies the screen, frowns, and deletes.

The phone is set aside. "Hey, CJ, Sis is coming!"

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A knock at the Barn/aka Ironhawk residence

Tove opens the door "yes?"

The old graying satyress is NOT Etsie

"Begging your pardon, young lady. I'm Demetera. I've been sent for your approval as your son's Nanny. When would be a good time for you to interview me?"

Tove blinks "I ...beg your pardon, but i think there's some mistake. "

"Clint James I believe? CJ? Fine strapping boy?" Demtera says

"Yes that's my son but... I didn't order a nanny and.. I can't afford one. I'm so sorry."

"Oh, we're paid for, no matter which you take" The kindly old satyress says "Courtesy of your daughter."

Tove is a troll, and they are known for stoic resolve. But... well, it has limits "Say WHAT NOW?"

"Mom?"

Sam peeks in through the doorway, CJ on her shoulders.

"Dagmar? This is Demtera. She says you arranged for a free Nanny? Young lady, please explain" Her mother says

CJ waves "HI"

"Huh?"

Demtera waves to CJ "HI yourself, young man. Hello."

"Huh?" Tove looks at her daughter incredulously

"I didn't arrange a nanny?"

"Oh , I'm so sorry" Demtera says "I should explain.... this is courtesy of your daughter, not by her specific request. She has recently done some service I don't fully understand, and because of this Count Hemlock has granted some sort of boon... that sort being a free nanny for those times you need one"

"Oh" See THAT Tove can believe, and she gives a proud look at her daughter

And the boon says Demtera is ...saying the truth

Dag blinks.

"Oh. Wow. Okay. That was not expected."

"Sometimes good things come of surprises" Demtera says "But I'm here to be evaluated"

Tove looks at Dagmar again "You didn't expect this? Do you know why it happened?"

"I... I can guess why it happened?"

"But no, I didn't expect it."

"Me neither, yet here I am" Demtera says

"Well uhm... please, come into the kitchen, and tell me your qualifications?" Tove says then looks to Dagmar "Honey I don't know what you did, but thank you? you want to interview her as well?"

"I...yes?"

She lifts CJ off her shoulders and sets him on the counter. "Juice?"

"I don't mind" Demtera says happily "And thank you" She goes into the kitchen

CJ says "Sure. What's a nanny?"

"A nanny is a helper." She gets several glasses, including the Paw Patrol sippy cup.

"Yes, like a babysitter but even more trained , who is there for you when others can't be" Demtera says to CJ

Apple juice for CJ. Iced tea pitcher held up with an eyebrow lift to see if that works for Demtera and Tove.

"Oh thank you, Dame. " Demetera says at the tea offer.

"Very nice, sweetie thanks" Tove says

"THANKS! " CJ says too loudly

"Now, " Tove says "How long have you been a nanny?"

Iced tea is pured, and a plate of (squire-favorite) "Pup"kin cookies is prepared and brought over.

"Oh," The old goat smiles "About 25 years. Started when I first became a grump... I saw other grumps go so bitter, you know? And I wanted to stay... well, to see the spring in the world. Working with children can be hard, but it helps me do that"

"Do you live in the area?"

"I live in the County, less than a half hour drive away" She says "And I don't mind commuting"

"You don't have other kids already?"

"My own daughter is grown and running wild" The old woman smiles "My son is in the music industry on the West coast"