#baronyofthesilverwolf

Dolph reaches over and gives Joe a pat on the arm. "It's alright lad. I think they know what you mean."

Amy is rescued from having to respond by the breakfast showing up. Peppermint pancakes! Why, even Briar didn't get a breakfast this festive!

Joe eyes the pancakes. His stomach however seems to be unsure even as his mouth says yes. He knew it was only for a day, Christmas wishes don't last... but Amy might go away? And... he can't tell her straight how much he wishes otherwise

As they start to tuck in, a buzzing-bleep comes from Amy's purse.

"Let it go to voicemail, Amy?" Dolph suggests, but she pulls it out, and looks at the name. "It's the senior partner. I have to take this..." Scooching out past the others and moving to the vestibule to speak in somewhat privacy.

Nick looks to Joe. "I don't want her to go back, either."

At that, Joe leans against Nick and hugs him , well, holds onto him for support . Sticky fingers might leave a few stains, but the heart is real

"if only you could just tell her that, but you're struck mute"

"What could I offer a big-city gal like that? She has her career, her fancy apartment, her city lights and excitement. All I have is, well, a seasonal lumberjack gig."

"At least we have each other, though? I mean, I don't have much to offer you either, but I'm sure glad of your company." He wraps an arm around Joe as well.

"Seems to me that you both have something to tell Amy." Dolph observes, as he eats his own, normal stack of pancakes.

Joe sniffs and then nods to Nick. Maybe he can pretend Nick is a dad. That.. that would be nice but.. then he looks at Dolph "But everytime I try to talk to Amy it comes out all scrabble toss"

"And I'm all out of As" he adds

Nick suggests, "Maybe we can try giving her the message another way. They say a picture is worth a thousand-"

This is interrupted as Amy hurries back to the table and grabs her coat and purse. "Joe, Nick... I'm sorry, but I have to go. There's been an attempt at a hostile takeover at the firm, and I need to get back to Manhattan ASAP. They won't get away with it, but I need to be there to stop this from getting worse.

Pops, I'll send for my luggage, but I booked the next flight out of Watertown."

Joe looks to Nick almost panicked "How fast can you take a picture?"

Nick looks stricken, "I, uh, Amy.... Amy, wait!"

"Nick, I'm sorry. I have to go, or I'll miss my flight." And like that, she's out the door.

Dolph also looks worried. "I thought we had until New Years to convince her. Well, this is a sticky wicket. There's no stopping her now, now that she has her mind made up." He leans and looks out the window, where Amy has hopped into an Uber. But he's not watching her, he's looking at... the sky?

"It would take an act of god to stop that plane. Or bad weather. Doesn't look like snow, though. Hmm."

Roch frowns trying to think of where the airport might be.

She said Watertown, right? That's the next town over! A little bigger, big enough to have an airport and some other features.

Even in full horse form, he'd not make it in time. "Can someone fly me to Water town please?"

Nick sets down his coffee. "Buddy, it sounds like her mind is made up." He looks miserable.

Dolph says, "If only we knew a way to stop that plane from taking off. Joe, what do you think? Let's brainstorm. We have all of our friends to help us, surely we can make a difference."

His eyes widen "Do you think we could weigh the plan down with Gwen?"

"That's using your noggin." Dolph beams. Nick looks confused. "Your friend? She's big, but that's not nice to say..."

Dolph chuckles, and looks to Joe. "What do you think, should we help your Nick see the problem a little more clearly? Just this once?"

The boy nods and taps the strawberry ontop of the pancakes "Eat that, and save the world" A bit of glamour in it

"I don't have much appetite - " "Just eat it, boyo." Dolph says with a smile, and Nick relents, and... his eyes open, as he eats the berry.

The world is filled with magic, and rarely so much so as at Christmas time! Xmas day may have passed, but the magic lingers, and after all, he's at the table with TWO magical beings!

"Let's head back to look for Gladiola, Roch. We can explain to Nick on the way!" Dolph smiles, his round ruddy cheeks a bright red, practically a shoemakers' elf.

The horse ears on the boy swivel "Hey, Nick. Thanks for being my dad this Ground hOg's day..." He rises to move to Dolph's side

Nick is surprised, but he takes it in stride. "I'm not sure what's going on... but I trust you, and if this will help us get Amy back... well, let's do it!"

He reaches over and tousles Roch's hair between his ears.

Rocholar grins at the gesture, "Course, I'm not sure what Gwen can do, she's not the magic one..."

"Well, lead the way!" Nick needs to be lead - he keeps rubber necking at this and that, all the way to Dolph's truck!

And soon they are pulling up outside of Silverwolf Manor, with the power of SCENE CHANGE!

"So you're magical people, fairies, and you want to help me keep Amy from leaving because she hates her life and we can all be happy here? And Joe- Rochallor has trouble telling the truth... that explains a lot." His head spinning a bit, "But if you're a hobbit - sorry, Boggan, why isn't she one too?"

"That's a whole other conversation, my boy. Let's just leave it at Genetics, but she might have a bit of sparkle in her eyes never the less." Dolph smiles.

"Amy has the most lovely eyes I've ever seen." Nick agrees.

"GWEENNNNDOLYN..." The boy yells

Dame Gladiola stomps closer towering... "What's the prob...lem?" She arches a brow to see Nick enchanted "oh good grief"

"Whoa." He looks UP at the Dame, and gives a little wave. "Hey there, miss. Uh. Ma'am. Joe here said you might be able to help us out?"

A look at Dolph, he's the adult here "I take it whatever lead to his enchantment is important?"

"The most important thing of all." Dolph smiles.

"Fine. Lecture if any later. What's the problem?"

Nick is checking his phone, "She said she had the next flight out to NYC, which leaves in... two hours! Do we have time to stop the flight??"

Dolph fills in, "My daughter is about to make the biggest mistake of her life... and leave behind the greatest opportunity she may ever get."

"I.. might be able to help" She eyes her spear "I take it a windstorm might do the trick?"

"High winds, snow, sleet, extenuating weather conditions... or if we could get the plane to break down, or... delay the pilot so they can't make it...." Nick spitballs desperate ideas!

The troll gets some stuff ready "Dandy" and moves towards the car "Drive me towards the airport. I'll see what I can do"

Bluebell pulls around in one of the minivans! "Beep beep! All aboard, last train to the North Pole."

Nick can't help but stare at her for a minute, and she twitches her nose cutely. "Eyes on the prize, Mister Christmas."

Dolph smiles at Rochallor. "It's all up to the two of you now! Gwen can slow her down, but you've got to convince her to stay."

"But what if she learns I deserve coal?" the boy looks scared as gwen gets into the van

Nick pulls him over to sit next to him in the backseat. "If she doesn't stay... it won't be your fault. We can just let her know how we feel, and the decision is up to her. We just need more time!"

He clings to nick "This is hard. Must be why they call getting a mom labor"

Gwen blinks at that, then looks sympathetic, "Floor it, Bluebell"

"Where we are going, we don't need roads." She slides a pair of sunglasses on, and they are off!

Bluebell looks to Gwen. "What are you going to do?" As they pull onto the highway.

Nick is brooding a little. "What can I offer her? She's got everything now, money, a career, and if she wants a man, I'm sure they'd be lining up..." He looks to Rochallor.

Gwen says "Winds... if I can stir up some snnow clouds lower so much the better... but it has to before they take off. I'm not going to risk them. Unless you have a better idea?"

the boy looks up at Nick "She doesn't want A. Mann, whoever that guy is, she wants you. you make her snort milk out of nose, and feel safe. You got lumberjack musk"

"Who ever heard of snow on Christmas?" Bluebell smiles at her. "How can I help?" She fiddles with the radio, seeking Christmas songs.

"You're the one who makes her laugh and rethink her choices. I think, even if she doesn't want me in her life, if she doesn't want to stay here - maybe you could go with her? I mean, she could provide the best of everything for you, she certainly has resources..."

The boy's lip wobbles "But Nick, you'll be all alone with just ttreees and they donn't like pancakes"

"Sure they do." He reassures the boy, "That's why they make maple syrup."

He smiles at that despite himself then sighs "Can'tt go.. maggical me"

"Why not?" He asks, patient, willing to try to listen and understand.

"I... " he sigghs "I saved this girl from a horrible guy, and I was totaly brave and on the right side! So I don't owe her even a little. Also, I'm an alien from the planet Equis, and the Force at my home is stronger so I have to stay there or I go into sequels others hate"

"So... you need to stay here." He swallows, and gives Roch's shoulders a squeeze. "I might not be as pretty as Amy, or smell as nice, or have her smile, but... even if she has to go back, and won't stay? I'd be happy to have you as part of my tree crew."