#bergen_county

A knock knock knock at the Ironhawk door. Connor shuffles, awaiting an answer!

The door opens

CJ POINTS at him

hanging from his mom's arms

Tove says "Hey, Connor. Come in!"

He straightens his tabard, as neat as he could make it, and he’s even run a brush through his hair. His long and well notched practice staff is slung over one shoulder, much as Dagmar carries her Flyswatter.

“Oh, Connor isn’t here today. I am Sir Dogmar, Knight of Rover Vale and protector of the peace. And all of the pieces, and that includes everyone in this house. Reporting for protection duty, Ma’am!” He salutes! And forgot that the staff was in hand, and narrowly avoids bonking his own forehead.

He grins up at CJ and wiggles his ears at the baby.

She smirks, then says "You honor our home and fire, Sir Dogmar. Would you like to take a post near our fireplace, perhaps a chair, and test some food for me to give it a security check?"

He sets his staff carefully in the same spot where war hammers, glaives or axes may normally rest, and steps inside, wiping his paws - er, boots. “Only for a moment, then I must paw-trol.” Serious.

"I see. " She says "Then..perhaps you would do me the honor of moving with my husband to keep him safe?" She shoots her reading husband al ook

“I have to watch the horses, too, and clean the oats and eat the hay.” He ticks off fingers. “Patrol the borders, and help with the dishes. And rake the yard, and help wash the car.” He ticks off a list of Dagmar’s regular chores. “And someone has to check in on Miss May and Miss Loopy, but Miss Loopy is alright because she’s a treat-eater.”

He smiles, but looks SO SINCERE.

“Me and Bugsmacker.” He points back to his staff.

Jaymes mmmphs then says "I guess I can go that path. Thanks for.. protecting me, Dogmar"

The things he does for love

But Connor shakes his head! “I know the way. You have to relax. A good knight helps folk out.”

“I was just letting you know so you wouldn’t need to worry. I will make sure you’re safe, or my name isn’t Dogmar the Just!”

Tove says "I fear CJ could use help being held some"

He tilts his head to one side, and his ears flompf over. “Oh?”

"Oh yes"

“Would he like to go walkies?”

CJ Perks at the walkies talk! Intriguing. Speak more of this ..walkie?

Connor’s eyes gleam in earnest. “I won’t go far, honest. Just to the moon and back.”

"I'll go with you" Jaymes says. Less an offer. "And CJ"

Tove speaks "There, decided," As food is cooking and smells SO good

Connor looks just the littlest bit - no, he’s all smiles! “Dogmar the Just accepts all petitioners on the Quest of Walkies.”

Something DOES have his nose twitching.

And soon, BBQ Chicken Burritos are being served

Connor is polite and helpful throughout dinner, and then moves to clear and wash dishes without being asked!

"Thank you so much" Tove says gently to him "Did you like the meal?:

"

“I didn’t want to tell you... but that didn’t taste much like a buffalo at all. It’s okay though. You can try harder next time.” He certainly seemed to enjoy it at the time!

Once the dishes are washed and put away, he hesitates, then declares. “I can go and come back to watch over you in the morning.”

"I'm glad you liked." She says "Connor, why don't you sleep here tonight? When you do sleep?"

His eyes widen! Hopeful - but, he demures, “Maybe if I curl up a bit, I won’t be in the way?”

"You can sleep in Dagmar's bed if you want... or.. on ours"

“Dogmar will guard best from the room with the view.” He nods, accepting the first offer. Somehow, for some reason, he thinks Maybe Jaymes would rather have the bed to himself.

"Understood, Dogmar Hammerbite."She nods

He BEAMS. She understands. And he reaches for CJ. “Time for washies and brushies. Show me how he goes to bed?” Connor doesn’t even squeak if his ears are pulled.

"I'll show you" And she does.. until it's Jaymes turn to go along

It might take a little longer with Connor helping - he pauses and asks questions, and the questions may not make sense until the answer comes clear. But he remembers, and soon has a clean and fresh CJ to gently hold. “There we go. Now tomorrow I know how to do it, so you can put your feet’s up.”

"Mmmm" ("maybe")

No answer, he’s telling a story to the Boy. “And then Thor said to his trusty dog, ‘Boy, we’d better not let Loki get the better of us, so off they ran...” Did Thor have a dog? Maybe. He could have!

CJ is RIVETED! It's not so much as what's said, it's how COnnnor said it

He tells stories until the boy falls asleep or is taken from him, whichever comes first!

Fall asleep? What? With this exciting tale of a mythological mutt of might and magic? Impossi-zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Softest of tail thumps.

"My hero" Tove says and means it

He beams.

And if during the course of the night, the baby stirs without cause... the keenest ears hear, and will sooth him back to sleep.

Of course, if the wee one needs a bottle or a diaper change, Connor may not know how to help. The first time, at least. But he is willing to learn....

The bravest of K9nights!