#odyssey

Gerd looks up "Where on.. why did I just lie to my Uncle?"

"Treats!" Then a beat and "You're HERE!" And then.... just rustling noises. He forgot to 'hang up' and is hotfooting it this way. She can listen for a minute or two of breathing.

Shadows don't have speak! Symon is silent and sneaking a possibly sly and stealthy snooze.

Brow lifts again, amused.

"The lake is awful cold.. just saying." Gerd mutters

But she focuses on the more important things and fills Dagmar in on what she needs to know "And the horses are getting combed a LOT.. and..."

The door busts open! "DAGMAR!" Fuzzy-eared missile into her midsection.

Then Gerd sighs, smiles, and steps aside so her little bro can Dagmar wrangle

"Hey kiddo." She hugs the pooka.

His staff clatters to the floor forgotten as he gives her a hug. There's some... cardboard taped to the top?

"How's my best squire? You want a beignet?"

"What's a ben-yay?" His tail flashes. "Best squire? How many other squires did you find out on Quest? Is that where the map goes? Vali! Sir Vali! Noooooo! If anyone needs a new squire, it's You! I'll tell 'em to come your way."

"Huh?" Vali comes out of the kitchen "Oh, Connor, you're back"

"It's like a donut."

"I destroyed the leaf bandits that threatened the lawns, and the unrule Stick-Insects that fell off the trees and cluttered up the paths. I fought the mighty Burr Beasts with my Curry Comb of justice, and even learned how to do CJ Duty." Nose wrinkles. "Maybe keep him in a stable until he's older?"

"But... french?"

"The best part of the donut is the hole! The hole in your tummy that they fill." He rubs his stomach and sniffs the air.

"But Tell me about Your Adventures first."

"Oh, I think Tove would miss him too much if he were in the stable. Sounds like you've been busy!"

Vali brings out a bag with the pastry in it "Try one. You'll like it Dagmar made sure there would be one just for you. Probably the one you grab"

"I've done a couple things. Not much. It's boring without you around, but we manage. I kept Miss Tove and Mr. Boss from getting too bored."

He reaches out and... GNOMF.
...when next you see him, he is covered with powdered sugar. But HAPPY and he is quiet for a Moment as he chews.

"That's important. I'm glad."

Nod nod chew chew chew.

Gerd smiles at Connor's happiness.. and a beignet flicker flashes into her hand from the bag.

Munch

"Tell me about everything!" Licking his fingers. And then eyeing Gerd's fingers. Mmm. Sugar.

"Okay... so, first we went west...."

Her tale-telling is softened - Lolly's especially. Mean clown, lots of lies. Koreatown gets more detail, it's a happier story.

Gerd hands over her remainder to her brother to have.

And there are pictures!

"OOooooo!"

He gives Gerd a powdery-sugary smooch that leaves her coated like a cocaine factory.

Symon is clever - Symon always gets the prize. New Orleans was scary, with a Bad Dog, but a nice hold with donuts after!

"It's REAL pretty there. They have dragons that AREN'T mean." He sounds interested. "Like the booksie guys, but they have extra legs and no wings and just...." He makes a shimmy motion "And they're flring!"

"You should tell Lupe. She'd go make that guy into, into... like when Oak gets one of the dollar-store chewies? And then we have to clean up ALL the fluff."

Gerd laughs

"True. But luckily, we made it back home okay. We're over halfway done!"

He nods, serious for a moment. Well, as serious as one little boy can be when dusted with sugar. "I'll sit on the fort for you. So it won't get blown away."

"Good. Very important. I know you'v been doing such a good job, and I'm so proud of you!"

Gerd nods "You've been a trooper, little bro"

"And the horses are positively spoiled" Vali adds

"As they should be, just ask Stormwake."

He grins. "We have it all taken care of for you." A firm nod. "But... Yule IS getting close. If you go up to the North Pole, put in a good word for me."

"I've been good." (tiny ping) "I've tried REAL hard to be the goodest I can be." (no ping!)

"Well, if I see the big guy, I will put in a good word. Have you written him a letter? Letters help."

"I know all twenty-six of them. And you can make more with little dots."

"I haven't learnt all the ROONS yet, though."

He traces a finger over a bit of carving that is surely at hand - perhaps the banister, or the fireplace mantle.

Now there is a trail of sugar.