#rivervale_lodge

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A very nervous Jaymes ends up, not so much later, entering the lodge and looking for the Herth.

Kerri is in the kitchen. In fact, she's giving the floors a good mopping. "Ah! Not there! Shoes off, and then you can walk on this side." She indicates a place that already seems to be clean and dry, and has access to a kitchen stool at the counter.

He grunts the affirmative, and does as directed taking his size troll shoes off and then complying to the side "Heard Sally Mae is having a rough patch, that why she's not helping with this?"

"No, she's doing the shopping. We trade off this and that and the other thing." She handles the mop efficiently, doing a thorough job quickly. "Were you looking for her? She should be back soon. And...yes, better not to ask her about what happened, but thank you for being aware that she's struggling a bit right now."

"Wouldn't, tTove dropped by, mentioned she was in a bad way. " He says "And I came to see you, actually. you... you know Tove right?"

She blinks at him. "Do I know Tove? Ah, yes, I may have heard the name." A bit of smirk with her ironic tone.

A sigh "Okay , that was a silly question yes. It's just... I kind of asked her out." A pause "Still not sure how it happened. But... anyway, it did, and I have to take her outsomewhere... and probably wear a nicer shirt.." His flannel shirt is..okay for working in a yard but not quite stylish for a date " Know a place where I can take her for sit down meal out? I mean, you're a great cook, but I think she expects dinner 'out' ..with people in the public"

Her rhythm with the mopping hesitates for just a second at the first announcement, but then she goes back to finishing the job without replying. Quick and efficient, and when she's finished she leans on the mop handle and says, "You don't mind that I point out that it's about time, do you?"

A huff "I didn't want to hurt her."

"Hurt her? How would you have hurt her by asking her out?"

"I'm older than she is...she's still a wilder, maybe not by much, but what if I pull her into grumphood? Also.. i'm not always easy to get along with. My idea of passing the time is getting chores done and then maybe time in a hammock. She's ...social" (Sort of an accusation) "And does things... music, crafting... and she likes people. I.. I tolerate people."

"Hmm." The Hearth looks at him. "Yes, better you be locked away from society for all time." Then she relents, shaking her head. "She seems interested in you, Jaymes. That should make you curious enough to want to find out what she sees in you. And...it kind of sounds like, while you don't enjoy those things yourself, you kind of admire that she does them...?"

"this seems a bit too much like therapy... " a mutter "Look, yes, she's great. She lights up any room she goes into, any day she shares. Could you suggest a restaurant maybee?" It is possible he looks a bit like Dagmar in mannerism as he tries to move through since it couldn't be avoided.

"Sure could, but what are you looking for? Really expensive, kind of expensive, not very expensive, or just a bit better than McDonalds?"

"Well, on my budget.. " He frowns "Let's try 'not very expensive' and see if she likes it. I dont' wnt to be cheap, but Dagmar's school supplies, yikes."

"Hmmm." Kerri seems to be going through some sort of list in her head, ticking off likely places.

"What kind of food? Steakhouse, American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, Thai, Mexican? French isn't really an option in that price range."

"I like Steakhouses, but she likes spicy stuff... spicy steak?"

"Oh, I think steakhouse is a good option, then. There's a range of seasonings to choose from, and it's not like going to an Indian restaurant where you're taking your chances." Another moment of pondering. "If you don't mind a chain restaurant for a first date, Charlie Brown's is okay. Not exactly a hotbed of glamour, but the food's okay."

A nod, "I think for her it might also depend on the area... you know, like if there's music nearby, or a park, or ...I don't know..." A wince "shopping?"

"Hmm. Tove...I don't think she'd drag you shopping on your first date together. At least, not more than window shopping, the oh-isn't-that-neat sort of thing. By the way, pay attention to those comments -- she's offering you clues about the things she likes. If there's an outdoor free concert happening, that sounds like a great thing to do after the meal. Otherwise, just a walk in the park is a good way to get a chance to talk, discuss things."

"Why doesn't she just tell me what she likes?" Brows knit

"It's the same thing. It just requires you listen with your relationship ears. Come on, you do it with Dagmar...you pick up on what she likes and dislikes, even when she doesn't say it outright."

"Well, Dagmar's a poor kid whose been through hell, Tove is a grown woman" He says, then admits "Who has not had it easy either. But ... I'm not sure I see how her 'hinting' is the same as straight talk. Seems oddly sideways"

Kerri finally puts the mop away and tosses the water from the bucket out the door. "You don't get what i mean. I don't mean hinting in the sense that she wants you take a specific action...but...hmm...perhaps the word signs is better than clues. I'm just suggesting things to pay attention to. But don't worry...if there's something Tove really wants you to know, she'll make sure you understand."

Kerri gives him a smile. "Well...a lot of times we don't know how we feel about a person until it's possible we'll lose that person." Thoughtful for a moment, then a sudden look of inspiration. "Oh...you know, if you'd rather do an activity first and dinner after, there is a small zoo near here. It's nothing grand, but it's nicely kept, and the animals are treated well. Good for a stroll."

"Yeah? Maybe I should check it out for Dagmar while I'm at it, and Tove..yeah, she isn't used to some o the more exotic animals. Tove might be full of smiles"

He smiles himself at that notion, when normally he gives so little in expression

Kerri doesn't comment on his smile. Instead, she goes to the counter and sets a platter with some cookies on it near him. "That sound perfect, then."

"Thanks" He takes one and eats "On another subject? Is it normal for school to be so expensive? I talked to some of her teahers. My pocket book, and the teacher's pocket book...anyone but the school's budget it seems, is being used for this"

A rueful grin. "Sadly, yes. Education costs, at all levels. Is there anything the Lodge can help with getting her?"

"I've mooched enough" A shake of his head "I'll just pull some over time"

"Jaymes..." Firmly. "You are not a mooch. You're pulling your own weight, you're providing a home for a kithain in this barony, and I have no doubt that if the Lodge needed your support in a crisis, you'd be there without having to be asked. We help each other when we need to." A pause. "I might have gotten some extra school supplies when we went shopping, so if you need any of those I can see what's what."

"I'll... take a look," then he adds "If I need to. And only for Dagmar's sake. She's a good kid, and my pride can take a few hits for her sake. " A smile, brief but sincere "have you seen how far she's come in such short time? And she's smarter than she realizes. She's got a grasp for now just how to swing a weapon, but she gets when I tell her WHY certain moves work. I'd tell her she's learning about physics but it might freak her out"

"Ha! I think she probably thinks of it more as learning about technique, but yes, she's got a really good brain. I hope she gives school a chance this year." A thought. "It might be a good idea if we host a sort of study table session here at the Lodge, after school. Give them all a chance to sit together to get some of their work done. We do have a good crop of wilders with a lot of potential in their grade."

"Sounds good to me, mind you, they might plot mischief. Sylvi's a good influence most of the time, but she sometimes gets eager to get in trouble. Siv? Siv just seems to find it. And Dagmar? She doesn't want TROUBLE but Odin's ass, she's contrary sometimes. Honestly, you know how to talk her into things better than I do with the feeding her and..." he looks down at the almost finished cookie in his hand "Aah, Hearth, you only do that on young ones right?"

A sigh about Sylvi. "You're not wrong, and...well, she comes by it honestly." Then a glance over at the cookie, and a mildly insulted look. "What do you take me for, Jaymes?"

"Honestly? Olgar doesn't seem that bad..." he says then... "Uhm... is there a s afe way to answer that last part?" Pragmatic

"Who said I was talking about Olgar? And I think the answer to your question is: very carefully."

But then she relents. "I'm teasing you, Jaymes."

"Uh huh. If allowed, I'm going to want another cookie" he says with an utterly straight face, "I don't want Tove thinking I'm cheap"

A chuckle, and she gestures for him to help himself. "Be my guest."

"thanks" He says taing a bite, "Zoo and dinner.. she'll like that. Pardon,, I'm going to ask Frank if I can borrow a shirt."

"Oh, right, of course. You could check with Olgar, too, if Frank doesn't have anything suitable."

"Much appreciated" he says "Zoo, Dinner, Listen" He makes a list as he withdraws. Women are complex, lists? He can handle a darn list

Kerri watches him go, then grins and hums contentedly to herself as she begins working on dinner. She sounds and looks like a woman who is happy with a well-accomplished mission.

((End scene?))

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