#rivervale_lodge

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"Now this thing is old, but it's still working," Vali says as he visits Jaymes and Dagmar's house, "And she needs a computer so."

Jaymes nods "I'll pay you back."

"Let's see what Dagmar thinks" The thing is probably at least 5 years ago.

Dagmar is upstairs, nose in a comic book.

"Hey, Dagmar, come down here. we got something to show you"

"Coming!"

"Girl's a ninja" Vali says

Jaymes gives Vali a look "They can't all be 'the stealthy'"

"Noted" When she ccomes down, she sees a lap top, on the thick side, with faded edges.

She raises an eyebrow. "Hey."

"Hey, want to see how you like this laptop?" Vali says "It's a bit barebones, but it will still help you with school."

"A computer? For me?" A pause. "What's the catch?"

Vali tilts his head "Why does there have to be a catch?"

"Because there's... I mean, there's gotta be a catch. Do I need As for this?"

Vali looks baffled. Jaymes winces at something, and it is he who speaks, "No. You don't need As for this. And... there's smething I need to apologize to you about after Vali's gone. This is for school work. Vali isn't asking a favor for it, it's like giving you an old text book. And I wish I could buy you a better one" A look to Vali from Jaymes "Sorry, Vali."//"No offense taken, it's pretty beat up lap top wise. Camera is broken, memory is okay but nothing to scream about."

She peers at it. "Will it play Fortnite?"

"I don't even know what that is" Jaymes admits

"It's a video game. It's free!"

Vali chuckles "I'm not sure. "

"Like, you airdrop in and then fight everybody..."

"Okay, I can see the appeal" Jaymes admits.

"Last person standing wins. Like, everybody plays it..."

"Well, the answer is I don't know. I do know you can put THor on the background or even your screen saver " Vali says "I cleared out my stuff, so it should have room for your stuff."

"Your age appropriate stuff," Jaymes mutters

"Fortnite IS age appropriate! Promise!"

"Okay" Jaymes says nods. taking her word at it right away

"I could show you." She nods. "And... internet? So, like, I could talk to Symon and Sylvi?"

"Yeah, but I admit that has me worried," Jaymes says "Not Sylvi and Symon, but you know, the whole 'strangers on the internet' stuff. You know there are creeps out there" He says "so just folks we both know okay?"

"At least at first"

"...Sure, okay."

"Okay, here, let me help you set it up" Vali takes her lead. Asking her what she wants the computer named, she picks wallpaper, screen saver, and mouse and touch pad levels of sensitivity.

Mjolnir, obviously...

Of course!

"Trying to keep th rest of us of us from lifting it?" Vali observes

"Can I use it in my room?" A laugh. "Nah, only the unworthy."

"Yeah, sure. " Jaymes says "But don't be a stranger. I like watching movies with you. Okay?"

"Well, sure. But I'm allowed to take it wherever?"

Jaymes seems unsure "Honestly, I don't know. Seems less likely to get lost if you keep it at the house. How about the House and the lodge for start? We see from there?"

"Okay." Easy acceptance.

"Thanks, this is new to me too," Jaymes admits, then lookks to Vali "And thanks, Vali. We appreciate it. This should help her school work and research...and that fortenite thing"

"It's a game, Jaymes."

"I bet Symon plays..."

"Sure, but likely on a very low volume" Vali says "Ah, Jaymes. You sure about tomorrow?"

"No problem, Vali. My turn."

"What's tomorrow?"

"oh, Vali's teaching so can't help with floods like he usually does. So I'm doing it." Jaymes says.

"From the hurricane? Can I help?"

"I... huh. it's during school hours, kid. Same reason Vali can't go now that he's teaching."