#rivervale_lodge

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Siv goes looking for her dad in the lodge. Having got her mom's go ahead, it's time for part two. A deep breath, the sixteen year old isn't sure why she's wanting Mackerel so badly, but she does. Even if Mack can be a contrary thing, she can also be sweet.

"Da?" She sees if he's hanging back in another room since the teens have taken over the main for study

Turns out he's elbow deep in the Rig, out in the parking lot.

"Oh, of course" She says to herself, "Everything okay with her?" She titls her head "Need me to fetch a tool or drink for ye?"

"Oh, hey Siv...." Her father's shaggy head lifts. His hair is pulled back into a club and... did he trim his beard? Maybe! "... just doing a little P-M. Need me for something?"

"Well, hey, you trimmed up? Getting all social for a job?" Surprised then she remembers "Well, yes. Uhm, it's about the animals. You guys did a great job rescuing them all. And... I was wondering about one of them?" Might as well let him know the subject.

"Yeah? What's wrong? Someone hurt?" He wipes his hands carefully on a rag, looking at her.

"Nothing wrong" She holds up her hands "Sorry, didn't mean to give That impression. It's just, I know we have two dogs, and they're great dogs, but ..." A blush as if this is embarrasing "I've taken a shine to one of the cats, and, while it's hard to tell with cats. I think she's taken a shine to me. Mackerel? She's a proven mouser. She's low maintenance, and while she wants love on her terms, she's not entirely aloof all the time. I think she likes me, and I like her was wondering if it would be okay if we kept her for ourselves?" And she throws in before he tells her to ask his mom "Mum says she's fine with that, that we could use a mouser for the lodge and ship, but she and I agreed it had to be okay with you ."

Fishy actually seems nervous. She's trying to be logical and adult about it, and realizes if da says no, that's that.

Frank raises an eyebrow. "You talked to your mom about this already?"

"She was closer, yes. " She says "I really thought i might go for one of the dogs, but Mackerel and I hit it off. She's really clever da. Takes no guff, knows what she likes. But it's up to you. If you say No I.. well, I just hope she gets a good home." Bracing.

"I don't know, Siv." Really heavily reluctant. "Cats eat Fishys....."

Her face falls "Da?"

"Well they do." With ... exaggerated? Concern.

"Dad? " A raised brow and crossed arms, "Are you funning me or do I need to have mum check you for bedlam?"

He chuckles, a low rumble. "Ship's cat, hm? Weeeeeellllll....." He draws it out, thinking.

"Ok."

A rellieved look, and she pokes her father in the side then hugs him "Playing with my head like that" Then Another hug "Thank you, Dad. I'll handle her litter box and food and water and all. I know you prefer the dogs."

"I -know- the dogs. And, they're of-us... but cats are probably as close as a mortal creature can get," He agrees. "I'm sure we'll get along great."

"Well, I don't know about great " She says "But aye. Thanks again Da." A pause "Mum dodged the question of if there were any of the critters She liked. I don't want to.. did I just take the one open slot or something? Didn't meant to. don't know what you two have planned"

He chuckles. "I think we're set. We've got two dogs and a cat, and Olgar."

She snerks at that, "Dad." But can't stop snickering anyway "Yeah, that's plenty. I think Dagmar is torn on what pets to get. She wants either Brown Dog or lIttle Shaggy, but.. she can't decide. " She pauses, "She's a badass who haas been through so much, but she's said good bye so many times I think i's marked her a bit. We need to assure her that each animal is getting a good home. "

Frank nods thoughtfully. "Hm. You have a good point there. What do you think would help?"

"I don't know exactly" She confesses. "that's why I wanted to turn to you on it .But..well, for my part, I'm going to let her visit Mackerel, obviously. Assumig the cat's okay with it. Maybe we should introduce her to the homes of whoever gets the other pets? She could see for herself they're doing ok?"

He nods. "I'd be happy to take her around, if she likes. I'll offer to her." A pause. "You know, we have pet shelters here. Not flooded, obviously but... volunteer work? Or..." He lifts an eyebrow. "...fostering?"

"Or is it too soon?"

"Fostering? Dad, are you asking if she wants to foster animals or we do?"

"Well, her." He blinks. "If -we- foster animals, they'll be Enchanted pretty quickly. That's not usually too good for them."

She shakes her head, "I don't think that's wise to have her take up fostering animals, dad. Dagmar would feel like she was betraying them to let them go. She's get so attached to some, and even the ones she didn't like she might feel like she was failing. She's..she's a good gal, but she's got issues. I suppose we all do, but her wounds are fresh?"

He nods. "Too soon. What about volunteering at a shelter? Or... a stable? Horses?"

"Might be good for her. She loves animals and she loves the woods. Mum might have ideas on that. As for me? I don't know. Folks keep asking if I'll go cheer leader at school...."

(End scene on that note, for now)

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Another Day, and Brown Dog is getting noticed by a fae family from the next Barony over. Yup. No short walk if they get him. "He's a lot more well behaved than I expected." One comments. Brown Dog has been learning at the paws of the fae hounds.

Dagmar... sulks. The guests get the stink eye.

"His ears are weird" one of their kids observes

Brown Dog looks up at that, his right ear hitting a point for a moment before it kind of crumbles.

She can hear Vali talking to the family "That's normal, he's a mixed breed, they're healthier"

She glowers at That Kid In Particular.

The kid turns, and actually backs up a bit at the glare. That's mildly gratifying.

Hmph!

"We also have this little girl we call Shaggy ..she's older, but not too old and knows more tricks."

Vali, it would seem, is not shutting up like he should.

GLARE at Vali.

the normally perceptive Beaumayn seems unaware he should spontaneously combust for being stupid...or you know, just stop talking.

"Oh, is she here?" The mother asks

"She can be, it's no trouble" Vali says

"No she can't"

"She can't?" Vali turns and looks surprised "The house is only 2 miles away, I don't mind the walk, or maybe Tove..."