#rivervale_lodge

"Yeah..."

"I just... I mean, he's maybe too trusting."

"Maybe. is it wrong I like his humor, but at the same time I don't want to encourage him?"

"I think he's teaching Jaymes dad-jokes..."

"Oh, that could be dangerous"

"Just sayin'."

"Yeah. Mmm how about the younger crowd? Thoughts on Sylvi ? and Siv?"

"They're my friends."

"Sometimes... I mean.. sometimes how they are is so easy to want to be like. Like.. acting like how things will work out. Helping just because."

"They're so sure the world is fair."

"... and then, sometimes, you believe them." A sigh.

A smile "I think Sylvi is an idealist, and Siv an optimist if that's what you're saying, yes"

"Yeah, I guess."

"They haven't seen the same side of life you have, it's underbelly. " Tove says "it's why you're good for them. You know the worst of things, and they knnow the best. Hopefully you'll get a lot more of the best, and they'll get little of the worst."

"I hope they get none of it."

"Here's hoping" Thor's top half is definitely Hemsworthy! "How about Gerd and Sally Mae?"

"Have you HAD Sally Mae's coffee?"

"It's like... like a hot chocolate milkshake..."

"Too sweet you mean? or do you like it?"

"It's so good!"

"I'll ask her for directions on it"

Tove makes a note

"Gerd's cute, but she's a little kid. Connor... I think he's been through some bad shit."

"Yeah. I've see that too. He's..so eager to please, i makes me wonder if he didn't hve someone make him feel he HAD to."

"Sure."

"I was like that when I was younger, when I thought it'd work..."

Tove frowns,, "I know this sounds... arrogant, but we're trolls... he's a pooka. We're wilders, he's a childling. We will not let him go through the same pains you did ever again. I mean, that's how I feel." A sigh "I just wish he didn't worry Jaymes"

"The dog thing is... weird. Like, it's like watchin' somebody hurt something helpless, and you're just watching, but they're hurting themselves, and there's nothing you can do, neither..."

"I think that's how Jaymes feels. He..doesn't like the boy treating himself more like a puppy THAN a boy. He doesn't think it's good for Connor"

"I don't like it. Yeah."

"But if you make a fuss, Connor takes it wrong and thinks he was bad. So.. it does feel like a no win. I am hoping the Chief can guide him . She's..patient"

"Yeah. I like the chief."

Detailing going on the hammer, that's important for this "Well, there's Lut and Tig, but they're not here often, am I missing anyone?"

"Mmm.. Well, Symon. He's my best friend."

"You're right, and he's earned his place here twice over" tove admits "I feel bad not mentioning him. He's practically part of the hold."

A stubborn look. "He IS part."

"Just so" A nod " And I am sorry if I insulted your friend. "

"You didn't..."

"Good." She sits down the Thor wooden statue, done.

"damn!"

"you like it?"

"No, I hate it." She sticks out her tongue.

She gets a nudge "Oh fine fine. Mmm... would you like me to craft a Huddleston looking Loki for you to give to Symon as a Yule gift?"

She considers, brows furrowed. "No, he doesn't like comic books as much. Could you make something creepy? A monster?"

"Sure, any ideas of what sort?"

"Ummm... I'll have to think on it."

"Let me know. Mmm he'd probably like Something Lovecraftian... the author, not the cat"

"Lovecraftian? Okay..."

"Like uhm...what's hsi name? Cthulu? Not sure I said that right. I had to ask others about it. Seems all the stories the man wrote ended with the heroes holding off great evil but going crazy? Not sure."

"I bet Sy would like that..."