#rivervale_lodge

"I know, she's a little kid. I'm supposed to just not care."

"I wouldn't ask you to not care. It hurt. Hell, one of the most dangerous wounds I ever got was from a small knife. I nearly died."

"You nearly died?" She sits up, concerned and angry at a long-past incident.

"Yeah, got stabbbed " He raises his left arm "Got stabbed right here in the pit. I may look silly, but it pierced my lung and I started to choke on my own blood."

Her eyes go very round.

"Who did that?"

"Why?"

"Well, why is he wanted to kill me. Who is a certain Eshu who is no longer around." He shrugs, not one for long stories.

"Why would anyone want to kill you?"

"It was a war. People try to kill each other in war. I prefer they be upfront and honest about it, but I guess I can't blame non trolls for looking for an edge. We're pretty frightening physically"

"Yeah..."

A pause, a frown. "I didn't like... I..."

He waits. Patient.

"During the fight, it wasn't bad, but I didn't like it, with the bug guy. After."

"You don't enjoy killing. Me neither"

She nods.

"Banality can fall on those that kill too lightly, it can undo you even as you undo someone else. One of the reasons we have rules and laws to discourage such. You're a protector by kith, not a butcher. And your soul guides your mind down certain paths more naturally, but we still have the power of choice. That's why we old guys yap and try to teach you."

"...Will I have to kill because of her?"

"You mean Nadeen?"

She nods.

"I Hope not. I think a lot depends on what threats come your way and her way, and just don't know what those might or might not be. But HOW you reach an objective is often going to be up to you. It's like boggans have an urge to help the needy? but THEY decide how to achieve that. "

"It's not like I want her hurt, even though I wish she'd go away..."

"I knnow. " a nod "It's good to plan for the future to a certain degree, but sometimes you need to work on the present. For example. Meeting Gerd "

In case she thought he had forgotten

Harrumph.

"So ..ready?"

HARRUMPH.

"I'm not hearing a no. So let's go. Get your jacket on. It's got a thor patch on it now"

She goes to snag her jacket. Stomping all the way.

As long she goes along.

She does. but she doesn't have to be happy about it.

Meanwhile "But I don't want to." //"But you need to" Vali says//"She was mean" /"She was hurt."//"She was scary" // "That doesn't mean she meant to be. Now, get down here"//"Fine, but I don't like it."//"That's okay"

And on the other side, walking through the leaves, STOMPS scattering them Dagmar has an escort

Hands showed into coat pockets, head down, scowling.

(At the lodge) Arms crossed, circling.

On the path, wordless guidance as they approach the lodge.

Oak trots up to greet them.

She doesn't greet the dog.

Wag wag...slower wag?

"Sorry boy, she's not in the best mood" Jaymes grunts

(Inside) "not now, Edelweiss" The little girl sighs

"Not now..."

Finally, the lodge door opens and Vali greets them "Come on in. "

She glares at the Beaumayn.

Vali seems not to notice

Save to move out of their way.

"Thanks, Vali. Hello, Gerd" Jaymes says.

The childling shoots daggers at Jaymes, well, with her eyes.

Dagmar looks over at Gerd, and draws up taller - arms folded, expression in a defensive scowl. All walls and hostility.

Jaymes puts a hand on Dagmar's shoulder and whispers "It's going to be okay. Just talk to her."