#rivervale_lodge

"I suppose it may not reflect on me to defend her, given her House, but... she's learning. she's...getting better."

"And you all are protecting Symon?"

"Not just from Varichs If some nightmare chimera came for Symon, Dagmar would crush it to powder. Struth, she's strong and Symon is best friend."

"here, let me give you a tour of the barony, show you where Symon lives?"

"That sounds delightful!"

"And fun for me too" She says grabbing a coat, and with the drinks done, she gathers up the dishware and puts them away "Let's go before my parents appear and ask me about my book report"

"Oh, a book? Do tell..." And she follows the troll.

"Wuthering Heights.. know anything about it? "

Unaware that Oh boy, DOES Zara know it

Much to learn on the path for both

(end scene)

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Siv wobbles a little as she leaves school. Dagmar notices she's looking a touch faded.

Dag scoots over to the older girl's side. "Hey. You look lousy. Wanna catch a ride with Jaymes?"

"Uhm.. yeah yeah" She says "I suppose I should. Sorry, had a rough patch at practice today"

Dag heads for the pick up. "Yeah? What happened? Do I need to smash somebody?"

A grin "no no, just ran into someone a bit banal..tapped me. Not sure I want to tell mum and dad but I better I suppose"

"Probably better. Was it a.. whatsit... Autumn Person?"

"And her mom..who came to practice at Gymnastics. Oh my god, the woman droned about her daughter not getting a chance to shine and blah blah.. it was like a dental drill"

"Uhg. The ones whose kids are So Special. Fuck that lady."

"Yeah, what's the term Helicopter parent?"

"Stage mom?"

"Something like that..she just drained the energy out of everybody..." Siv sighs

"And with her daughter already chilly, it got to me"

Ahead of them, well, actually, a bit further back like she asked, is Jaymes

"Well, maybe you can hang out by the fire?" A wave at Jaymes. "Hey, can we take Siv home?"

"Sure, sure, how was practice today?" He opens the door

"Not as great for me as I hoped, but I bet Dagmar nailed it"

"Good! We ran sprints." She flumps into the front seat, dropping her bag in the footwell.

Siv takes the space in the back and says "Good news is I've got a great feeling about my book report. I got help. My god, Zara knows everything about books"

Jaymes talks to his daughter first "Yeah? Those will tax you , but it's a good way to learn to pace yourself." A nod//Then to Siv "good."

"Who's Zara? She in your class?"

"I want, like, five turkey sandwiches. And mashed potatoes."

"Nope, a visiting sluagh I met elsewhere. " Siv says "She seems pretty nice. She says she's gregarious for a sluagh, but honest I was the one who did most of the talking "

"With gravy?" Jaymes asks

"Yes please."

"A sluagh? I wonder if she knows Symon."

"Fortunately we got plenty of left overs even now"

Siv says "I think they've met once or twice. I think he'll llike the idea of another one visiting. I know I'm a bit loud for him. "

"Everyone is a bit loud for Sy."

"Well, he forgives it in you, you being his bests friend and all" Siv smiles "And he's one of us and well earned."

Jaymes grutns "Nadeen around when this zara was visiting?"

"No, sir" Siv says

"Ohhhh, yeah. Probably good. She's really weird about sluagh."

"I warned zara, but told her me mum wouldn't allow the abuse of any guest" Siv says

"Still."

"Oh, yeah, still..she IS weird about them" Siv says with a sigh "She still gives Symon the evil eye now and then. Wish she could see how good a kid he is"

"It's dumb. I wish she'd go away."

"I felt kind of sorry for her on thanksgiving" Siv taps on her phone while talking

"I think she enjoyed it oveerall" Jaymes grunts "And if it helps, Dagmar, I don't plan on inviting Nadeen into our house unless we have to"