#rivervale_lodge

"Well... I mean, it sucks for her, sure."

"I don't think I like Thanksgiving that much. The food was good, though. Best I've ever had."

"I thought you gave a good answer to the wolf spirit" Jaymes says 'But it's okay. Everyone has a favorite holiday, and it varies a lot. You'll find some you really like. You liked Pennons I think. Whatabout you Siv? got a fav so far?"

"I don't like... it just... well, the wolf was cool, yeah."

"Not Samhain" Siv mutters with a grumble "Myabe it was just this one. I liked thankgiving, but it's not a fae holiday. Oh Yule...that's going to be fun"

Jaymes grunts and nods

They pull up to the lodge. "Off you go, Siv. Soak by the fire."

"Maybe we can just do Christmas at the house?"

Siv gives Jaymes and Dagmar thank you hugs, and then says "I will. "

Then she moves to the lodge.

Waves goodbye at Siv

Jaymes looks at Dagmar "I think Yule will be a lodge thing, but on the 25th? I figure yeah. You ,me, maybe Tove and her Dad. Gets crowded many more past that. And definitely at the house. I like the lodge, but you shouldn't have to get out of your PJs on Christmas"

"Well, Yule ain't Christmas. So okay."

"What I was thinking" He grunts "Less stress. " He starts to drive towards their house, then says "I noticed thanksgiving made you uncomfortable. Sorry. Maybe I should have prepared you better for it. Was it the listing of what we were thankful for, or the fact you didn't know what to do when you weren't helping?"

She might realize Jaymes didn't bring this up in front of Siv

"Um.." She purples. "Sorry. I screwed up."

He slowws down and looks at her, "You didn't. Screw up that is. You were polite, and respectful to folks. See, that's the thing about Thanksgiving, it's about family. I know we haven't taken the oaths of adoption yet, but you are family. If you had farted a tune they would have laughed but moved on. " A pause "Don't take that as a dare or challenge mind"

"I.. I guess? I dunno. I didn't know what to do."

"Just be yourself and have as much fun as you can" He says "It's..." his brow knits "People who love to interact will boune against us like walls. Let them do it, send them on the way, and just hang. That's advice, not an order by the way. It's what works for me. "

"I don't like just... lurking, either. Makes me feel like I'm in the way."

"Fair. You'll figure out your style in time. " They pull up "Food really was good though. Even compared to usual. Speaking of food..still want those five sandwichs?"

"Maybe only two."

"Sure, gravy and mashed potatoes still ago?"

"Yes please?"

"Sure. I'll get it. "

He heads towards the kitchen

She trails after, like an oversized duckling

Jaymes isn't the cook that tove is, but he can make turkey sandwiches and heat the exccess mashed potatoes and gravy . She might notice that he knows without asking her favorite condiments. A sign he listens, and watches.

"How much homework you got?"

"None today. First day back."

"Nice" He says simply "You like pickles on your sandwiches? I forget that"

"And mayo!"

"I got the mayo" He assures "Sweet or dill or both?"

Oh my god, the gravy and mashed tatters , now heated, are smelling wondeful

"Dill. Sweet is gross." She grabs plates.

He grunts, and makes note to buy less sweet pickles in his head ... Dill is chopped and a bit mixed in. "Ready"

"Tove likes them, though. So I guess it works out."

"mm she does" He nods. Obviously some will still be in the house

"What ones do you like best?"

"Honestly? I like the Dills better, but sweet is okay for hotdogs for me"

"Mmm, hot dogs."

"I mean, fancy food is nice... but, like, hot dogs are good too. When I was at the Amanos, I had hot dogs every day."

"Yeah? Huh. " As if learning somethinga bout her he likes "I know you're going to be at a lot of games as a player, but maybe Ican get us seats to a minor league game where we can eat dogs up in the stands"

"A real live game?"

"Probably not pro level, I just an't swing that, sorry, but the minors? or a college thing? Sure"

"Oh, I bet they're expensive, yeah."

"Sorry"

She claims a seat at the table. "But college, that'd be cool too."

A nod

"Maybe if I'm good enough at a sport, I could go play at a college..."