#rivervale_lodge

"Hey if that's where your dreams lead," He gets himself some food as well

"I dunno. I don't like school that much." She thoughtfully chews.

"Things change. I'd like you to go to college, I think it would give you a better life, but it can be hard to find a balance. I know. Sides, you're still young, you got a few years to mull it over I think" He finds a seat near her

"Well, like, maybe I could be a paramedic?"

"Maybe. Not sure how much college is in that but maybe." Curious "you been considering it?"

"Well, I thought the ones helping out at the crash were cool. Or maybe I could be a firefighter."

"Important work, both of them. " Jaymes says "Plenty of time to learn what's needed to qualify"

"Yeah. Or a park ranger. Then I could be outside lots."

A smile slips onto his face "You know I'd be proud of you no matter what right?"

"Well, what if I got knocked up and was a teen mom and moved in with a junkie?"

'mmm what, you planning on being contrary and testing me?"

A sigh "Okay, maybe I wouldn't be PROUD of that. But I would still love you."

"I am a teenager, right?"

His brow knits "Is there something you're trying to tell me, Dags?"

He says it surprisingly calm "Because I'd rather you trust me enough to tell me when you made a mistake, than be scared I won't see you as perfect."

Well, this conversation has taken a turn for the terrifying but his expression doesn't betray the thought

A scowl. "You know better. You know I'm pretty bad. I told you."

"You did. And I tried to tell you I'm not exactly without sin myself" He munches his food "Okay. So we learned something. You want to have a job that helps people. Am I reading that right?"

"...Maybe?"

"...Maybe is a good starting point." he nods "But that seems to be something in commmon. heck, maybe you'll be a medically trained Forest Fire Fighter who parachutes in like a smoke jumper and mix all three of those. We don't know, and this early, we don't have to"

"Just pass ninth grade?"

"One thing at a time, so that's good one thing" he nods

"And try out for softball. And maybe lacrosse. Not sure how I feel about that, but Gonzales seems pumped."

"OH, and track!"

"Gonzales doesn't really shy away from anything does she?" he nods "Shame she's not a satyr. She could use the stamina"

"She has it, satyr or not. I'm trying to talk May into trying out, too."

"Good. You three make a good triple threat"

A sigh. "You think Sylvi would?"

"I... I don't know if I want to ask her..."

"Oh...because she's a bit difficult when the winter is on her?" Jaymes says

"She wasn't... she was kind of..." A frown.

"Basketball tryouts were..."

He listens. It's what he does.

"She acted like I was pathetic for begging her to come along."

"I can see why you don't want to repeat that" He nods

'Did you beg, or did you just ask and she tried to make it sound like begging?" he asks

"I... Maybe I did? I didn't think I did, but I didn't want to do it by myself."

"I think when the Winteri s on her, Sylvi's perspective gets a bit skewed. But that's just my take. I wouldn't take what she said to heart. You remember that great wolf?"

She nods, a hand touching her pocket. "Yeah."

"You've been a lone wolf. You know how dangerous, how rough that can be. The other girls don't. They've always been part of a pack. You, you know both sides. That's why you're a better pack member because you know. We are all stronger looking out for each other, and no shame in it"

"That make any sense?" He asks

"I... think so?"

"And the wolf.. like.. what he said made sense, too. About everything being new."

"Its been more than six months, you know. Since I became Dagmar."

"Yup. Over the half way mark to your saining" A nod

"April fifth."

"I have it marked" A nod

"So it'll be a party. And then we can Oath?"

"Same day if you want" Jaymes says "I don't want to rush you. but, you k now not like we haven't waited"

"I wish I could do it now."