#rivervale_lodge

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Vali looks at the note he wrote, and rubs his eyes

"the Nameless hammer may in the end, be the one who must defend. When the reach at last over extend.... " he frowns "Scribbles...meaningless." Then continues "while elders eyes they may find, a devil behind each trunk of pine" He mutters "Hope that's not literal."

More scribble marks then it continues "a strand is pulled, and up it rises, yet more clues to future surprises. Or else ignore girl's implore, and let mist shield dangers more"

'this is... well, it confirms one thing" A frown

From the kitchen, Kerri brings Vali a warm, fresh-baked muffin with a pat of butter, and his morning drink preference. She notes his expression seriously. "Bad news?"

"More like half assed" He says "I'm not supposed to share my visions often ,but honestly lately my visions have gaping holes in them, like I'm missing 20 minutes of the movie , 4 fivee minute chunks ripped out."

"That's not normal?" She takes a seat nearby.

"Before, it either was, or it wasn't and if it was vague, it was uniformly vague. " He rubs his eyes "I wonder if I need to go get a Beaumayn check up"

A sympathetic grin. "Recalibrate your mojo?"

"Yeah" A chuckle "Maybe a nice massage on the chakras, or even rototate the horns. One thing for sure, Dagmar probably should go"

Kerri nods, her smile vanishing. "If Dagmar is going, Sylvi will not want to be left behind."

"I think the Chief is already planning on Sending Siv too" A look at Kerri, "Would it help i I told you all three girls are wilder badasses ?"

A wry sigh. "Well, I know it, but it...well, maybe someday it will get easier to send her into danger."

"Not looking forward to Wilder Gerd" he sighs

"Oh, I'll keep the booze stocked for you."

A curious look. "How does Gerd get along with Tiffany?"

"Thank you, " he smiles then "Well, scary well..." A blush "Every since we made up, we really made up. I... I'm a little unsure what to do next with things or if things need to be done at all"

"Oh, almost certainly things need to be done. Never take a relationship for granted. But that doesn't mean you need to fuss at it." She smiles. "I'm glad things are better for you two."

"I think.." He looks around to make sure that there is no eavedropping Gerd, then "When did... when did you and Olgar move in together? I mean, when did you two know it was time for that step?"

She also glances around, and lowers her voice conspiratorially. "Well...to be honest, I'm not quite sure. I mean, I was already living here when we started to grow close, so it became sort of our routine that when he came in off of the trods, he'd room with me. But when it became our room...I can't pin a specific time on it."

A blush "Ah. Well, she's got New Agengard as it is. "

"Yes. You're both dedicated to different places, so you won't always be able to spend time together. That's how it was for him and me, too...his life was on the Silver, and mine was here, but...that didn't stop our relationship from growing. I suppose, really, that it was when I told him I wanted to have a baby that he really started treating this like home."

"Oh, Tiffany is definitely not into having a kid" He waves off that problem

She blinks. "Oh?"

"Well, she likes Gerd fine, they get along great and she seems meh about Connor and good with the ward at New Agengard... but she's a career gal. Heck she joked about how cheap vascectamies are" A pause "I HOPE that part is a joke. Not ready to tie anything entirely yet"

She grins and nods. "Well...a tip? If your relationship gets more serious, really talk about it. Tricky with pooka, I know, but don't assume that she's still going to feel that way. It was several years before I decided to go the mommy-route."

"But you're GOOD at it" He says

"On-the-job training, I assure you."

"mmm" Vali ponders"Sometimes I think about it, you know? Having a kid of my own. Marrying, and sometimes I can see Tiffany as ..." a shrug "I don't know what it means that I can see that."

"It means...that you're aware of the possibilities. That's what I think, anyway. You're the vision-guy." She nudges him with an elbow.

A laugh "We'ren ot supposed to use it that way. Doesn't work well when we try" He admits "Too much..personal want tainting, or personal fear"

"Sure, I get that. Well, anyway...it's not something to rush, certainly, but be open to the conversation, hm? Now...eat." She nudges the rapidly-cooling muffin closer to him.

"Oh, thanks" He munches the muffin "Appreciate it."

"Vision food." She nods with certainty.

A chuckle "Well, I'll trust that. " A smile

The creak of a door, heard certainly by Vali of the keen ears....

"Connor?"

A snuffling sound. “Boo blerries? I thought I heard muffins...”

"the kid's good" He says

He peeks in, looking slightly guilty. “I was trying to sleep because it’s bedtime and all, but they were so Very Loud.”

Kerri grins. "Make sure your hands are clean, first, Connor. Then come have breakfast."

He beams at her and hurried to the sink to splash his paws- er, hands. “How do you make them all so good? Is it a secret you know from being blue? But that doesn’t explain the cimminninny ones.”

"Sorry, Connor, I definitely don't mean to hoard the muffins. "

"Well, I can show you how sometime, if you like...or we can just preserve the mystery." She makes sure a muffin is ready for the boy.

“You always do.” He nods up at Vali, then tears his muffin in half, offering it up to the troll.

"Got my own, but thanks" He tells Connor

"Let me get some jam, as well..." She moves into the kitchen.

“Jam buds!” He announces in delight, through a mouthful of muffin he’s crammed in.

"I guess that's why we wear our 'pah-Jam-ahs" Vali declares