#rivervale_lodge

"Oh, Frank talked about that! That's, like, disrespecting a surrender... like, you can't fake-surrender."

"He might not have surrendered at that point."

"I know, right?" Gerd says to Dagmar

"Right."

"Gerd, where did you leave the bigger boy? And what happened to the smaller one? "

"Oh sorry, the Henshaw house. Harry was the smaller one, he got to his House. "

"And Victor is the older's boy name. I left him in the dirt of the Henshaw lawn?"

A sigh. "Both mortals?"

"Yep" she says "I didn't do the Wyrd thing or enchant nobody"

A surprised look. "You knocked him out without wyrding?"

Proud look

Kerri tries not to look too pleased by this. "Well...we should still be certain that he gets home. It is cold, and he should not stay outside unconscious. Put your coat and boots back on and show me where. Dagmar, do you want to come with us? We can walk you home on the way back."

"Can, I have another cookie before we go?"

"Sure. If he's still out, I can carry him."

"Yes."

"Thanks, Dagmar"

"I hope that is not necessary. Let's go."

A cookie, a coat, and out into the cold.

Dag falls easily in line, chewing on her last cookie.

"Are the cookies good?" Kerri asks.

"They're great" Gerd says trying not to say 'well DUH' along with it as they move about twoards the nearest neighborhood

"Good. I assume you'll be helping me decorate them, Gerd. Dagmar, would you like to help, too?"

"I'm not good at stuff like that. You don't want me helping."

"There's the Henshaw house and.. Victor is gone" She notices the spot.

There is a boy shaped impression in the yard

Kerri nods, and looks around. "If he got up on his own, I think we don't have to worry further."

There is however, silhoutes of two figures in the window, a father, and a son...Kerri and Dagmar can hear "Harry, something is wrong. What is it?"

"Dagmar, I can show you how, and practice makes for improvement...but honestly, the point is not to have them be perfect. You'll see."

Then she hears the voices and looks at the silhouettes. She listens.

"Nothing, dad I..n othing...." the boy says closing up

"Harry, you have bruises. I'm not blind. Who did this to you? why?"

"I... it was over sports teams." Harry says "You know how it is. "

"Why is he lying to his dad?" Gerd says confused

"That...is a very good question." Kerri frowns, uncertain what to do.

"To protect him?"

"But his dad is bigger than victor" Clearly Gerd doesn't understand.

"Yeah, but it would hurt him if he knew he was why Harry got hurt."

"Gerd, how do you know Harry?"

"Sports teams? I... son, that's a very silly reason to get into a fight." Mr. Henshaw says

"School, and seen him around. We're not exactly friends. I met his dad. Mr. Henshaw is nice, but he came out of the closet.. .I think that means he was open about being gay?" Not sure "After his divorce with Harry's mom. " KErri might recall the story, to be honest, the divorce was on good terms , well, as much as these things can be

"I see. I think...we should not intervene right now, but Gerd, I think you should keep an eye on Harry when you can."

"Okay. Is he my charge now then? Like Mountain Frank and the Liams do?"

"I guess it's silly to you, dad. Can I go to my room now?" Sullen Harry.

"Sure, sure... son, we will talk about this later." Foosteps of a young boy, and a father's sigh

"I think you could consider him that, yes, but expect me and Vali to help now and then. Come on...we should go."

"Sucks."

"OKay ." Gerd sighs "I don't understand. I beat the bad guy, but Harry still seems upset? Did I do it wrong?"

"I don't think so. Emotions are complicated and shit."

"Yeah" Gerd nods "I guess so. I just likee happy endings"

"Well, it's not an ending. Right?"