#rivervale_lodge

"Gather is a term by many cultures" He says but looks troubled, "As the name implies, I think it means an assembly is supposed to happen. Formally."

She nods. "She said she couldn't come... but I don't..." A frown. "I think I may have said something wrong? I didn't mean to upset her, but I might have."

He bends his head, "You are too hard on yourselves, you trolls. You among them, Dagmar. Sometimes one gives one bad news, but it is not that person's fault the news exists."

"True. But... I mean, what was the bad news? I was just... I dunno, excited to meet her. She was nice. And beautiful, too."

A smile "I am sure she was. And I think the bad news was meant more to be among inaminae. Don't worry yourself over our troubles yet. If troubles there be." He says "Did she give you a blessing?"

She considers. "No... but she was kind. She thought she knew me, but I told her I hadn't met any trees before. "

"But I've been Dagmar before, too - and trees live a lot longer than people. So I thought maybe she knew a different one."

"mmm.." he sits down against his boulder "Maybe it is that way as you say. A past you. I hope the past yous were as nice as this one. "

"I hope so? I don't know. Sometimes I dream, and they feel real... but it's... they're hard to hold on to. Flashes."

She plops down to sit next to him. "I want Dagmar to be better than Sam, that's for sure."

A nod "I am not like you so it is different. I do not know what you were like when you were only half, but you as a whole being seem very likable to me. You enjoy your strength without shame, and yet use it to help others with joy. You are a troll, I know, but some do not seem to smile as you do when they get to show their might as their kith soul says to."

"I..." She considers. "I know what it's like to be weak."

"It feels good to be strong. It makes you less afraid."

"It is easier to be brave when you are strong " He agrees, "Perhaps that's why trolls have their code about only going against otther strong ones first. For those that seek glory, there is no glory in attacking the weak, for those that value honor? There nothing honorable about bullying. Your people know their path but even that path has many offshoots"

He looks oveer, "If I were meat..uhm pardon, Kithian, I would want to be a troll. You're not as squishy as some and seems sensible"

"Some places, I still feel weak and afraid..." A sigh. "But a good fight? Straightforward, uncomplicated, that I like."

"I think you'd be a good troll."

"Thank you. that is good praise." The Glome says "And yes, sometimes there is beauty in simplicity. Be it a fight or just sitting on a sun warmed rock"

She nods, silent agreement.

They sit there for bit. It is not cold here. Then...she gets a text: Siv here. Did you tell Klump?

"Oh, Siv!" She checks her phone and taps away. "Yeah, we were talking."

"Siv is going to be coming back out for the rest of our patrol. I'll meet her a bit aways so she doesn't know here, you know?"

The Glome nods, "You protect me and keep your word. you are VERY Troll."

He looks at her fondly, "Thank you for that"

A bright smile. "Thank you! Hey, I don't know if Inanimae do this, but from what I understand, when I get Sained I get to have a party, too. Would you want to come?"

"I would be honored." A pause "Should I get you a gift?"

"I don't think it's a thing? I don't know. You don't have to, though. I'd just be glad if you're there."

"Then I will be" He assures

"Go on,little warrior. Others need you more than I."

"Awesome!" She gets to her feet. "See you late, Klump. And happy new year!"

He waves "And to you"//Dagmar finds Siv by the creek, hot brown bag with fresh sandwiches to eat on the way "Hey, let's go check on the seven oaks"

The Seven Oaks area isn't as secret as the area near Klump's anchor, of course. nicknamed that for the ring of oaks, it still feels magical and mortals come here for picnics in warmer months

Dagmar eats as they walk. "Dad was okay with Snow?"

"Hard to read your dad," Siv answers, "he's watching her, but he is feeding her. Odyn gave his opinion on the matter"

"Let me guess - Odin disapproved?"

"Of her being fed before him? Very much so," Siv smiled after another bite of her own snack.

"You tell him about the guy with the dogs?"

"I did. He wanted to know if we needed help. I told him we had it covered."

"We do!" A grin.

"Good. I have an idea but... it's a bit weird. What if we track that stranger? Acero Bent"

"Track how?"

"Mom taught us both some basics, but shouldn't be hard, we go back to where we started, look for prints in the chimerical snow... work from there

...I don't know if he'll be doing anything wrong, but if he is, we catch him. If not, well, we can hang around and make him feel unwelcome I suppose"

"Like orienteering! Yeah, that was fun..."

"You don't really think he'd sic his dogs on us, right? I don't want to hurt no dog."

'it's all fun until we step in dog poo." Wryly then more seriously "I think he would. Flat of weapons for the dogs, sharp for him if he cuts em loose."

She chews on her lip and nods. "Yeah. Okay. Ain't their fault they're mean, you know?"