#rivervale_lodge

"Oookaaaayyyy...." Sylvi seems dubious...because sometimes Dad's just don't know what's good for them. But she sighs and says, "Well, just...don't screw up so bad that I have to carry you around in a backpack because you're all feeble. Because that would suck for me going on dates." A wink.

Jaymes says "Well, then, you'll have to beat her with the other controller and show her what she said is just her having sour grapes. Which I thought was for Foxes, not wolves"

(Ring) "Ugh, for Both of us"

But Olgar gets a thoughtful look

"Sure, sure, next time."

"Whaaat?" Sylvi looks at his expression dubiously.

Jaymes ponders "You know, I don't think I've played that game yet"

(RIng) Olgar says "Well, my thought was maybe I should invite Colton. He's good in a fight."

A grin. "We could do it before you go."

Sylvi is agog. "You mean...invite Colton here? To help guard the Lodge?"

"Let's" Jaymes says "oh.. this is still hush hush, okay? Dont talk to others about it unless you know they're in the loop. We don't want to give things away. Tove knows .She's not happy I'm going out either. SHe might need you to cheer her up. "

(Ring_) "Well, my first thought was to see if he wanted in on the raid for the Dreaming...but then I thought you might blow your stack on THAT..." A testing look

"When do you go?"

"I...I..." Sylvi looks stricken for a moment, but then gets a look of resolve. "If...if that's where he's needed, that's where he should go. That's...I can't keep him from questing. That's not right."

"Could be any day now" Jaymes says "But I will let you know as soon as I learn." A firm nod

She nods, expression still dour. "Okay."

(Ring) "Very brave, but there's also nothing wrong with asking him to help guard and patrol the lodge. And I bet he'd like that more because.." A sigh "You're going to be here"

"So, let's head to try this game out. is there a beginner setting?" Jaymes asks

Sylvi bites her lip, and nods. "Please, Dad?"

"There is, and it's cooperative - I can help you, you know? And you get to customize the boat..."

(Ring) "Of course, baby, I may sometimes growl, but..." A sigh "He's a good kid. You have a good eye." THen "Well, except for that kid who bailed on Sadie... geez, what a wuss!"

She rolls her eyes at that memory. "Yeah, that was totally lame."

Jaymes looks impressed, grunts and nods as he and his daughter head out to their house to play the game.

Olgar looks at Sylvi "Well, you didn't know."

"Sadie Hawkins was different, Dad. But Colton really is a good guy, and he would want to protect Rivervale. You'd have to ask Lady Sparrow, and ...what about school?"

"If we have to, for you? I call you in sick. " -Olgar

"And I guess Lady Sparrow can come up with an excuse for Colton."

Olgar grins, "We'll see."

A pause, and then she gives her dad a hug.

Olgar hugs his daughter back "How'd I get such a smart cool daughter?"

"The Dreaming must like you for some reason. Plus, I get that part from Mom."

Bit of a rustle of her hair "Probalby right on all counts, smart ass. Let's go on in"

"Okay." But she stays close.

and meanwhile, Jaymes's brow knits as he realizes climbling up a rope in a video game might even be harder than doing it in real life

(And end scene)

Kerri has a lot on her mind... a LOT on her mind. And yet, as she shops at a fresh market, she sees Eve/Eden. The snake pooka is no doubt here with her folks.

She hesitates...does she call the girl out? Everything ended up fine, she could just let it all slide, pretend she doesn't even know Eden was behind it. Yes, that's absolutely what she should do....

...but even for a troll, she's just not that strong. "Eve!" she calls out with a bright smile.

The modestly dressed girl jumps a bit then turns "Morning" Though it's not "Hello, how.. uhm..." the Korean American glances over to her parents who glancing this way but from a distance, then she looks bac kat the Hearth "How are you, Mrs. Davidson?"

"Oh, you know...recovering." A slightly belabored sigh. "Slowly. The, ah, Groundhog's Day party was...a surprise. Very busy, of course. A shame you couldn't be there."

A bit of a pleased scared pleased guilty scared look. "Yeah, my folks, you know? they had me trapped in my basement. But you look good, for ..recovering. I mean, guess what they say is true, music soothes" Flicker of amusement and pride.but she does not get closer in arm's reach NO SIR ree

Kerri can tell the girl is conflicted, but probably hasn't done something like this .oh ever.

At leaast not on this scale (No pun intended)

"Mmm, well, yes, the music was lovely. But I'll be cooking non-stop for the next month or so, you know? I had to raid all of our emergency supplies to provide for that crowd. Normally I can budget and prepare for a feast...I'm just glad I had some things in the freezer." She glances to the shelf and picks up one...then two...then four large bags of flour and puts them in the cart.

SQUIRM... in a fashion that might do a sluagh proud "Yeah? uhm.. well, you know, no fame no pain? something.. I mean, the whole town is talking about how awesome you ah...groundhogged"

"Oh? That's nice. Of course, I would have been able to enjoy the festivities a bit more if I hadn't had to spend so much time in the kitchen. Oh, sugar...." Six bags of sugar go into the cart.

The girl gives a face akin to Kermit the frog ready to swallow his own, then "Mrs. Davidson... I'm with my folks, but I'm almost sure they'd trade me to the major leagues for a bit if you need help carrying...or looking for things around the store or.. you know , having me dig a six foot pit and leaping in"

"Now, Eve...why would you that last part, hm?" Kerri fastens her with an archly innocent look.

"Oh, it's cool and edgy..." A swallow "You know.. somethihngs are just ..fun? ANd ... you handle fun so well... and so when fun is called for you... turn to someone you respect and bring on the noise, bring on the fun? And.. things"

"I see. Well...here's the thing about fun...it generally comes with a price, and some prices are easier to bear than others. When the price is too high, the fun isn't fun anymore. Now, fortunately, there was a LOT of fun on Groundhog's Day, so it makes the price less of a burden...but it was still a cost, and the Lodge will have to pay that cost in replenishment of supplies, and I personally had to pay it in sweat. Just...something to keep in mind. Now, would you be so kind as to gather three of those very large bags of wild rice over there and put them in the cart over here?"