#rivervale_lodge

"you don't like too much tweaking on an original story. Maybe I'm wrong on that, but you want to preserve the integrity of it"

"Well.. yeah, it's important."

"Why is important?" He asks

"Because... because otherwise, you get, like, Man of Steel."

"That bad was it? I haven't seen"

"Ilike Batman, but Superman isn't Batman, and they shouldn't be the same..."

"Ah... now I see."

"Like, Superman... he's.. cheesy, but he's also good, and he... inspires, you know? Batman is a hero, but he's darker, and he... he doesn't feel or act the same way as Superman. So when Superman acts like Batman, and the story is all... bleak, and hopeless, then it ISN'T Superman anymore..."

"It's be like Thor deciding to solve a problem through technology - not.. not using tech, because the hammer is tech... but he's not Tony, neither."

"You know, that I agree on. It's one thing to have character growth and new skills learned- Superman can grow to see the world needs Batman, and Batman can grow to realize that Superman really is that good a man without an ulterior motive, but the core of them that that growth springs from must remain the same for the story to really work. Otherwise it's just superman or Batman in name only"

"Exactly!"

"it would be like if I told a story about the chieftain complaining about everything and wanting pity. It might work for some characters, but anyone who knew the chief would know that isn't her so the tale would ring false as well as insulting"

"Right." She nods. "So being a purist means you want it told right."

"Well, right can be subjective.. too much of a purist might mean that you won't let a character expand beyond original intent. For example, this Superman, at one time, I'm told, he could not fly. Someone decided he could. And he grew. SOme say Robin HOod was once just a bandit, but tales of him came later that had him robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. ANd some folks wonder things like, what if Harry Potter were In that warstars universe as one of those light sword swingers"

"Oh, fan-fiction..."

"Well, some of that can be okay."

"Right. " He says "We need folks who defend the integrity of some things ,and those willing to test. Both help the Dreaming"

She nods. "So I'll defend stuff. That's cool."

"Yes. I think I'll be writing a song about you, one day, Dagmar. Maybe a whole saga. For now though I guess I just keep an eye open till the dawn when the others come on home."

She blushes. "A song? That'd be... well, that'd be cool."

"Don't worry, there will be some badass action in it. you like action. I can tell"

"A bit. Action is... easy, really."

''True, but then I notice you also want the deeds to be done for the right reason. Say, a fight with axes... you'd rather see action where a knight is defending a helpless village than one where two warriors are fighting over who gets to rob the village first. Am I right?"

"Which is one of the reasons I know your deeds will be honorable ones when they happen " a smile

"Well.. yeah." She chews on a hangnail. "You beat people up just to do it, you're a bully."

"I got beat up when I couldn't fight back, and, like - how do you brag about that? Beatin' up somebody smaller'n you?"

"Exactly, you know your Code of Dagda"

A nod. "I know everything . I'm ready!"

"And after carnival.. huh.. my my. Time is going to go fast"

"Three weeks!"

"Let's hope there's no rain, but if there is, we'll be fine"

"I don't mind rain too much. But.. yeah. Outside would be nice. Do you think it'd be warm enough to grill things? Klump'd be happier outside..."

"We can wear sweaters if we have to" he says "my old bones can take it. Poor Racer had a thicker sweater than I did during the winter"

At that, racer, near the fire, thumps his tail

A chuckle. "He needs it. Good boy."

"I mean, we could have cheeseburgers and hot dogs and LOTS of Dr. Pepper..."

He taps the side of his head "Cheeseburgers, Dr. Peppter, hot dogs' He nods

At that talk the other dogs stir a bit

"Ha, they want food."

"I best get some bowls out" he rises

"I'll help!" She follows

Soon the dogs are given their food, which they wolf down with gusto. Edie is a bit snootier than Oak, but Oak will eat almost anything, so will browndog, unless it's veggies

Oh, she's gotten Browndog to try a few... cooked carrots, for one.

Well, at least it's not Okra

But he tries to eat around the carrots

No, not even the dog would eat okra.

Besides, that would be animal cruelty- okra

"Easy easy, you chowhounds" The skald fusses, and makes sure they don't bully racer out of his food.

"Good thing TwoBit is home, she'd try stealing a little from all the big dogs and then brag about it."

"She IS awful smug for an animal that little" he agrees