#rivervale_lodge

Thursday: One Year!

Siv bounds down the steps "Oh my god oh my god"

And races outside. Not really keeping track of time...let alone a year

Sam did NOT go to school today - today was the Judge.

And the paperwork. And rulings...

Dagmar might have heard a squeal even if she were all the way in the Ironhawk estate

Speaking of Which . Tove made Dagmar's favorite breakfast

"Excited?" Tove ask the silliest question on Earth "nervous?" Okay, second silliest

Dag is... oddly dour, pushing her french toast around the plate.

"Something wrong?" Tove says

"No? I don't.. what if the judge says no?"

"Anne Marie knows this judge and has done this plenty of times for kids. Social worker, it's her job. She gave your dad good advice"

"Right. But, I mean... what if something else happens? What if Jaymes realizes he'll be stuck with me?"

"Then Jaymes will be very happy." Tove says "He's kind of wanting to be stuck with you. Dagmar, I won't tell you not to worry, but I will say I think your worries are very unlikely to happen."

"....Nobody is gonna get hit by a drunken busdriver just outside the courthouse?"

"Wow. That's dark." Ahem "No. Bit early for drunk drivers "

"Arrgh." She pushes the plate away. "I can't eat! Do we go soon?"

"Not for another two hours" She says "Maybe play a video game while you wait?"

"Noooo. I'm gonna go change. I don't like this outfit."

"Okay, but I think it looks fine.. isn't that the one you … you know, you go wear what you think is best" Tove catches herself

"The one I what?"

"I was saying I thought you picked out that outfit yesterday just for the court day, but maybe I misunderstood"

"Well, I did..."

"Your choice" She says "I think the judge will mostly care that you're clean, and well fed, and loved"

Jaymes comes in from working outside

"Well, certainly fed..."

"Oh, Jaymes, you gotta get ready!"

"Can I have breakfast and a shower first? " He says "We don't even leave for two hours" He reminds

"We should leave early."

"Just in case."

"Tove made French Toast." Like he couldn't tell. NOW she's pacing.

"Okay, but I'm still having..." He starts to say then "THank you" As he's handed his plate

"Don't dawdle" Tove advises him.

"I can't make time move faster" He says and eats. Oh dear lord, why can't he wolf his food down like a normal person?

Pace pace pace. "We don't wanna be late, though."

"Maybe I should change..."

"What you're wearing is fine" Jaymes says not looking up from his plate.

"You didn't even lo-ok!" Frustrated teenage huff!

"Okay" he looks over then says again "What you're wearing is fine"

"Arrrgh, you are NOT HELPING!"

"Tove?"

"Mmm... " Tove looks her over, "I think it looks good, but maybe now that it's spring, it's okay to switch to the other shoes"

"Oh, the new ones?"

"Are converse too casual, you think?"

"...Should I wear a dress?" FROWN.

"No need for a dress" Tove says "You won't be comfortable in it I don't think"

"It's not the clothes that matter" her dad says..and wastes time when he could finish eating!

Fidget, fuss, pace.... "Okay, I'm changing my shoes." She thunders upstairs.

Odin chooses now to rub against her legs, spreading hair

"Odin!" The exasperated cry can be heard in the kitchen. Well, now we're changing.