#rivervale_lodge

Things appear to be wrapping up, at least the toy sorting and such and Vali looks to Dagmar "Ready go go, Sam?"

She nods. "Yeah...."

"Nice meeting you kids again, Ray, Darleen, keep up the good work" Vali waves and heads to the car

A shy wave to the kids and she heads after Vali

Once they start the return drive, he says "Ask questions if you want. "

"So they run a group home for... for art kids, sort of?"

"Kind of, it's a charity technically, but has some educational accreditation" he shrugs "The fae community set it up. We hpe to encourage future dreamers"

She nods. "Because being in the system kills dreams." Matter-of-fact

"Well, wow, that was grim... I'd like to think a few make it out but... yeah. You like the idea?"

"I do, yeah. They seem... ok, the grown-ups I mean."

"They were vetted pretty heavily" he nods "They have to be. Too important. " A smile "Dagmar, you do know your plight inspired this project, right?"

"...Me?"

"Yup . When you showed up, it became obvious to the Chief and others that the local foster care system had been something of a blind spot. Heck, I don't think she ever said it, but I think the Chief actually thought she had failed in her duties with all the stuff at school and so on that she didn't see coming...which is nuts as 'I' am the one with the vision right? Now, you and Jaymes found each other, but we started to wonder about other kids who didn't. One of us, I think it was Frank, mentioned mortal kids too and how young dreamers might get dimmed and ... well, it steam rolled. Some of those toys? you do know Count Hemlock runs a toy company in his 'secret ID' right?"

"Oh, major props to Anne Marie too" He says

"I didn't know..."

"They seems happy. And glowy."

"Well, now that you're sained you do. Let's see, toys from Hemlocks, funds from geez all over, by ourselves we're not rich but a lot of folks contributed that. Musical instruments, art supplies- oh got some of those from that Earl guy and sparrow I think.. or was it just one of them? Been awhile." He drives "Mind you, they can only handle so many kids even with the legal set up all clear, but you know, if only a few kids get out of the system, then it helps everyone we figure. Even the kids IN the system now have a few more resources.. .or so we hope. " A whisper "Want to hear a secret?"

"Yeah?"

"There's..signs.. that one of the kids might be a changeling waiting to dream dance. We don't push but....in the next few months, year and a half tops, I would not be surprised"

"Which one?"

"No idea, omens are iffy things" He says "But ... even on the practical side, it's beneficial to us all to keep going even if one doesn't. The more mortal dreamers in the world, the better right? Young artists, musicians, writers... so on. It's not entirely charity"

"Right. But charity is a good reason. Like - doing good because it's good, because... well, that's what Rivervale does."

"Yes," he agrees, "Yes it is"

"Weirdos."

"Says the weirdo" A grin at her

"YUP!"

Vali laughs at that "Oh, I got one more stop... Dairy Queen. I don't know about you, but now I am DYING for ice cream. Darn it, maybe you weren't tempted but I was and we were good"

"Ohhhh... yes, ice cream is good. Can I get a blizzard?"

"Sure, what type?"

"Um. Oreo?"

"Oreo it is" He nods in agreement as they pull into the drive through

Orders are made, on chocolate dipped soft serve cone, and one Oreo blizzard. As she bites into this, Dagmar has to admit, if this is part of knightly duty, it sure beats having a damsel

TOTALLY beats a damsel.

(End scene)