#rivervale_lodge

"Makes sense. Odin doesn't mouse much. I think he likes soft living."

"Yeah, but Odin is wise. I've heard him explain the universe when I cat sitted once. " A tisk "if only I spoke cat better."

Dagmar laughs again. "Yeah, damn."

She does bend down and give Odin a stroke, long and slow, then smiles "As far as the Dogs go... well, Dad's a big softy for them."

"But mom is fonder than she lets on"

"I like pretty much every animal, I think."

"You do... you're good with them"

"Maybe I could be a vet..." She gives Odin a little pat.

"Maybe, heck, you could treat horses ... Clem could teach you some basics on the medical side"

A sigh. "I like horses. I do want to see Blueberry again."

"And you will" she assures "heck, they might be happy for the help. They're swamped"

"Oh? Why?"

"Literally, swamped.. those floods in the midwest are rough.. not their part, but they're helping"

"Oh! Like here? Do they need us?"

"I asked.. they've got it so far... but maybe they'd take a bit of work around the famr itself to make up for their others being out? It's hard work... but.. one thing I've never seen YOU worried about is hard work"

She shrugs. "Ain't afraid of work, nah. And folks here usually... like, ask?"

"I could give CLem a call... she's like another aunt, see if she'd want your help?"

"You wanna go too?"

"Well, maybe if they need us I can help a little. Eventually I need to visit my sister"

"Oh yeah, Mexico."

"Yeps.. the Pacific Ocean" A happy sigh

"Oh, it's that far over? I didn't think it... I dunno where I thought Tiajuana was."

"It's south of California...in fact, TJ is pretty much a border city or dclose to it"

"Wow. So I bet it's crazy there today..."

"YUP. " A bit worried

"I mean, Cinco De Mayo is actually bigger in America... than in Mexico"

"Really?"

"Yup. I was stunend too.. the victory that it celebrates was only from one MExican state.. I forget which one... and that's the only Mexicn state that really celebrates it. The only reason in the rest of Mexico to put a show on about is maybe for tourists... now here in America it's kind of become like the Mexican American version of St. Patty's day.. so if you have fun with it? have fun! I just worry because Sis has enough stuff going on that drunk chimera coming down on the border might be trouble for her"

"I wonder if Lupita is partying. I hope so."

"Why don't you call her, silly. Maybe she'll invite you?"

"Oh, nooo.."

"Why not? Or just call her and wisher a happy..oh wait, is she mexican or Puerto Rican?"

"She's american?"

"But I don't know what kind of hispanic she is."

"Right, sorry. mmm in that case let it slide. " A bite of her lip "Not sure what to say after putting my foot in my mouth like that. Oh, if you and she want a car ride somewhere let mek now?

"Oh yes!"

"There you go.. think ofs ome place you want to go, tonight or tomorrow, and invite her" A grin "There.. I am now oncee more the awesome cousin"

"Always!"

"Now... if only I can remind Gerd of that while she's like this. She's gonna be a bitch and a half"

"Uhg."

"Oh well, mortal or changeling, it happens to us all. Mom and Da coudl tell you stories"

"Very embarrasing shameful stories" Wince

"I lucked out then!

A grin "You kind of did, didn't you?"

"Well, there ought to be some up side."

"You're due" She agrees.

Music blares from Gerd's room, and not the happy music that the girl normally prefers

"Oh shit... I hope this Gloomerella thing is over soon."

"me too" she sighs and listens to the lyrics "Wow. I actually feel OLD just listening to that"

"Maybe we should buy her a lot of eyeliner and black nail polish?"