#rivervale_lodge

Buddy barks a greeting out the window!

"Oh.. that would be Dirk" Zane says "he's a redcap"

"Dirk is an asshole we're going to see on holy crap....." As he sees the Lodge.

"Did I tell you to take the blindfold off ? argh" Siv sighs

"The book calls Redcaps "Orcs," FYI."

"You didn't say not to!"

"Oh lovely, DIrk will probably like that" Siv says then a snort at Adam "I didn't say To either"

"It's cool, Siv. I know you worry about what your mom will think but it's cool" Zane says

Siv frowns at something, then "Well... yes , I'm sorry Adam. My mother is the Chief and her opinion means the world to me you see."

Buddy hops out of the car and runs a few quick laps around the group, barking in sheer puppy joy before darting off.

"Looks like your mother's not here..." Nadeen says

"I'll look for Sally Mae."

Dagmar tromps off for the kitchen.

Sure enough, Sally Mae is working in the kitchen.

"Sally Mae? We found a kinain. He's new."

"Beg your.. you found a kinain? Just like that?" She says

"Hi?"

Connor is just arriving at the same time, and gasping out of breath, “Stranger danger?!” He moves over to tug at Sallie Mae’s arm. But then peers to see what she was working on... something to eat maybe....?

Sally Mae was working on buttery biscuits...just done. Still a bit hot.

Mmmm hot fresh bread with butter.

"Kind of by accident. He saw us without being enchanted."

"...he's enchanted now..."

“Ms. Sallie Mae, you can see us can’t you? I know you can or you wouldn’t know how many biscuits to make. But did you always see?”

"Without being.. oh my ... that's a rare gift."

"And you..enchanted him? "

"Siv did. After we fought the giant crab."

"Sorry, you just said you did." Then to Connor, she smiles "Not always.. no, but.. here" She takes a biscuit "Blow on it before eating."

And hands it to him.

He blows on it obediently, and tosses it lightly from hand to hand. “What about outside?”

Adam is on the Lodge threshold with BIG EYES.

Sally Mae strides out... and she is not blue, she is a beatiful Iowa girl with farm dress decolletage , there is a glow about her.

Dagmar follows, with her own biscuit. She took a moment to get a dollop of jam.

Connor peeks out behind her... a younger boy, with the same ears and mismatched eyes of the dog from earlier.... and a tentatively swishing tail. His ears and tail seem somehow more... real looking, than the outlandish giants and orcs!

“I told Ms. Sallie Mae you were coming so she made biscuits special for you. Don’t worry, they’re not dog biscuits, but I can get those too if you want....”

"Hey," Sally Mae says "Welcome to the world you never knew was next door. I'm Sally mae"

And yes, Dagmar and Connor find the food deliciously good.