#rivervale_lodge

"Would you like me to talk to Dirk? I know you don't want to 'go to the grownups,' but perhaps in this case...?"

She chews on her thumb. "Um."

"I think... I... "

"If I'm subtle about it?" Kerri grins.

"Kerri.... " A soft rumble.

Nod-nod.

"It can be different for boys. And redcaps sometimes respect someone -more- even if they lose a fight, but fight well."

"Frank, I agree. I'm not saying they shouldn't fight at all. But...it can't happen in school. Dirk actually has an unfair advantage there, as he can shame Adam in front of people who wouldn't understand why it happened."

Frank nods. "I agree, although Dirk will have an unfair advantage no matter what, where, or when."

"...the boon thing, right? You said a redcap glare can make someone piss their pants."

A sigh. "True."

Frank nods.

And she nods to Dagmar.

"Dirk ain't done that to me. I haven't had anybody try that on me."

"I didn't think he had."

A jaw jut. "Yeah. I'd... I'll be honest, I dunno if I could hold my temper if that happened."

A bit of a grin. "Part of why I was pretty sure he hadn't tried it. He knows not to push you too far."

"I think."

"He's an ass, but I don't actually want to hurt him."

"I -hope-." Frank adds.

"And, see - Dirk's advantage, or mine, or Zane's... that's why I'm not sure if Adam needs fifty million talking-to's about how he can't get cocky. Real difference is gonna hit him soon enough. "

"Well, I think this brings me to my next suggestion. Have you told him as much about the kiths as you can?"

"Not enough, I guess. I'll spend more time on it. Some kiths I really only know what you told me."

A small smile. "I have some reading materials, if you'd like to know more. Or, we can talk about them."

"Or both."

"Well... I mean... maybe he should get a better teacher? Who knows the right stuff?"

"Dagmar, so far you've already done what I would have suggested you do. You're doing fine."

Kerri glances over at Frank, but doesn't interrupt now.

"Tell him about the kiths. I think that will help as well."

She nods, even if she's still worrying at her nails.

Thumping sound and Dirk's voice "I'm here. "

"What else do you think he needs to know?"

But then Frank breaks off and glances at the kitchen-living room door.

A blink, then Kerri calls out, "We're in the kitchen, Dirk, come on in." A shrug to the other two.

"I dunno. Kinain stuff. Maybe Sally Mae?"

Frank nods. "I think that would be an excellent next step. I don't think they've sat down to talk, have they?"

Dirk enters in, "Siv said you might have a mission for me, Hearth. But she didn't say much what about"

He looks around "Geez... lots of folks here"

"Morning, Dirk."

"A mission? I...oh!" Kerri lets out a laugh. "Well, you can certainly help. I seem to have an abundance of ocean riches, courtesy of Siv and Dagmar. Come, take a look...."

She goes over to the walk-in freezer.

"Ocean riches? YOu want me to eat finding Nemo or.." He walks over of course

Tentacles. Tentacles everywhere.

"They haven't yet, not really. And she'd be the best, right?"

"I do want to try to cook some dishes with them, but I doubt I need them all."

"WOW.. I never seen so... sure. I can eat some of it. How much you want me to whittlei t down for you? Or maybe I can take some to Anne Marie's?"

"Well...let's see....here, let's carry this one tray outside, see how much it actually is." She pulls down one of the tentacle-laden trays...looks like a good fifteen pounds of flesh, at least.

To possibly everyone's surprise, Dirk actually washes his hands, THEN helps.

Kerri is not entirely surprised by this. He knows her rules, plus he's been living at Anne Marie's, so....

A glance to Dagmar as she and Dirk head out to the picnic table in the back yard....