#rivervale_lodge

"Maybe, but he's still got a lot of straws..."

"Sounds like... but you do realize it's not 'everybody' ? I mean, you can't blame say Gerd for what Dirk does? And if Sylvi says 'cocky' then you need to take it as Cocky and not decide you know what she REALLY meant."

"That said, to him it probably feels like a dog pile. What did Dirk do do you have specifics?"

She rolls her eyes. "It's enough of everybody."

"I believe it...and trust me, I know how frustrating Chimera can be. If you're not superstrong like a troll, or carrying chimerical weapons so you can defend yourself... all you can do is call for help and... "A deep breath "And then you have to thank the REAL troll for saving you"

She nods. "I can see that."

"And it's not fair."

"Life seldom is" She sighs "But that's not an answer that should protect the actions of people. Life isn't fair. People should try to be. But it sounds like what's happened here is a lot of folks don't know whato ther folks are doing. What about Zane? I thought he was supposed to be helping Adam like you are?"

"I think Zane's been doing okay?"

"You should talk to him, coordiate a bit. Maybe one of you notices something the other doesn't. Looks like Adam's had a rougher patch than..well than anyone else knew. I Do need specifics though? I know Dirk and he nearly had a fight at school once, Vali told me about it"

"I know it happened, but he won't tell me."

"Then talk to Dirk. You'rea Gwydion, you'll know if he's lying."

A pause, "On second thought, let's US talk to Dirk. Hold on. I have his number"

"I... you think that'll help? Maybe if I let him know he fucks with Adam, he deals with me?"

"I think you need to remember that Dirk has a place here too. He's fought for the lodge. He was recruited by the Hearth and he's trying very hard. I'm not sayign that excuses his bad behavior, but we can't just folks by their worst moments. Not Dirk, and not Adam. "

"And Adam, I suspect, is proud. Boys his age often are. By that i mean , he may not like the idea of having to hide behind you, even if that's not how you see or meant it"

"Dirk is a bully, though."

"And... it ain't a fair fight between him and Adam, not really. Dirk could just bite off his hand."

"Like how it ain't fair for me to get in fights..."

"The best check on a redcap is a troll...that's true. " She says "But the troll doesn't always win. REmember how Colton lost an arm"

"I know."

"Just... can kinain go into the Dreaming? Go on trods?"

"Maybe if he got to see some of the wonder, and not just... bullshit social stuff..."

"The dreaming isn't safe for mortals.. even kinain are at a risk"

"We can use them, but it's a lot more dangerous... "

She nods.

"I just wish... I wish he could experience something magical, and beautiful... something good? Something to make it worth it?"

"How odd. I... mmm" she ponders "You think he's experienced NONE of that?"

"Has he?"

"Like... like Puff, or the Great Wolf, or.... just... he's seen bad things, monsters..."

"Something attacked his mom. The Nab thing messed with his friends, when he trusted her but now he doesn't..."

"Sounds like a talk with Nab would be a good start...sometimes chimera don't understand. Mmm wonders where he doesn't have to go to the Dreaming? Have you considered the wolves?"

"I would have to ask their permission first..."

"magic fae hounds, giants... knights... and he doesn't think it's wonderful? Mmm this is why some folks don't trust we kinain I fear. Sometimes we try to make the ordinary out of the amazing. But I hear you, you need some thing positive"

"Giants that don't want him, knights he can't be..."

"At least one Giant likes him a lot"

She raises a brow

"Who?"

"Dagmar Hammerstrike" A nod, "You are a giant."

"....oh." Blush.

"Now I am not going to say Adam is right or wrong to feel the way he feels, but we both know how right or wrong doesn't make it hurt any less." She sighs "I wish I were as wise as Great Aunt Agnes or HEarth Kerri. But I do know how hard it is to feel like you're the stranger in the land others walk in as part of. So I feel for him."

"Yeah. I know I ain't kinain. But...'

"But you know what it's like to go from family to family and never be a part," She says

"yeah."

"So you want him to thrive , to have everything you could" she says

Dirk comes in, "Hey."

She nods. "Yeah."

An up-nod at Dirk.

"Dirk, just curious, but did you have an encounter with Adam recently? "

Dirk says "yeah. I checked up on his mom. He said far as he knew she was ok"