#rivervale_lodge

A nod. "If you are sure, Vali...thank you."

Vali nods, "You're welcome. I'll take night patrol..soon as I get out of this monkey suit" He yanks at his tie, and heads off to do that

Gerd hears Connor's stories, of course, and every now and then goes "This is SO how it happened" No matter what he says

This one is about a horse that got lost, and then found a few homes, and none were right, and then it was, and it was nice, and the horse had a sister, and they went on adventures, and... and is this about a horse? Oh, we'll never know, because he falls asleep sprawled across two laps.

Gerd smiles "he's a good kid. And..." She says "The Chief gave that guy too much honor calling him Connor's 'father'"

"That ain't no dad." Agrees. Connor is gently picked up and taken to bed - a light burden for the big girl.

Gerd might fight dagmar for the right to do it.. playfully, mind.

"Shhh."

Gerd shushes.

And to bed and tucked in. And home for Dagmar.