#rivervale_lodge

Gerd looks tempted to say more, but clamps down with "I honestly don't know what I did to deserve the shit I got when I told you what you wanted to know"

"I told you to go away!"

"You did not. you said 'fuck off' "

"And No. It's not the same thing to me..."

Snort. "You knew damn well what I meant."

"I asked if I did something to deserve that shit...and then you threatened me. But oh no. I did't kiss your ass or roll over.. I had the nerve to say I'd defend myself.. the only way I COULD. "

"No. I didn't" TRUTH

Dripping with sarcasm. "I am so sorry I neglected to use the Queen's English when I told you to fuck off."

"ENOUGH."

She scowls, but is silent.

Gerd grunts and stops whatever she was going to say

Some silence.

Gerd takes a deep breath.

Dagmar watches her, amber eyes feral and furious.

Gerd's jaw sets.

"Gerd, you did not attend to Dagmar's first signs of stress, and pursued an issue, cornering her. While you might want to know her thoughts, you have no right to demand her thoughts. I do not think Dagmar was wrong to become angry when cornered. " A pause. "I believe, Gerd, that you thought you were in the right to defend yourself when insulted, but I also think you created the situation that led to the insult." A hand up to forestall comment while she considers her words to Dagmar.

Gerd takes a breath.

Dag is still silent.

"Dagmar, you wish to have control over what others know of you and your family, but that is not possible. Gerd did not intend harm nor insult when she first commented on the new baby, but you treated her with distrust, suspicion, and anger. She did not deserve that. I understand her sense of being insulted. You did not have the right to lash out at her at that time."

"You were both in the wrong."

A pause.

Gerd lowers her head

"Your thoughts."

"Ain't her fault she knew, yeah."

"Still hate that everybody is talking about it."

"I... was caught off guard, but if I paid more attention I would have ..should have caught on."

"I do not think that everybody is talking about it, Dagmar...but they will be. That is the way of pregnancy. The expected child becomes almost public property. And yes, this can be irritating."

"If it helps... I only found out about it like an hour and a half before our fight and I think few others knew"

Her expression pulls, pained.

"Now....what needs to be done to make this right?"

"if it doesn't help, well, I didn't mean to spread it when you wreen't ready. I didn't know you wanted it underwraps"

A sigh

"I don't care if she apologizes to me," maybe a little bit of a lie, " but if she could tell Connor that it wasn't his fault and he did nothing wrong, I'd be grateful... I'm not sure he believes just me" True.

"Whatever. It's Tove's baby."

A nod. "Dagmar, can you speak with Connor about that?"

"I didn't mean to scare him. But..." She frowns. "He'll probably run now, if I tried."

"It is Tove's baby," she confirms, and leaves it at that.

"He loves you, Dagmar. I know that"

"I do not think he will run. Connor is more resilient than either of you give him credit for."

Speaking of Connor.

Then.. "uhm..if it helps. I'm sorry I had all the social situational awareness of a rock that night"

That's true.

Grunt, shrug.

Gerd doesn't press.

"Dagmar....what do you need to make this right?"

Shrug.

An eyebrow. "A grudge is not permissible. What do you need to resolve this?"

"Don't know."

"Just gonna hear I'm a bully and a bad guy again. So. Whatever."

Gerd rubs her horns