#rivervale_lodge

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Sylvi comes to the lodge and sees a pacing Jonas. The long worded troll seems troubled

"Hey." She takes her coat off quickly.

"News of Siv? And..the others?"

"Not yet." She also looks tense. "I know Adam and his family got out of there, though."

"Excellent. Your father apparently is away to protect the soul of a mortal"

"Yeah...Mom called me, told me the plan." She glances at the kitchen door, but doesn't approach it. "Adam's going to text me if there's any problems with him or his folks."

"Yes, Siv sent me a missive as well, mostly to say she was about to kidnap a young man from an orphanage. This is foolish of her, she's subject to banality, how coudl she risk herself against her very achellis heel?"

Sylvi stares at him. "Did they do it? Did they get out? I mean, she always carries plenty of extra dross to keep herself balanced against the cold...."

"I don't know" he says

And he looks frustrated as he says it. No long words "I don't know"

A brief frown...and then she shakes her head. "We'd have heard something if it was going wrong."

"She's okay." Firmly.

"I wish I could as easily shed my own trepidation," He paces "I should have been the one to attempt this endeavor. My control over the Art is superior"

"Well...they'll...they'll know you're here if they need you to help." A pause. "Wait, which Art?"

"Metamorphosis?"

"Of certes" he assures.

"Well, I...yeah." She looks puzzled. "I wonder...maybe you should...."

"Continue your speculation, please"

"Well...maybe you should be there, to help. You're right that you're better at that Art than anyone here."

"Let me message Siv." She takes out her phone and her thumbs fly.

There is no answer

She frowns at her screen as first one minute ticks by...and then another. "Um."

"She's...not answering."

She looks at Jonas. "That might mean she's just got her hands full right now."

"I am familiar with texting" He paces again "I've abandoned my dignity so fast my embarrassment hasn't caught up. Yes yes, she could merely be occupied"

"I can help if you need her sniffed out. I have the best sniffler in all the hills and vales." Connor's voice pipes up from a cozy spot.

Sylvi watches him...then she gets up and goes to the kitchen, letting the door close behind her. "Mom...I don't want to get in trouble with you or dad again...but I want to go with Jonas and back up Siv and Vali."

((cross posted, sorry))

(Sure!) (To Jonas, then)

((In kitchen)) Kerri looks at Sylvi a long moment. "I don't want you getting in your father's way. You stay this side of the Dreaming. You're on back-up, is that clear?"

"Yes, Mom. Totally."

Kerri pauses another moment, then nods.

Jonas bends to see Connor "You're quite brave, Connor, but I don't think Siv would like me to endanger you"

Sylvi gives her a sudden, tight hug, then rushes out of the kitchen again. "Jonas, let's go see if they need....oh...hey, Connor." The sight of the boy brings her up short.

"Would she like you to danger yourself? Danger is my middle name. Connor Danger Lowell of the Rivervale Danger Lowells."

"Oh...uh...Connor, my mom would be furious if you got close to this, I think."

"Also, Connor, with Thane Tiffany out on patrols, you need to be our pooka guard here"

His ears droop and he gives Jonas a woeful look. "Always the bridespup, never the bride."

A grateful look to Jonas at that, and she offers Connor a hug. "But we'll tell you all about it when we get back, okay?"

Jonas nods "They also serve, those who stand and wait"

"I should have an A-Plus in serving by now then." A heaved sigh, and he flops onto the floor which a disgruntled, "Whumpf."

A bit of a smile

Perhaps he might be a bit distracted by the scent of cooked sausage wafting from the kitchen....

He is TRYING to look gloomy and depressed, but his nose twitches, and an ear betrays him with a perk.

"I'll go do my own patrols. And no one can tell me what to do then." He announces, and heads... towards the kitchen. Apparently his patrol route starts there.

"the hero we deserve" and then he whispers to Sylvi "Let's go. I feel like a hypocrite"

Sylvi smiles at Connor, too, then says to Jonas, "C'mon, let's go." She goes to get her coat again.

And he nods and goes with her while the boy is distracted