#rivervale_lodge

To Snow he says, "Everyone is smelly. They just have different smells. I like interesting smells. Like my friend from the other place with the fire. She smells like dusty books, and sour-milky tea, and the way leaves are under a tree in fall when it rains. Maybe Adam's sister will smell like that a little too."

Snow says "The best smell is banana"

"The best smell is banana BREAD. Have you had nana bread?" He asks the monkey. "It's So Good."

"No. I have not." She looks over at Dagmar as they go into the kitchen to get sluagh food "Have you ever had bread made of nana?"

Connor searches the counters to see if there is any banana bread or muffins around - maybe Miss Kerri left some. She makes GOOD ones.

They do find some muffins, though he's not sure if 'ts Kerri muffins, Sally Mae muffins, or Brogan muffins

Really, the only way to identify for SURE is to taste

He is eager to experiment! Taking a muffin, he tears it in half and offers to the monkey before taking a bite himself.

"I've had banana bread. But you need old bananas ot make it, Tove says, and we hardly ever keep bananas that long..."

Oh, Sally Mae muffin, with a touch of lemon seed

"mmph where do the bananas go I wonder?" Munch munch "So sad"

Connor offers some to Dagmar too. "Ish hurrible."

"Yes, how does it happen? Thanks." Munch.

He finds Kerri's store of stuff for Symon, following his nose to the sealed cupboard and taking only a couple things. There's a greenish looking muffin, a dusty packet of open biscuits, oh, and those tea bags that are a bit stale. He adds a couple of the fresh ones, politely restocking for them to age. "Do you think she'd like these? What if she doesn't like dogs?" He asks, forehead crinkling up in concern.

"Who doesn't like dogs?"

"Mrs. McGillicuddy. She yelled at Gerd that if I made on her lawn she'd call the dog catcher. And I DIDN'T EVEN, I'm shivvy-lized!" He sounds offended.

"Mrs. McGillicuddy hates everything. Okay, she's the exception."

"Mean old lady, smells of prunes"

"Yup, her." Dagmar packs the spoils in a basket.

Connor disappears into the other room, then comes back with a length of leather in his hand. "Once we get outside the trails, we have to go walkies until we're inside again." He says to Dagmar, offering her the leash a little hesitantly. "Otherwise the dog catcher will come get me."

Snow says "I am sorry you are not pure dream like me , little dog boy. Then you would not have to hide yourself"

"Mmm.. what about a hat? And your coat should hide the tail..."

"Me too." He says to Snow, patting her lightly. Back to Dagmar, he hesitates. He clearly Very Much wants to go, but is unsure about this compromise. "It IS cold out...." He glances towards the door, and his eyes fall on a large, flap-eared winter cap. Maybe it's Olgar's, or Franks? It's BIG. "Can I wear that one?"

Snow says "yes! Yes you can . It is there. Clearly it longs to be used. I used an orange last week"

"Exactly, it's cold out. Hats are normal." She puts it on his head, making sure ears are tucked away.

"I don't -like- summer. It's too hot and everyone goes out to play in the sun, without me." He confides in Dagmar. The leash he coils up and tucks into a pocket, just in case.

"Yeah, it's not very fair." She pats her shoulder, inviting Snow up to ride.

"Maybe we can go to Tijuana, I wanted to go down the new door. If Miss Siv's sister runs the place, maybe I can go to the beach too..."

"I heard there's lots of pooka there."

His tail wags hopefully as he zips up his coat. "Okay! Today we go to visit the new girl. Tomorrow, we-a-wanna Tijuana!"

Snow gets up to ride

"Yes, is there fruit in Tijauana?"

"Sure there is. Mexican fruit."

"Avocados, maybe?" Out they go, towards Adam's house.

Connor reaches for Dagmar's hand - as they exit the familiar trails around the lodge, he clearly is more and more nervous with each step, falling silent and holding the coat around himself tightly.

Dag takes his hand and gives it a gentle squeeze.

"Ooo "

His coat gives a little twitch, and then he ducks his head sheepishly, but has a bit more life in his step with this reassurance.

Dagmar leads the odd trio via quiet sidewalks - it's a sleepy grey day, not too many people out and about.

Why even Mrs. McGillicudy isn't peeking out to make trouble!

He sticks out his tongue at her house as they go past!

Snow joins in.

As they aporoach the Thomas house, they can feel a bit of glamour from it

Dag knocks!

Connor resists the urge to bark at the knocking sound. It's rare that HE goes visiting, and normally is insid the door!

The Door opens ,and Mrs Thomas opens it, 'Hi I..wow." She looks UP at the taller girl "Ah, come in?" the satyress motions

"Hello, Mrs. Thomas. Connor and I came to see Lily. Is she home?"

Well, the voice.. and the HAIR...

"Sam?" A confused look "is that .. oh my. Yes, Lily's home. Probably with her very unusual doll"

Then she notices Connor, "Hello young fellow. Pooka right? Do pooka like rice krispie treats?"