#rivervale_lodge

He gives a cautious wag of his tail as she takes the small cocoon, carefully stuck to the stick by strands of insect magic. "I couldn't hear anything inside. But I didn't shake it none. That would be rude. Like huffin' and puffin' someone's door down."

"Oh dear..." She eyes it "Oh what's one more pet" she says to herself and puts it in a careful spot on a window sill

"Oh. But, I think, maybe. Dagmar doesn't like bugs?" He asks, unsure.

"Well, she didn't like a bug man. Maybe she can gift it to Symon. Now, go wash your hands"

"Whuff." He exhales with an exaggerated roll of his eyes, but hurries to wash - enticed as much by the scent of cooked pork as anything else Tove has to share.

When he returns, his hands/paws are looked over, BOTH Sides and upt to the wrists

He did a pretty good job! A little under the nails, but an honest effort.

mmm she nods And lays down the plate with a tastey smelling pork chop and hot buttered rolls!

There are also some veggies... but he may not notice they exist

"Oooo!" He tucks in, and his tail flashes. "It's EXTRA tasty!" He says as he mops at his face with a napkin. The spice level is enough to make his nose run a bit, but he has every evidence of enjoyment

"I'm glad you like" Tove is pleased

He nods. "It's my favorite flavor, but with extra-extra flavor! But it makes my nose cry."

"I'm sorry," She gives him some strawberry milk "Try a sip of this"

He take a tentative sip of the pink stuff, then a huge slurp. "Wow." Admiringly. "You're gonna be a billionaire once you start selling this. And I didn't even know we had a strawberry cow."

"They are very rare" She says "Don't make a big fuss over the Strawberry cow, or Dagmar will want one"

He laughs. "I was gonna say! If there was one, it would be a friend to Dagmar the Just."

A smile "My girl's a champion." PROUD

"She's real good, yup." He nods, between moments of noisily chewing on the chop bone.

SHe doesn't fuss at him, but does warn "Don't hurt your teeth now. Gerd would be upset with me"

"Ish okay, I got strong chompers. No bone is a match for me, and it keeps my breath fresh. Nine out of ten Dogtors recommend Tove's spicy pork bones!"

Okay, she has to laugh at that, and fusses with his hair.

His tail beats a happy drum as he finishes up his snack. Well, a hearty meal for most, but growing boys can tuck into provender at almost troll-worthy rates. "Thank you - uh, thanks for nothin'!"

"I know what you mean, and you're welcome. Now, let's put the plate up" She knows he's Kerri trained, but no need to undo it

He helps with tidying up - he actually licked the plate clean, which she may see as inappropriate but might also take as a compliment - and rinses his milk glass without being asked. "Do you want to keep your other sticks? Or we could take the big'uns for a bonfire later. I LIKE bonfires. Prolly because it sounds like "bone fire" and that sounds like roastings MEATS which is always a good time!"

"Well, if any are suitable, I'll use them for carving... like the whistle and such... but most will ikely feed a fire place. A few might be mulched"

"You never know" She says

"Can you show me how to tell which ones are good for carving?"

She looks surprised and delighted "I'd be glad to...come on, let's pick through the sticks and branches now and talk about what kind of wood is best for carving. You know, for practice, some learn by carving on soap. You might like soap better if it were shaped like ducks or things"

"Soap!" He makes a face, but he does look a little intrigued. "And if I carved it, then, well, you can't USE it or it will get ruint." A giggle.

She wags a finger but smiles and leads him to get a lesson on what wood to use.

He goes along with, and is generally a pleasant student - and if he gets distracted now and again, or interrupts to ask questions, or almost runs to chase a squirrel.... well, lessons in patience are ALSO good for a baby-momma-to-be.

So they are, and it helps that he's cute

(End scene)

****************

Another day at Rivervale, and Kerri has managed to teach Brogan how to make mince tarts from scratch. "From scratch" in this case meaning that it takes at least a week to make the mince filling properly. But now the tarts sit cooling on the counter, and she has sent Brogan and Sally Mae off on a shopping excursion.

And the savory scents waft through the Lodge as the Hearth tend to kitchen upkeep, which she finds somewhat relaxing.

And no Snow to try to steal the tarts

No Snow, but one tall blue girl smelling of hay and horse...

They may actually see their way to after-dinner she muses.

She follows her nose to the kitchen.

"Dame Dagmar." Kerri greets her.

"Hi Miss Kerri. What is that? It smells spicy, but not hot spicy."

"It's mince meat, and if you try to eat it now, you'll destroy the insides of your mouth. Let them cool a bit more. Do you want a drink while you wait?"

"Ooo, I can have one? Yes please. Is there Dr. Pepp.. actually, I think I want water first."

"It doesn't look like meat." Poking at a pie.

"Water? Instead of Dr. Pepper? Are you feeling okay?" she says with a gentle teasing tone. "And it's mostly fruit, but cooked in meat juices and seasonings. I think you'll like it...when it's ready."

"And wash your hands. You've been at the stable."

"Yes'm." She washes hands, dampening the cuffs of her hoodie.

"And I figure, water NOW, and Dr, Pepper with pie..."