#rivervale_lodge

"I think he would, yes. I think he'll be more okay with it if you say it's what's happening, and don't ask him if he's okay with it." She smiles.

Then, "Nadeen stuff? You mean, her father?"

"It's a lot...."

"Yuh-huh. And... dunno, I worry about her?"

"I'm glad she's staying."

"Is there something specific to worry about? She seems to be doing well, to me."

"We're gonna go on a quest, after high school. Find her a hold."

"Oh, good! That sounds like a fine objective." A bit of a smile. "After-high-school gets closer and closer."

"Yeah, but it's.. I mean, still years away."

"Why can't stuff just stay the same for a little bit?"

"Ohhh, sometimes it will, and you'll be terribly bored, and wonder why there's never any adventures." Kerri smiles.

"Well, I want the right kind of adventures."

"It would be lovely if we always got to choose. But I think that it's your own actions and choices that makes an adventure the right kind of adventure."

Grunt. "Dunno. Feels sometimes like I'm not in control of anything."

"Oh, that will come in time, Dagmar. I promise you that."

"I just... I just wanna... I want to make sure I do stuff right."

"Well, you've been doing well so far, but you'll sometimes do stuff wrong, too. We all do. And it's no fun, but you'll get through it."

Nod-nod.

"I'll help when I can, if you want me to." A gentle offer.

"But you have to do something for me, first...."

"Yeah?"

"You need to actually take a bite out of that and tell me how it tastes." She indicates the mince tart.

A little smile. "Okay."

And she does!

It's still hot, but not searingly so. It's gooey and fruity and spicy, and the crust is flaky. It's a little bit decadent.

And she'll definitely want a drink to wash it down.

Thoughtful chewing. "It's... oh, it's weird. Good weird!"

A swig of Dr. P, but there is not a crumb left once she's done.

"Good weird." Kerri nods. "I call that a success."

"I like it."

Firmly decided.

"Then I shall have to make these again." Kerri tidies up Dagmar's plate, quick wash-dry.

"...Thanks, Kerri."

She looks back and gives a nod and a grin. "Any time, Dagmar." It's clear she understands they're not just talking about mince tarts.