#rivervale_lodge

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Adam nods, admiring himself in his new 'formal' stuff.

"Does Adam truly do so much here?" Brenda says "it's not going to hurt his grades?"

"Adam and I are both Kinian, we can handle things Kithain can't," Sally Mae says "And are often underestimated"

"My grades are fine, mom."

Kyle nods "Adam's dedication pleases me. I regret I'm not as prepared, but I'll try to get there"

Adam shrugs awkwardly.

"No big deal, dad."

"I could just gush" Brenda says with delight.

mr. Bobbins says "I think it's all taken care of.."

"Please don't, mom....." With a sigh.

"Goodness, Adam, I'm a satyress, I can't hide motherly pride any more than I can laughter or tears..." A huff "But I'll do you a solid and not squeeze the stuffings out of you here and now."

Sally Mae covers her mouth to hide a smile

He colors higher. "Thanks, mom.

Mr. Bobbins turns "Anything else, Miss Sally Mae?"

"Just one more project but that's for another, thank you, Mister Bobbins." Sally Mae says

Kyle nods "I think we've been underfoot. We should go." He rises "Adam, did you want to either stay here or come back here to see if Dagmar or someone is available?"

Adam looks at Sallie Mae.

Sally Mae says "If you're okay with it, Adam."

Adam clearly does not 'get' her response. "Uh. Ok with what?"

"Helpiing Dagmar out at the lodge with the stables and the like"

"Oh. I dunno. I mean, yes, but......"

"Your choice, the door is open to you here, the chief has said as much and you've earned it. Sides, some folks here consider you a friend" Sally Mae reminds with a smille

A pause. "Dag's in the barn?"

"At the stables, yes"

"Or she was" Gerd says "Last we checked."

Adam shuffles, thinking.

"Well, we shall go on regardless" Kyle says and shakes the boggan's hand "Thank you, Mr. Bobbins"

"Ok, so...yeah. Maybe I'll just go out to say hi, and come home."

"I mean, if she's still there." He shrugs.

"Sounds good" her mom says and she guides Lily out a smile for Adam

Adam grimaces slightly and waves good bye.

Once his family is gone, Gerd says "Fam. Right?"

He shrugs again. "Yeah." He heads towards the kitchen and out the back. "See ya, Gerd."

"See you" She waves

Adam slinks out to the stables.

The horses are in their stalls - well-groomed and wearing their blankets. Each has a heaping trough of hay, a bag of sweet oats, and a clean bucket of water.

But do they have a Dagmar?

.... no, they do not.

Star gives a nicker when Adam approaches. Not quite a warning, but not exactly a welcome either - more of an acknowledgement.

Stormwake hurumphs a greeting

Connor crawls out from under the water trough, sneezing, with hay stuck all through his hair. "Whossat?"

"Where'd she go, guys? Oh, hey, Connor. You ok?"

"Look what I found!" He extends a hand out to Adam, fingers closed around some treasure.

Adam looks.

"Hold out your paw..."

Adam does.

Connor drops a few small objects into his hand - and at least one of them is SQUIRMING!

"YAH!"

Connor chortles and quickly scoops hands underneath Adam's, to catch them if dropped. A pillbug, tightly curled up, a nightcrawler which sluggishly moves, and a cicada husk that is very still.

"Dude!" He wipes his hands on his new... no, he doesn't.... he looks around with palms outstretched.