#rivervale_lodge

"Dagmar, Sylvi, Gerd, and Siv- of course." He says. as if hearing the fate of the lodge in the arms of half trained untested wilders was no big deal . This isn't like combat or questing! There is inventory and finances, and yes, cooking and cleaning

A moan. "They're just babies... they can't..." She starts to roll over to get up...slowly.

And her bully of a husband pins her.

"They can. They are, they're doing fine. It's not as good as yours, but they're stepping up. You try to go out now, not only will you probably sneeze onto the stove...making snot pie, you'll make Dagmar feel like she's not good enough. "

"AND piss OUR Daughter off at our lack of faith and you putting yourself in danger of not getting better"

Oh, that was well-aimed. A stricken look at possibly hurting Dagmar, and a resigned look at the notion of Sylvi looking betrayed. "You..are not fair," she groans as she settles back on the pillow and closes her eyes. "Don't want you sick, though...."

"Fair is for tourists" He snorts "And I got an iron constitution . " So smug she might want to sneeze in his face

A glare, but one without much actual sustained oomph. "You better hope you do." He might wonder what she's starting to plot for the next time he's bed-ridden.

"No sexy nurse outfit , huh?" Realization some roads might be closed now

A quiet moment, then a bleary grin. "You first."

"Funny you should mention that" And he reaches under the bed, and pulls out a white hat from a bag and puts it on his head "It's gonna take longer for me to get the hose on"

She blinks, focuses...then closes her eyes. "I'm hallucinating. Or you're a heck of a nervosa...."

"No, Hallucinating would be when you swore you could hear the Dustbunnies breeding in the corners"

Eyes still closed. "Wanton things. All that squeaking and rustling...."

"Stop it, you're getting me all excited" Deadpan

"Mmph." Then a cough, and she blows her nose. "They're doing okay? The girls?"

"Dagmar isn't used to working with large quantities but she's adapting. Sylvi remembers everything you taught her, which surprises the heck out of me, it's like she was listening. Vali and Kyle are helping on some finances and then bring it to the Chief. Gerd, that crash course you gave her? It stuck. And she's not whining, or complaining... she's just doing. Siv? Siv is a bit freaked out by you not being there, but she's got any job that needs back up."

It's many words, a lot of information to process. After a long pause, she seems to surrender. "....'Kay," she says, her eyes closing again.

More simply "They're doing good." And he applies a new cold cloth to her head, and lets her drift to sleep. Later, he'll change the sheets, but for now, she sleeps.

As she's drifting off, "Tell 'm...thanks..."

"I will" firm and gentle.

"Love you..." And yup, she's out.

"I . you. Always" And he resumes his vigil.

(End Scene)

Dagmar is with Tove in the lodge kitchen, surveying the pantry. "I don't think we can do pasta again..."

Tove says "If she finds out I'm here she'll kill me." The pregant woman says "And your father might be furious as well, but let me say? You've been amazing"

"I won't tell. I'll do all the cooking."

"Maybe a casserole or... five?"

"Sure, let me tell you the ingredients and measurements?"

"Sure, sure... " She gets a piece of paper.

And directions are given, "Now, a bit of spice is good for colds, so I feel in my wheelhouse"

"I remembered the red pepper flakes in the marinara..."

"Good girl"

"It does NOT scale straight up though... okay, so butter, potatoes, peas..."

"Indeed not" she says, "you have to adapt for..." And she helps the two working together, and Tove's confidence and praise showing equal measure

"Uh-huh" More notes, but the shepherd's pie seems to be making sense!

"Trust your senses the food gives you clues in how the hues change, the smell, of course"

"Uh... yeah."

"Sorry, I don't mean to be Jedi like" A smile "but I like it when we work together"

"I think I prefer helping, though. Like - chop this, stir that? Orders are easier."

"YOu'd be surprised how many people don't listen to instruction well. You do. " SHe says "mm good knife work"

"Obviously, I have studied the Way of the Blade." Dry.

A snerk

"Now, here, you're cutting this like celery but you need different cuts for this vegtable here.."

"Why?"

"The grain of it, feel? " She shows

"So.. what.. crossways?"

"Or longways" A wink and she shows

"Ohhh..."

"That also spreads the juice"