#rivervale_lodge

"Read more, and I'll read some too," She says, "Humor me?"

"If you insist, but, there must be a hundred of them." He says

"Oh way off, waaaay less," She says, "When I realized I'd not get a thousand, I went for a lower number, albeit one still with meaning."

"How many?" He says trying to count

"Sixty Nine" She flutters her lashes.

A blush "I walked into that one, didn't I?"

"Mmm" A smile "Yes, but it's a good fit. " A kiss

(End Scene)

Dagmar floats to the lodge after school.

Kerri is humming to herself in the kitchen as she sets out cookies on a tray. Lovely frosted hearts.

"Hi Kerri! Happy Valentine's Day! Can I have a cookie?"

"Dagmar! Happy Valentine's Day to you as well. And yes, of course. Dr. Pepper?"

"Ooo, yes please."

The Hearth obliges. "You look like you had a good day."

"I did!"

"Gym wasn't that bad... Tove got me a new swimsuit, and it helps..."

"And there was some funny stuff happening - Lupe was hitting on Symon."

"Oh, yes, Sylvi mentioned something about those to me, said she's ordering one. I think it'll be here before her next gym class."

A blink. "You mean...wait...on Symon?"

"And have you ever noticed that Nadeen's eyes are the exact color of the winter sky? Not a grey blustery day, but those crisp days what looks like a postcard..."

"Uh-huh, on Symon."

"So, anyways, Nadeen asked me to the Sadie Hawkins dance..."

Kerri stops and stares at this casual announcement. "And...you said...?"

"Well, yes. Of course. She said she'd wear gold. Do you think it would be okay to wear my suit again? Maybe a new shirt."

She doesn't quite manage to hide the jaw drop. "Uhh...I mean, yes, the suit would be fine. You'll need a gold tie to match her dress." And she quietly kenns the girl.

Doesn't seem to be a cantrip on her.

"Oh, good idea. I can do that, I bet." She plunks down into a chair with a happy sigh.

Puzzled, she takes a seat across from Dagmar and helps herself to one of the cookies. "I'll be honest, I did not see this coming. I mean, I think it's great, but I'm surprised you two sorted it out."

"Oh, I didn't see it coming, but it just... oh, all of a sudden, everything just felt right."

"Don't know what I was so worried about." She takes a bite of cookie.

Kerri grins at that. "I'm so glad to hear that." She nibbles at her own cookie. "When's the dance?"

"Two weeks."

"Do your folks know, yet?"

"Not yet. Dad gets home in an hour, so I came here first."

"Well...I expect they're going to be happy for you. Possibly a bit surprised. Don't be mad at them if the surprise comes first, okay?"

"Oh... I can see surprised. I was thinking of asking Symon..."

"Yes, I remember you mentioned that. You were going to go as friends...." She pauses. "Does he know?"

"Ohhhh... no. I hadn't asked him yet."

"But he was there when Nadeen asked?"

"All worried about... something..."

"Possibly Lupe trying to get handsy with him."

"Worried?"

"Yes...that seems...I certainly didn't anticipate that." The frown of concern returns. "I didn't think he was her type...and isn't she dating Dirk?"

"They broke up..."

"Oh, there was... glamour? Like glamour darts?"

"One was headed for Nadeen, but I stopped it. But it didn't hurt, I don't think it did anything..."

She blinks. "Glamour darts? But...I've kenned you...you're not under a cantrip..." She looks puzzled.

"Well, maybe it was a prank? I don't think it did anything..."

A moment, then Kerri leans across the table to speak quietly. "Dagmar...whether or not it did anything, I want you to know something, and remember it. I want you to think about how you feel right now, and know...know...that it's okay. Can you remember that?"

"I feel wonderful right now..."