#rivervale_lodge

"Worried about Connor" She says

"why the nap?" She notes

Grunt, eyeroll.

"Have you seen Connor recently?" Going back to her own concern

"Um. Few days ago?"

"Ok. Thanks" A breath "Thanks." Repeating

EYebrow.

"Was he acting odd? like.. maybe eating everything that moved?"

"He was just Connor."

"Normal?"

"So it's recent" She thinks aloud to herself

"Eating a lot?"

"I mean, he's a growing boy..."

"Okay, slow growing, but still..."

"The HEARTH thinks he's eating a lot," She explains "And then acting like he's starving."

"What if... my leaving has him ..eating wrong, because he knows something is wrong? what if this is my fault?" Gerd paces

Clem peeks out of the kitchen, and raises a brow but does not speak yet, letting Dag field that one

"Have you talked to him?"

"I did. He's snubbing me...keeping distance" Gerd says, a hand at her belly.

"That's weird."

"I know" Gerd says "And I can't think what set it off."

"If it was you, this woulda been closer to you moving in with Vali, I'd think."

"Maybe" Gerd paces

Clem says "Learn first, then act appropriately. Putting yourself on the cross just cheats folks of good wood"

"Hunh." (Iowa)

"Mmmph" ("Darn right, Iowa and proud") Clem comments

Gerd says "Okay. I'll stop ...worrying." Lie. "I'll try to worry less" true "Just..he's my brother"

Footsteps on the gravel path outside, and Brekke enters from patrol, Oak trotting in at her side. She looks troubled, and gives the balefire a measuring look before nodding to the others in the room.

Upon noting Clem is there. "Chieftain. I did not expect you."

"Chief." Dag sits up straighter. Stoic! Normal!

“Why worries?” He peeks around a door frame, looking concerned. “ Oh! Double boss time. Is someone in trouble?” Eyes suddenly wide. “Am -I- in trouble?”

Another concerned look at the balefire as she hangs up her cloak.

"Hope not unwelcome, Chieftain. I was coming here to see the Hearth about some trouble"

To Clem, "I see. She may be in the kitchen, though she is usually shopping now....ah, Connor. Come here."

Gerd looks over at Connor "Connor, hey, little brother" Trying to cover a worried look

He trots over obediently. “Do we need to go rescue a maiden fair?”

"She's not in the kitchen, my fault for not calling specific time" Clem says

"Mm, I believe she will return soon, then, Chieftain. Please make yourself comfortable." She nods to the coffee, then turns to the pooka. "Connor, I have heard some disturbing tales about your behavior, from Jonas and the Hearth and the Mountain." A serious look.

Dag watches, chewing on a hangnail.

He blinks. “I don’t know how the popinjay got into Sylvi’s dress. I think it just wanted to look pretty.”

Gerd's hand seems to keep going to her own belly

Brows raised. "I...imagine it does. But I hope you will return Sylvi's dress to its proper place. But no...I am told you have been eating a great deal more than usual."

She reaches for Gerd's free hand, to give it a squeeze. Not to the relief of her ragged cuticles, mind.

“I was -awful- hungry this morning. Growin’ boys gotta eat. And I’ve been workin, and running all over. I have the hungry of two Connors.” Hangdog look. “Do you want me to eat less? Or I can have kibbles with Oak...”

A frown. "Connor, I am only concerned that you may be ill. I do not begrudge you the food." A pause...reading pooka is difficult. "I am told you also used some...rude language...with the Mountain, and asked if bad children would be locked in cages." Her brow furrows. "Connor...is this something that concerns you?"

Gerd squeezes back, but keeps her other hand on her belly.

Clem stays silent. This is not, as the saying goes, her rodeo

He thinks for a moment, then nods. “Yes. But not anymore. Because you don’t know unless you ask.” He shifts his weight, a bit shy to be on seemingly trial amongst the blue giants looming over from all sides.

And then Tiffany comes in, with a deerstalker hat, and a bubble pipe. Seeing the situation, she takes a corner.

Brekke glances up, surprised at the thane's arrival, but as she steps aside, she returns her attention to Connor. "Did something troubling happen at the store?"