#rivervale_lodge

And a satyr

"Star is fussy, and she demanded extra brushing today. Stormwake, of course, couldn't receive any less..."

(Thank you, yes.)

"We were reading a story!" Jackflap says

"Stories are good!"

"I'm fuzzy too. And So is Jack!" He grins.

"True."

"THe horses seem nice" Jackflap says "But they're so BIG. I'd be worried about getting stepped on"

"They're very careful, but it is smart for you to be careful, too - sometimes, they can't see someone so little as you."

A head bob

Jack looks at Frank, "You want to read the next chapter, He-Chief?"

He pokes softly at one of Jack's dangling hooves. "I wanted to know about your mama. But if you don't want to talk about her, that's okay." A small frown. "But it might make it harder to find her."

"If you like." Amiably. He takes the book, finding his place slowly to let the boys chat if they wish.

"I don't remember parents" Jack confides "I.. don't think I had any. Maybe i came out of a cabage patch? Or a stork dropped me before I got where I was supposed to be?"

"Everyone has parents. Maybe they miss you. Maybe they look for you every day."

Brow-furrow.

"And maybe you get parents after you're part-grown. That's okay, too."

Jack actually brightens more at Dagmar's idea, but then sighs "I don't think nobody's gonna want a kid who did what I done"

A shrug. "Folks took me."

"I was trash, too. They took me anyhow."

"Not trash, Dagmar." Mildly.

"But if you HAVE parents that WANT you, you should FIND them." He insists. "Otherwise they'll be sad forever and ever and EVER."

Jack looks at Connor "They didn't LOOK.. they didn't look and if they didn't look they didn't care and if they don't care then they're not good parents and I want better ones" frustrated, "Why would any parents leave their kid to help mugger and bad guys and let him be a bad guy too because? What good are they if they don't....if they don't even try."

frustrtation pops in Jack's voice

"Boys......" Gently. "Let's not fight. We're friends."

"You don't know though, you don't even remember... Maybe they got hurt, or maybe they were muggles and dind't know how to find a magic thief, or a thousand... thousand... HUNDRED things!" His voice sounding tearful now.

Jackflap looks at the He-cheif, the mountain man and for a moment looks cautious, like that might only SOUND gentle, then he looks to Connor and says, with a forced effort that is not a convincing lie "Maybe it's all like you say and I'll hear all about them at Hogwarts. And maybe they're friends with your parents. And maybe neither of us is really unwanted" A hand on Connor's shoulder "And maybe they'll adopt you AND gerd. Maybe?"

He shakes his head. "Not for me. But maybe for you." He snuffles a bit, and rubs at his nose with his sleeve.

"Boys, you are both welcome here, for as long as you like. We have established ways to help on the mortal side of things, should that be needed."

"See?" Jackflap says to Connor "it's okay. Frank is our dad now" Hopeful

"He's not." He shakes his head and stands up, backing away and looking upset.

"Oh..." Jackflap looks upset too now

Indeed the boy looks close to tears

Brow-furrow, frown.

"Boys.... can we all take a deep breath? Maybe chocolate or strawberry milk? Calm down?"

He demonstrates a deep breath.

"...and cookies." She heads for the kitchen.

".... cookies." Frank agrees.

"You can't say that, though." He shakes his head. "I'm good, and... and faithful." He rubs at his eyes. "Promise you won't say that. I don't want..." A tug at his ears fretfully, not finding the words.

"Connor, come here, please." He beckons gently, concerned for the boy.

Hesitation. He wavers, but reluctantly takes a step closer.

Jackflap has grown quiet, he doesn't know what to say so he don't say nuthin.

Frank smiles encouragingly. "Connor can you tell me what it is you don't want me to say?"

"M'sorry." He offers, eyes downcast.

"You have not hurt or offended anyone here, I think. But I accept your apology. Connor, I find you to be, yes, good, and faithful. I am glad you are here."

"Sorry, I had to find the right ones..." Dag returns, with a plate of peanut butter cookies.

He moves over and leans against one of Frank's knees. "You're a good da. You're just not... " He swallows. "not MY da. But if I'm good... real good... someday..." He shrugs a bit, and straightens back up as Dagmar comes in. "Someone said cookies. My favorite!"

He puts on a smile that if not genuine, is pretty damn close. They ARE peanut butter, after all.

Jackflap bites his lip, and looks at Frank with a hope so strong it might catch fire , but also distant.

Frank nods gravely to Connor. "I think I understand, Connor."