#rivervale_lodge

A small quirk of the beard. "Would you like to come help me tune up the Rig?"

Outside, unknown to the sad pup, Dagmar is working with Star vs the popinjay!

Jack Flap is tending to the gardens while Dagmar works and yes, is distracted "You're getting better, Star!" A thought "you too, Dame Dagmar"

Dag GRINS and raises her lance to salute the faun.

"Man I would not want to be Mr. Poppthejay" A grin back "WHAM" Then he goes back to pulling a weed, "No you don't , Weed monster.. I will protect our garden from your invasion"

And she's back to work, too. (with helmet!)

"Wait, I can play with the truck??"

"You can learn about the truck."

Jack alternates between cheering Dagmar on, and threatening DOOM, DOOOM I Say on the weeds

"I can learn about playing with the truck." He corrects.

"I'll be the best Truckdog ever! Just you wait and see!"

"I need a co-pilot." The trucker says. "But a dog will do."

"Can I be a co-Paw-lit?"

Star even practices rearing up dramatically now and then

After some consideration. "Yes, Connor."

He pops up off the floor - amazing, he has bones again. "Let's get truckin!"

"You want to go? I will find some work for us. " Frank agrees.

"You're good at that. You found lots of work for Dirk. Work-Dirk, Dirk-work."

"Mmmm." Frank rumbles. "Not everyone is suited to all work."

"I'm good at all things. I'm Connor of all trades."

"Pup of all trades, and Master of Fun."

He adds helpfully. "Do we need tools? I can find tools."

Not the gardening tools, for Jack has used them

"If you're having trouble with the garden bed. Your green thumb giving you the blues. You want to hydrate, and the get the ground wet. Here's what you got to do. Soil and Loam, form a new plants home. It'll turn out fine."

"Just sing a few licks, hey. Gardening ain't no crime."

"Dirt and seeds!" He sings "Will never make me weep"

"Dirt and seeds!" He sings "Poop is cheap!"

"Dirt and seeds! And the green will creep!"

"Dirt and seeds and the green will creep!"

"Dirt and seeds and the green will creep!"

And as he sings the song Vali taught him, Jack Flap continues to Garden

Dogs bark, the Stranger Bark

and Jack rises to see what it is.

Dagmar trots to the postern gate, looking to see what's the fuss.

Dirk pushes the old grump along

Brekke, coming in from patrol, turns to look across the property to see what stranger approaches.

Frowning, she looks over to Dagmar to see if she has any clue what this is about.

The grump in question is no where near as old as Etsie, but somehow he seems more fragile . Looks to be a Nocker

"Furking kids.. I didn't do nothing.." the fellow looks a bit faded, "you told me hyou'd get dross."

"Yo, Dirk, what the fuck?"

"Mountains' orders," Dirk says "not my damn problem you don't like it"

An eyebrow at the language, but she approaches. "Peacekeeper, what is going on?"

"I come up and ask the Mountain for some dross.. he says why, I explain to himm there are folks can't get to their dreamers right now and they don't want to come to the lodge. Mountain says the fire's for everyone and they need to get that figured out and something bout how they all should come HERE.. so I got new orders and I'm bringing them here to be looked over"

Eyebrow.

"I did my time" The nocker says "Aint' done no furking crimes in Gwydion lands, that's nuts"

True true and true, it is nuts

Dirk seems to believe what he's saying too, but it doesn't sound quite like Frank to say it that way

"Orders? I..." Brekke sighs. "I thank you Peacekeeper, but I believe that is not exactly what the Mountain meant. Neighbor," she says to the grump. "What is your name, please?"

"Folks call me Clack."

"Clack, I believe Peacekeeper Dirk is trying to...to emphasize that the balefire's benefits are for all of Rivervale's people, not only the seelie. However, if you are comfortable at home and wish some dross to tide over the difficult time, we can arrange that as well. Peacekeeper, does that match what the Mountain said to you?" she asks Dirk with a significant look.