#rivervale_lodge

"I'm a troll... if I were in a coma I'd be stronger than most"

"Well, you can't go into a coma."

"Not allowed." She returns, arms fulls of the rest of the bags.

"I..." Tove blinks wondering how she went from four bags to one... and the wimpy one at that

"Myrttle Anne is NICE" Jack Flap calls out defensively "Your dad thinks so."

"She's nice, but she's still a busy body" Tove says "And Dagmar, I can carry plenty you know right?"

"Boggans are busy-bodies, they can't help it."

"Well, it's call of the needy. I'm not needy" the huge woman eases into the kitchen carefully, slowly, "I am strong. I am capable. " A pause And I may need to pee again

"The virus doesn't care. So."

"We have magics to help against the virus" Her mother says with a huff and then she says "I have decided upon something"

"No need to tempt fate." Harrumph. "Decided what?"

With Dignity, she begins to mince out of the kitchen "I have decided to go to the bathroom" And she leaves.

Jack looks to Dagmar "Moms can be weird, huh? I mean, I still want one, but they take work, don't they?"

Snerk.

"Oh yeah. Family is weird."

"Just wait until they INSIST on pulling right up to the front door at school..."

"Noooo" Jack Says "Where everyone can see?" He's a childling, but even he knows that makes you look like a LITTLE kid

"Right?"

He shakes his head "how do you teach them better?"

"Wish I knew. My dad's real good about it."

"Well, when father day rolls around you get him something nicer than an ugly tie would be my advice" Jack says "It's positively re-enforcedment"

"Oh yeah."

"I gotta go now.. and check on the gardens. " He waves

Tove took her time in the bathroom.

But afterwards she comes out.

By then, groceries are away. Cookies are cooling... out of reach of Brown Dog, but perhaps not safe from little boys.

"You're pretty good at this" She says with a nod

"Connor misses out on treats sometimes. Figured I'd try something special for him."

"Connor had a nasty scare. Gerd's betting herself up for not being here that night until she was summoned"

"Yeah, I know. And she shouldn't be."

"Trolls, darling, it's in our blood. I know, for example, that you're the most amazing wilder gal and quite the warrior, but I do wish sometimes I could grab a shiedl an leap in front of you. If it's okay with you, I'd like to invite Gerd to dinner at our house sometime soon. Show her a bit more support.. she expects it from folksat the lodge I know, but invite into our home might send a signal. What do you think?"

"Well, sure. If we invite her, can she spend the night?"

"Fine by me" Tove says "She really hasn't worshipped Odin enough" Speakign, of course of the cat

Snort-grin.

"Want a cookie?"

"Love one" She takes one that is offered and tests it

Peanut butter, maple, oats, honey. Yup. That's it.

"I like it," She says truthfully. "You're going to be a great chef one day at this rate. "

"I mean, I'm pretty sure I want to be a Storm... but Hearth wouldn't be too bad."

"Kerri's gonna work with me more on Primal, like how Vali's helping me with Nature."

"good." She says "I think..." A pause "This is so you can ask animals questions isn't it?" A smile

"...Yes."

A kiss between the horns, "Good. I think that will make you happy."

Purple-shrug.

"The bridle is real nice, though technically it's Connor's. And Star doesn't like it for too long."

"She's pretty expressive, anyways."

"She is, that's for sure. for someone without eyebrows she can make her opinions known" Tove nods.

"Well, ears."

"And tail swishes of hrumph and even teeth clicks. I think Stormwake STAMPS more, but you know better than I"

"He does! And he has this head-toss..."