#rivervale_lodge

"Oh! Can I help?"

Gerd looks resolved, and says "On my way." Then a look to the others "I'm trying to learn more cooking."

Sally Mae says "Now now I can't have everyone in the kitchen... but if you want to help I can't complain. Gerd has to be here though. She's asked and I'm helping."

"I can he-.." She stops, looking down at the baby. "Um."

Gerd shakes her head at Dagmar "You've got the important job. It's okay. You still get a Danish" A wink

"Cheese?" SO hopeful!

"You got it, got a favorite type of cheese?" Gerd asks realizing she didn't know that

CJ's eyes brighten at the activity and interactions. This all means something, folks together, a warm room with smells...

"Um... the danish cheese?" Less certain. Sally mae, however, KNOWS...

"Oh! Maybe... I could... um...." He glances at Dagmar, holding CJ but also wanting to help... hopeful, but not daring to ask.

"Sally Mae will know" Guessing the thought, and Gerd ducks into the kitchn

He inches closer to Dagmar, sneakily reaching out to touch, ever so lightly, on of CJ's dangling feetsies.

"Connor, let's sit and wait. You can help me."

"Okay..." He moves to the couch and carefully arranges the pillows JUST SO, and pats a comfy spot.

She sits down, then pats the seat next to her.

CJ laughs at something and his foot moves just a bit

He climbs up into the troll-height seat, then scoots a bit closer... closer... until he's practically leaning against Dagmar. "Did someone tell him a joke?"

"Maybe! Okay, now... hold your arm like so..."

CJ , quite helpless to give much of an opinion on how he feels about this transfer, merely blinks.

Next thing Connor knows, his arms are full of Baby. "See, how your arm supports his head?" And Dagmar's hand gently supports Connor's elbow - making sure the boy has a hold.

The front door opens, letting in a breath of just-a-little-chilly spring air. Brekke comes in and shuts the door behind her as she looks around the room. "Ah. Dagmar, Connor. And Clint James." She nods hello. "All is well?"

"Oh- Oh!" He barely breathes from excitement, and holds the baby - he freezes so that he is in exactly the right placement as shown, and his eyes are wide and adoring as he looks down at the wee one.

"Hi Chief!"

Low, to Connor. "I know that exact feeling."

"Chief... look... I have a baby..." He says softly, though his eyes don't leave the bundle.

Smells from the kitchen

CJ looks up at the Chief curiously as if to say 'not sure how I got here, but for now I'm good'

"You do, I see this." Brekke approaches the couch and looks down. "You are doing well, Connor." And a grin to Dagmar, approval for letting him hold CJ.

"How did people so BIG make something so small?" He breathes, entranced.

"Well, he is born of a mortal body, so it is better he is small. For now. We will see what comes in the future."

She meets CJ's eyes. "You are doing well also, Clint James." Solemn approval.

"And Tove said everyone will love him no matter what. If he's tall or small, or blue or purple or polka-dotted...."

"Yup. He's very lovable."

"I believe he will be well-loved, yes," Brekke agrees, then she goes to refill her travel mug.

Should anyone bring a finger (or nose) close to CJ, CJ's eyes will focus, a determined look on his face (or it could be gas) and he'll reach out ..and try to grip it.

"You hear that, Prince?" He whispers down to the baby. "No matter what."

yup. looks like connor's nose just volunteered for the new grabbing mechanism

not a bad grip for such a little thing.

"Any news that you know of, Dame?" Brekke asks Dagmar.

Eyes widen and he freezes at the baby gets a handful of nose and maybe a few whispers. His nose twitches. and he tries not to sneeze. "Mm..mmmm., das by node."

"No news.. oh.. oh, he has a GRIP, let me help..."

CJ feel satisfaction.

Dagmar gently pries the tiny hand off Connor's nose. "Kid is troll-blooded, for sure..."

"Das okay. I wasn't using it. It will be better by the time there are Danish smells to sniff!" Connor has carefully not moved even when his nose was tweaked!

A chuckle from Brekke. "Dagmar, perhaps you should make a small wooden hammer for him to grip."

CJ lets go as his sister priest loose. mmmph. he thought he got it right

"Oh, maybe! Maybe a rattle?"

And from the kitchen "We have... Danishes" Gerd swings out with a tray full

Brow-furrow. "Is he old enough for a rattle?"

"I believe he is," Brekke nods to Dagmar. "Ah! This is good, thank you, Gerd."