#rivervale_lodge

"And yes, story after dinner works."

"oh, Puff story" Intrigued

He bows to Nadeen, "Lady Dancy-snow, thank you for visiting!" And a grin to Dagmar. "I knoooow!" And he dashes off.... oh, maybe the game is done for now. He seems to have left with a rook and two bishops in his pockets.

"you're welcome" She smiles then she looks down once he's gone "I think gone into making a house setting for mr and mrs pointy head"

A little sigh.

"Oh well, " She gives Dagmar a kiss, "Thank you for letting me play Chess. I know it's not your favorite past time"

A touch of purple and a smile. "Well, you like it. And I like it when you're happy. So."

A smile "Well, it's very big in Russian culture. Much like the ancient nordic art of basketball" Humor

She laughs.

"We can go riding sometime. I bet the Count would let me borrow a horse from his stables just for a day if I asked. "

"Probably... Star's not going to be ride-able for long, but I've got permission to ride Stormwake, too."

"There's a trod to Falken, right? It'd be nice to ride soemwhere new."

"Of course, Stormwake's a fine steed. Unfortunately he doesn't see me as a warrior so..hurumph"

"He's a little picky, yeah."

"Oh I think the Rover could direct us on a trod there"

"And Stormwake could bear us both on the silver..."

"Great. he wont' accept me as a rider, but I am cargo" A sniff

"Well... yes. But you would have to hold on tight, like... so..." She demonstrates by wrapping arms around Nadeen's waist.

((The phone in the closet rings))

A smile, then the phone rings "What are the odds?"

Eyes close, sigh. "Way too high. I'll get it."

Tromp tromp tromp "Hello? The Kings?"

"Hello.... Dagmar?" Static on the line.

"Oh, yeah! Jessica?"

"Yes. Hi. Um. Are my folks around? It's not urgent. Um, not, like on-fire-urgent."

"Lemmie check...."

"CHIEF!?"

"Jessica?" A surprised look , Nadeen rises "I wonder if she's tired of invasions from here"

From outside in the early darkness, "A minute!"

"Invasions?" An aside to Nadeen.

To the phone. "Jessica, she's coming, she's outside!"

And then Brekke enters, frowning. "Trouble, Dame?"

"Jessica's on the phone!"

"Ah?" And Brekke moves to accept the phone from her. "Thank you." Then into the receiver, "Jessica? Are you well?"

Dagmar hands it over.

"Yes, mom, everything's fine. I'm ok, everyone here is."

"How're things there?"

Nadeen whispers to Dagmar "I think more than a few here have crossed over to Mexico"

A blink and then she relaxes as this seems to be just a social call. Rare, but... "We are well. There has been greater calm in the last few days than there had been. You heard of the willworker?"

"Seriously? Man, dunno - been so caught up with CJ, I missed it. He is getting a little better about sleeping - my parents moved his crib to their room..."

"Oh thank goodness... he's a sweet boy but lungs like a bellows"

"especially at two in the morning..."

"No. I don't think so? You have a will worker there?"

"Yes." Brekke's voice carries enough disgust that Jessica can clearly imagine her expression. "It is gone now. " What more need be said?

"Still, if you ever need an excuse to get a full night's sleep, maybe find a away to stay over here at the lodge"

"Yeah, someday. They're letting me get away pretty easy."

"And he's kinda nice to babysit."

Nadeen says "I think I'm good being an only child"

"Good. Um. Can we talk about how we moved migrants El... Sorry, over the border North?"

"Man, the Browns love you though."