#rivervale_lodge

"Mm. Being able to FlickerFlash there is an advantage, yes." An irritated sigh. "The food concerns me. Tell me if you feel unwell or odd in any way."

"I'm fine" (false)

"You should both rest. I..." A pause as the ping from Gerd registers.

Grimace.

"I feel fine. I was worried Gerd was having, like, food anxiety?"

"Gerd?"

Gerd winces then sighs "You know, I know your house is usually the good guys but I hate that boon. " A sigh "I'm having an..attack. I'd like to say I was ooo clever don't eat the food of strangers... but in truth I refused because if I'd eatten one of those cakes I would likely have puked it right back up on the table.. and If I didn't.. I would have just asked them where the bathroom was... and.. you know the rest. I can't even think about food right now. without... " A sigh "I Will BE fine"

"Mm." Brekke frowns, then nods. "How can we help?"

Dagmar reaches out, then hesitates, hand hovering by Gerd's back. Could be an invite for a hug?

Gerd doesn't seem to notice "Nothing right now... I mean... keep an eye on me at the table and the stuff we did in our first months of therapy... maybe. But right now the focus has to be the mission. The factory. And making sure Connor doesn't run off again. THAT is my priority."

"Gerd... it isn't your fault. Connor... I mean, you can't control other people. You can't see everything."

"I can be your priority, but it is not your responsibility."

She glances towards the stairs and sighs. "You should both sleep."

"I think I'm wanted home, if that's okay?"

"It's not about controlling him, it's about ...you .. you guys don't understand. I lost my mother and father.. they died. If I had been older I might have done something.. COULD have... Dagmar, your bio mom was.. let's face it, you traded up. And Chief I don't claim to know how it was with your folks but you didn't lose immdiate family that I know of... this is the ONE Duty I embraced and..."

Gerd rises "YeaH.. no whining. I'm gonna sleep here tonight if it's okay. Vali's okay with it"

Brekke raises a brow. "Gerd...before you sleep...you cannot put that weight on Connor. You cannot expect him to be the vehicle of your healing. That is not his reponsibility, and so the actions he takes on his own cannot reflect on your worth. You can try to protect him from threat, but you cannot protect him from himself if he does not allow you to do so. That has to be his choice."

Dag chews on a hangnail.

Gerd sighs "There's an old man telling me the same. Fine. I'll say what you want. that this isn't on me... just.. don't blame me if I don't believe it"

"Or more accurately, don't blame me if I can't MAKE myself believe it"

"It will take time to learn to believe it. Now...sleep. Dagmar, do you wish escort home?"

"I'm good to walk, it's not far."

A nod. "Remain alert. Rest well. We have much to plan."

"We do. Sorry for worrying you, Chief."

"yes. Sorry we didn't remember to call" And Gerd goes to shower and go to bed

Even her nutmeg milk untouched

Brekke nods. "Thank you."

A worried glance at the stairs, a frown.

Brekke follows the look. "We will remain aware of her struggle. I will alert Kerri. We will also trust her to tell us if she needs help. She is better at that now."

"Yeah..."

A blink. "You have another suggestion?"

"No. Wish I did." Frown. "Wish I knew better how to help."

A deep breath. "You will feel that often in your life, I think. I know I do."

"Well, hey. That at least makes me feel better."

A slight grin and a nod. "Get some sleep, Dagmar."

"Yes, Chief. Night."

"Dream well." Brekke cleans up the milk glasses, then returns to sit by the balefire for a time more. She broods over the green light of the flames.

Dagmar heads home... she'll have her own Conversation in a few hours.

And so another day in Rivervale...where while quests abound, there's no higher risk adventure... than family

(End scene)