#rivervale_lodge

Dagmar wraps herself up in the quilt and dunks her cookie in the milk.

"I did see that," Kerri says with a nod. "I assumed you sent her?"

She tries a grin back, but it wavers, and she turns to face into the breeze, taking a couple deep breathes. "It was... it was awful." In a small voice, trembling a bit.

Tove fusses over her daughter and like a lullaby sings softly "Across the rainbow bridge of Asgard
Where the booming heavens roar
You'll behold in breathless wonder
The God of Thunder, Mighty Thor"

"Mo-om." The two-note cry of the teenager.

Gerd nods "I wasn't sure she was going to last.. or if she did, it would be a constant stream of glamour to help her stay aloft draining us all when the ship needed it. But in the lodge, the fire would at least hold her steady. So.. what's the penalty for benevolent mutiny? I 'm hoping to see daylight before I'm 18" She sighs

"She's singing for me" Jaymes says somberly (Lie)

"Wanna tell me?" Sylvi offers quietly.

"Well..." Kerri says, looking Gerd over, "...was there any other benefit to you beyond what you've already said, avoiding the glamour drain?"

A soft sniff, rubbing at her face. "Are you sure you want to hear about it? ...though I guess everyone else will tell their tales too. I.. I hope that there are no songs from tonight. Maybe if they just focus on the people rescued... but the rest just, was ugly."

Gerd pauses "I don't really think so" She admits "I mean, I can be willful, but I'm not stupid. Not much to gain from seizing a ship already on a locked course"

Sylvi bites her lip before answering. "I don't think I want to hear about it...but I want to help. I feel like I should try, and it sounds like it might help if you talk...but it's up to you, really."

"Both of you." Harrumph. (a pleased one)

"To start, I had the brilliant idea to drink some of this... I guess you'd call it a lust potion. I tried to figure out a way to turn it into a perfume, or an oil, something I could use on the guards... but it wasn't working, even with Zane's help. So instead I drank it myself as part of a bunk I set up for this... I dunno, do you know anything about Aphrodesia? I've mostly seen it in Mer, and a few other goats, but I guess other people could learn it, if they wanted..."

The 'other' Kings smile

and fuss over their daughter as if it's the best thing to do ever

"Barely got hurt. Mostly just glamour drain. Maybe I'll try talking to May later, bout.. stuff..."

"SOunds good" Tove says

"No mom, dad.. I won't be partaking of the bale, but I'm staying here tonight... yes, it's part of my passion.. magic... ... but .. no dad.. it's not about perspective... I thought maybe at one time it was like soem of the philophers said.. right.. wrong were relative... but ah.. there's exceptions to every rule and... this wasn't relative at all. Magic was used for horrible things... and it was Evil. Capital E. I used some magic to help fix it what I could... but... I know it sounds dumb... but there needs to be a white cloak around here tonight. So... cool? Thanks." Zane's voice might be heard outside the corner of the lodge on the phone. "Yeah.. memory wipe...that poor woman will have a few hours of sleep where she doesn't have nightmares. WHere she remembers a nicer world. It'll fade... but I can give her that. "

"Connor, did you check on the horses today?"

"Hm? No, but they checked on me some. I went out to give carrots to Snow and then I had to give apples to the horses, too. And I did the duty, and scratched that spot that Stormwake likes, but there's an awful lot of him and more of Star every day, so I think I will need your help to get to the places I can't reach."

Jack says "And I helped the garden."

"That makes sense. Tomorrow, I'll show you how to brush all the spots."

"Thank you for taking care of them, kiddo."

"It's a duty." He says seriously. "You have milk left, that means you need another cookie. That's an important duty, too."

"So long as it's a duty and not a doody."

"Oh, sometimes when Gerd molds them they get a bit bubbly but it tastes okay" Jack says at the doody cookie worries

"These are good cookies, whoever made them."

Connor has to cover a giggle.

And in defense, "Gerd makes the BEST chocolate milk I ever tasted, and it even comes out pink."

"Thank you" Gerd says from her spot near Kerri

"it goes good with any cookies, even ones with extra flavor bubbles."

Gerd sighs. It's true. She has some rough looking cookies "It's the taste that matters"

Jack snicker at Dagmar and whispers "Just don't drop one in a pool, you'll scare folks"

"I heared they are putting in a pool at the 'Partments. Do you think I can go swimming there? Or are there too many muggles?"

"It's mostly Satyrs and Pooka I think and kinian so.. it should be okay" Gerd says

"I.. y'know, I think it might all be us?"

"I've never swum in a pool before. Just the lake, and rivers, and a pond, and a hot..." He stops, blinking. "...bathtub." He finishes. "But if there are PEOPLE there they will see my tail. The lake is just as good, even if fish DO go in there."

Snerk.

Gerd nods "We'll make sure it's safe"

"Can you tell me about your rescue?" Connor wags his tail. "Did you fly in like Valkyries like SPEAR AND MAGIC HEEEEEL-MET!"?

Then he guiltily covers his mouth, dropping a few notches in volume.

Kerri nods to Gerd. “I’ve heard you justify decisions before, Gerd. Made things seem like a sacrifice when really it was to your benefit. That’s normal, it’s part of growing up. But this?” She shakes her head. “This you did because it needed to be done, and without benefit to you. The Chieftain will likely be cranky about it when she’s awake enough, but I’ll talk her around.”

"Well ,I'll take my lumps whatever they are. I DID do it, but I .. would be lying to say I didn't appreciate you going to bat for me" gerd says "Thanks"

"We worked together to stop the bad people. I am so glad you stayed here and were safe. And you did a good job making people feel safe when we got home..."

Jack pats Connor on the shoulder "Told you"

Sylvi’s brow furrows. “I get the idea, I think,” she says to Piper. “So, um...that’s still affecting you, huh?”

Kerri gives Gerd a grin. As Hearth, I give you my thanks for getting her back here when you did.”

She frowns. "It's a little that... I thought I'd be okay with, you know... distracting those guys - but it's kinda making me feel... gross. After seeing what they did... or were doing, or helping do, and knowing that I was into them anyways." A sigh. "But that's not even it, thought I don't think I can see Adam right now. It's... the Balor." Piper pauses. "They killed her. It wasn't even in the fight. It was after... on purpose. Cold blooded." Her voice has dropped so that it won't carry inside to any impressionable ears or eavesdroppers.

Gerd smiles "Thanks, Aunt Kerri." Not a term she uses often, but it definitely fits now