#rivervale_lodge

"I like oatmeal raisin though. They're chewy."

"mmm?" She turns

"...Are there cookies?" Dagmar asks.

"How did I miss YOU?" Nadeen moves to Dagmar and gives her a kiss on the cheek

It's only a few minutes before Kerri returns with a platter of cookies, a pitcher of milk, and a small stack of glasses. "Evening, Dagmar," she says as she sets things down.

"I am very stealthy. Like a blue ninja."

"Hi Kerri!"

She brushes her hand against Nadeen's, sneaking in a little smile.

"How are things at the stables?"

Nadeen stares at Kerri now and then as if expecting her to remove her glasses and fly off

Kerri catches one of those glances and gives Nadeen a little-ol-me? look.

BROW.

Okay, it lacks Troll might, but brow anyway

That said, Nadeen does brush her hand back with Dagmar's while browing.

"By the way, Dagmar, nice job with getting over the bridge and sending the word. Didn't stop to question for a second."

"Nadeen, when do you think you want to make that visit to Caer Falken with Gerd? That is, if she's interested in going."

"Probably need to do it tomorrow" Nadeen says thinking it over "Before the Count departs but after time he's had a chance to settle. I'll play the part of the 'reformed' member of the Unseelie House, a true victory for Chieftain Brekke the Gwydion and thus a victory for all Gwydions. I need to word it just so, of course. Gerd will take the more straight forward approach not that she can't be sly"

"You do realize that the Chieftain would balk at framing that as a personal victory? But I do think the team up of you and Gerd will be most effective in this situation."

"Wish I'd hada bit more info, but it went okay."

"And it looks like you and Chief took care of it."

"I care for the Chieftain, and am more fond than I'd ever admit, but sometimes she does not use all her strengths even when no one is harmed"

"You did exactly what you were supposed to, Dagmar." Kerri's praise is firm.

Nadeen eats a cookie, and drinks milk "Yes. Dagmar. How did the farmhold take it?"

Kerri considers that. "Nadeen, if she used her strengths counter to her beliefs, would she still be the Chieftain you admire?"

"Well, apparently Sir Drifala has a reputation."

"Like, she screwed over other holds, before."

Nadeen says "It would depend largely on the results and whether her beliefs were truly counter or she just worried they MIGHT be. " A shrug , then a look at Dagmar "A ringer is how I heard it described?"

A frown to Dagmar. "Clem told you that?"

"Murray." She eats a cookie.

"Hm. I should probably speak with Murray."

"Probably? He knows the whole scoop."

A sigh "Frustrating. I can't talk go to the farm "

Kerri nods. "Well..." she indicates the other glasses. "Feel free to share if others show up. And Nadeen, I know that's challenging, but it's good practice for communicating through those who do have access when you yourself do not."

"Yes, I suppose. Do we know when Sally Mae is returning?" Curious

"Soon, I hope..."

"Well, I've heard she'll be back in the next couple of days. Excellent news...that means Hearth Agnes is getting her feet back under her."

"True!"

"And Torin and Myrtle Anne are talking again..."

"Good. Maybe Sir Carowyn will stop eying the horizon and sighing. So irritating" Then a look to Dagmar "Are they? Love really does make people a bit nuts at any age it seems"

Kerri turns grateful eyes upward to the Dreaming. "There may be hope for them yet."

"Well, I hope it works out. He's lonely, she's nice."

"They're both a bit old for that sort of thing, aren't they? I mean, Torin is a grandfather now. And Myrtle Anne is ..well, she's like Anne Marie in age but shows it a bit more. Yes, companionship, but it's not like there's any fire"

"Old people deserve to be happy, too."

"Nadeen, please don't let either of them ever hear you say that. The dream of love may take on different shapes over time, but it is long-lived."

"Okay. Okay." Nadeen says to both, sipping her milk "Seelies"

"Okay, but what about passion?"

"Well, of course, Passion, but I'm just saying grumps are, by their nature, less..." An apologetic look to Kerri "less passionate"

A bemused look. "This is based on lengthy research?"

"All wilders know this, Hearth" with dignity

"I dunno. They seem happy."