#rivervale_lodge

"Or have Nadeen hate me."

"I think...it'll be worse if she finds out later."

"I could be there while you talk to her. Or to him. Or to both of them."

"Maybe."

"Not.. not both of them at once..."

"Okay. What would be best?"

"Maybe, like, one at a time. With you."

"Do you want me to set it up?"

"Please?"

"Okay," Kerri says gently with a nod, and she rests a hand on Dagmar's shoulder "Try not to dread it. You've had lots of other situations you've dreaded before...and you've survived them all and been happy eventually."

"Now...tell me how that mystery berry pastry tastes."

Food is a safer topic! And maybe helping with dinner is, too...

And so that is what happens...

*************************

Time has passed-

So it is not too much later that Kerri has contacted both Symon and Nadeen. Whichever one responds first, she invites to come to the Rivervale kitchen for a talk.

Nadeen comes thorugh the kitchen door, a bit curious. She is not used to reporting to the Hearth, or at least at helping her much. She will wash dishes.

"you..called for me?" Dubious

"Yes, Baroness Nadeen. Thank you. I wanted to speak with you for a few reasons, but before that I'm hoping you can taste test a thing? Dagmar gave them The Face, but she isn't very fond of new foods." She offers the pastries. "These ones," she indicates the ones from the strange berries.

"Very well, and thank you, Dame Kerri" She takes a pastry. They do smell good ish?

"You're quite welcome." She indicates a kitchen stool, then sets out the tea she already prepared.

"You're well?"

Taking the stool, and a bite, she mmms and nods now caught in a trap of wanting to ansswer but her mouth is full "mmm humm"

A grin. "Sorry, take your time."

A smile, then a swallow "Okay, I like it. I can't place the flavor and that's driving me crazy, but I like the texture of it almost as much as the taste. Is that odd?"

"No, that's the perfect combination. Yes, it's strange, but it's growing on me." Kerri helps herself to one...well, the half that Dagmar left behind earlier.

Before she takes a nibble, she asks, "Among other things,I was wondering if everything's going well for you at the Debuke school."

"Ah, that" A breath "I persevere" a nod . Ah sidhe- they'd narrate their own lives if they could "the DeBukes are a mixed bag. There is some prejudice, but nothing I didn't overcome as a member of an Unseelie House at Caer Falken."

But while that's all a source of pride. She does cast one wistful glance out the window

"Well, that's good, the overcoming part. I know you had difficulties when you first arrived here as well."

"I can't say we made it easy for you."

"Yes well, I admit. the Chieftain had me under a lot of scrutiny but for good reason as I was an unknown. And Dagmar I... well.." A frown "She felt responsible for Tanya. And how can I sugar coat that? I believe she is happier but I DID take her. We became good friends " She rallies a smile.

but the Hearth can tell it is a summoning of the smile, conjured, one something coming without a ritual.

Kerri looks a little tense at the subject. "I still feel uncomfortable about that, to be honest. But...I'm glad you and Tanya have...come to an agreement?"

A pause and a nibble before saying, "Something else is wrong, though."

"Oh? Sylvi needs back up at Darkgate?"

"No...." A pause, momentarily distracted, but then she resumes. "No, I meant, it seems as though you're troubled by something else."

"oh." A lift of her chin "There are some matters distressing me, but I'm a grown woman now" Says the teenager "I'll find a solution"

A blink and a wry grin. "You think that's how it works? Grown women find solutions without talking about problems?"

"Well," She says "It sounds less mature when you put it that way, Hearth"

"My apologies." She sips. "Care to tell me?"

"I .." She worries her bottom lip. "I fear things between Dagmar and myself are strained. "

Kerri sighs. "I'll admit I was wondering."

"That's in your nature, hearth" A sigh "And I suppose in your purview"

"Well, to be more honest, I was wondering earlier...and I spoke to Dagmar before asking you to join me here."

"She's at the stables now, I think...and I'd like her to join us. I think there are things that need to be discussed. But...I'd like to know your thoughts first."

"You spoke to her?" She sits up straighter W"hat did she say? Is she okay? I.. she's been avoiding me."

She nods. "I know. She's troubled. That's why I think we should all speak. Would you be willing?"

"It's gotten bad enough to be an intervention?" A frown "how did I let it get to this? Nevermind. My fault. Of course I'll see her"