#rivervale_lodge

"Not an intervention," Kerri says. "Hang on a moment." Maybe incongruously, she pulls out her cellphone and texts.

A quick buzz of response, and she nods, putting the phone away. "She'll be here in a moment."

"Before she gets here...you should know that she thinks the problem is largely a failing on her part."

"I shouldn't have tried to trick Dirk into attacking Symon's monstrosity. I apologized to her for that, but I should have apologized to him. It's just.. I thought it was kind ofa funny idea. And .." A pause "What?" Her eyes narrow "Her fault? Why would she think it's her fault?!"

"From what I know, I don't think either of you is entirely to blame...or entirely free of blame."

Kerri pauses. "Let's wait until she's here."

"I.." yes, hearth" She calms

The front door opens and shuts.

"In the kitchen, Dagmar," Kerri calls.

She gets up and gets a Dr. Pepper out of the fridge.

Dag appears at the doorway, lurking without entering. "..hey."

"Come on in." Kerri places the Dr. Pepper on the kitchen island at a seat a bit away from where Nadeen is sitting.

"Dagmar, " Nadeen says a worried look

And on the opposite side of the table.

She rubs the back of her neck, but follows the cues... shuffling over to sit by the Dr. Pepper.

"May I have a drink as well, please, hearth?" Nadeen feels her throat a bit dry

"Hey." A second time. Maybe that's for Nadeen?

Kerri makes sure that Nadeen has a fresh cup of tea, then takes her seat again. "I know this is awkward, but it's easy to see that you're both very upset...and that you're missing each other quite a bit."

"Hey" She says back

Dagmar drops her eyes down to study the table.

"Dagmar, I apologized about Symon, but maybe I should have apologized to Symon. This is my fault and I'll set it right"

Nadeen offers. Let's cut this silly notion Dagmar did anything wrong in the bud

Kerri glances at Dagmar, then says, "Nadeen, you understand why the situation with Symon is especially difficult?"

"I... I'm sorry I've not been a very good girlfriend lately."

"I have a rough idea or two" She says, then looks at Dagmar "it has been hard to find you lately. It's.. odd . On the farm I'm 'the sidhe who is Dagmar's girlfriend'.. did I do something to embarrass you or make you you ashamed of that?"

"No!"

"Then , I guess I best apologize to Symon. I just figured he's smart enough that he'd realize I was doing it on your behalf, not his." Nadeen says "I may not ..like sluagh, but Symon is smart"

Hoping that will smooth it over. She apologizes to Symon. Sets this right. Then it all goes back

"Nadeen, wait...doing it on Dagmar's behalf?"

"I know you don't like each other. You shouldn't... shouldn't do something you don't mean."

"Well MY behalf but to please Dagmar. Sorry, i am to blame, but I wouldn't..." A sigh

"I know you're both trying."

"Dagmar, who knows, in 20 years maybe we'll be able to be completely over it? but it's an ancient hostlity and for my soul it was as if yesterday"

"I know."

"thank you for understanding, but if .. if it's okay why are you ghosting me?" Confusion

"Nadeen," Kerri says quietly. "There's more."

"I'll do better."

Kerri gives Dagmar a look.

"I will."

"You're doing fine.. I just... Dagmar, I forbid you to blame yourself for this" A firm nod

A sigh. "Okay...both of you hush, please, and listen to me for a few moments."

She's chewing on her knuckles again.

A breath. "Nadeen...the tension between you and Symon is making things very difficult for Dagmar. She has been avoiding talking with either of you about it. It's not just about what happened at Pennons."

"Dagmar, Nadeen's trying to fix things and do right by you, but if you're not honest with her about the problems, she doesn't have the information she needs to do that."

"I know how much Nadeen's trying. I know it. Symon too. Both of them. For me."

A surprised look at Dagmar but she keeps shushed

"You need to tell her what you told me before, Dagmar."

"Um."