#rivervale_lodge

"I think you'd be a hell of a Baroness. Any fire would be glad to have you."

A bit of a grin.

"Thank you, and Rivervale wouldn't be Rivervale for me without it having you. You're happy here, Dagmar. No shame in that."

"You make me happy, too."

"Friends, no matter what" A nod "And who knows? Maybe more. We'll learn a bit on those quests" She hugs her

"Friends, for sure."

"Good," Kerri says quietly. "Ladies, well done."

She looks at Dagmar again, trying to see if she's merely accepting her lot, or if she seems a bit relieved.

She does look relieved, less withdrawn.

"Now, I have not talked to you in over a week and a half. Did you see Spark chasing falling leaves earlier? "

"All right," she says as she stands. "Ladies, can I ask you to continue at the stables? I need to get some dinner started."

"Oh yes, of course." And Nadeen takes Dagmar's hand as they ready to go out "He bonked his little head on the railing and Star was like 'well, I warned you'"

"Yes, Miss Kerri." She squeezes Nadeen's hand. "Oh, Spark keeps trying to jump over the trough, too... just yesterday he..."

Kerri nods and waves them off as they go.

And they go off, chattering happily about Foolish Foals and how wonderful they are

Once they're gone, though, she turns to the sink, grips the edge of it, and just stands there, head bowed, for a few minutes.

Finally, she curses, "Dammit..."

Then she straightens, rolls her shoulders, takes a deep breath, and gets back to work.