#rivervale_lodge

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It's a hard trick, getting the ball tested where there is no squire to see it too soon. The target ball turns out to be entertaining.

You bounce it, and it has two settings nice, and sassy

Nice is like "good catch! Oh you got me! Try again!" and so on

Sassy is like "In your dreams 'champ'" or "Too slow, sucker"

You can swat it, chase it.. or throw it. And it takes it either with verbal jabs, or enthustastic support

Well, it seems promising!

Indeed. Oak looks at hopefully

"Sorry boy, saving it."

A sigh Oh well. He got his wolfenoot rawhide bone.

Which Brown Dog is currently trying to steal.

Sigh. "Where's yours?"

Brown Dog looks around. In his bed is another one.. see, two is better than one!

Oak follows the Code of Dogda, and does not bully smalelr dogs, but he could get it back anytime he wants

"Give." She gently takes Oak's bone to return it.

Brown Dog ponders holding on, but the training HAS taken so... he releases

Oak wags. She's a good two legger. A justice bringer

"Good boy." Ear-rumple, and he's offered HIS bone. Fair for everyone!

Chomp. Chomp

TWO happy dogs.

And a leaning into the ear rumple

Life is good.

So it seems to be. The door opens, and Myrttle Anne comes in . The herbal online sales are doing okay... so Covid hasn't kileld her young business. Quite the opposite. Home remedy treatments are where some poorer folks HAVE to turn to, even though her site informs them to see doctors for so many things

"Dagmar!" She beams "or should I say, Dame Dagmar? How are you?"

"Hey Myrtle Anne!"

"I just came by to borrow a few things from the kitchen. Kerri gave me the go ahead" All true "But it's good to see you . Your mother tells me your wood carving skills are really getting there. And it's not just motherly pride. I saw some of your work at Pennons." A pause "I also saw Symon's, Anne Marie made sure I did. I think that gave me nightmares, but I Suppose Symon would be flattered."

"He would, for sure. I mean, sluagh like creepy. But his minis aren't creepy, they're just real good."

Myrttle Anne doesn't push to be called Grandma even though she's with Torin, but she certainly fits the roll now and then "Oh. While I found you. I have two bags of catnip. Brought some for Mackerel. Do you want theo ther to take to Odin?"

She reaches into that huge ass purse

"Oh, sure. Odin likes catnip. Pretends he doesn't until he gets all silly."

She hands a small bag over. "I've thought about dosing Lovecraft with it, but what if she gets worse?"

"Yeah... Lovecraft can be a lot."

"Speaking of gifts.. if not catnip, Jack is wondering what you want for Yule... and I honestly don't know but told him I'd help him. So.. don't tell him I'm asking flat out but I'm asking"

"Oh. Um."

"Um."

A chuckle "oh come now. You must want something? Tove tells me you have interests in a lot of things. My word, that woman is proud of you"

"Well, like... Jack could make something?"

"People here like to make stuff, and it's nice."

"Mostly he gardens..." She says "He didn't think you'd care for that. But.. it does give me an idea. Thank you"

"Sure?"

"You're welcome" She gives the dogs some pets, then goes into the kitchen to get whatever items were requested

And Dagmar gets back to the Barn with whatever SHE had been tasked with retrieving!

Oak and Browndog watch her go.

She's going to leave us forever? Brown Dog asks

No. She's a good one. She will be back. And Dog Chief Twobit will confer with her Oak assures

Or maybe they just gnaw on their bones. You don't know!

(End Scene)