#rivervale_lodge

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Olgar grumbles and sharpens his axe. His face having that I'm surly and grouchy at the world look.

If he's wise, he's doing that outside. Kerri has scolded him in the past about leaving metal shavings on the Lodge floor.

Does the porch count as outside?

Good enough. As a reward for his good behavior, she puts a plate with an ample sandwich on a bench near him, along with a beer.

He drinks the beer, and tears at the food "I just put that damn trod up."

"It's done? That was quick work."

"wanted to get it in time for Yule" A sigh "Of course, it only works if she's here... so..I may have put it up for nothing"

"What? You mean...it's going to fade soon?"

"Nah, it's .. up every week. I just thought it .. it was going to be my gift to her. And now..." A shrug

Kerri sits next to him. "Now?"

"And now our little girl.. pardon" A sigh "Woman... our daughter, seems to have the travel bug so it's going to waste"

"Oh, hon..." She touches his shoulder. "She said she'll be back for Yule."

"I know.. I just..you know, I told myself I was ready for this, that we were ready for this"

Kerri sighs. "I know. I think it's hitting you harder. You've always been her protector. Being her father has become so much of what makes you, you. But Olgar...you'll still be her father."

"I know, I think I'm mad at myself because I'm such a hypocrite about it" A sigh "I told her she could do anything BE anything, go anywhere . "

"And what am I doing? wanting more than anything to say 'Yeah, but I meant with in the same county'" A snort "Some great dad"

"You're not ready for her to go. Especially without warning. But hon, I really don't think she's going to vanish forever. And even if she's grown, I suspect she'll always be, in some way, your little girl."

"Oh you're not fooling me..." a smile though "You stress over her too. But. .thanks"

"I do, it's true. And I miss her. But I believe she will be back, Olgar. She's just away for a bit."

"Well, if she's not here for Yule I'm gonna bite a lamp post" he take one of her hnads and squeezes it "Proud of her though. I mean, damn.. she's arranged an outpost for the Rovers for a pretty fair deal"

"She's good at getting people connected."

"She's great at it." A sigh "She could be a great chief one day if she wanted. But.. well, I guess first she has to learn what she wants. "

Kerri doesn't answer right away. "You really think Chief?"

"Not ready yet, but one day? Maybe. I know, paternal bias..." A look at Kerri "She takes after you enough to lead..and I've done some in that department myself though I'm mnot as nuanced"

"I suppose...." She considers. "I guess I've just picked the laundry up off her bedroom floor too often to see that easily."

A laugh "Good point. "

"Tell you what...don't tell her that you finished the trod. Not yet. Wait until she comes back, and then show it to her."

"I don't want her to feel guilty for it either" he says

"I understand that. And it's true...your desire to support her freedom and her desire to venture further away both happened to have unfortunate timing."

"So just.. say 'hey honey here's a gift you won't be able use that much after all'?"

A light swat on the shoulder. "You're assuming she's moving away permanently. I'm not convinced."

"Huh..." he smiles at the swat "I am aren't I? Leaping to some conclusions"

"You are. Besides," she adds, "in addition to it being a safe way for her to see her boyfriend, it's also a useful trod in general to keep our holds connected. I think you should be proud of that on a number of levels."

"I am, but it's also a danger to us in an indirect way. If the Dark gate breaks.. that trod might become a path to here , a path of bad. The Silver SHOULD preven that but it' a risk"

"If the DarkGate breaks, we'll need a way to get support to them as quickly as possible. The trod is that, as well."

"mmm I see where Sylvi gets her cheerleading skills from but you're right"

He says "I think the axe is sharp enough. Want to go inside with me, see what else needs to be rubbed?" A smile

She puts a hand to her heart in mock shock. "Well, I never." Then a wink. "Well, at least not in the last few hours." She stands and takes his hand...and gathers up the dirty plate in the other hand.

He says "I'll get it" He has two hands too, but they head inside... "And then we'll 'I never' again" A grin

and they go on in... he's in a much better mood

(Fade to Marital bliss)