#rivervale_lodge

“He’ll be okay.” Symon ponders, and looks to Ann Marie. “Are you coming home, or staying at the lodge, mom?”

"Well, I guess if I'm the target, Ishould stay here" She says. She is not aware of the attack on her husband "Poor Brown Dog"

"I am sorry, Dagmar. I really am" She adds

He nods to Dagmar. “Stay here? Your family is here too. I want you close to them in case of any other funny business.”

She nods.

"And with Chief gone..."

"Nobody'll get through." Stubborn.

He slips off to one side where he can talk to Dagmar for a moment, away from the main room and Ann Marie.

Anne Marie sighs. Miserable.

So miserable that perhaps the normally perceptive woman doesn't sense the secrets being kept from her..yett

“So, Uh. I think I have to make a trip. To Boston.” He whispers to Dagmar. “tracking down a lead that will prove that what happened here was tied to the Dairrean. Unless... do you think that’s stupid? I mean, it could be a point in our favor. They attacked someone not related to the one they have a vengeance claim on, and that violates the Law of Desmense I think? In River Vale...” He sounds unsure and worried.

"You gotta be careful."

"I'm not sneaky, so I probably wouldn't help much."

"Take Lovecraft."

“You have to stay here.” He nods. “I trust you to look after Ann Marie. Yeah, Lovey has gone soft on her, I think. Enough food is ‘accidentally’ dropped to ensure that. Poor lady doesn’t realize that it’s in Lovecraft’s nature to look skinny.”

Snort.

"And yeah, I'll guard her."

“I could take a bus. Or see if Gerd can get me close. I’d ask for a ride, but I think Mountain needs to stay here, and I think there’d be too many questions I can’t answer. ...Maybe Knight’s Heart.”

"Yeah, I don't know a trod route..."

“I’ll figure it out. Worst case, it’s only like, 3, 4 hours by bus.”

"Bus seems vulnerable..."

"Try Gerd first."

“I thought... maybe asking Jimmy? I hate to call him up out of nowhere to ask for a favor, but he can blend in anywhere. Could keep an eye on my back, you know?”

"Hey, that's smart..."

“Yeah? Oh, it’s late. I guess I should call him tomorrow.” He checks his phone for any messages, then texts Dr. Lee that he and Ann Marie will be staying out for the night. He struggles for a minute with the reason and then just types, ‘Ask AM for details”. “I’ll let her handle that.” He confides to Dagmar.

"well... Yeah. Yeah. Having a mortal in the mix makes it harder."

“Dad is worth it, though. He likes you, y’know? Says you seem sensible.” A grin. “Except that you hang out with me...” They talk for a while, before Symon grabs a spot to sleep. Tomorrow will be, alas, another day.

Dagmar lets Symon sleep, and takes up a patrol until Jaymes can relieve her.

---------