#rivervale_lodge

"Is he? Perhaps the Mountain has met him. But this is good news. Many fae do not have family they can stay with. You sound as though you feel secure at your home. Am I correct?"

"Yes, please. Rover Olgar told me that a lot of changelings leave their families, but I don't want to. My dad always acts like the ties I get him are the best EVERY year, and mom cuts the crusts of my sandwiches... even though I'm probably too old for that. I promise to not tell them unless you say so. And I will try to remember I have a secret identity now. I love them. " Nervous bite of her lip. All she said is true "I..... they would cry if I left forever. I don't want to make them cry, please?"

BIG eyes

Brekke nods. "We do not want that, no."

Relief spreads on her face and ..she HUGS brekke "THANK you"

"You have made friends here, already, so that is good." And then she gets surprised by a hug. "Oof....well....you are welcome." She carefully hugs the childling back.

"Trolls give big hugs" She observes

Dagmar has a small furrow between her brows.

"We do our best," Brekke says, then releases her.

She catches Dagmar's expression. "A concern, Dame?"

"Did I do something wrong?" Layne says

"No..."

"No, you didn't do anything wrong."

"Just thinking we'll have to make sure we include your house in our patrol routes now. Keep your parents safe."

"Oh, then I might see ggiants come by" She beams

Brekke nods. "Yes. That will be important. But I think, Dame, that we are safer now than we were some weeks ago."

"True."

"And if there are apples, I'm sure Snow would come along too."

Then to Layne, "You may see giants, yes...or satyrs, or pooka, or...well, a wide assortment."

A bit of a grin and nod about Snow.

"Oh snow..yes I'll have an extra apple for her" Clearly likes snow!

Layne says "Oh. I need to go home. I lost track of time"

Brekke rises to stand again. "You should have an escort."

"Dame Dagmar or I will go with you. We will learn where you live, and be present if any chimera seek you out."

"Oh sure, happy to show either of you where I live. " She almost bounces with the idea then she blushes and giggles "it's a Ranch house"

That gets a brief chuckle. "Good."

"This way.." And she bounces ahead leading the Chief off

Once they are gone

Siv says "Okay. She's damn cute"

Siv has slid out of her room through the window and slides down despite the risk of breaking her neck with snow

"who do you thinks going to mentor her?" She asks DAGMAR

"Dunno. Probably Frank?"

"Dad would be good at it" A nod then a smile "how are you doinng? I mean.. Cenatur among us. you love horses. I thought you must be getting a kick out of it"

"Oh.. oh, yeah."

"We'll protect her parents, though."

"Are her parents in trouble?" Siv's hand moves to her hilt and she looks around. Suddenly on guard

And Dagmar might realize that Siv is still.. .well, her FACE is recovered, but she's still quicker to get in war mode than normal

"Not right now. Just... " Shrug.

"Oh. " A nod "Sorry. I.. get it. I am a bit on edge still more than I thought"

"They're human. And sound like good ones. How often do we get that?"

"Not often enough" she agrees "half of those I know who had mortal parents are..well, you know better than I how rough some of them had it"

"Yeah." Scowl.

"You and Jack both came a long way and got upgrades" A smile then "Me? I know I'm lucky. Down right spoiled, me and Sylvi both.. but I wonn't apologize for it. But your'e right. We can't let what happened to the browns happen to whoever Layne's parents are. "

Grim nod.

"Did.. did mom get to hear some of how Olgar was tteaching the Escheat to Layne?" Perhaps changing the subject some

"Oh yeah." She mimics Brekke-brow.

SNERK

"Oh I missed it. SO wanted to see her reaction to 'right of demense' 'short hairs' comparison" for myself, but that was a dead on impression" A chuckle

Shrug, smile.

"Dagmar? Can I ask you a question that might seem odd for trolls?"