#rivervale_lodge

"Dad?" Siv says

"Oh dear. Dad are you in?"

She shrugs and goes back to the front door "I'm very sorry, my parents seem to be out, but I assure you, Layne is welcome here anytime. I think she likes the horses."

whoever she is talking to sounds a bit relieved at that, but dubious and apologetic

"No really, she's been no trouble"

Affirmative relieved and even proud sounds... and off they go

Connor peers out from behind a massive armchair. "Are they gone?"

"Yes, Connor, sorry I should have given an all call. Layne's parents dropped by. Nice folks. But unehncanted" Siv says "You okay?"

"Yeah! I just have my ears out." He gives one of them a tug. "She says they are nice. Are they nice?" Concerned.

She bends down and strokes them "I like em. " She says nodding "I think Dame Dagmar has one of the cutest squires ever, and one with a very good heart on top of it. I know you have to hide it, but never confuse OTHER folks not being ready for something as meaning there's something wrong with you. Sometimes the world just isn't ready and that's world's flaw, not yours."

A giggle as he leans in to the stroking. "Her PARENTS." But he does NOT stop the pets nor the praise, basking in both.

She switches from stroke to hug, as she sits on the floor next to him "Yeah, like I said , they seem nice. You like Layne?"

"Yeah! She's smart and quick and doesn't take no guff from Jack, even though I'm not sure he had any guff to give, or maybe he's full of it?"

A snort "jack is a tough little street kid turned gardner... he's still sorting out somethings. I bet her likes her but doesn't want to admit it."

"Soon the snow will melt and he'll be happier and can grow things. And I can make mudpies!"

"But snow balls are better than mudballs. Mudballs throw good and make good SPLATS, but Hearth doesn't like it." A sigh, grownups!

"She does not" An agreement "Grumps are fussy like that. I suppose sometimes wilders are too. You poor childlings really do have to handle the important stuff. Playing, running around, making messes, and, of course, deciding what shape clouds come in."

"It's harder to see the clouds in the winter, because it's either no clouds or all clouds." An indignant look. "But they rain down the snow, so I can't be mad." A grin again.

"You want to go some place with spring time clouds sometime?" She offers

Eyes widen. "Can we fly on a bird through the clouds? FWOOSH!" A hand waving through the air in demonstration.

"Alas, no" she says "My ship doesn't fly. But it can still get us to southern seas"

"Are we going on a three hour tour? A THREE HOUR TOUR?" He asks in a sing-song voice! He's been watching the old re-runs again...

"Why not?" She says "You know, geet your flip flops and summer gear, you can change into them on the Narwhal. "

"Yeeeee!" He squeals in excitement, and then pauses. "Should we invite Jack? Or Princess Amy-Layney? Or Hearth Kerri?"

"Or DAGMAR!"

"How about I take you kids on a cruise. Layne can come along too, and... mmm yes. I think I have an idea. "

"Can we have those blendy drinks with the umbrellies and swords? Oh, we have to bring Margalita. Margalita, Margarita, Margalita, Margarita...." He bounces in excitement, singing his new favorite 2-word song.

"We can have tropical island punch with umbrellas in them" she compromises "VERY tropical"

"A nice Hawaian Punch!" Yep, those re-runs also have old commercials in them!

"YUP." She says texting and making contact "We might have one stop over"

"Where's that? Burger Hut? We could get Cheery Meals for everyone!"

"It's a surprise, and just a pick up" She assures

TXT: Piper, you out there?

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A note left for the lodge in general Have kindnapped most of the childlings, a few wilders, and taken them to a beach.- Love Siv