#rivervale_lodge

Jaymes is actually decent enough at movingg quietly for a troll. He's a hunter, though he cuts down on that because his daughter loves animals so much. And he has sense to make sure he isn't leaving bloody steps when wounded. Not yet mother's day but soon, he doesnn't want to upset Tove. He thinks his daughter is out there still figuringg out that frog thinng. If he can just slip in and borrow a cookie while everyone is shopping or busy, this will be just fine.

the dogs look at him and fuss

"I'll be fine.. just getting a cookie." he mutters

So far.. no sign of Connor. No sign of Gerd.

Is Siv here?

"Catsup?" A worried voice from behind Jaymes. "You spilled. Uh oh."

A mmmmm sound from the big troll

("Dam... Dang") even in troll subext he tries to censor himself around the squire

Connor's nose twitches, sniffing the air to try to catch a hint of what the aggressor might have been. "Do we need to track down the brigands? Was it a terrible monster?"

He turns "It's not that bad" ("I'm still able to walk")

"I just wanted a cookie" he reaches for the special jar

Connor bites his lip. "You're not SUPPOSED to be hurt. Dagmar wouldn't like it."

"I know. That's why I didn't want her to.." He stops. Jaymes is a father. His one job is to be the calm in the eye of the storm. The fixed point that can hold steady with any amount of pressure when support is needed. He is the provider, he gives. he does not take. But more than that. He is supposed to be an example of honor. Was he really about to tell this boy, his daughter's own squire, not to tell her? Is that what he's going to teach CJ? Deception? He sighs "I did not want to worry her." he says, that is honest and true.

Connor trots forward, pulls out a drawer to use as a stepping stool, and fetches the jar of Cookies himself, solemnly handing one over to Jaymes.

"Did you vanquish the enemies and save all the maidens?"

He takes the cookie and munches it, "No many maidens involved. But yes. Thank you for asking."

"What happened? We could have helped.... I'm a GOOD helper. Dagmar says so. Even if sometimes she's hiding a smile, she means it, mostly."

"I didn't have time to ask for help" he admits "A hunting chimera...It came near my store. we got in a fight. I won." he says "but it ot some digs in." his wounds look.. better, gashes now look as if days passed

"Oh no!" Connor looks startled. "Are the donuts alright?!" He can only imagine that the beast must have been after the powdered sugar confections near the checkout counter.

"You would have been proud of the donuts. They were very stoic about the whole thing" he says somberly

He nods firmly. "You need to warn others that there are donut-hunting monsters on the loose. Otherwise what if they came here looking for cookies, or home looking for those crunchy scones Miss Tove makes?"

"You're right" he nods, "I don't think the donut was its target."

"Was it after the muffins? The cupcakes?" A GASP. "Not... the TWINKIES?!"

"Lane. I think it was after lane" he says

Connor stops, his friendly banter stopped in it's tracks. "Oh." A frown, worried. "But she doesn't live HERE, where we can watch her. She's out THERE, with her people who don't have any eyes to see monsters with."

"We have patrols near her house" he assures the boy "Dagmar does a few. This chimera was like a spy and hunter both. It iddn't know where to find her, i founnd it near my store first. That's the good news. "

He circles around Jaymes, nose twitching, sniffling and examining him to make sure that he's not hiding any more hurts or ouches. "Your good news isn't a very good news. Unsubscribe!"

the big man (Lots of those living in Rivervale) let's a smile slip at that "Well, I did delete the bad chimera's account? It's all right"

"or. .it will be" he assures "I am leaving a note for the Mountain , hearth and storm" And he is, getting paper to tell them

"I can help?" He follows after Jaymes at his heels, but doesn't seem to mean with the note.

"mm" he says "If you and Lane are playing and a stranger changeling approaches, don't go anywhere with him or her. "

"Stranger danger. I know. We all know. And sometimes even not strangers. What if they wear the wrong face? Or if someone else is in their head?" His brow furrowing up.

"We can only do what we can do, and we cannnot walk in fear."

"That's easy for you to say, you only have half as many legs as some of us."

"However.. i remind you, b ecause you may not realize.." Somberly "You are a pooka. This meanns if you start to ask questions, folks tend to respond. now, if someone where wearing a false face.. maybe if you asked that someone the same questions you would the real deal.. it would help"

"I am?" Eyes wide. "Golly. That explains a LOT. Especially the milkbones under my pillows." He nods, considering Jaymes's words. "But why was the monster looking for Lane at the store? Did you give her my job on the sly? Just because I have school now doesn't mean I'm not a good store worker! Buddy can still come on the weekends..."

"It was scouting the area." A grunt "Had to start somewhere. "

He decides to have a second cookie and heals further "Better. Thank you, Connor"

Connor nods, "Always glad to help. Specially glad. I'm very busy, busy all the time, but I can make time for you if you want me to."

"mm you wannt more work?"

"I'm a busy worker bee, but no one needs any honey."

"Well, that sounds dull. You were a great help at the store" He ponders "you polished your Knight's armor? Checked the horses ? "

Nod, nod nod, nod!

"I would play with Lane, but Jack Flap says she's a girl and we oughten't spend too much time with them, because of cooties."

"I asked Lily, and she said that cooties aren't real, but I can catch too...-tuber-... " head wrinkles a bit. "Lung rot, and she will watch me decline."

Tail wags.

"Mm I'll talk to Jack Flap.. .let me tell you something, if you want to play with Lane, play with lane. You may have more than one friend. ESPECIALLY since I've seen Jack play with her"

A gasp! "Division within the ShadowPaw! A darkness falls over the ninja clan... FROM WITHIN."

Jaymes refuses to give into the urge to make a verbal dramatic sting

instead he just nods

Connor grins. "It's harder to play with Lane, because she doesn't live here. She's out THERE and it's hard to go out there. But if she comes HERE, I'll play with her good."