#rivervale_lodge

*************

July 4th goes smoothly and lazily at Rivevale, each person takingg it at their own pace more or less, just in groups nnow and then.

Garou are here too, making this somethinngg of a changeling Werewolf mixerr

Dan, the russet haired garou sniffs at Olgar's grilling, then at Frank's. Then Jaymes "Oh I don't know...which of you guys is the best at this again? It ALL Smells so good"

Kerri, delivering a few bottles of marinade, just smirks when she hears that.

Lulu is telling stories about Dagmar helping them, quite poetic "And upon the twisted one the hammer strike flung herself, like a streak of lightning drawn the wicked steel; such was her courage that each wound she received did not slow her down, but rather spurred her with greater righteous fury. Her blood flowed not like a weakening, but a challenging red banner. And still she fought on..."

Brekke is clearly captured by Lulu's narrative skills. She nods and listens eagerly to what happened next.

Dolly , their warrior? Seems to be in a good mood, she is a humpback, a deformity so part of her no mortal medicine can help. But here, only the childlings might stare at it, and she explains "WHen a werewwolf and another werewolf have a child, they come out with..extra challenges, kind of like me. That's why it's discouraged, it is sad, but don't be sad for me. It's a part of me, but is not who I am"

Jack nods

And yes. Lulu tells a riveting yarn for one so young. Tove nods to Brekke, also impressed, and, of course, pleased with her daughter getting her boast from a friend

A nod back to Tove from Brekke, and she glances around to see if Dagmar is within hearing range of her praises being extolled.

Winston , the werewolf mystic has a sour look, which might be part of why they call him Sourwind, yet he also looks curiously about. Taking it all in, and sometimes, SOMETIMES, when one of his packmates laughs, a smile escapes him despite his obvious best efforts

Dagmar might be at the basketball hoop near the barn, as her much shorter friend challenges her to some one on one.

When Lulu's tale is done, Brekke applauds. "To the skald!" she says as she lifts her mug in salute to the story-teller.

Lulu looks confused, "isn't scalding bad?"

"With a K, dear" Tove assures "S-K-A-L-D.. it's quite good"

Others raise glasses, and Lulu smiles "Thank you. I hope to skald you all some more, ,but who else has a story?"

And the next tale spinner can take their turn

Kerri gives Olgar a quick kiss an a wink before she starts making the rounds of the guests with a jug of icy lavender lemonade.

Later, when the storytelling is done, Brekke will call Lulu aside and quietly offer her a small (as Brekke measures "small") wood carving of a wolf, sitting on its haunches and its face lifted in howl. "I cannot promise it will work for you, but it may grant ease for a weary voice if you keep it with you."

She picks it up, and the dark skinned girl sniffs it, then smiles "A fetish?"

"Perhaps. As I say, I do not know if it will work for you. But either way, it is a gift in exchange for the fine praise of my knight."

"oh i Like stories, it's my auspice to sing them, I really couldn't stop., I should thank you for being part of her family and looking after her. SHe's brave, noble, with such pretty eyes. I like her" Lulu says with the innocence thati ndicates she was indeed born a wolf "You don't ow e me this, but..." a delighted smile "I'll keep it anyway if because I REALLY like it. Thank you"

Brekke nods at the thanks...and makes a point of speaking to Dagmar about Lulu at a later time.

"Whoa, we get gifts if we tell stoires?" Don their 'ragabash' grins "Ah, one time, I saw her eat four pieces of Pizza like that" he snaps his fingers "It was a slaughter, but it had to be done. One by one she vanquished them"

Brekke looks askance at Don. This is the reason that she tried to draw Lulu away from the crowd. Then patiently, she says, "I have no gift to give for that story, but thank you for sharing it."

"Oops..." He blushes "Sorry, normally I have a Support Lupe to make sure I don't make a complete ass of myself"

That gets a grin from the Chieftain. "That sounds like an important companion, indeed."

"SHe's OUR Chief, Chief" A smile, "I tease her, but I'll be following her through the gates of hell while I do it if she needs me." He salutess, and backs away respectfully

And elsewhere other parts of the holiday go on

Dagmar enjoys all of the games - basketball, yes, but also cornhole and volleyball and even joins in with swimming on the lake!

Zane waves to her, enjoying a good soak.

There are to be some fireworks when it gets dark, but for now, the summer beat is doing fine

There was a time she wouldn't have had the courage to do this - where she would be hiding on the fringes. Sure, her swimsuit is still quite modest - long-sleeved, and paired with trunks - but she has KNEES!

A shocking realization...which, few seem to notice or tease her on, in fact no one does

At least not giving it away if they do.

And the lake is nice on the hot, sunny day!

Glorious... therre's something of a deck party for some wilders on the Narwhal but when the grumps give that look, family time is back.

Well - she might not venture to "deck party."

She's hardly alone. Ever competitive, Lupe swims past her with a grin

"Hey!"

She shoots after her friend - Lupe might be quick, but Dagmar is tall and strong.

Indeed! Strength means a lot, and Dagmar is no stranger to swimming , what with friends and family who made sure she got swimming lessons! Lupe fusses "Darn it" but grinns between strokes as Sam gets ahead and inceases the gap

Lulu cheers from the shore

"It's all about the wingspan!"

A brief blush and she waves back at shore.

"Tall people suck!" Lupe takes her moment of distraction to close the gap, but even then she can't take the lead

Despite her jabs about height, Dagmar realizes that lupe actually seems a lot more carefree today than she normally has been since becoming pack leader

"We do!" Good-natured splash.

That starts a splash fight, of course, being big and strong can help you win that too