#rivervale_lodge

Brogan asks "You want me to dictum them to let ggo of the rope?"

Frank is happy to serve up.

"Friends don't dictim friends." Connor says, wagging a finger.

But, also wagging his tail.

Frank gets a hug from Siv "Thanks, dad. You're the best. I'm gonnna pester Jessica now."

"And PIper is comingg with me" She adds. the tyrant!

Brogan ggrabs the rope, "You have made a terrible mistake," he informs Connor and Jack, "We Daireann do no budge in battle"

But he smiles

Jessica is off to the side with a soda.

Surprisingly, it's Jonas that gets to Jessica first, "Jessica. How thrives Fenix?"

"Very well, thank you. Glad you could make it down to visit."

"I know I only saw a small slice of it" Jonas notes "A lot of the work you're doingg there reminds me of the Peace corp"

She nods. "Not surprising. I learned a lot there but I wasn't comfortable faking the education part."

"Always feels like a cheat, doesnn't it?" HE nods sympatheticaly

A shrug. "College wasn't for me."

He ponders "May I make a reccomendation? Abou a possible project?"

"Of course."

"Tijuana is a big city, near the borde and all... have you considered finding a way to support a small college program? One that has certifcations in the states as well as Mexico, but.. costs less? It migght help those from El Norte avoid crushing debt, and might help locals have a chance for higher education?"

"A -college-?" she looks blank. "Um, no. I hadn't considered it."

Siv and Piper approach

"Forgive me if it seems untoward in the suggestion, " Jonas says "I got the idea talking to Sir Vali. He said some senoirs at the high school are declining college. It ggot me thinking that your County, while.. not without it's dangers, might have an edge to offer"

Piper looks a little fidgety as college is mentioned.

So does Siv. She didn't know Jonas was thinking this eeither

MEANWHILE... Lulu walks over to Dagmar and Lupe, "They liked the story about you, Dagmar. Did you gget to hear any of it?"

Dagmar only pinks a little bit. "I heard some. You made it sounds pretty epic. Did you get food?"

"Not yet... " Lulu says "I'm waiting for it to make a break from it, it tastes better if you chase it"

"Stop that" Lupe tells Lulu "She's seen you suck down Pizza and Pizza does not run wild in the forest"

A soft snerk.

Lulu tilts her head and grins at Dagmar "Want me to get you and Lupe some burgers?"

"Well, you better get a burger, too." A pause, another blush. "But - you're guests. I should get them."

"I don't mind," Lulu says with that lopsided grin, "You two are having fun. Our leader is always so tense. She gets like a can of soda all shaken...SPLAT HISS SPEW!" A smile at Lupe "Now she's actually smilingg instead of grinding her fangs"

Lupe ahems "Leader here, need the respect.. and I do NOT Grind my fangs"

"Um, you do."

"But you aren't now which is good."

"I'm enjoying myself" Lupe admits "BUT, I will get the burgers as I know what you BOTH like.." And before Lulu OR Dagmar can protest, Lupe is gone to get the food, leaving Lulu and Sam together ..alone

Lulu still smiles, but it's shy "So.."

"Uh. So. Um. Hi?"

"Hi"

"So. Um. You're having fun? I could show you how to play the games, later, if you wanted..."

"I'd like that" she smiles "I didn't know Corn HAD holes " Lulu admits, it's all very confusing

"I don't know why it's called that, either - but it's easy to learn the rules, at least."

"Neat. You seem happy today," Lulu lays next to her "I'm glad. You have a nice smile when it's real"

"Well.. it's a nice day. Gotta take those when they come, y'know?"

"Yes, it's a gift, a good day. " She nods "you're going to get the bad whether you like ir ot nnot, so you have to milk the good days for all you can"

She nods. "Yeah. Exactly. Easy to get used to them..."

"mm? " She tilts her head "easy to get used to good days?"

"When you have a lot of good days, you... start expecting them? Liking them? You forget how easy it is to lose them."

Lulu ponders "yes. All the more reason to grab the joy while you can though. Anyone LIKES ggood days, but the fact they might no t always be is more reason to treasure them!"

"Yeah. I'm trying not to think about the future."

"You'll be fine though," Lulu looks at her, "Maybe you'll die a warrior's death tomorrow, but you'll die defending another if you do and that will matter. More likely you won't die tomorrow, but the day maybe sad, but you'll be helping there too, because you'll be sad with others who are sad and lend your support tto them even as you hurt. Because you understand how it is to be hurt. And then, another day, you'll see them happy aggain, and share that happiness too. Tomorrow is going to be fine even if it's bad, because YOu are good. Lupe says so!" A beat "And she's the boss so she better be right"