#rivervale_lodge

Tiffany in Canine form is next to the lodge. She finds a spot near but to the side of the main entrance and seems to be pacinng out a vehicle sized spot.

She looks pleased, and scruffs out a V shape in the dirt.

Kerri is coming out with an armload of canvas bags, on her way to shopping. "Tiffany? What are you up to?"

"Wuff?" Wag wag

"Well, I'd love to know more...." She turns her back on the pooka to give her the opportunity to change if she wishes.

"Well , picking out Damsel's reserved parking" A voice says proudly

Kerri turns back, smiling. "Ah, I see! Remember, though, that we're trying to keep that on the down-low for the moment."

The English Springer Spaniel is gone, in her place is Tiffanny looking smug "no one takes we trolls seriously"

"I'm glad you're so pleased. I think he's a perfect fit for the role, and I was hoping it would be okay with you."

Kerri tries not to be too obvious about the fact that she's checking to see how far along Tiffany might be.

Tiffany's clothes aren't fitting her right. Already?

"My goodness, Tiffany. It just occurred to me that I'm not sure when your baby's due."

"Why, are the librarians making calls?" BIG smile. Too wide.

Kerri's brow furrows. "Tiffany? Is...is something wrong?"

"WRooong.. I am blessed by a magical pomengrannete seed, remember?"

The acorn DID ennsure a healthy child

but why is she sweating?

"Tiffany? What's going on?" More firmly, bordering on the stern. Kerri's getting really concerned.

She moves Kerri to the side, in a shush motion

"Sweetie..." She follows Tiffany's lead.

A lower whisper "Did you know that some vegetables begat faster than other vegetables? So.. if one could turn from a turnip to celery.. well..."

"Wait...Tiffany..." Kerri steps back and takes another good look at her. "You've...have you been speeding up your pregnancy?"

"Because dogs have a shorter gestation...."

Tiffany defiitely looks further along than she should "Pawtrols, TV watching, whenver I'm alone I turn into a Celery" She taps her head "It's like being a Uterus prime member! Quicker Delivery!"

"And....you know your baby will be healthy...." Kerri still seems concerned. "Tiffany, have you been to see a doctor?"

A nod

"And...it's a child?"

She blinks

"I don't litter"

"I'm sorry, Tiffany, I just wanted to check." A smile. "Well, if that works, and the child is healthy, I think you've found a clever shortcut."

She nnods "I'm not worrried at all now" LITTLE worried

"Well..." She pats her on the shoulder. "Every new mother is a little worried, at least."

"And Vali knows you've been speeding up the calendar?"

She looks over her shoulder as if expecting her husband to appear, then looks back at Kerri "Let's just say he's not through half the battle"

"He...he doesn't know you've been doing this? He hasn't seen you in this form for...how long?"

"He sees me... just.. baggy clothes.. dim lights. I wear a mustache" A wince "he.. MIGHT catch on soonn huh?"

Vali is normally pretty perceptive. No this will not last for long.

"Oh, Tiffany...you have to tell him." The concern is back.

"he's gonna get all ... 'ride it out, Tiff' and 'donn't tempt da'an, tiff' annd 'geez Tiff are you trying to give me a heart attack?'"

"Well...I can sympathize with all of those responses, honestly." She gives her a close look. "Tiffany...is it really just that you don't want Vali to see your pregnant shape?"

"You make me sound petty and vain," A frown "I'll have you know, one can be vain AND lazy"

"Oh, come on, now...you know that Vali is eager to see you as you are now."

"Look, i love the idea of looking like I swallowed a watermelon, but... "she confesses, perhaps her pooka knack to get others talking "I just LOVE being helpless... you know, fragile annd needing to be protected when there are dangers around that might need a crack shot and a good nose?"

"And you think a pregnant woman is helpless?" A surprised look. "Honestly?"

A shrug. "No one lets the glass box with the gemstone inside fly economy?"

"Oh, I'm not saying you won't get special treatment. But you won't get treated like a china doll unless you allow it."

"Yeah? Is.. is that Hearth's orders?"

"You mean...you'd like me to talk to Vali about not babying you?"

She looks really tempted, "I want to be able to point to an expert and say the mechanic said this model can still do the heavy lifting? I don't want to use you as an older but still fashionably good looking shield, but I do want to say I got an Opinion from she of the Steel apron strings?"

"Oh, now...I don't want to give you the wrong idea. Don't push the activity. And I'm not a doctor -- you'd be better taking advice from someone who is. But in my opinion...yes, you can say that the Hearth says he shouldn't treat you as if you're weak or fragile."