#rivervale_lodge

Her brow furrows. "Do you have concern, Dagmar, that if you spend time with your friends at Goldfinch or elsewhere, that will make you disloyal to the Lodge?"

"No..."

"Just... just, I want to be here. But I... like... everyone is doing stuff and going places and..."

"I remind you, you are just back from rushing to the aid of a good friend, your squire at your side."

"...and I feel out of place at Goldfinch. Like I don't fit."

She nods. "I understand. But the people at Goldfinch do not exist only at Goldfinch. Tell me...of those you know now, no matter their location...whom would you choose for your best motley? Your Dream Team, as it were?"

Brows work.

"Symon, obviously. And Sylvi."

"They'd be the leaders."

She nods, listening.

"Siv is kinda all tied up with Jonas and Piper anymore... but Gerd? She's grown up a lot."

A brow. "Being in another relationship does not block one from being in a motley."

"She may yet wish it."

"But they do everything together."

A bemused look. "Who was here when you arrived, besides myself?"

"...Jonas?"

"Yes. Without Piper or Siv. The three are devoted to each other...but that does not mean they cannot do things separately."

"But...you are right that relationships and motleys often come in conflict. It is something to be aware of."

"I am glad Sylvi is back in town..."

"As am I," she nods.

"So...your motley. Symon, Sylvi, Gerd, possibly Siv. Any others?"

She chews on a nail. "Those are the main ones."

"Like - I like Zane and Lucia just fine..."

"And I don't know Piper super well, but she seems okay."

A thoughtful nod. "I think I am surprised Dirk is not there."

"Mm."

"Dirk is solid, but would he want to be in a motley?"

She shakes her head. "I did not ask about Dirk's motley ideas. I asked about yours."

"He's good in a fight, for sure."

"But not your first choice for a motley."

A frown. "That's wrong, right? I... Dirk's loyal in his way, for sure..."

"No, it is not wrong. I asked about your ideas. There is no wrong in that."

She tilts her head. "Connor, being a childling, would not fit, either. Am I correct?"

She nods.

A nod of agreement. "I think he is forming his own connections with the other childlings."

"But the Childlings are all totally Shadowpaw."

"Exactly."

"Well, now you know who you would wish a motley with. Tell me know what stands in your way?"

"Siv's got Fiona Things and Polycule Things. Sylvi's a freeholder."

"I don't think Symon would want to."

"And if it were just me and Gerd, is that really a motley?"

A brow. "You are doing a great deal of mindreading."

"They're busy."

"And just because I'm feeling out of sorts..." She shrugs.

"I think the last is closer to it," she nods. "Are you concerned that they may say no?"

A little twist of her mouth that is just as good as an answer.

A nod. "Two things." She counts on her fingers, "One: Multiple oaths can cause conflict, but that is no reason not to try to make them work for the people you care about. And Two: It is important to give friends the chance to speak their thoughts"

"But were I you..." a nod "I would also be nervous. For that is the kind of person I am."

"I mean, if they wanted to be in a motley, they'd say something - right?"

A blink. "What if they are thinking the same about you? That you would say something if it were what you wished?"