#rivervale_lodge

"Right. Connor lacks experience, though. He needs some script to fall back on, or some coaching for how to manage those situations." A grin. "You might suggest that he introduce himself as 'Conor, with one N.' "

"That.. would work.." A nod "As for Ian, Jack says he told Ian that Jack was Connor's middle name. So... maybe that will work?"

"Oh, clever! Yes, that should do. And if Ian pushes, explain it away as an inside joke between Jack and Connor, and sorry that Ian got caught in the middle of it, or something."

The apples sliced, Kerri makes a melange of spices in a large bowl, dumps the apples in, and tosses them with her hands, adding a bit of lemon juice to the process.

"Good ideas. Hunh. We going to send him to regular school? He likes Farm School, and with his aging..."

Kerri is quiet for a moment.

Gerd watches the cooking going on and..fidggets, then thinks on Connor "Connor's aging IS still slowed. Mmm"

"I...was wondering about that," Kerri admits quietly.

"Farm might be best. He can tell kids he goes to private school and still take part of things. " And Gerd ..sort of takes a breath "Can I help with.. anything in the kitchen?"

"Oh! Gerd, of course, I'm sorry. Can you take these..." she hands her the bowl of spiced apple slices "...and start doling them out into the piecrusts that Dagmar has ready over there?"

She brightens a bit "Happy to help" TRUE and she starts to. "Sorry, Mountain Frank's trip has been delayed so oftten I.. uhm.. well... happy to be doing something"

"Yeah, so you are around for a while?"

Gerd shrugs "I THINK So? Everything is either happening so fast or It's standin still, there's nno middle ground andn I don't knnow which is which"

"I'll make gentle inquiries," Kerri promises Gerd.

SHe works as she talks. Gerd likes cooking and helping. It puts her in charge of the food and not the food in charge of her

After a moment, Kerri says, "About Connor..."

"uh huh?" a glance

"I've been a little reluctant to ask, but...are we sure that he will still age so slowly? Da'an changed a great deal about him in that moment."

"I guess we aren't."

"Maybe an omen or two will tell us?" Gerd suggests

"Maybe. Or should we let it unfold with time?"

"Well, I'd suggest that, but if he is aging regularly then public school might be fine. If he's not aging then the farm is a must. And Lane and Jack will be inn public school... so if he thinks on that he might feel torn. I know my little brother. he's a people pleaser"

"Yeah, got to protect ignorance - but I'd like as little restriction on him as possible. He's dealt with it for so long..."

"I think it's largely up to Connor's preference, at least at first."

"Yeah" Gerd works faster

"I think the matter of the omen should be up to Connor, as well. He has a right to decide whether or not we go peeking into his fate."

"Seems right."

She looks over the pies-in-process. "Those look great," she nods approvingly. "Now, let me show you both what I have in mind for the top crust..."

She takes out the tin that both girls know contains the cookie cutters, and pulls out several that are leaf-shaped. "Instead of a solid crust, or even a lattice, I think a blanket of fall leaves over the top would be lovely."

"Ooo that's.. that's fancy, will it be flakey?"

"Ooo.."

"Let's find out!"

"Oh, they will. I didn't overwork the dough!"

"I knew you wouldn't."

"And that crisco was ice cold." Stubborn and proud.

And together the making of leaves begins.

(End Scene)

"So.. Dagmar?" While Kerri is handlin other things, Gerd decides to talk to her "uhm.. can we talk?"

"What's up?" Carefully placing leaves, one at a time. Dagmar is not hasty.

"Well, more than one thing actually... most important thing is Connor. You good with us both showing him different things or wann to do that together? Lanne says he wants to go to an amusement park "

"I mean, I'm not going to say you can't take him places."

"But, like, doing some stuff together would be nice?"

"Well, in that case wannt to go six flags or somethin with us? Obviosuly we'll be kid sitting"

"Could be fun. I've never been to Six Flags."

"Been awhile but I've been there. Fun stuff" Gerd looks thoughtful "Back when I was a kid myself"

"You're still kind of a kid."

"OH yeah like you're the old gray mare" Gerd scoffs, then she shows wolf fangs

in a smile

Shrug, and a little smile.

"Sometimes I feel way old, and sometimes the opposite. Guess it balances."