#rivervale_lodge

" Hear you there." Sympathetic nod " I want to be grownn up and have it all figured out, but I also want to still eat my Froot Loops without folks making me feel all judged"

"I know for sure I don't have it figured out."

"Listen - I can't say much, not without checking... but if you're around, would you be interested in helping out on a rescue mission? It'll be dangerous."

"Oh god yes. I feel so ..useless here sometimes"

True

"Well, you aren't."

"Just... I can't... you gotta trust me, I'll tell you more once I'm sure it's cool."

"And then you'll see how useful you are, for yourself." A little nod.

"Thanks, I mean, I know I'm useful for getting folks places but sometimes I want to help more" She pauses "I'm hoping that.. one day I might be a good Hearth here. Probably when I'm old and gray but I'd like to .. you know, know how?"

A pause. "I'm really glad you want to be here, too."

A beat "That was the other thing.. i mean..if you want to be Hearth, I can... you know, not be. I Just... mostly I just want to be part of Rivervale. "

She shakes her head. "I think I would like the kitchen stuff, but I don't know about everything else Kerri does. I think I'm more suited, really, for Storm. Uh..." A touch of purple. "Chief, she thinks I should work on training for that."

"You could be great at it" A nod "Hope you don't mind if I hope were both like.. middleaged before that comes right? if it meanns keeping Brekke and Kerri around long as possible?"

She nods. "Oh yeah. I don't want them to go."

"But... but it's hard, seeing everybody else kinda... you know?"

"You kidding? I LOVE Uncle Vali, but it's still gona be SO weird calling him Mountain"

"Oh yeah. But - maybe it'll be good? And Frank will still be here."

"Yeah, it might be REALLY good... but still weird" A smile though "I am proud of Vali mind you"

"Yeah?"

"YEah.. he works hard. Annd... you were right, he has been like a dad to me"

"How much you freaking out about Tiffany?"

"Not so much... yet anyway. I mean... she's grumbling about being all swole in the not cool way but I think part of her likes it. Me? I jus worry I'm gonna end up changing diapers and babysitting all the time. What if I do't even LIKE the kid?"

Dagmar considers. "First couple months, to be honest, there's not much to like or dislike."

"Like, babies sleep and cry and poop and sleep some more."

"I liked CJ right away, but I like him a lot more now. He's more interesting, he's got a personality."

"He is a lively little guy"

"Yeah. But the first few months were rough. You think a nocker is loud?"

"I KNOW a nocker iss loud. Margilita is into explosives ... but yeah, I get your point"

"But.. like.. I dunno, it's hard to stay mad at a baby. And they smell nice."

"Mmmm" A nod "CJ does have great hair. If it stays like that when he grows he's gonna break some hearts"

"Oh yeah. Plus the smile."

"You may have to protect him from some manipulative tramps" She considers

"My job as big sister."

THumbs up

"Well, I hope the new baby is as nice as CJ seems. " She ponders "Yeah, might be so bad. I can get ear plugs. "A look "Thanks. I feel less worried now"

"But, like, you are allowed to worry? And sometimes babies can suck. If you wanna vent, I've been there."

"Appreciate it. I.. I mean, Sylvi's back, and I could dump on her, but she's gonna be at Goldfinch, and... I don't know.. I'm more comfotable here. There i feel like i must be 'this cool' to ride?"

"Oh yeah, I get it."

"Goldfinch is kinda made to be not-Dagmar, y'know? I mean, Sylvi's my friend, and I'm glad she's back home..."

"Totally... it's like a weight off to have her back. But... for all the talk of the non trolsl needing a place, it feels almost like I'm intruding BECAUSE i'm a troll, which I know is nuts... because, hey a troll is freeholder, but I can't shake that feeling nuts or not."

She nods. "Siv seems to be doing okay there... but, like, yeah. I feel stodgy."

"I never thought my title was a big deal - it's not like I get to tell anybody what to do, right? It just means I have stuff to live up to. But that place makes me feel like... like somehow, everybody was resenting that all along, but didn't say it?"

"If they do, they're jerks. You've never used your title to boss anyone around" A snort then she sighs "But I suppose the Chief would tell us not to assume things we weren't sure of. Most of them respect you I think. Heck, I knonw Dirk does. Though that might be because you're one of the only wilders that could take him in a fight"

"That's a big part of it."

"I don't much care for Rikki, not gonna lie."

"Rikki hasn't gotten under my skin as much as she has ohers, but I do not see why Piper likes her. Guess we don't have to like her or dislike her, but she's not getting invited to my birthday parties"

"Yeah. Tikka's okay. He and Eden are cute."

"TIkki's ah.." She blushes "He's kind of hot. Have you seen him use his martial arts? He's got power"

"Not really? But maybe someday."

"But yeah, they'e a cute couple. " a nod "Wonder what other hook ups will happen at Goldfich? Heck, maybe some girrl will even like Jordan" Amused "he's better than he was, but geez what a buzzkill"