#rivervale_lodge

Back in the Jinglebell Times:

Connor waits impatiently for Gerd to open HIS gift to her! It's inexpertly wrapped, with LOTS of scotch tape, clearly he did it himself with NO HELP.

"Oh wow, now this is thorough" Gwen says taking her time to remove one barrier, than another. Does she get a kick out of watching her little bro bounce eagerly? A bit. She's a big sister, and part of the job is gently trolling your younger sib

Then finally, she has undone enough tape to open it fully

Blink. Snerk. Smerk. then a big grin "Connor, this is awesome. I will definitely think of you every time I use it"

Tail FLASHES. "You get it! I knew you would. See, I like hot dogs more'n anything in the world. Except maybe my sister. So I knew you'd like it, as much as I like you!"

"Don't put mustard in your tea, though." He adds. "I tried it in coffee once, and Sir Vali made A FACE...."

A laugh "So you're the... okay, definitely my favorite cup now" SHe bends down to hug him. .She has to bend down ffurther though, she got a bit taller. Trolls will do that if you look away. "Have you had a fun holiday? Was your dad nice to you while I was giving you two space?"

A small smile, and a slow wag of his tail. "We listened to stories together."

"Good stories?" She inquires

A solemn nod. "The best stories." He's not - exhuberant, excited-bouncy... but he does look happy.

A tilt of her head. There's a story there but she'll learn in good time, "Well I'm glad then. SO many dogs. I take it you saw the Glennies, the Bear Dogs AND, maybe a glimpse at the puppies? Though they're very young. Or did you see the horses instead? "

"They have a pony that's little, smaller even than Spark. Not that Spark is small. He's getting BIG. Their pony is a jester though, and left his wings behind. I think they should call the kennels Silverbear, because all the dogs are like bears, they have bear dogs AND Teddy Bear Dogs, and they are SO FLUFFY and is Chief really bringing a puppy home?"

Gerd lets the cascade of verbage flow into her ears, then leans down "Very likely. Those were Oak's kids too, sso I don't see her not getting at least one" She whispers "Are you hoping she does get a puppy? PUppies can be a lot of responsiblity"

"I know! Tiffany has one and she's so busy."

A snerk at that "Yeah, baby sitting pay has gone up for me. But a puppy is a bit different. Just a bit. But if they do get a puppy here, who can we trust to help take care of it? And play with it?" SHe shakes her head as if it is a great problem "I just can't think of anyone"

"Oak will. And Edelweiss, and Brown Dog, and Two-Bit!"

"True, but puppies need people also. to be socialized. LIke Oak has Frank"

"And I have Dagmar!" He nods, understanding!

"Huh, not quite what I meant," She says tilting her head "Maybe the puppy will have you?"

"I have to watch over all of the Shadowpaw though. It's a biiiiig task." His head tilts to one side.

"Mmm.. maybee the other shadowpaw will help you in return. "

He considers this. "Like a Deputy?"

"Maybe. " A smile. She had hoped the boy might want to have a dog of his own, but sometimes she worries he thinks of himself as if he wasn't a boy more than a dog.

"Batman has Robin and Batdog. But Robin doesn't have Birddog. They're BOTH Sidekicks." He explains.

"Mmm well... I guess one person's sidekick is another person's hero."

He looks a bit puzzled by that. "They're ALL heros. Sidekicks are superheros too. They just aren't in the big letters."

"You know something? You are VERY wise. Must be all the hot dogs" SHe raises her cup

He looks around, and finds his own mug of warm cider. "Hear, here!"

A toast!

A tiny clink of mug and cup

Slurp! His cup is maybe not as COOL as Gerd's, but hey, they can't all be the number 1 best sister, can they?

Nope! "Oh, I got you something else, a bit late mind you" She remembers . She already got him some fun gifts, but this one was a must do "Blame this on Marigold ,she helped make it happen." She pulls out what looks to be a thin but sizable package

"Ooooooo?' He holds out his paws! "Gimme gimme!" A grin. "PLEASE-N-THANK-YOU."

She ands it over. Is that glass in there?

"I know I've been hard on SIlverwolf" She says gently "But it is getting better, and .. it has some truly nice stuff and people. " A firm nod as she whats for him to open it

He gives it a shake, but then opens it with care.

Inside is a painting, a silly thing for a boy to be sure, except, it's of Silverwolf Freehold...

And there are PEOPLES in front of it building a snow man , and Connor is with them.

It's not just his dad, and Nadeen, but there's Dagmar and Gerd!! RV and SW folks together building a huge snow man

"When did you learn to draw?" Connor squeaks, surprised!

"I trade a few flicker flashes to far off locations, or abduct artists if they defy my witchy will" A wink

"Maybe it's a premmy-nition. We can build a snowman!"

He cannot hug the painting, but he holds it carefully! "THis is for my room?" Tail thumps.

"YUP. We'll put it up"