#rivervale_lodge

Dagmar is on horse back, when she sees Gerd /"Hey" Gerd says

She gives the reins a soft tug, indicating a halt. "Gerd."

Star looks annoyed at Gerd, She was enjoying her and her person's run.

"Sorry, Star" Gerd pats the horse gently, then looks up at the mounted troll "And sorry to bug you, Dagmar but I wanted to make sure you and Connor had the talk? I didn't want to press but... little brother is special to me too"

Dag frowns.

But she nods. "We talked."

A bit nervous "did he take it okay? I have to go to Star Bear , I plan to drop by , but it does mean I won't be here either as often as I like"

Gerd looks a bit guilty.

"He seemed to?"

"I gave him the treasure, so he can summon me if he needs."

"And I'll be home on weekends..."

"You will?" She brightens "Good. Don't let it go to your head, but we'd miss you around here."

"I am still a Knight of Rivervale. I swore an oath."

"Besides, it's only an hour. Some people drive longer than that every day."

"Yeah true, for commute and stuff. " SHe ponders "I really need to learn how to drive one day I suppose"

"Driving is okay."

"I prefer horses, but sorry girl, you aren't very practical." She pats Star's neck.

Star snorts. No car can ever compare with her. Smelly things

"I've gotten spoiled by Wayfare" Gerd nods "Okay, I was thinking of taking Connor away to visit Starbear if he wanted sometime this month but let me know when is good for you too." A curiosu notion "What's Rutger's like?"

A little crease between her eyebrows. "Different. Big."

"Bit intimidating?" A guess, not a judgement

Frown-shrug.

"I'm a troll and a knight and a Gwydion, yeah?"

Gerd is tempted to pull a Vali and feign surprise that she is, but nah "You are. No denying. Well, I'll go visit it once so if you ever need something that might be faster than a car maybe I'll be a means of emergency transport for you guys. That all right?"

"I mean, yeah, but I don't like treating you like a magic Uber."

"I used to be offended by that" She admits "And it can bie discourging to think that might be ALL I can offer, but I hope to be a good Hearth one day and I'm learning the skills for it regardless. And now I'm Emmisary, that's... that's opened a whole world to me. I can go across the world, but now? Now I have a purpose wherever I go. It's cool. And I see my Flicker flash like you might see your muscles? Guessing there, but if ALL anyone saw in you was your muscles you might be annoyed, but if they don't, sure you reach the top shelves and don't mind chucking a sofa to help someone when they can't. Wayfare is what I mastered, not who I am"

"Besides, if I feel you're abusing the privilege for non Emergencies, I can say no. I have that power. " A smile "So, don't sweat it"

"Fair enough."

"Classes start Tuesday."

"Cool. I'll visit campus before then, get the lay of the land so I can return" A nod then a thought "You want anything from Alaska? A souviner or T shirt?"

"Oh yeah! Something cool! Maybe like... a carving?"

"I bet some of the local craftsmen do it. Heck, the Baron there is good allies with the Nunehi.. Inuit tribes? I hear they sell stuff. Sure." a smile

"I think I'm going to get Connor something and tell him I knocked on Santa's door to get it"

"Isn't there a town called Santa Claus or North Pole or something?"

A pause.

"Honestly, though, Santa IS real. So, like, you might be able to find him up there."

"I might though you know how it is, the childlings see him clearest" She smiles then remembers "Come to think of it, there was a redcap boy who tried to sneak into the North Pole and swap lists.. that did not go well for him. "

A soft chuff.

"I wasn't a childling when I saw him. But then, I was never a childling. And... I think I needed it, then."

"I think you did. Me? I'm half way tempted to see if I can snag a tour with the Pumpkin King"

She rolls her eyes, but clearly with affection. "Of course."

"of course" A smile "I watched way too much nightmare before Christmas. " She pats Star again "Oh well, Star's giving me the evil eye so I better let you two get back to riding. Thanks for hearing me out"

"I mean, you know I care about Connor, too."

"course, when he came here, he needed family ,so I thought, why not? he's a great kid... didn't realize how much i needed him too. Messed up as I was for a bit, it would have been a lot worse without him. He makes you want to be the person he sees you as, you kknow?"

A silent nod.

"I know it freaks out Aiden, but I'm not lying when I say I'm Connor's big sister. We both put in the time for it. "A smile "You know the interesting thing about Connor and Big sisters?"

"What?"

"little guy has room in his heart for more than one" She offers Dagmar a fist bump

A small smile, and she taps her knuckles against Gerd's.

"See you around, Dags" A bow to the horse "Madame star"