#rivervale_lodge

Edelwiess flumps on her side

The cool floor a relief

Frank may notice Oak's sister is a bit grumpy about the pups that are taking their sweet time to arrive

"I know, girl." he ruffles her ears "It's worth it."

She thumps her tail softly, glad for the contact. Gerd has texted she'll be staying overnight, so Edelweiss is here rather than at Vali and Tiffany's. To be fair, that's probably for the best

Vali leans over from the Mountain desk and asks "How's she doing?"

A chuckle, rumblelow, "She's wonderful. Amazing. A miracle."

That gets another thump of tail

"And she's subject to flattery" Vali observes

THe current Mountain says "I wonder if Dagmar would mind watching her when I'm not around? I know it's silly but I do hate leaving Eddie alone"

"Mm. She's welcome here, if Dagmar's busy with school and all."

"Well, Schools out..." He adds "For the student types"

"Mmm." ear-rumples continue.

"For teacher types, it's amazing how much work remains" Hurumphs

Edelwiess can be a bit more loof than Oak, but she gives Frank a lick

"Sweet, good girl." he murmurs to her.

"It's a vocation." Frank responds.

Speak of the devil - the wilder Gwydion has a lighter tread than Frank's wife, but it's still a familiar stomp coming up the porch.

"I was hoping Summer Vocation would have more time then" a smirk

Oak greets whoever is on the porch with a 'welcome friend' bark rather than the 'you are a stranger, tread carefully or I'll eat you' bark. Whoever it is, the dog knows she belongs.

And Vali notices that "Mmm. Wonder if that's Dagmar?"

The teen enters, coming off from patrol (Rivervale tabard, Flyswatter, all professional!)

"Speak of the Dagmar and she shall appear" Vali smiles

"Hello, Dagmar."

A rather pregnant Edelwiess is enjoying ear scratches from Frank, but gives an extra tail thump for Dagmar who is much beloved by the local canine set, getting five star raitings from Brown Dog (if he could count) and Twobit alike

"Hey." Upnod.

She drops to a crouch to offer a hand for Doggo Inspection.

Sniff, sniff, lick. Eddie then sighs. She is feeling ruff.

"Dagmar, you mind dog sitting now and then? " Vali asks "Sorry to be a pain, but I don't want to leave Eddie unattended in her current condition."

"What? Nah, sure. I can help."

"Thanks" Vali says gratefully "Gerd's rather busy lately. Personal stuff I guess?" A bit worried "Remind me again wilders need room to wild now and then?"

Frank sips from his glass. "Wilders will Wild."

She nods at Frank and taps her nose.

"And grumps will worry" But he nods to Frank and then to Dagmar

Oak, a bit jealous, tries to get in on some of this petting

Hey, Frank has two hands.

Now a lot of wags

"How was patrol, Dame Hammerstrike?" Vali inquires

"Quiet."

"Good. Should be ready for the census soon. I can't wait to pitch to Kerri that as Hearth, inventory and resources is HERS to chronicle"

Brow. ("Have fun with that.")

Shrug mmmph ("Can't blame a troll for trying") then he adds "Sides, it kind of is."

"Nice to have met you, Vali."

"Et Tu, Frank?"

A quick, quiet grin.

"Speak the truth, walk in the light...."

Even Vali has to chuckle at that one

"We know why we're doing this to begin with?"

"Near as we can tell, it's orders on a Ducal level. From the Duke of Gardens, to the Count of Bergen, to ... well, our Chief. Now I asked around. There's some unlanded folks on both County and Ducal levels which is enough to make folks nervous. But it's also possible there's a promotion due too. The WILDEST speculation brought to me is that the Queen of Apples herself is ready to step down. Which I have...well, seriously, she's old but she's so close to immortal it blows my mind that that would be the case. "

"And, this is 90% hear say" He says