#rivervale_lodge

"Pooka hide a lot of heart behind their jokes, I think. Even Rikki."

"When I was throwing up, she brought a bucket that sprayed me with glitter..." A shake of her head. "But she DID bring me a bucket. And when I got home, after seeing Kerri? She'd left my favorite veggie soup in the fridge. I told her that my mamma V would always make it with broccoli when I felt bad. I mean... hers wasn't the same, but the feeling was there." And the receipt, but no need to mention that.

"Their tongues lie, but their actions don't."

"Right!"

"I should talk to Rikki. She's my best friend, after Siv and Jonas, of course..." A touch guilty. "I didnt set out to hide it from her. It was really convoluted to find out."

"It was. Talk to her, I'm sure she'll listen."

A smile. "Thanks, Dagmar. You're a good friend, too."

Shrug. "Dunno. Sometimes I am."

"Well, everyone sucks sometimes." Piper says reasonably. "It's called being human. At least, halfways."

"Yeah, maybe." A weak smile.

"Maybe? Do you wanna hear a laundry list of the times -I've- fucked up? Please say no." A rueful shake of her head. "But you know, friends get past that. Or I wouldn't have any."

"God, I hope so."

"Speaking of which... I should go save Jonas. He doesn't really want to sing... and between just you and me?" A grin. "You don't want to hear him either!"

"Noted!"

A smile up at Dagmar, and she trots off to find a stereo. Soon a popular sea shanty is playing, The Wellerman... practically EVERYONE knows the Lyrics to THAT. Piper strides up, singing along, and winks to Jonas. Hey, he can join in, and technically this will count.

Jonas gives a wolven smile at that

And many join in, including Tove who waves at Dagmar

Dag gives her mom a wave, but also gets back to Being Busy. Party Jobs!

Dagmar can hear a bright new voice chiming in. Cairrean can sing, too! How nice!

A sour expression.

Rikki is there near Dagmar in human form "I don't see her charms, lucky or otherwise" A supportive snort of disdain at the clurichaun

There is food, singing, and later fireworks... no one dies

Snort. "Good one."

And it's a good 4th!

(End Scene, but feel free to back up and do side bits or fluff etc)

As the party continues from late afternoon into early evening, Sylvi heads over to where Ives is still hugging the perimeter. "Hey," she says with a smile.

Ives nods "Hey." A bit younger than her, but only a bit, he is normally a stoic quiet and efficient guy. He's been a boon to the lodge.

"You okay? You've been over here most of the day."

"I'm fine. " He answers "I got a hot dog and a drink. " Seeing she is truly concerned, he says "Not a fan of crowds"

"But you're a DeBuke. Your whole family is essentially a crowd."

He looks at the bow on his back, used often for hunting, then to the lodge where he is currently staying, not usually this crowded, then back at her "Yup."

Sylvi's enough of a DeBuke to speak the language, and she laughs. "Okay, noted." She watches the crowd from his vantage point. "Seen anything interesting?"

"Yeah." He nods "One of the dogs got out of the ship.. I can see some tracks. Not sure which ones but it's recent. " A thought "Clurichaun girl seems to be an 'opposites' attract thing with your sluagh friend, but I am no boggan so I can't be sure how that's working. " he considers "Rikki been around in coon form. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some pranks going on but probably all in fun." He ponders "Rover Olgar is healed up, but he's more tired than he's letting on. Did he even GET sleep?"

Sylvi listens to this, a more serious report than she'd meant to request.

The last part has her concerned. "I...I don't know...?" She looks at her dad again with this in mind.

Olgar grins and works, but he's not sassing Frank as much. There are signs of less energy if you know where to look

"Huh." She frowns, and she touches Ives' arm briefly. "I owe you." Then she puts on a pout and marches over to her dad's grill.

She stops and stands with her hands on her hips, aiming that pout directly at her father.

He looks over "Hey, nother burger?"

"No. I'm being annoyed with you." She points to her pout to make sure he notices.

"Oh THAT" A nod "Yep. Used to it"

"Hey!" Sylvi complains. "Look, I am so happy that you're home, but I worked really hard on memorizing all those tips you gave me for barbecue-ing right, and I haven't been able to put any of them to use."

A dubious look "This sounds like some plot to get me lounging in a lawn chair while YOU do the grill"

"You don't think it sounds more like a plot for me to show my stuff and get all kinds of attention and praise for being your protégé?"

"Come here, get an apron on..." He says "I'll show you how to do it , yes I know you can read, but I didn't have time for nuance. If you convince me you got it on your own, maybe I'll step back and let you take center stage. " A fond smile crosses his face Where you shine, Rugmonster

"Yes!" Sylvi gives a little fist pump cheer and puts on an official apron. "Okay..." she surveys the layout of what's already cooking. "So...those are gonna need turning in...two minutes?"

"About right but you want to do a light press before you do to get the right sear... watch" He demonstrates.

"Right, okay...press, not smush."

"Yup. You get a feel for it through practice. Now you've seen what your mom does with that fancy french toast? Not so different... " He guides her through a family tradition. One of the few things he learned and wants to keep from his family side. There's a story behind that, but not one he wants her to hear. Better things for her. Better life. She can have the good without hearing of the bad.

Frank holds his tongue firmly.