#rivervale_lodge

(Sometime after they return to the lodge)

Siv gets a moment with Dagmar alone. "You okay?"

"What? Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh let's see, your teeth were grinding thorugh out the whole meeting. I get why. I just figured you might still be upset. "

Grunt.

THen an admission "I know mom is. Sorry. I want to.. I don't know, spin this , make it not so bad? I mean, we found out what was going on. We faced Red Branch . And held. That's.. isn't that exciting? There's a glory in it"

"There is that, sure. That's the good part?"

"But they have a duty to us, yeah?"

"The Count does, but he wasn't the master mind behind this. I don't think he even had a choice. "

"I pledge to hold you, to guard you, and to keep you. I pledge to honor your service as it deserves and to reward loyalty in kind."

"Right?"

"And he will" She says "And he does. " Siv says "I read between the lines. Baron K was watching for trouble, but No slanderers or rumor mongers spread the lies. That was agents of the princess. That means The Count refused to take part in that aspect. "

"And we got enough clues from Baron Kealan that I wonder if.. maybe, the Count ordered him not to tell DIRECTLY... and thus hinted to drop those clues"

Jaw jut.

"She put us in danger."

"Did she? Or did she put enemies in danger by puting them against Rivervale? In a way, it was a sign of respect. None of ours were hurt. None of ours were lost. We weren't told enough, I grant you. And I don't much care for us being used. But even if we didn't know it, we were the clean up squad for months and we did well . Damn well. You could argue we were never in danger at all. " She says "We may have saved lives without knowing it by drawing fire"

"It's not right."

"Treatin' Chief, and us, like... things. Pawns."

"Of course we defended Rivenvale. That's our bare minimum. And she's damn lucky we succeeded."

"OooOOoOoo, I'm a pwincess." Harrumph.

"It is our bare minimum" She says "That's what made sure the job would get done." a sigh "But I do not care for what it has done to mother's faith in her friend and liege. I can feel sorry for the Princess. Must be terribly lonely to spurn your friends 'for their own good'" but she brought that on herself. I just.. how do I say this? I don't want it making mother sour? "

"I could see why she'd feel betrayed by this."

"Aye. I guess... I'm selfish. I know you've been in a bad place and things were just getting back for you. I mean, May and Lupe and you laughing together again was great to see. Even if you three have inside jokes I'll never grasp" A bit of a smile at that "And mom was SO happy with the new pups and your return. Then this. I ... I've been miserable for awhile now because Jonas was gone, then Piper then Jonas again. I guess I'm selfish. I want us to shake off the gloom. " A hmm "And I resent the princess too but I WANT to believe she also wanted what was best. It's... Fiona esque? We have done glorious things. We have seen Red Branch and won. We have uncovered a mystery. And seen a princess. It IS like a storybook. Mind you, a vexing one, but still. How can we make mother feel better about this?"

"I don't know."

"Can I just say... it was awesome how I shrunk you down and you STILL half yeeted that guy?" Earnest admiration

A little upwards quirk at one corner of her mouth.

"No seriously, you were on your GAME. I was good but out matched. You actually held your own and gave a bit back against Red Branch. They're picked because of fighting skill. And ther you were, Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike. If your parents could be told, they'd swell with pride at your performance. " A pause "Mind you, they might need to sit down for a bit. You're really good , Dagmar. One day you might be as great as mom. And you know I'm not just a mama's girl daughter when I praise HER."

A shrug. "Chief's what I aspire to be,"

"Maybe not a Baroness, but... I mean, you know what I mean?"

"She's your role model" A nod "And a good one to have."

"Yeah."

"I'm glad you're my cousin, Dagmar... Sam" A smile "I can't walk mom's path, but you at least can pattern your own trail like hers. And i think a part of her is pleased by that. Thank you"

"Well, there's Jessica?"

"She's a ruler, for sure."

"Jessica's great! Honestly, she and i don't always see eye to eye... which means sometimes she's wrong, but she's done amazing stuff. Near IMPOSSIBLE stuff." A proud look

"She's impressive, sure."

"Oh you should visit Fenix sometime. The hold is a place of healing and renewal to it's core. The healing baths are amazing. Now the area around it is somewhat crime ridden, but even there is's lively"

"I've been to the Pit. That was fun."

"Oh Dame Mitra's one of my favorite Eiluned. It's like Xena in Hogwarts" A chuckle

"Pardon, she's a baroness and regent now"

"Indeed."

"Say, have you gone much to Earth Runes?"

"Not really. I know it's Fiona. The librarian is creepy."

"Nice horses."

"Zara would be flattered if she heard you said that. She's a friend of mine"

Brow?

"She doesn't seem the boat type."

"Sh.... " A beat "You do that on purpose, don't you?" Accusing

THAT is a real grin, even by non-troll standards.

Siv WANTS to be upset but.. damn it "Well played, you" And she gives the big Gwyd a hug and answers "I think Zara's more of 'walk in the london fog by the thames' sort of girl. "