#rivervale_lodge

"I'm not a fledge. I'm not even a kid anymore. There's no excuse for..."

"For? " he says "Dame Dagmar... I am not treating you like a fledge. I am apologizing if we neglected part of your education and modifying my directive to take your concerns into account. This is a dreamer, that is, she has to do with glamour, spirituality. This is my baliwick. I would be a poor mountain if I didn't advise and direct in this department. You and I both know May's dreams have big effects. I'm doing my duty. Just like the Storm or Hearth would. "

"For... not being good at it?" She frowns. "I've had the fir, and May, and did okay sometimes getting glamour myself, from patrolling or fighting."

"I didn't do so well at school."

"You've been exceptional in so many areas that I think sometimes we take your excellence in ALL areas for granted. That's on us, if so." He assures kindly "It's why I think having another kithain youi trust guide you through the musing is a good idea. I reccomend someone with a more upbeat attitude. Symon is brilliant, but he leans towards nightmares. Your call who helps you though. I would suggest perhaps Gerd or Sylvi if they're willing? But Piper herself... mmm yes, PIper would be good at it too. Though her view on this situation is somewhat opposed to yours. The man she loves is hurting. She wanted to get the Dream catcher right back. Instead, she agreed to wait a week. You, of course, love May as a friend. No shame there. Maybe working on this together will help her get to know and appreciate May, and you will have someone to suggest musing techniques that work?"

Another frown.

"Couldn't I, like, go in through the Dreaming and beat up the nightmares?"

"I'm good at fighting."

"A moment ago, you were saying you were worried you'd muse her wrong and bad chimera would result. Now you WANT Nightmare chimera just so you can fight them?"A brow lift, confused

"No, I mean, if I fight the Dreams, in her head...."

He says "Well, to be honest, yes, that's a Plan C... but dangerous as you could die in her dreams. Dagmar, I know this is frightening, but surely you see that it makes more sense to try to do this without violence ?"

"Fighting in her head could get you killed, and might feed her nightmares if you lose." he continues "Yes. I had the same idea. But it's not as good as musing her towards joy and delight"

"I'm better at fighting, though. I mean, that's what I'm best at."

"If someone's really good at upper arm stuff, do you let them skip leg day?"

"Depends on the stakes."

"Fair.. but in this case, the stakes are greater if you risk being killed inside Jonas head or May's...I appreciate you know your strong points, but I think with a guide you will be fine at musing your best friend. More than that... killing the nightmares of NOW does not mean she won't just make more later. Musing her now will guide her back on course, now and in the future. It's the better move"

"I mean, I heard you can come back from dying chimerically. Just, you know, greyer?"

"JUST grayer. JUST lesser. Just cut that much further off from the Dreaming. Yes, if killed Chimerically you can return after a time. But while in the dreaming itself? Not telling where you might reappear , lost, forgetful and far far away. Better to face a chimera in the autumn world"

"So better to risk the musing not quite taking" he says

A frown.

"Look, if this does go wrong, then the blame goes on me. It's my call. Ask someone, I suggest Piper, Sylvi, or Gerd, for guidance in musing. Then muse May. Before the week is out."

"I'm not going to ask Piper."

"She's probably blaming me if Jonas is having nightmares. Are you sure I couldn't take those?"

"I am sure what I've said is the better choice" he says "I'm not about to insult your skill as a warrior, but that is not the main factor in play here"

The door opens, and Sylvi comes in, carrying a few pieces of paper.

"Hey..." an odd little pause, but so brief it might not have happened. "Hi!" she says, smiling to both.

"Hey."

Vali says "Hi, Sylvi" And makes a head motion to Dagmar and an mmm? sound ("Hey, as luck would have it")

"Mmm." ("I know but I don't like it.")

"Mountain, I have some notes to add to the census." She brings them over to him. "They're not totally complete, yet, but I figured you'd want to see what we have in process."

"I do, and thank you" he takes it and gives a glance "Very nice. Appreciated, Sylvi. "

"Hey, here to help." She looks from one to the other. "Everything good?"

"Mmph."

Her expression changes to concern. "What's wrong?"

"I can't leave the Dreamcatcher with May."

"Why not?"

"It's giving Jonas nightmares."

"Dagmar's not pleased with my call on something. I can't blame her for that, but I am pulling rank as mountain as need be" Vali says "She's going to muse May in the next week, if she can find someone willing to help her through the steps.. or on her own if she can't. The Dream catcher has to be returned after the week is up because it's currently sending all her nightmares to Jonas. Piper is worried for him but agrees to the time delay. Time enough to help Dagmar's friend dream happier dreams if mused"

"I can do it. I'm not an idiot." A touch peevish.

"I'm pointing out the potential for harm if it doesn't work."

Vali makes a placating gesture with hands up

A puzzled frown. "But...you've kind of already mused her before, right?"

"Yes. Sadly there's almost certain harm if you don't try."

She shrugs. "May didn't need me to do anything except listen to her."

"I was just her friend, I wasn't... it wasn't like she was my project or anything."

"And it's weird to think of her that way."

Vali shrugs "Not what I said, but she does need your help in the form of musing"

"Okay, but...like...she'd spark when she told you stuff, right? You'd be listening, and the glamour would start popping, right?"

Vali gets up to refresh his coffee