#rivervale_lodge

He pauses only a bit on his before answering "All the time. There are plenty of chimera in the dreaming with abilities like that. Siren calls, sparkly lures, and stranger stuff yet. They try to get you off the silver... and well, you know. Course, those I can get rough with. Now Kithain using cantrips is another level of hassle."

She nods and sips. "And when you have to deal with that particular hassle...?"

"I'd like to say I slap them across the mouth and lay em out before they can whammy me. And sometimes I do. But your'e not talking on the trods are you?"

"Well...let's say, for now, that I'm speaking hypothetically. But yeah, you're right, the rules of the trods are different."

"They are. Normally then, I'd say... see if you can find evidence, aNd what form is being used. I mean, there are items, and there are arts . And sometimes the dreaming just decides to shake things up. The good news is , we trolls are stubborn and that works for us, so you might be more resilent than some. Hypothetically that is."

"Also, deal with the fact that the law may not be on your side. " He says

She sighs. "Yeah." It seems like she's worried about other aspects of it, too. "So...let's say it's probably an item. A wearable item. And the person's wearing it all the time. What would you do in that case?"

He looks at his daughter "All the time? Look, as a rule , we trolls aren't big on the heists. We leave the slick fingered stuff to the others in our motley who are good at it, Piskie, Pooka, and sluagh usually. Got one of them who can lend you some ideas?"

A blink. "That...that's possible. Tricky, but possible."

"This hypothetical is sounding on the risky side to my old ears" He says

"But... "A grin "My daughter's got her mother's quick wits and my moral flexability. Just... careful, okay Rugmonster?"

She gives a wry grin and a shrug. "Danger kind of finds us, Dad. And sometimes dealing with the danger is worth it for the goal."

"I'll be as careful as I can be. And if I can, I'll fill you in on some of it. Hypothetically, anyway."

"Please do"

He can tell the gears are turning as she finishes her soda.

"The suspense is killing me" Wryly. He IS worried for his little girl, but he's also not going to underestimate her.

"Me, too," she says, recycling her empty. "Okay. Let me unpack. Then I've got a hypothetical meeting with a hypothetical pooka."

"Okay. Need or want help with your bags?"

For a moment, she seems to be about to tell him no, but then she grins. "Sure, Dad. Thanks."

And soon all the luggage and bags are on their way upstairs.

And he smiles at that. He was her hero once, but but being in the story now and then is what matters.

(End scene)