#rivervale_lodge

"Thanks, Cleo" Yvala can be heard talking to the boggan girl, "But I really should be doing this stuff myself."

"Nope. Mom says it's good I have oversight while I clean. I get carried away" Cleo replies

"Oh.. yeah that's weird" Ylva nods

Cleo winces but does not deny it "It's a compulsive thing"

Ylva nods "Well, hope you can fix it but thank you for using it for me"

Cleo warms at that. Ylva says hurtful things sometimes, but it's better than being ignored or alone

Ylva goes back to work then pauses "I... hurt your feelings just now, didn't I?"

"WHAAAAT? NOOO" Cleo assures, not wanting to be seen as a whiny baby

"Well, I was rude. And I don't mean to be. I shouldn't say weird even if you are. It's not nice" Ylva sighs "I'm sorry. The Moutain gave me a whole speech about the power of words... and ... so I've decided since I can't get that right I'm gonna DO nice things for people and just not talk to them. I'm sure that's what he meant right? It's easier anyway"

Cleo isn't so sure "Well, I think it might seem easier, but I'm not sure that's what he meant"

Ylva sighs. Nothing can be simple. She likes simple. You say ma'am and sir, you nod to questions and when they ask you to be yourself- don't. Yourself annoys people. "Oh. I hoped it was. I don't think I'm very good at peopleing"

"You're good with horses," Cleo points out with a kind smile, her boggan nature making her want to assist.

At the subject of horses, Ylva's eyes light up "THANKS. I love em. Dagmar taught me what I know about them, like never get behind them , they're prey animals after all and get scared, and how to tell if they're scared or mad, and even riding. They're really wonderful and fae steeds even more so. Lady O is the BEST, she's so sweet...and she likes a good brushing"

"You... you think I could brush her?" Cleo asks.

"Sure! Everyone should get to know horses, and she likes it. I'll show you how she likes it best. Come on" And Ylva goes to give Cleo horsegrooming lessons like Dagmar taught her.

....................

Dagmar is not dim... and she is bound to notice this sudden war on any and all excess chores , even some unassigned

Nor is Gerd blind

"WTF?" She blinks as someone has picked up leaves when she waas just going to teleport several over them to a texas plain and cause confusion

Brow.

"Cleo? Kid goes overboard if unsupervised."

"Yeah, but she's an INTERIOR Cleaner ... this is exterior" Gerd looks at the area "At least mostly. Nice work on the stable cobwebs though. Symon give you grief about de homing spiders?"