#rivervale_lodge

"Well, if they're not a spy, I probably screwed up any chance."

"IF they are not a spy, and we do not know if they are not; then you made a mistake not from selfishness, but in defending those dear to you. Perhaps whoever this is will understand that if you mention that other spies and manipulators came through recently? You said she reminded you of Cairean. That would be enough to set most on edge I think after what you and your guile endured. One can always apologize, though it is hard and often is rejected"

"Chief wouldn't have lost her temper. And she's just as Gwydion as me, so I've got no excuse."

"And losing my temper, if anything, if they are a threat, just makes the whole thing more dangerous. They'll be more careful."

A blink, then realization "Yes, the Shacklebreaker, she is a legend, a heroine, with years of adventure and many challenges behind her." He nods "is she not?"

She nods.

"Olgar, too."

"He's a Rover, he's been everywhere. Earned his own rep."

"It is good you seek to match such legends, for they are most worthy of respect. But I also spoke to Brekke now and then, and I think she would tell you that the only person who you should judge yourself by is yourself. Try to be the best 'you' you have seen and hope to be, not Brekke the younger or Olgar the more attractive"

"And if I want to be Storm of Rivervale, what then?"

"Because, sure, fine, Dagmar King is one thing. But..."

"By then, you will know yourself even better, BE even better," Klump tuts "You trolls are better than most, but you are always in such a rush. Stone does not smooth overnight. Olgar was no angel when he came her first I am told. It was his rubbing against other rocks that shaped him, rocks like Kerri who he found his heart with. Do not let the fears of tomorrow keep you from dealing with the opportuntiies of today, Little Thunder. And do not forget, you have friends. I am but one of them. Friends are very selfish creatures, we live to give our opinions and call it 'advice'" A deep deep chuckle in the glomee, but his eyes are gentle "Your burdens are our burdens, and there is no shame in that as you have often taken OUR burdens in turn for which we thank you"

"I just..."

"I feel like I can't grow here."

"Oh" A serious look

"It's safe, and comfortable, and I know I have friends and family who care for me."

"And I don't want to lose any of that..."

"You fear you are TOO coddled?"

She nods.

Klump muses this over

"It's dumb. I know what it was like, before."

"It is not dumb to want to better yourself, to want to grow, and it is not dumb to have ideas on what you need to grow" he says

"I am a glome, I do not 'grow' that much, and not quickly. You are meat, good meat, kind meat, and strong meat" he is sure this may come off wrong "But .. it seems to me this Stranger could be a good thing after all"

Brow?

"you speak that you feel too comfortable, too safe, to grow. Yet, this stranger you do not trust. This stranger has myseries at the very least, and is a threat at the most. Here then maybe your answer... test your patience with this stranger, grow your own guile and judgement with him or her. This discomfort, you do not LIKE it, but maybe there is a gem among the shale of it? That you might grow from the test he or she invokes in you?"

Her shoulders slump.

"Oh... I've made you sad" He says apologeticly "Perhaps I am wrong?"

"You're fine, Klump. You're a good friend."

"I am inspired to be so by your own showing as one" He admits and pats her shoulder, which to her seems small but much closer to right sized than most "The world is full of challenges, Little Thunder whether we like it or not, but perhaps we can at least make them useful to us. Take me for example. I once hid from your kind. I cheated myself of allies. I learned better thanks in part to you, and now am stronger for I am not alone."

"My situation is different, I know, but I hope there is a truth in my talking that is of use"

"You've never lied to me."

"I' m just not that imaginative, I suppose" A rocky grin "I hope it doesn't make me boring?"

"Nah, not at all. You're steady."

"I have to be" he says slightly confused "Otherwise I topple. I AM very heavy"

She laughs a little. "even to me!"

A smile at her laugh "yes, but please, I know you must practice, but do not try to 'yeet me'. It would be very embarrassing for at least one of us"

Another bubble of laughter.

And the glome joins in with deep deep chuckles

In better moods, they enjoy the silence now for different reasons than before. It's not bad

It really isn't.

After a bit of companionable silence, she texts Olgar.

TXT: Keep eye on new blue. From Charm, v nosy

She notices she has a by now hour old text by Gerd

A reply: "Sorry"

Gerd's response comes up TXT: I'd be lying to say I'm not worried for you. Want a ride home?

TXT: I'm okay. Needed to blow off some steam.

TXT: I wondered. Would love to talk when we met next. Where are you if that's okay?

Olgar's Text pops up TXT: That's one visiting Vali? Hasn't returned yet. She trying somethin shifty?

Meanwhile there is another text waiting when she checks.
TXT: sorry i couldn't find more. all ok? miss u. done with midterms by tomorrow.

The schedule of a med student! (How OOCly convenient!)

Gerd: Woods