#rivervale_lodge

(Pups) "Yes, he's a fine fellow. If I had a dog like this I might not get bothered on trods. Thank you, Dame. Oh, not all rewards are yours." he reaches into a pocket and pulls out something for her "I didn't want to show this to your chief. This is for the sluagh friend"

"As for me, I'll contact Baron Idris tonight to ask for permission."

(Inside) "My pleasure." he leaves his contact information "Lovely hold. Well cared for. A joy to be in. Be well, Chieftain"

(Inside) And he departs politely, a likable old 1st edition kind of fellow

... and we focus on Dagmar for a bit more

"Here," He says and offers over cuff links to Dagmar

She takes them. "Oh... wow. These are nice."

"Oh they're minor ,but for some reason they felt right. They allow Parsel tongue of sorts, like willowwhisper but only for serpents and snakes. Still takes glamour so he shouldn't use it all willy nilly"

"They're perfect. Thank you."

"They shouldn't bite him if he rolls over wearing themm, and if they do they PROBABLY won't poison him" Deadpan knowing the boon won't say one way or another

Then he adds "I"m joking" ANd goes back to petting the pups

(End scenish )

Kerri gets word from the Star Bear Barony. While they'd like the option of a 'lock' on their end and expect RV will want the same on theirs, they'll allow it

Kerri emphatically agrees with security measures, and thanks Baron Idris, suggesting the two holds have a celebration when the trod is complete.

"I'd welcome that. Please give my regards to Sylvi,, she still has many friends here"

"I will, Baron. Perhaps she'll visit soon. If you see Dika-Hannah, send her my regards, please."

"I shall. Wonderful girl that"

And the call ends

Kerri hangs up, satisfied with a good day's work!

Olgar has been watching "You sure Frank and Brekke will be okay with this? I mean, I know it's not at their home or anything, but they might get all Davey Crocket and want to move again it being so close"

"I'm not sure, no. But they won't be able to deny the fact that they were only able to get here, and then to Fenix, as quickly as they did because there was somebody available who could flicker-flash them. That might not always be the case. I will try to make sure we don't overuse it from our side."

He nods "Okay. Sides, even if they weren't retired there we've done enough diplomacy with Star Bear that it would be tempting" He nods but something is bothering him

"Exactly." Then she notices the look. "What's wrong?"

"mmm , feeling like I missed one. I know dreamcraft, i can CURVE trods, open em, and other stuff... yet with this, and I'm TIED to this lodge's flame now, I miss it? It takes a Dougal on a visit to solve it?"

His pride is stung. He gave up the Silver to be back here full time, and without complaint.

And then ... he dropped the ball

"Olgar, no. It's not your fault. It's mine. Vali alerted me to the situation, and I was going to mention it to you, but other issues came up and, honestly, I forgot. Then Dugald made the offer today, and I thought I'd jump at it. Frankly, I was just relieved to have an idea about what boon to request."

"Yeah well" a shuffle "The guy is a legend, and it's a good deal. Just... normally I'd have caught that. Switched to land patrols more, silver patrols less and I balanced it wrong"

Clearly he's not sold on the 'not your fault' part.

"So...what would make it a better balance, in your opinion?" She takes a seat next to him.

"Not sure... I may have to ask for... what's that word, starts with an H, four letters, denotes weakness among we unfortunately macho types, even the feminist ones?"

She smirks and rubs his arm. "I'm proud you got that close to saying it. Okay. How can I H-word?"

"YOu? You got so much on your plate you want to crawl into the oven during parties" A smile "Though you did seem to get in a better place half way through the event. I need to do what YOU do, trust the young ones to take up my slack in areas I felt most possessive of. Jordan's a good scout, new Rovers I trained can be asked to patrol the silver around here more often. I need to spread my load around if I want to keep carrying more. Honest babe.. it gnaws at me. Does it get to you too? this feeling you SHOULD still be able to do all of it at top levels all the time?"

She laughs outright. "Are you kidding? It absolutely gets to me! I'm still trying to figure out who I am now, with all the role changes and...." a pause "...and then I walked into the kitchen during the feast prep and they just didn't need me. At all. They had it under control. All of it. And...I needed to let them do it, let them be it." She pauses again. "I wonder if Brekke's going through something similar, letting us take over the Lodge by taking herself away from it, but having to adjust to not being here."

He puts arms around her, "mmm she might be." A nod "So you had trouble too, huh? I'm petty enough that makes me feel better, even as I sympathize. Hey, you are the one who taught Gerd and Dagmar and Brogan"

She leans into his embrace. "Yup. And I guess that's part of the thing about teaching them right. Eventually, they know it. Might even start adding their own touches to it."

"That also means they're going to make mistakes and fall sometimes. But I think your plans about trusting your trainees more makes really good sense."

"YUP. And I have to smile and wave my hat at them like some over the hill coach who used to be the star running back" HURUMPH "But if the worse thing that happens is my pride gets some dents, we're doing good." A proud look DOES escape him "Local wilders are really getting up in weapon use though. So proof of concept there too." He looks at the door and trods "I admit, I'm still sore about this, but.. hey, Dugald does the work? I still get to kick the tires"

"Oh, one hundred percent! I want you to be that guy, the one who finds every little weakness and makes him work to Get It Right. If it doesn't pass your inspection and earn your approval, the work's not done yet." A firm, assertive nod to punctuate the sentence.

His eyes shine at the notion, "My god you're sexy... all the time, but especially now"

She laughs, then leans in and claims a kiss from him. "You have excellent taste, as always."

"Why don't we go out tonight? Trust the juniors to have it. You call the Baron Dugald tell him it's all a go, and then tonight you and I get dressed up a bit and hit the town? Sally Mae's back and left overs will reign for the others. Come on. Italian, Steakhouse, or that Indian place?"

"Ohhh, I like the way you think. It's a date. And I think....steakhouse. The good one, on the east of town?"

"Perfect. I'll reserve that table for two with the view, you remember the one. See you in a few, babe" A kiss

She smiles and stands. "Back soon!" She starts with telling the kitchen crew that she'll be out for the night, then makes the call to Idris, and then...oh, it's time to get dolled up for dinner out!

And he races off to get the CLEAN shirt

(End Scene)