#rivervale_lodge

"But these...they're really interesting in the way they're written."

"I fledged and fostered here." She shrugs.

"Though I see you decided to stick past three days. Nothing burned down."

"Nothing that you know of, anyway." It might be a joke. It probably is a joke.

"Fledged and fostered and stayed," Rowan clarifies.

"Dunno if I can say I went without causing destruction in my first few months,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah, stayed. This is home." She considers. "My first real one."

"I get protective. Maybe gets a bit... more overt... around Samhain."

Rowan closes the book, but with a finger marking the page, and regards Dagmar directly. Just listening.

She clears her throat and looks down at her coffee.

"I'm not proud of losing my temper with you. And I certainly didn't do right by Rivervale by my behavior."

"Oh. That."

"Sure not the first person to lose their temper around me."

"I apologize." She looks directly at Rowan.

"Yeah. Okay."

A pause.

Her mouth pulls to the side in a nervous twist, and she looks back down at her mug.

"I'm not gonna apologize for asking questions. It's what I do. I guess my snark gets a little strong around Samhain, and it's not everybody's taste. I didn't deal anything to you that I wouldn't deal to anybody. But if think an apology is in order for that, I apologize." Said with a carefully even tone.

"Yeah. Okay." A breath. "Okay."

The smirk returns. "That was really eating you up, huh?"

A shrug.

"Gwydion to the core," said with amusement but not mockery. "That's what others have told me, too. Or at least hinted."

"I'm... I mean, yes, I'm a Gwydion. That's why I need to be careful about my temper."

"Sure. Flatten too many people over parking violations, otherwise."

Snort. Almost a smile.

"But hey, if you were fledged and fostered here, and they ain't kicked you out, then you got a handle on it."

"Took work, but yeah. Chief-... the last Chieftain, Brekke, she's Gwydion, too."

"Heard of her. I mean, who hasn't, right?"

"And trust me, the Shacklebreaker can take me in a fight." A wry grin. "Yeah. Who hasn't?"

"You two ever tussle? I mean, for real, not sparring?"

She nods. "Like I said. Temper."

"How'd that go?"

"Well, I lost. And managed to not cause any lasting harm to anyone. So - good?"

"'Bout the best that you could hope for, sounds like."

From the kitchen the smell of tacos is coming in pleasantly, though with a few frills and dressings

She nods. "Pretty much. Been a while since I've lost it, though. Gotten better."

A glance towards the kitchen.

"Y'know, Sally Mae is used to feeding lodges, there's gonna be enough food for an army."

"She's why we get the fun syrups now, too. Way better than just plain coffee."

"Damn. Yeah, I wasn't hungry when she first asked, but...that smells good."

"Oh, she's a great cook." Another smile - more relaxed, now.

A tray, sizable, of tacos is brought out and laid on the table. And only some of them are 'standard.'

"Here we go... your classic tacos.. .and two others I wanted to try with you folks"

"Taco bell eat your heart out, this is the CRISPY CHEESE taco"

The shells are so cheesy a mouse would salute

"And, for those of you who prefer a taste of East Meets Mex... some of you may have tried these before... Sushi Tacos"

"Oh good lord." Big eyes.