#rivervale_lodge

Kerri listens, then nods. "Okay, that makes sense." And she takes out her own phone and starts tapping away.

"Nope. Mom is bad with cellphones so it's easy to just set it so I can ping its location now and then" Siv smiles "They're in Cali."

"Does your mother KNOW you set her phone up so you could track her?" Vali inquires

"Now, Mountain," Siv tuts "I make it a habit not to upset my mother, and as she might find that upsetting, of course not"

Kerri makes an amused sound and shakes her head, finishing up her message.

Before she sends it, she shows it to Dagmar: We got news that you're not in Alaska so we're holding off on Sam's visit to your area. Checking in...do you need any assistance?

Once Kerri sends it, there's a fairly predictable wait, but not a very long one. "She's typing," Kerri reports. "Slowly." And she watches the dots bounce.

She waggles a hand. "Fat fingers. Should get her a stylus for her birthday."

"Not sure that would help much," Kerri says. "But maybe."

At least a minute of waiting...

"Mom needs quicksilver just to type at a normal rate" Siv shakes her head

"Ah! Okay, here we go...." She reads aloud before showing Dagmar the text: We are well. Taking care of a matter. No help needed at this time. Apologies to Sam and we will make it up to her.

Siv hears it read aloud, and mmmphs

A little twist of lip and brow, not quite trusting it. "Okay."

"I mean, the Shacklebreaker and the King of the Road ain't no slouches."

"That, they are not," Kerri agrees. "Dagmar, I can assure you that if it turns out there is trouble, we will let you know. And you'd be closer to California if stationed in Alaska, anyway."

"We'll can make sure the Storm has a suggested trod path from one to the other if you like" Vali proposes

"Good idea."

"OR, " Siv says "I could use the Narwhal to get you from one coast to the other" A sip

"True," she looks at Siv. "In fact, I was going to ask you to get her to Alaska for her first posting."

"I... oh. Okay."

Siv looks over surprised then says "Sure. I've been there before. And Star would fit on the deck"

"If Dagmar don't mind. If she prefers by trod I understand"

Kerri nods. "That's completely your choice, Dagmar."

"Would she? She's big. I... I mean, it's maybe not good for her up there. I know there's a stable at Starbear, but..."

"Then maybe wait until Starbear to bring Star out. We can manage that."

"Ylva's learned well from you so she'd be honored to tend to Star a bit longer" Vali nods

"Ylva's real good with the horses."

Siv says "Well, that's because you corrupted her to like horses more than ships" Playful smile "Either way. I've transported horses before. Use blindfolds and keep em calm and it goes smooth"

"Horses absolutely beat boats."

Kerri has gotten a call from her daughter, and has to get up and take it in the kitchen

"SHIPS, you stablebum" Siv retortes, but smiles again, indeed, more of a smile than earlier

Vali chuckles at the exchange "Either way, Ylva definitely likes the equines"

"And Lady O has taken to her, just like I thought she would." Oh, that verges on smug.

"That's the new gentle mare right?" Vali asks

"Not so new, Uncle Vali, " Siv reminds "But she's a sweetie yes"

She nods. "Therapy horse."

"Might be why Cleo is getting lessons from Ylva on Lady O then." Vali says "I did not picture those two becoming friends but there we are."

"Everyone needs friends, Uncle Vali" Siv answers "And they're both good girls... though Ylva certainly got under my skin." An admission "I should have handled that better"

A soft grunt.

"She's gotten better, thankfully" Vali observes

"Yeah."

"Okay, spill the tea, Dagmar. Are you smuggling Symon up north too?" Siv inquires

"He offered to come."

"Aww, don't tell him I said this as he might get sour at my opinion, but he's a sweetheart and aa damned fine paramour" Siv approves

Vali looks around to see if there's anyone in the rafters. If there is, he can't see them, then he looks back "Dagmar, anything you want us to do for you here when you are away you haven't mentioned? I can check on your dad's stores for my patrols moree if you like?"

"Just... the horses, and Sy, and my family, and everything..."

Siv says "If Symon ever wants a trip by ship I'll make time for him and his travel. He will have to deal with babies but hey. "

"Noted" Vali gives his own reassuring look

"Sy tends to like to do things on his own, instead of asking for help."