#anywhere

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The cafe is quite nice, and Frank finds himself feeling perhaps a bit bad that his wife isn't here, but then he did tell Torin he'd be there when Tove and Jaymes got the news about the ring.

Could bring her here for dinner some night. If I can drag her away. He allows a small smile. Her and Jess....

That thought warms him. The spot chosen is private, out of the way... "We're awfully far back, dad" Tove can be heard saying.///"mmph I like it" Jaymes says. then again, Jaymes isn't always social. Frank's brother from another life can be hard to know, but Frank is proud of how well Jaymes and Dagmar have bonded. His brother has a lot of love to give, and it's good to see he has fatherly love to give to Dagmar, and romantic to grant Tove. There are times the normally stoic man can't help but smile. A good sign. They soon join Frank, for Torrin says "See, Jaymes likes it. Thanks for joining us, Frank."

Frank stands and offers handshakes all around. "My pleasure."

"Brekke couldn't make it?" Tove says surprised, "I'm sorry."

Hand shakes then they sit , well, Tove sits first.

"She's got her duties." Frank says mildly.

Jaymes nods.

Torrin says "Well, let's order shall we? "

"Sure." Frank's an experienced cafe diner and already has an order in mind, but the others need a moment to look the menu over.

Menus are there, looks like an okay selection, and the food about smells good. A server does ask what sort of drinks are liked, and orders are made. Frank knows jus what he likes and judging by the soft but sincere nod off the server, it's a good choice for this place.

Soon enough tehy're alone again.

Tove makes talk about her youtube related business, "it's all very scary" She admits "An audience I can't see, but I can't argue with the results."

Jaymes nods, "Wouldn't know it to see you on it. You don't look scared"

"Have to say, it's ingenious."

"Props to Vali for the idea" Tove says "I still prefer to perform live though. And Dad even joins me on those" a nudge to her dad

Torrin chuckles " I just dont' know how the tech works. Mostly..some computer stuff I'm better with now."

"It's been a huge change, for all of you; one kind of magic for another. But you've come through it, and you're all still together. That's not nothing."

A nod from Jaymes. The father and daughter both smile "Kind of you to say" Food is served, and Torrin seems to be trying to find the best time to bring up the ring thing. He even glances at Frank perhaps wondering If the man things NOW is the time?

Frank lifts an eyebrow to Torrin, asking permission to start.

A nod

Frank clears his throat with a rumble.

"As much as this is a gathering of family... and it is, the timing of certain observances aside; we've all fought together, sailed together, discovered each other over time and space. We're family. And as much as this is a family gathering... it's something a bit more.

Jaymes raises a brow at that.

"oh?" Tove says

"My friend came to me with a heavy heart and brow; my friend worried that actions taken out of love might turn sour, hurtful. My friend asked me for help. I suggested this." He takes a swallow of his coffee. "A family dinner, to discover and discuss, with love for each other in our hearts. I believe there was no real malice involved, on any part. I am here only as a moderator, and will not say more unless asked."

"Mod-erator?" Tove says then she looks at Jaymes. Jaymes looks confused, then she looks to her dad, who coughs. That's enough for her "Oh father, what did you do?"

"honestly, I'm not sure," Torrin says, "but I have a grave concern. You see... it involves Samhain. I think, while unseelie, I may have acted on an impulse." He reaches into his pocket and takes out the receipt

Then slides it to Jaymes and Tove

Jaymes looks it over, so doees Tove. Jaymes says "This is for...?"

"I think it's for the ring she's wearing" Torrin says

"Do't be silly , dad, why would you have the receipt for my engagement ring?" Tove says

Torrin sighs, looks to Frank for support

Frank nods supportively, with a brow asking 'Speak?'

Torrin says "Shit. Well.. I have vague memories... of you two passed out. Now, I didn't say this, but I had been hoping that... well, I'm not getting younger, and I wanted Tove treated honorably..."

Jaymes frowns at that.

Frank sips his coffee.

"Dad, I was treated with nothing but honor by Jaymes" Tove says defensively "I thought you understood. Things are different here than Thyle."

"That's not the worst of it," Torrin sighs "In my head, I knew that. but I think it bugged me so when... when samhain rolled around.. I think, when I saw you two out cold , I might have gone shopping and..frank, help me out?"

"Torrin believe he bought the ring and left it where you found it."

"I found ito n my FINGER" Tove says a bit too loud, and shoots a look at her father, "you... you didn't! tell me you didn't"

Torrin looks at his daughter "I think I did, but who knows? It was samhain, and when you two said you did't remember the proposal... you blamed it on the mists.. but what if you didn't remember because..."

"Because it didn't happen," Jaymes says with a grunt.

Frank eyes his brother carefully, but says nothing.

Tove looks to Jaymes, horror on her face, "But if you never.. then I never... so this is..." She looks at the ring on her finger that she so loved as if it were a snake curled around her ready to bite.

Jaymes looks at her, "A lie, a trick. But it's no lie that I..."

Tove is yanking the ring off and rising to go "Its a lie. I won't have you trapped in a lie" there's a clatter as the ring hits the table

Frank sits, like a Mountain.

"tove..." Torrin says "Don't do this."