#bergen_county

"It is. You're a well stanced target dummy"

Kyle hurumphs, then sees his son, "Adam, how goes?"

"I should go." Adam gears up.

"Your turn if that's what you mean," Olgar says

Kyle steps back "Have at, Son. "

"No, sorry... .didn't mean to interrupt you. I was just.... going."

"To the Lodge, I believe." The Chieftain has just arrived and stands at the end of the driveway.

She approaches and glances back into the backyard, nodding to Olgar and Kyle.

Olgar looks over at the Chieftain, a bit surprised but he nods "Chief. Kyle's positioning is good. Defense is solid. Needs to learn to attack some."

Kyle sighs "I'll work on it"

Adam swallows. Hard.

"Mm." A nod at Olgar's assessment, then asks Kyle, "You are not likely to harm him. Attack."

Said as an endorsement, not a command.

Then she looks to Adam. "I believe we had an appointment."

Kyle coughs "Well, I was about to let my son have his turn at training but I see he's got prior engagements"

"Yes. ma'am."

Brekke nods to Kyle. "He is training with me, at the Lodge."

And to his father "I... yes. We do. I did. Yes."

An eyebrow at the awkward young man. Then back to his father. "Now I am not certain you were supposed to know that."

She doesn't seem particularly abashed at having spilled the beans.

"Quite all right. I knew he was training. If he's going to get into trouble, I'd like him to be prepared for it" Mr. Thomas nods

Brekke nods approval at this attitude.

Olgar says "Sensible. Don't worry, Kyle. The Chief is a softer touch than I am. You'll get more abuse than Adam."

"Thrilling" Kyle says stoicly

A dubious look at Olgar, but she doesn't comment.

Instead she turns to Adam. "Let us go."

Adam follows.

And they head off to the Lodge.

---------

Connor peeks around, looking for Frank in his regular haunts on an early-ish Saturday.

Frank is having an early cup of coffee.

Connor steps over, leaning up on the edge of the table, and watching Frank solemnly.

"Mr. Franklyn Mountain, can I ask you a question?"

"Hello, Connor. Yes." He puts the mug down.

"Am I a little shit?" Said with perfect solemnity, eyes questioning.

"What?" Startled. "No, not at all! Why?"

"Would you still like me if I was?"

Frank crouches down on his haunches to be eye level with the boy. "You're not a ..... you're not that, Connor. And yes, I would." Serious.

He nods back, shifting his weight. "If a kid is bad... like really, really bad, and they steal and are little.. are that? You wouldn't put 'em in a cage would you?" He rubs at one of his ears.

"No, Connor. I would not."

Shyly now, hesitant. "Even if they don't have a rich Da who pays for them to stay here so he doesn't gotta see him? Even then?"

"Yes, Connor. And we don't welcome you here for money. You know that, right? We love you for yourself."

"No." He says, but he nods agreement. And holds his arms out for a hug. "I just had to ask."

Frank hugs him carefully. "Connor... is everything ok?"

"It's okay. I just have Nobody to talk to. I'd better go do that." He returns the hug, and then dashes away. A little more unusual that normal, even for a pooka.

"Connor......" as he races off. Frank rises.

A sigh from outside as Jonas comes in

Frank is looking where Connor went. "What......."

"Mountain? Everything satisfactory here?" Jonas inquires

"I honestly don't know."