#bergen_county

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(sometime shortly affter V day)

Brekke walks the forest ways, and hears, footsteps? "Well, I must admit" A voice says "Forests are different from Cornfields"

Someone from the Farmhold? She looks for the source of the voice.

Clem! the young Chieftain actually has a flower behind an ear, one of Mexican origin.

"Chieftain Clem." Brekke nods a greeting and goes to meet her. "Is all well at the Farm?"

And seems in danger of getting lost. Much to her embarrasment

Then she turns "Oh, Chieftain. Well, yes" She salutes "i.. had a lovely valentine's day , but I got news that the Baron Aiden might be getting impatient."

She frowns. "Impatient?" Then a blink. "Ah. About the puppies. Hm...yes, I suppose it would be time."

"Seems so, I ah, well, Buck met the Quest requirements so I'm uhmm " a blush "Let him court me proper. Don't mind "

Don't mind? That was both true, and almost a lie from understatement

And one doesn't need to be a Hearth to note a flower behind the ear is a giveaway

Brekke blinks at the non sequitur, then nods. "I see. Ah...congratulations?"

"Maybe" CLem says "I mention it because it's why I ...dawdled."

"It is a good reason." She nods. "Where is he now?"

"Back at the farm. Told him I still had to do chief stuff and he'd be distracting. I think he was unsure whehter to be all wistful I shooed him off, or pleased I done confessed he was a distraction" A light blush "Anyway, Kourtney went on her challenge to their Steward, and that's how she found out the Baron thought the pups were over ripe"

A puzzled expression again. "She challenged Steward Marigold?"

"Oh, right, well, you know, Agnes is departing this world, though, that maybe more delayed than we thought.." She doesn't sound sure "However, to train for it, it's custom to take the chosen Next heir and send them out as a cullianary ronin to learn more skills. By challening superior chefs. It's almost always defeat after defeat. But in such they learn. "

"Hm. Journeyman." She nods. "That is a good tradition."

"Well, we call it culinary ronin because it sounds cool" She chuckles "Blame the old Iron Chef craze from years ago. " AMused "She's saving Hearth Kerri for last. Don't tell her, please. It's always fun to hear hwo they reacted from the surprise"

An amused expression right around the eyes. "I will not warn her. This should prove interesting. Now...about Baron Aiden. When do you wish to go and make our choices?"

"Well, I was wondering if we could do it today."

"Hm." She considers. "I am finishing patrol. I believe this is possible."

"Fair enough" SHe looks about the woods "Still amazes me how strong your forest is, how lovely. I always thought Jersey's only forest was the pine barrens"

"This one is often forgotten. We have fought hard to prevent overdevelopment. Properties do run close, but...for some strange reason, mortals are generally not inclined to explore the land between their yards." Her half-grin suggests that the some strange reason may very well involve cantrips.

"You sly viking" a twinkle "lead on. Let's get Oak"

A quick trip back to the Lodge to pick up Oak and alert Kerri and Vali of Brekke's itinerary, and off they go through the trod that still smells like fresh paint.

Clem follows, then sees a stump. With a heart shape in the wood and 'Honey Clementine' written inside the heart. She looks mortified and puts snow on it. Obviously Buck's work on an already downed plant. "Let's get a move on" she speeds it up

Brekke notes Clem's pause, but doesn't see the carving. "Of course," she agrees, but makes note of the spot for later investigation.

And through the trod they go (to SW)