#rivervale_lodge

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Beltane at Rivervale finds the inhabitants of the Lodge in happy preparations. The long tables in the main hall need to be brought outside, for that is where the spring feast will be (thank the Dreaming, the weather is cooperating perfectly!). Kerri is efficiently preparing platter after platter of various seasonal delectables.

Dagmar is late - not showing up until after four, more than an hour after school.

She misses the late lunch around 2...and some of the crafting activities guided by the Chieftain (carving and ribbon-craft and floral wreaths)....it seems many of the local fae families (and certainly the Lodge) kept their children out of school today.

Siv has been filled with manic energy, this is her first Concordian side Beltaine, and she's not going to miss a minute, a thing, and often asks questions like "Is it true they tie boys up in Fiona holds to the poles? So we'll just have the regular dacing with the boys each with a ribbon? Do we have enough lads for either? ' but mostly she works to get things in place, perhaps being OVErLY helpful gathering things up to put them places the Hearth might not want them. "So, does a winter king come in and hand the Chief a sceptre?"

The daytime buffet is filled with salads and hard boiled eggs and cheeses and fresh-baked rolls and butters (regular, herbed, and honey) and an assortment of little meat pies.

"You've been learning a lot," Kerri says with amusement.

Sylvi grins, also helping with the arrangements. "I've taught her some. So, Siv, usually here it's games and then the Maypole and then..." A look at her mother. "...then I was always sent to bed. Before. But I'm a wilder now, so....?"

"For two months it was either a view from the windows here or dad's rig, not that I minded the either, but yeah, what else was there to do after chores and studies besides learn about the holidays we'd be having?" Siv says, and does enjoy a roll , then a nod to Sylvi "Right, wilders do what on Beltaine?" VErY curious

Sylvi continues to give her mother a very loaded look, at which Kerri grins, if just a bit tensely. "Well, Siv, it depends on the age. And Sylvi, we've talked, and I hope you'll use your best judgment as far as you're able, and come tell me if you need advice. Siv, I think your mother would say much the same to you." Which is likely...but Brekke's out of earshot at the moment. "Beltane can get very...romantic. If the right people are around." A little private grin.

"Right, Mmm" Thoughtful look from Siv, then a wistful sigh, "Barely got a chance to talk to anyboys at all and I don't fancy girls so... seems I'm missing out, unless V shows..." considers what she's about to say and stops

Sylvi asks, "Do I get to stay up for more of the bonfire this year?"

"You do," Kerri nods. "Be careful when you jump." Then a curious look to Siv. "Who is V?"

All this while food preparation and arrangement continues. Olgar is likely firing up the grill for lamb chops, steaks, and game hens, with hamburgers as well for the younger set.

"that's what I'd like to get to figure out at my own pace," Siv mutters, "But if mom and dad have their way you're looking at someone whose destined for a nordic nunnery" a grumble 'Hail Frejya, Full of magic, I don't get to kiss boys and I think that's tragic."

A laugh from further out indicates Vali may have heard that one, and will swipe it and adapt it for later.

Kerri chuckles too. "Well...let me see what I can do...." A rather enigmatic wink to Siv.

Siv seems surprised, "Thanks. " A look to Sylvi, "Your mom is pretty cool"

Any other day, Sylvi might be tempted to say something wise-ass about that, but today she just beams. "She is."

Gerd calls out, as she has for almost every half hour, "No Dagmar yet? Is she gonna come? "

Kerri frowns and checks the time. "It's after 3...Sylvi, text her, check that she's coming?"

Sylvi nods and goes to do so.

Gerd barges in "She needs to be here or she'll miss Beltaine which is like one of our most important holidays, and then she'll feel left out and she's already feeling left out of so much it makes her sad. " This, apparently, is not acceptable to Gerd, "She shouldn't be sad on Beltaine"

And, like being summoned... Dagmar appears on the fringes, emerging from somewhere in the woods. Her expression is conflicted - overwhelmed, nervous, bewildered - rather than a scowl or a blank stone.

A buzz, and she checks her tracfone. Big fingers carefully type a reply.

Sylvi looks up from her phone. "She says she's here..." She scans the woodline and sees her. "Dagmar!" She jogs over, noting the girl's expression. "You okay? What happened?"

"Hey..." An uncertain smile. "You weren't in school..."

"I missed her? " Gerd is mortified, "The one time I leave my post."

And she rushes out to see Dagmar too.

Siv glances at Kerri, "Ever think how much electiricty this place could save if we put Gerd in some kind of treadmill device? "

"Looks like a lot of party." She shifts her weight from one foot to the other. "Hi Gerd."

Kerri laughs. "Yes, but it would be made up in the cost of all the peanut butter sandwiches she'd inhale."

Sylvi says, "Well, yeah. It's Beltane. Folks let us take a day off. Wish yours could have, but...."

"Wait, did something happen at school?"

Gerd hugs Dagmar, "HEY! You made it. I'm sorry I wasn't on watch for you that one time. Are you Seelie today? Feels weird I bet. But it's okay. And.. oh..." As Sylvi asks a pretty important question

"Shouldn't skip.... nothing happened, no. Just, you know, didn't think... I feel kinda funny today. Sorry."

Siv grins at Kerri,"Aye, she can cut a swath. I best go say Welcome Aboard to Dagmar too. Let me know if you be needing more help, Good Hearth"

"And on the way here, there was this deer, and he was hurt.. and he talked...." Eyebrows furrow with consternation.

"Have fun, Siv!" Kerri calls after her...and glances towards the Chieftain, thinking.

Sylvi's eyes are wide. "You met the talking stag!"

"And I promised to protect him for an hour, but, like..." Broad shoulders heave in a confused shrug. "I promised, just... because. He was hurt. A tree fell on him, so I moved the tree, and then, after I promised all these things just kept hunting him..."

Sylvi's fascinated. "So...you fought them?"

She nods, bewildered. "If you kill him, you'd get a wish. But he was hurt. And I promised."

"The White Hart of legend" Gerd's mouth has fallen open

Siv has approached, but is quiet as the story is told.

"He was a white buck. Bramblebrow."

"I knnew he was white because in the stories it' that sort that grants the wishes" Gerd says "But I didn't know he had a name"

Gerd is clearly envious but also happy for Dagmar

"But you get wishes by killing him. ANd then he wouldn't be Bramblebrow anymore. And he was hurt." A stubborn set of her jaw. "That's not fair, hunting something wounded..."

"Well...not if it was already wounded. But if the hunter's the one that wounded it, it's cruel not to finish the job." Sylvi probably learned that from the Chieftain, or her Dad.