#rivervale_lodge

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Frank and Brekke have not let their daughter go uneducated. They havee home schooled her a great deal, but also taken her to the DeBukes once or twice for further teaching and then prompt return.

So perhaps it's not such a surprise when there's a knock on the door from Clem.

Kerri smiles to see her. "Clem! Come in..." She ushers her through the door. "How's everything at the Farm?"

'Oh just dandy. Siv seems to enjoy it" She clears her throat, "It's actually her I've come about. But Before I do..." She presents a gift basket, "Our Chief was so pleased by what the Mountain and Rover dropped off, she insisted I help her return the favor. Fresh Corn and Greens you won't find in this area alone with some pastries."

"Oh, Clem..." she accepts the basket happily. "Your produce always tastes so much better than what we can get around here. Let me put these away...and if it's about Siv, did you want to talk with the Chieftain or Frank? I'm sure I can find one or the other."

"Welll... it's uhm... not sure how Frank will take it. " Nervous

"Ahhh....so, the Chieftain, then?" A sympathetic look.

"Well, not my place to deny eeither parent. As you think you do best"

A nod. "Well, make yourself comfortable, have some coffee, and I'll be right back."

And Kerri vanishes into the kitchen.

She helps her self to coffee. Not her preference, but when in Rivervale.

She might be able to hear voices in the kitchen, Kerri calling out into the back yard apparently.'

A few moments later, Brekke comes in from the kitchen, looking very much like a woman who just came in from sparring practice. "Clem. I was not expecting you, but it is good to see you. Is all well?"

Kerri follows, providing a relatively small repast of fruit and cheese, and some pastries (her own and those from the farm).

"Well, first, let me say Siv is a wonderful girl, learning fast. A student"

"She doesn't like planning herh ead, but she's quick."

Brekke blinks a moment, then takes a seat opposite Clem at one of the tables. "I sense you are about to tell me something not so pleasant."

Kerri vanishes again into the kitchen, giving them some privacy to talk.

"Actually,, depending on how you look at it?She's to be commended. She's a social girl. Very personable. "

"Yes." A slow nod. "Continue."

Her focused attention may be a little unnerving.

"At the risk of betraying a wilder trust," A deep sigh "I think she's .uhm..got like two boyfriends at the farm, well, not boyfriends, but dates. "

*Somewhere out in the woods, a sudden rush of blood to his brain and Frank keels over.*

"AND, some of the loccals lads, not DeBukes, but who home school with her? Have invited her to a ...well..."

"A...party?" Brekke was growing tense at the notion of two dates already, but the later news is....well, the table creaks a bit in her grip.

"Party, and it may lead to ah..Skinny Dipping. " A qquick motion "Though that is completely optional"

That sound? That's the sound of trollish teeth grinding. "Clem...this happens up there often?"

"Not that often, no." SHe says "We're trolls too. And most of us decline because, well, you know our kith We lean more towards the reserved. But right of haveen is right of haven, and the few other fae families in the area rely on us. "

"So...these others...they know whose daughter she is?"

"Case in point, many non trolls have not heard of Rivervale. We speak highly of you when folks ask, but CChief Agnes always says 'they're a humble folk not one for putting on airs. Don't go making boggan talk out of em if they don't care for it" so we respect that"

In the woods, one of the Dogs sniffs at Frank. Wondering if he should get help. Or maybe a chastity belt

"And...we appreciate that. I certainly prefer that over some of the other things I think they may have said when we first were in contact. But..." A sigh.

She refocuses. "They have invited her. She has not mentioned it here, yet."

"I don't think Siv necessarily plans anything foolish, but.... sshe's not ours so I feel out of bounds telling her 'no'. Or even 'might want to reconsider'"

A slow nod. "I appreciate that." A pause. "Ah...at what age do DeBukes usually start going to these events?" Awkward.

"I didn't. Sally Mae did. She did at .. uhm 16"

Clem looks sheepish

Brekke groans and rests her face in her hands a long moment.

Before looking up, she adds, "Let me guess...some of the boys are satyrs."

"Actually , redcaps...and some boggans. one satyr"

Footsteps in the gravel approaching the Lodge.

She hears the steps and puts her hands down, taking a deep breath and collecting her features into something more stoic. "I see."

"Siv seems awful fearless, some might say that's a virtue" trying to put the best spin on it she can, "And while some of those boys are rough and tumble, most behave around trolls. We've taught em that"

A serious look. "You have seen Siv fight? I know what i think, but what do you think?"

"About her ability to...defend herself, I mean."

"She's quick with that cutlass. Weaves a lot more than your average troll, but that works when armor on a ship would slow you down." She considders, "She's more lightning than thunder, Stormwise, though you'd know better than I. I'd say she's better than Sylvi but I haven't seen Sylvi fight recently, but maybe not as good as Kelby, yet."

A grim nod. "No match for...." She cuts off and goes quiet.

Footsteps on the porch, the door opens.... Frank steps through. His beard covers the smile when he sees Brekke, and he nods to Clem. "Clem! Pleasure to see you. How goes my shipmate?"

Brekke looks over and musters a grin for him...but that's about all she can manage.