#rivervale_lodge

A nod and a wink to Gerd. "Do as you were told."

"Yes, Chief" And up she goes, she's not faking, she does look abit blue green

"What can we give her?" Frank seems puzzled.

Jaymes sighs "I swear, I could almost believe karma is a hearth"

"There are easy ways to settle a stomach. And a touch of Heatherbalm may help." She finishes her coffee and sets down the mug, heading to the kitchen.

Frank nods. "Of course."

Frank looks at Jaymes. "What do you mean?"

A few moments later, she returns with a glass of somewhat cloudy liquid and brings it up the stairs, murmuring a quiet verse over it as she goes.

"I mean I was an ass, it seems, to Tove. I didn't mean to be. At the time I thought I..argh. "

And into Gerd's room.

"Kerri tried to set me right I think... Frank. You're married. Are women out to get us?"

He chuckles. "Only if we are lucky."

"What happened with Tove?"

"What didn't happen with Tove?"He explains what did, pretty much word for word, but with a bit more understanding on where he stepped wrong

From his telling Tove the chicken was too dry and how Kerri was slipping, to learning it wasn't kerri but Tove so hey, that's okay because not everyone can be Kerrir or Sally Mae... "And by the time I was done, she wasn't talking to me."

Frank sighs. "Jaymes, you insulted her."

"I didn't mean to."

"And you didn't realize it. Each is as bad or worse than the other."

"That doesnt' really matter, does it?"

A groan and he sets his h ead down "Women are ...difficult to understand. Frank. I...just try to talk sensibly, and it comes out ass"

Brekke comes out of Gerd's room and back down the stairs. "She is resting. She will be fine. Now...I must go to the Y. Will one of you check on her in a while?"

"I'll do it" Jaymes says "I'm the one who poisoned her after all"

"Jaymes, you did not force her to put the food in her mouth, especially not that much food, but thank you." She goes to Frank and squeezes his shoulder affectionately. "I will see you later, my heart."

"You're weelcome, Chief."

And out the door she goes.

Frank smiles at the squeeze, touching her hand briefly before she goes.

"Nothing wrong with talking sensibly, Jaymes... but situational awareness is important. Especially in the early times."

"Have you talked to her since?"

"I've been busy...and I think she's avoiding me"

Frank shakes his head. "If you let it go like that, anything that might be is over, Jaymes. She'll find someone else, because you don't care."

"I do care, but maybe she'd be better off with someone else.."

Frank slaps the back of Jaymes's head.

A glance over at his brother "If your'e expecting a' thanks for that'" Grumph

"Vegard did the same for me, in a similar situation." Frank toasts Jaymes with his mug.

"So your'e saying I WILL thank you...ugh, that makes this whole thing even more annoying."He rises "I best check on Gerd. Maybe read her a story to make amends.'

"You should go find Tove, apologize, tell her you're an ass and you feel like it, and ask for another chance. Tell her how you feel." Sip.

A grunt, semi nod, and up the stairs to check on Gerd.

As if on that timing, Sally Mae comes in, "Mountain? Did I miss a lot? I heard it was pure chaos? Are the girls okay? They back??"

Frank nods. "They are back, and uninjuried."

"Oh thank goodness... Tove went into a frenzy about Dagmar and I was scared myself."

Frank's expression is odd; both puzzled and amused. "She did?"

"Frank, the house is done, and now REDONE... Never seen such a thing. She began cleaning and preparing Dagmar's room and brought her two toys and then cleaned up again. "

A quick grin, covered by his beard. "Guess they aught to move in, then."

"It would seem they can't do it it soon enough" Sally Mae says"Honestly I hope Jaymes doesn't blow this I.." A sigh "Sorry i know I'm just Kinian and thiis is a Troll lodge but if I may say?"

Frank nods, gesturing 'please do' with his mug.

She refills his mug out of habbit then says "There are other trolls in this county, thanes from other barons and visitors, nobles and the like. And honestly? I should get jealous because while they do like what they see in me? More than one is noticing Tove. There's one fixing to ask her out"

"Thank you." muttered at the refill.

"You're welcome"

Frank sighs. "Can't blame them. Him. She's attractive and talented."

"I know, but we're on Team Jaymes right? " She says "Though lord knows why"