#rivervale_lodge

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The coffee urn makes pleasant perking sounds as the Sunday evening sky darkens, and both of the dogs lift their heads at the sound of familiar footsteps on the walk. They soon set up a happy welcome-home alarm, alerting Kerri that it's time to set out the meal she's been keeping warm.

"I said a boom-chicka-boom!" Dagmar calls out, the novelty of the new song not worn off yet. To her. Brekke has likely heard it a great deal since the teen learned it.

Brekke pushes the door open, and fends off the enthusiastic canine attention, both her arms loaded down with packs and supplies. "All right, yes, we are back, we did not die, now get out from under foot!" She's grinning.

Frank follows with another armful.

"Edie! I said a boom-chicka-rocka-chicka-rocka-chicka-boo-ha ha ha, stop licking!" She drops her duffel to give the hound a rigorous ear-rub.

A bemused and somewhat long-suffering grin. Brekke more carefully sets her burden at the foot of the stairs, then turns to survey the Lodge. "Still standing. Good." A grin to Kerri.

Kerri smiles back. "Oh, I thought about tearing it down and putting in a tiny house, but just not enough time." She looks at the adventurers. "You both got some sun."

"Yes, Oak, hi!" Well, Dagmar seems like she'll be busy for a bit...

Frank takes his load through, comes back for the bits Brekke set down.

A fond look to Frank. She doesn't protest his doing the heavy lifting...it wouldn't make any difference if she did.

Kerri asks, "Where's Siv?"

"She insisted on visiting the Kestrel for a little while before coming in," Brekke explains. "She did well, but I think she has had a bit too much of the woods and needs to feel close to water."

"Oh yeah. Miss I Miss the WAAAHHHHHH-ter..."

An eyebrow at Dagmar. "You should let Jaymes know that we are back. And set your packs so nobody will trip over them."

"Well, I'll make sure to save enough for her," Kerri nods. "Now, come eat." There's a platter of marinated steak tips, another of roasted seasoned potatoes, and a bowl of roasted squash. "How was the trip?"

"Is he here or at the house?"

Her nose twitches. "Oh, that smells good..."

"He may be at work," Kerri says. "You can text or call him to find out."

"And thank you," to the praise of her food.

"Yeah-huh..." rummaging in her pack, creating a little pile of dirty laundry and toiletries.

"...and that all goes back in the pack before you eat."

"Yes'm..." phone found, blunt fingers tapping away.

Brekke heads into the kitchen to wash her hands before eating, then returns to claim a mug of coffee before taking a seat and serving herself some food. "This looks and smells wonderful, Kerri, thank you."

"He's at work!" She shouts in to the others. Phone, clothing, et al, are shoved BACK into the pack with one sweep. She gets up to follow, leaving the duffel as it lies.

"Ah!" A quick motion from Brekke that Dagmar has learned is the halt-and-check-what-you-are-doing gesture.

He returns!

"What?"

"Pack. Out of the way. So nobody trips."

A firm but not harsh reminder.

"Oh! Right." Pack is moved. Oak gets another ear-scritch.

Frank gets his own coffee. "Kerri, need a hand?" He offers.

Brekke nods. "What else before food?"

"All set, Frank." Kerri herself is taking a seat at the table.

Frank nods and joins them. He pauses as he does to put a hand on Brekke's shoulder and squeeze.

"....Hands?"

Brekke rests her hand atop Frank's and squeezes back.

A nod to Dagmar.

She tromps off to wash her hands.

Frank waits till the girl is gone before he glances at Brekke with a twinkle in his eye.

She echoes his look in response, then sighs comfortably. "It is good to be back."

"MISS KERRI, NEED ANYTHING FROM THE KITCHEN?"

Frank murmurs low to Brekke as Dagmar.... calls.

Both Brekke and Dagmar are well-tanned in their mortal forms, and their trollish hue is a healthy vibrant blue...but Brekke colors slightly more as Frank murmurs.

Kerri shakes her head, grinning, then calls back less loudly, "No, thank you, Dagmar."

"Can I have a soda from the fridge?"

A beat, then amended - "...please?"

That gets a small grin from Frank.

"Help yourself." Kerri calls back.