#rivervale_lodge

Kerri is prepping a platter of pastries. She seems to have made some of the ones she doesn't do often because they're a bit more time-consuming...an indicator that this counts as a "special occasion."

"You see that hatchet? A treasure to help Jessia make peace, or at least talk peace, with the Nunnehi"

A blink. "Hatchet? There was a hatchet?" He got her in mid-preparation with this non-sequitur. "What are you talking about?"

"You didn't see the other weapon at her belt? Turns out this little Nunehi Girl and she worked together to retrieve it..." He says looking quite proud "Seems to be a kind of 'white flag of truce' for Nunehi. Sylvi got it trying to help Jessica out. Getting things done like her old man..." A wink "and maybe her mom. We should be proud. It might help Jessica save lives"

An amazed shake of her head and a sigh. "I almost feel bad sending her back to school...we should just let her do quests from here on out." Then a hand up. "I'm joking and don't you dare tell her I said that!"

A startled yelp from upstairs...and then a laugh!

He laughs and plants a hand around her but not so much as to keep her from her cooking art "I think we can curb that once she finishes this up"

"I hope you're right." Kerri kisses her husband's cheek, then looks up towards where the laughter came from. "I think she found the terrarium. And the hand."

"Good. She has to feed it" a snort "It's like she had to one up a spider. Still, kind of neat. If we could teach it to fetch, we'd have our own 'thing' from the Addams family. Oh, speakking of family, Siv's gonna visit Jessica for a bit. Think that's a good time?"

"A good time? I don't follow..." Back to arranging pastries, and she passes him one.

He snacks "For Sylvi to present the hatchet to Jessica and complete her quest" Munch tear "Mm this is is good."

She stops and stares at him. "But...but she just got back!"

"Yeah, but she's got to see it through, honey, or what are we teaching her?"

"But..." A pause, and a sigh. "Ohhh...fine. But she needs to come back in time for school!"

"Agreed, let's make it quick for her. This is a mission, not a vacation." Firm "No fun allowed'

"Well, then...if Frank's okay having her along, then sure. I know he'll have Siv back in time, too."

She doesn't sound happy about it, but....

Footsteps on the stairs, and then Sylvi comes into the kitchen. "I can't believe you put it in a tank! And it's still moving!"

"Ha, that was your mom's idea." A nod "Okay, Sylvi... before we eat, let's get this out of the way. You need to finish this quest and see it through. So your mom and I have decided you'll be going with Siv and Frank to see Jessica, though you might head back sooner...we'll see on that. You understand we miss you and don't want to send you away= you just back, but we want you to be able to finish what you started. I hope that's not too harsh"

Sylvi blinks at her father, then at her mother...who is looking set and determined...then back. "Oh...um...okay. I mean, if that's what you two think is best, then I guess that's what I better do...right?" Carefully enunciated, as if making sure she got the right script.

A firm nod, "Okay, now.. help your mom finish up here with your meal. Not because I can't do it, but because she's missed you and you're going to talk to her and catch her up. Tell her about Dika Hannah and the Baron"

The ogre makes his way to the door AFTER giving his wife a kiss, brief

Kerri nods. "It's not a meal, it's a snack." She returns the kiss, then settles with her daughter to have a kitchen chat, one of the most comfortable kinds of talks there is to have.

((End Scene))