#rivervale_lodge

A carefully neutral blink. "Siv...it may interest you to know that none of those particular exploits are described in these notes. But it is very interesting to hear about some things I did not know. A...cheese flood?"

Facepalm

"Well, turns out there was this fondu contest? A valve mighth ave been loosened at to 'try a little' and...thank Sif no one was burned... but it took hours to get out. I warned them that i didn't think it was a good idea"

"I see....and you punched a nocker?"

"Well, first he insulted trolls, saying we were soft in the brain... then I said we were not soft in the head... you were quite clever But I tried to be nice.. He said you weren't soft, but stone headed with delusions of noblity..and I kept my cool. Then he kept going ... and then...he said the Kestrel was designed like a garbage scow. " Purple "Then I lost it"

All true? ALL true

"Well...I see." The Chieftain seems to be having some difficulty deciding whether or not this is worthy of punishment. "This happened when?"

"After you told me you could defend yourself. And that's why when he sleihted you, I just let it slide. After all, we can take a few pricks to our pride. But when he insulted the Kestrel? Well, my eyes went dark, I gave him one last warning to take it back, then pow!"

All true.

Perhaps surprisingly, Brekke merely nods. "You gave warning. You defended our ship's honor. This is acceptable."

Startled, then "Thank you. I.. turned out later he was drunk and his idiot friends pushed him my way to see what happened. I told them they were lousy friends and not worth my time and then..well uh.. I tried to borrow that look you give? BROW? Anway they grabbed him and scooted. " A neck crane "What DOES it say in there?"

A glance to Frank, then she slides the papers back in the envelope. "We may tell you at a later time."

Siv sighs "Yes, mom, dad." She's not going to be a brat about it. Onward bravely, if some what still dramatically with her inner angst. She is resigned and Yule goes on.

Brekke might feel slightly guilty about that, but...no, not much, really.

A gift certificate for Lucia's father's restaurant fifty dollars off any meal

From Lucia herself.

And her family

And Someone hauls in ..well, at first she fears it is a statue, for it sounds like stone, is heavy, and has her name on the wrapping.

In point of fact, it is an etching, when exposed, it shows Firnost, with Brekke amid a rowdy crowd (some familiar faces of the time) trying to calm everyone.

The gift certificate is welcomed and set aside for some future special meal.

The etching is quite a surprise...and she is a bit bemused by it. "So many years ago. Who...?" She investigates for a note of who sent it.

The note just says "From Firnost- Merry Yule"

"Hmmmm...." She entertains the notion of Whispering it...but decides against for the moment. As long as there is no threat, let mysteries remain mysteries at Yule. At least for now.

She turns to find Siv has prepared her coffee for her in Olgar's new mug, and something for dad besides "You grandames and graybeards enjoy the fire and talk. We wilders wil lbe handling Yule clean up." It would appear Aunt Kerri has already been told much the same.

Kerri having been shooed out of the kitchen is already pouring some Schnapps into her cocoa before sitting back and putting her feet up. Brekke takes her mug from Siv and gives the girl a hug before taking a seat herself. Sometimes, it's good to be the grump.

Indeed, hugs will go on. It looks like Siv has taken charge, unusual, as that's Sylvi's thing, but trust the Waveborne to follow a whim, even a kindly one.

(End ish scene)