#rivervale_lodge

Jaw tight. "We are strong. More than that...I will not say at this time. And my name is Brekke."

"You see now why I thought Sam should be here."

"Brekke, your name is known. I regret to inform you that your one time battle companion, Cries the Storm, is no longer with us. She died bravely , years ago, tearing out the throats of the enemy and saving lives. She spoke well of your battle by your side, saying you were worthy of your title and she was honored to share that in common with you, whateveer that means. I was... less tested then. Yes, you did the right thing bringing her here. We'll take her from here."

Lupita looks at Brekke as if she's wondering if she's failed to notice a famous sports star

Brekke's chin lifts, then she nods somberly. "Cries the Storm was strong in battle. I am glad that she died well." She gives the man a second look. "Rails...did you have a different name then? You would have been much younger...." Trying to place him.

"I hadn't gone through my..ah rites, not fully. I was the one they called Cubbyhole..."

A low aside. "Chief's, like, super famous..."

"Chief?" Lupita whispres "What, is sshe a blonde indian?"

A slight grin. "That was you. You have grown well. I am glad."

"Like a cop. She's the boss."

"I was a hard learner, but I got here." Rails says, A bit more... deferential even than before. Perhaps it's the age differnce, though Rails is a full grown man.

She clears her throat at the muttering girls. Then, "Rails, she has a family. They were not expecting her home last night, but they will expect her home tonight. How do we arrange this?"

"Huh..." he looks over "Often we take them away from their family, for hteir own safety."

"No!" Lupita says, starting to bulk "My brothers are.."

"Simmer, DOWN." A low growl in Rails' throat, eyes are locked.

Brekke frowns.

And Lupita backs a bit "I love my family"

"And you shouldbe able to keep them" He says gentler "Kidddo... we want you to keep family. For selfish reasons too on our part. They might be kinfolk"

"If she goes missing now, Rails, my family will be endangered by association, as we were hosting her."

Dagmar GLARES at Rails.

Rails nods "And we are indebted. I think our elders will want to check out her family, we havee our ways. If they have the blood, even as Kinfolk and not shifters, they'll be brought into the know."

Rails doesn't seem to be growling at Lupita anymore. Nor is he intimdiated by the Wilder. But he's dealt with Black Furies affter break ups so...

"And.. if not? If..." Lupita says , more politely... not sure why that stare down ad losing it seems to have calmed, or at least quelled her rage. "I have school, and friends. I got a good life"

"Rails...do you know where the Lodge is? Can you bring her there at sundown? She will need to go back to her family this evening."

Rails says "Life sucks enough without assuming the worst...say, what's your name again?" then to the CChief "We can do that. There are spirits that ally with us we rely on so that we might keep an eye on her without being there ourselves. But honestly, Titania's daughter, we have our own ways, and she willhave to live by our rules, just as that one must live by yours" A nod to Dagmar "I ask you to respect that. You know my people are at war, always. "

"I'm being respectful." Stubbornly.

"My name is Dancia Lupita Anita Gonzalez" She says "Mostly I go by Gonzalez, but others call me Lupita and.. .why are you grinning?"

"Just thinking you might have a powerful fate or a spirit with a sense of humor waiting for you, 'Lupita' means..." He starts to say

"It means little wolf, I think." Then, "I am trying to be respectful," Brekke nods. "But I must also protect her interests. You will teach her what she must learn. She is of your world." A concession.

"But she's got a family."

"Oh yeah that," Lupita sighs at the name bit.

"Now she has two families, Sam."

"Sure..."

"Thank you, Chieftain," Rails says "And I know your heart is great to tend to her so. Yes, we will teach her. We do not send cubs into the grinder. Least not most of us" A firm nod "we've got honor. And yes, she has two families now. " A look to Lupita "You'll learn who you are, what Gaia wants of you, what the moon has planned, and then... you'll learn your own way to make it happen with the traditions we give you as an shield and light, not as a straight jacket. "

Lupita takes a breath then stands straighter then looks to Sam "Sam, it's okay. I'll be okay. Alright? See you tonight maybe at the.. .lodge? anyway. It's cool . You saved me from killing. You helped me find a place, you and Mrs. King, where I can learn to use this. You have to let me carry the weight of the rest of this play, okay?"

She puts a hand on her taller friend's shoulder "You told me I'm strong enough inside. Now's the time for me to prove you'r right. Look after May, okay?"

She bites on her lower lip and nods.

"Cool..." she says "Besides, if they turn out to be scumballs, I'll bust out" Lupita whispers "And show up for the game anyway. You knoww I will"

"Sophomore Starters." She sticks out her fist for a bump.

Fistbump.

Brekke looks seriously at Rails. "I respect your honor. I will be watching for her."

"Sam...we go now."

"Yes'm."

Rails clearly heard the whisper but acted like he didn't, a slight smile, then a nod to Brekke "I will guard her with my blood and bone and last breath if need be while she is here"

Lupita swallows then nods "See you. " A look to Brekke "Thank you, Mrs. King..uh Chief. I owe you too." then to Rails "I'm ready. There's..more isn't theree, about this place? I can.. feel it."

"Pup, wait until you See it" he says "The chocolate factory ain't got shit on us."

Brekke accepts his promise with a serious look, but says nothing further. She strides back the way they came.

"Seeya soon, Lupe." A brave smile that doesn't quite sit straight.

Lupita takes the smile as a source of courage like Dagmar hoped she would, and returns an echo of it, then goes with Rails. "So...Gaia. Huh? this a hippie commune thing because I got got crap for eatting grape nuts over captain crunch"

"How can you pick grape nuts over the captain.. "Voices fade and if the two trolls look back, the hobo and student are gone.