#rivervale_lodge

Vali went to see Tiffany, of course, to make sure she was okay. She did him more good than he did her. But she was more shaken than she let on.

"Anyone home?" He rubs at his neck. Several barks. "I meant besides you guys"

Kerri comes out of the kitchen, cleaning her hands on a dishtowel. A smile. "Vali."

"Hey, Hearth... or is it still Chief?" A smile

"Oh, very much Hearth, and very happy for it." She does look relieved. "So...how are things with Tiffany? That's where you went, right?"

"It was. We fussed at each other. She could see through my bullshit, and I could tell she was acting tough for my sake. After we fussed, we then spoiled each other. not sure if that's how it's supposed to be but it works for us. She got hurt, and saw some things. I mean, she was a soldieer in the middle eeast, she's seen somethings, but that flesh shop the balor had set up. Grim"

She reaches to rest a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "I'm sorry. It sounded like...yes...I think 'grim' is the best word. And yes, the fuss-then-spoil protocol has worked pretty well for Olgar and me, too."

"Thanks. I also dropped by on the way home to check on Dirk. Redcaps don't faze it seems. He griped he got held back."

She looks a bit concerned there. "Well...maybe. But he's still a boy, and he puts up a good front a lot of the time. How did he do, did Tiffany say? He helped well?"

"well, pooka caan be hard to ttranslate... but let's see, explosion ... startled goons... Earl goes through the side. Gun comes out... He bit a gun. ..and someone lost a finger. Folks try to mass up on him but Tiffany starts shooting... they turn on her she orders him to get bac.. kid gets blood thirsty.. kid gets hopscotched. Kid irked"

"Oh, I'm glad she did that. Him going wild in that moment may have had really nasty consequences for everybody."

"Well, it's not like he's a Gwydion." A thought 'don't tell the Chief I said that. Ahem. I don't know. I think...being a badass and a monster comes easy to Dirk. The part he's having trouble getting is he's allowed to be that AND more. Anne Marie, and to my surprise, her mortal husband, seem to have been good influences. And Symon keeps an eye on him. Though Dirk says Symon's in a pissy mood about something the Chief did or said?"

"Well...please don't repeat this, but I think Dirk could easily go seelie, if he's not already...and that's a real danger to him. We have to help him find a way to walk that tightrope. Now about Symon, though...I was wondering why we hadn't seen him lately. I wonder what that's about...." She frowns.

"who can tell. Symon's... he's fond of us, or , at least Dagmar and to a lesser degree Sylvi. I think he likes being the guardian of the guardians..and darn if he doesn't prove it when they drag him on some adventure. He's a good kid. But he is still young. He's got his pride. At that age, teenagers can be sensitive, take it to heart. the Chief sometimes riled me a touch without her meaning to , but I always knew she spoke with the most honorable of intentions. Symon still has to learn that."

A look around "And Symon, if you're listening, come on out already"

(I wish, at dinner!)

OOC: heh 🙂

"She is not always adept at saying what she means, no. Or saying what needs to be said in a way that others can hear." Kerri nods agreement.

BIC: "That said, I just know if she could she would want to set it right by him. She always comes through in the pinch"

"Well, she would certainly want to know there was something to be set right, at the very least."

A belated shift in the shadows, and the figure steps forward, hair falling to cover his expression, which looks vaguely guilty. “Didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” He whispers as soon as he is close enough to be heard. “Was looking for Sylvi.”

"well, this is second hand info, it's possible Dirk is readig things wrong, but honestly when a redcap shows empathy maybe one us was..." A turn, "it's cool, Symon. You're always welcome here."

“I wasn’t, though. Just passing by and didnt want to interrupt. I’m not... yknow. skulking. “. A pause, and he shrugs. “Anyways. Sorry Vali. Hearth.”

Kerri looks at him kindly. "It's okay, Symon. And I think Sylvi's in her room...if you go up to look for her, please knock to let her know?"

"Are you hungry?" She offers.

A shake of the head at the offer, but he hesitates. “How is she? I heard about her friend.”

A sigh. "Better than she was, certainly, but...well, she'll be learning how to cope with this for a while."

"It's rough" he agrees.

He hesitates a moment longer, as though making up his mind on something, and leans in to whisper up at Kerri. “Kelby’s mace. It’s missing. Back at the battlefields.”

"Yeah. I heard.. the DeBukes are trouble by that, been in Kelby's line for generations, maternal side. "

Kerri looks first startled, then outright alarmed. "Symon...you can't....please don't tell her that...."

She turns the alarmed look on Vali.

'oh" Vali winces

(1 moment)

"Vali...it's not safe...and you know she'll go...."

"right. I didn't think it through. But... she served like a trooper here at the hold when told to. I mean, she's your daughter but if anyone has a right to search for it..."

He twists a bit to glance up at Vali, then back to Kerri, neck cranes a bit to look up several feet. “It’s something she can Do. Rather than sit and feel shitty that she wasn’t there.” A pause, and a shrug. “Not saying I know how she feels. But if Dagmar or someone fell and maybe I could’ve done something...” trailing off.

An almost inaudible clearing of his throat, and he mutters. “She’s a warrior more’n any of us. And I was cleared to go... even if I didn’t. Haven’t asked him yet, but Dirk knows the way, and would probably like the idea of looting.

It’s just down to patrols now, the main danger passed.”

He seems to have put some thought into this.

Kerri's tension has gone right back to the levels it was at while she was Chieftain, and then some...but she listens to both of them with a tight jaw.

Vali looks at Symon " I see your point, but those 'patrols' might include balor agents as much as rovers"

“Between that rabbit and Lovecraft, we can hide as good as gone.” He returns.

"She may be a solid fighter, but this...." She shakes her head emphatically, and Symon would have the notion that she's trying to keep her voice down on the chance that Sylvi might hear.

“Anyways. It’s not like I’m asking permission. That’s up to her if she wants it. Just... thought it would be polite, to tell you first that I’m gonna talk to her about it. Courtesy, and all. At least sluagh get credit for that much.”

"Hey, there is someone you need to make sure is NOT hearing about this for sure. Kourtney, She is Kelby's sister. She's also still a childling."

"Symon, I..." Kerri starts to protest about giving credit, but then Vali says that, and Kerri's eyes go wide...Kourtney has a skill for showing up when nobody notices. She looks around the room.

He gives a faint nod. “No. And, the puppy is sleeping, I checked that much, too. Though I’m not sure he’s supposed to be on top of the chest freezer. You should move the potato bin further away if you don’t want him climbing up there easily.”

Kourtney isn't anywhere. the girl has been very withdrawn, perking up only a little away from the farm.

Connor as well, similarly withdrawn. And apparently sleeping in the pantry? Well, he’s done weirder things.

"I'll fish what's Connor out later."

Kerri nods at Symon's recommendation, but with distraction. She gives the boy a hard look. "I can't convince you not to tell her, can I."