#rivervale_lodge

The table is cleaned in a flash

as the grime of it lands on Miss McGillicuddy's roof

Kerri returns the bow, troll style. "Please, come in." She stands aside and gestures for Zara to enter.

Zara nods as she steps through the threshold. "Lady Hearth. Miss Sylvi, Miss Gerd."

Sylvi eyes Gerd's suddenly-clean table suspiciously. "Okay, so where...?" Then Zara comes in. "Hi, Miss Zara." She offers a bow, but a somewhat informal one. "I didn't know you were going to visit."

"Nor did I," Kerri says. "Let me set out something for you to eat. Tea?"

"Miss Zara" The goth look might be new to Zara, nevermind the fact she's a wilder now

"Tea would be lovely, thank you." A slight eyebrow at the goth look, but is that quirk of a smile a sign of approval?

"And do forgive me for not announcing myself beforehand. I.. well. I believe both haste and discretion were called for,"

"Oh, I can do it, mom, if you've got...um...haste-things to discuss." Sylvi moves for the kitchen and heads inside.

Kerri nods as Sylvi goes, then gives Zara a curious look. "Discretion?"

Gerd isn't going anywhere

"Discretion, aye. Is the Chieftain available?"

In the kitchen, Sylvi makes the tea and sets out sluagh food, but also eavesdrops through the door. She's gotten very good at this over the years.

Kerri shakes her head. "She has been on patrol since early morning. She may be back soon, I'm not sure."

Zara nods. "May I wait for her?"

"Of course. Is there anything I can help with?"

"I am quite fine, and would not wish to disrupt your day...."

"It's no disruption, I assure you. Please, take a seat." She smoothly sets a step-stool next to one of the chairs.

Zara acknowledges the gesture with a brief look of gratitude before climbing into the tall chair. "I hope your family is well. The hold is lovely, as always."

"Thank you," Kerri nods at the compliment to the hold. "Olgar and Sylvi and I are all well, but...well...you've heard what has happened here?"

In the kitchen, the kettle whistles briefly before being cut off.

A brief wince at the whistle, and she nods.

"I have heard. It must be very difficult. I consider Miss Siv a friend, and I am concerned with her welfare."

Kerri nods, glances at Gerd, then nods again. "We all are."

Gerd says "Do you want me to go?"

She tilts her head, considering.

"Gerd, perhaps you could see if the Chieftain is on near patrol? Ask her to return, tell her we have a visitor?"

"Yes, ma'am" She rises "nice seeing you again, Zara. Nice outfit" Thumbs up, and she heads out

"Oh, thank you!"

"And thank you again, Hearth, for the hospitality. I would not normally intrude without invitation."

"You are welcome here. And yes, you look very well."

"Are you still at that Fiona hold? EarthRunes?"

Kerri has taken a seat opposite Zara.

"I wish to honor my hosts with my best." Hand on her chest again, a brief gesture. "And aye. I keep the library there. I split my time between there, the Farm, and home."

"None of which would be possible with Firnost, of course. For all its faults, nu?"

A bit of a grin at that. "For all its faults, it does bind us together. Sometimes tangles us." Quiet amusement.

A grey smile. "Aye. I would have had a much smaller life without it."

"Even for the ills... I regret that not."

"Hmm...something makes me doubt the truth of that. You would have found a way, I suspect."

Sylvi brings in the tea service along with a little plate of mildewed cookies. "I hope this is okay."

A rush of glamour like a winter storm rattling a door insistant at entry, and blood drips from the hands of Gerd, the Chief behind her

"Miss Sylvi, you are most thoughtful. They look delightful."

"Before anyone freaks, it's fake blood. I got it as a gift" Gerd assures the possibly panicked elders

Kerri was already on her feet with a crash of her chair.

She looks up, eyes widening. "...Ah. Chieftain Shacklebreaker." The sluagh rises.

Brekke is here? We're gonna need a bigger coffee mug

Sylvi's lucky she got the tray to the table in time.

The Chieftain gives a long-suffering sigh. "Gerd, thank you. I am not sure those particular theatrics were necessary...but thank you."

"Blood capsule" Gerd explains "Trying them out for bunks. Machine washable"