#rivervale_lodge

"You got a naar infestation with your rafters.. I can build something that'll clear that out," Margalita offers

"It's CON-NOR not "Naar", I can spell it for you...." He dangles, kicking his feet gaily. "SEE, OH, EN, EN..."

Piper blinks, and stifles a giggle. "You know, I've babysat for my cousins a lot... do you... need a hand?"

"Hey, they have rafters" Ikenna says "Up up and a way" And leaps up to join Connor with his own hopscotch

Foam waves lightly to the satyr

"Pleased to meet you. " as chaos takes a grip "What brings you to Rivervale?" He half turns to the childlings. "Each of you should be in your bed."

"Can I have a glass of water" Foam says.

She gives the huge hand a shake, and swings her bag down to the floor, opening her instrument case and pulls out a guitar, smallish, to fit her size. "Maybe... might I?"

"Bedtime, without a story?" The Eshu is aghast

"I'm not tired, sir" "I'm even less tired, Sir" The twins

"If she gets Waaaater I want Miiiilk. And if we have milk, can we have cookies?" Connor calls down.

"You came to.... boys, please at least take a seat... A troll Lodge in.... A story -if- you are going to sleep!.... New Jersey... no water or milk or cookies right now.... to sing?"

She takes that as an OK, and nods to Sir Franklyn... and starts playing a mellow tune... she sings along, softly, a hoof lightly tapping out the beat.

"I said I need somebody baby
To calm the storm
To calm the storm
Won't you be the one to calm the storm yeah
Won't you be the one to calm the storm darlin', right now
I said I need somebody baby...

Calm the storm, calm the storm, calm the storm, calm the storm yeah
Calm the storm, calm the storm, calm the storm, calm the storm yeah..."

The refrain repeats, calm, chill, and a flicker of glamour.... and indeed, the aura of the Lodge does seem to calm, feel more relaxed, a mellow vibe... Connor drops down onto the couch and settles, watching her and listening in.

Frank still seems definitely on guard.

One by one, the other childlings also settle....

and in fact, some of them fall asleep

She lets the final notes die away, and carefully, lovingly tucks the instrument back into her case - a hand whisking to shoo the butterfly out of the way as it flutters about. A small bow to Sir Franklyn. "It looked like you could use a hand."

a sound not unlike cutting logs with a smaller chainsaw now and then as the nocker snores

Frank is quiet a moment longer, then rumbles. "Thank you."

She smiles at him. "Are they all yours? Big family."

"No. They are not mine. What brings you to Rivervale, Miss Piper?"

She glances around to see if the children are conked out. "I'm freshly arrived from Pacifica, as you can tell by my tan." A joke - she's very fair, but there is a spattering of freckles. "I needed a change of pace, and I have family in town. Do you know the McCormicks?"

They have one by one passed out. Nearly drowning tapped them out. At least they're dry and fed

"I do not."

She snaps her fingers. "Sorry, the Wayburtons. Marsha's my aunt. Once or twice removed? I always get confused how that works. But still, family."

Frank folds his arms over his chest; he does not look credulous. "Really."

She blinks. "Marsha Maureen Wayburton nee McCormick. Do... do you want me to call her?"

"I would have just gone there, but I was asked to check in with you first."

"By whom?"

A flicker of light in the satyr's eyes as a butterfly chimera, with shiney reflective wings circles about her.

She winces away a touch, and digs her hand into her bag. A scroll is produced and handed over... (PM incoming)

"Count Jude (fullname)." Her earlier smile having faded to a more somber expression.

Frank's eyes widen slightly, and he takes the scroll to read....

..... and he takes his time. Probably reading it more than once. It begins to appear he's developing a headache.

He grunts, reseals the scroll, and tucks it away in a pocket.

She looks nervous at the expression, which (even if his typical expression) likely looks like a scowl to her.

He watches Piper for a good couple solid heartbeats.

She swallows, but meets his gaze. A few seconds, and, "Please don't send me away. I don't want to go back to Pacifica, and I don't know where else to go."

"I will neither keep you here nor send you away. That is for the Chieftess to decide. I would like you to remain here until she does."

"That's... Shackle-Breaker? I've heard stories. That she's stern, but fair." She seems to be trying to reassure herself.

"She is known so, yes."

"Do you know her well? Do you think...." Her hooves tap nervously on the floor as she shifts her weight, though she stills them when she realizes it, with a glance a the sleeping childlings. "Sorry." Lowering her voice.

"I will not predict what she will decide." Firmly.

"Do you mind if I make a call?"

Gerd approaches the lodge, a figure in dark blue an black.

"I will show you to the phone if you wish." Frank agrees.

She looks a bit confused for a moment - kids these days - then realizes it's a land line. "Oh, sure. It's local - I just wanted to let Aunt Marsha know I arrived." She does look a little mussed from travel - more than a few hours on the Greyhound will do that.

Frank sees this, now, and nods. "We can offer you a place to refresh yourself and clean up, change. If you wish. And there is food and drink."

As Gerd closes, she sees the satyr and slows. Not wanting to intrude.

A smile as she notices the other wilder - perhaps a friendly face? Or at least a less UN-friendly one. "Nice 'nets'" SHe remarks appreciatively, admiring Gerd's outfit, which may well have some fishnet lacing in it somewhere.