#rivervale_lodge

"Gerd. This is Piper. She is waiting to speak with the Chieftess."

"Hi, Piper and thanks" The girl smiles, "You thirsty or something?"

"Water would be great - I was just going to make a call while I waited." A glance to Frank to check that this is okay.

Frank nods. "This way." He takes her to a..... closet. And there is a ... old landline inside. On a small table. There is paper and pencil there as well, and a folding chair tucked away. ☎️

Gerd notices some tension, but she gets some bottled water, spring water- the good stuff hand collected.

And hands it over before backing up so the girl can have privacy.

"Thanks..." She shrugs off her bags and sets them down, and digs into a pocket to find the notepad where she has a number scrawled. The receiver cradeled in her chin, she mouths a thanks to Gerd as the Wayburton's number rings.

Frank likewise gives Piper privacy.

Gerd asks Frank "She seems nice, so what has you worried?" QUietly

"It is a matter of some confidence. Gerd, have you seen the Chieftess?"

"Sure, tall lady, very blue, has a silver hand. You should meet her, you might hit it off" Gerd says before she thinks.

She runs s hand through her unruly, mussed curls as it rings, and sips the water - a longer drink after tasting it! and then coughs at the answer, catching her voice back. "Auntie M, is that you? It's Piper, Vera's daughter? I saw you at the last reunion?"

Then she winces, "I was scarred by Uncle Vali. That was his fault."

"Piper! Hey honey, how are you? Did you ever get those bangs tamed the way you wanted?"

"Gerd. Chieftess?"

"Haven't seen her, but she might be on patrol at this time, or..." her eyes drift "Why do we have all these childlings?"

"Siv."

"Please, let them sleep."

She exhales with relief. She didn't REALLY expect to have been forgotten, but things just haven't gone her way lately. "I gave up on the bangs - and please tell me that you destroyed any photo evidence. Momma V said she got in touch and it was okay if I stayed with you for a while?"

"Siv brought them? And sure I won't wake them"

Connor is curled on in a puppy pile next to a selkie girl, not seeming to mind that the blanket under them is somewhat damp.

"Thank you." He rumbles to Gerd.

"And yes, she did."

Gerd stares "What do we do with them all? " A bit worried. Her room is at stake. Her NEW room...which is Vali's old one.

"Oh, it was... well, I'm about as pleasant as you might imagine after almost three days on a Greyhound." A small laugh. "I met this old couple who told me they were heading on a 3rd honey moon - they go every 20 years, can you imagine! I played them a song they remembered from their wedding night, it helped keep me sane, y'know? But, anyways, I'm at Rivervale Lodge now, waiting to speak to the Chieftess."

"We take care of them." Frank says simply. "For now, let them sleep. Find them some clean clothes, clean the ones they came in. Have food and drink ready."

"You played them a song.. oh. Okay. Well, you have a lovely voice." A hint of caution? Then more warmly "The Chieftess is a good woman. She's. firm but fair"

"J... just a song. It was an old one, you know, I had to look up the tabs but it wasn't hard to learn - and I HAD the time." She hums a few bars of, " This Magic Moment... will last foever, forever, till the end of time, oh-oh-oh-oh... That one."

Gerd sighs worriedly then nods "Yes, Mountain. I might know where some clothes are for the twins from Uncle Vali's old junk. He wouldn't mind"

A sleepy voice comments, "Foam can stay in my room, I don't mind if she wets the bed. And I got lots of clothes, if they don't mind bum-holes... an...yawn that's not a swear, I mean, I just got holes for my tail..."

"Thanks, bro" A soft whisper

He may already be back asleep. "Mmm, more syrup." He mutters.

"Oh that's pretty! Yes, well, I hope the Chief meets you soon. I have some of your favorite food stocked though your tastes may have changed"

Frank's beard moves; probably a smile in there for Conner.

"I'm not picky, I'll eat anything. Is lil' Zu-Zu still a trash compactor? I'd swear he had redcap genes, if it wasn't an insult to redcaps." Warming up a bit at the friendly, reassuring voice.

Gerd does seem cheered by Conner and gets to work for the mountain with a nod to him.

An audible giggle from the phone cabinet, before she shushes. "Oh, sorry. I should go, I don't want to wake up the slumber party... or use up all their minutes. Uh, I just have to check in with the Chieftess, then I should be good to come by. Right? So... I shouldn't be too late. Um. Fingers crossed."

"Yes auntie M. And love from the momma vee's. I'm sure I'll see you soon."

And the call ends.

She carefully clicks the receiver down, and takes moment to gain her composure - a brush dug out of her bag and pulls through curls so that they're at least SOMEWHAT more where they belong, and a long sip of that water before coming back out.

Frank is watching.

"Would you like a chance to clean up and perhaps eat something, stretch out?"

"I slept on the bus, but I wouldn't say no to washing my face somewhere other than a truck stop sink." She admits.

Gerd comes out with clothes

Frank nods and gestures for her to follow. "Thank you Gerd." As the troll reemerges, "Leave them nearby and... if you can find anything for the others, please make them handy as well. I'll be right back." He shows Piper one of the few remaining solo rooms. "For your use."

"You're welcome"

She hesitates, glancing back at the main room strewn with kids. "You know, I'm okay. Why don't you settle these littles in there, and I can just grab a chair? Those armchairs are - pardon, just to me - really big and look cozy. And.. can I help? At all?"