#rivervale_lodge

"Thank you, Gerd."

A smile and she offers a hand. "Piper. I was told it was really all Trolls here, at the lodge, but it looks like fate decided to mix things up a bit?"

"Ikenna, you may wander free, but there are consequences for sowing chaos in my home. Be cautious."

"my name's not fate ,it's Margalita"

She takes the hand with her large one. "It's still mostly trolls, and usually... uh... a bit quieter."

"I think it's amazing. So much energy..." Her eyes gleam and she giggles at Margalita.

Tiffany nods and carefully eyes the kids, then "Seen the Hearth? I was going to totally rub my new mansion in her face"

"I can repair the roof. Margalita, I would appreciate if you would delay further additions for now."

Brekke points Tiffany towards the kitchen.

Margalita sighs "But I can help!" The nocker says "Really fix it up"

Tiffany goes into the kitchen to find Kerri

An eyebrow at the nocker. "You believe my roof is in need of improvement?"

Tiffany has seen Kerri busy, but this is invasion-level busy.

"Well, if I could build onto a room you'd have space for another.. not a troll..."

The two troll boys have a mountain of dishes to wash and dry.

"But furk, I bet you'd be grateful."

"Perhaps, Margalita. But I also am very particular in style, and perhaps painfully old-fashioned. I will ask you to hold off. For now."

"Yes, Chieftain" The NOcker sighs. She doesn't seem a bad sort of a girl, just wants to help HER way..and has energy to burn

Gerd looks around "WHere's Foam? Oh shoot I need to find her."

It is to Gerd's credit that while she seems to dislike babysitting, she doesn't try to get out of it.

"Perhaps she has gone to the lake, Gerd? But perhaps check the bathtubs first."

Gerd nods "Yes, Chieftain" And off she goes.

Ikenna has his arms crossed and looks petulant.

"Piper, I understand you come to us with Count Jude's recommendation." A slight eyebrow to indicate she's been briefed on the contents of the letter.

"Jude's the Liam, right?"

"From California? Are you from California?"

Watching the ebb and flow of the conversation, the kids swarming around, the energy of the room, it takes her a moment to realize that she was spoken to. The butterfly flitting in the corner of her vision draws her attention back, and she nods to the Chief, standing as she's spoken to.

"Yes ma'am - Chieftain. From Pacifica - I grew up on the coast." Answering both questions. (Not sure where precisely Ardent Harbor is!)

"Oh, cool! Like Hollywood?"

"Well, more like a suburb... but we did have the beach."

((I remember it being in Northern California.))

((yeah. But much like all of Ill is Chicago, and all of NY is NYC...))

(ALL of California is Los Angeles!)

((Ha!))

(Monterrey I believe)

"I have been to Ardent Harbor. It is a beautiful location."

A nod. "But I'm... glad to be here. It's a change. A good change."

"Mm. Yes. You are not the first to seek a new life far from California." A thoughtful nod.

Gerd comes in with Foam. Foam is blushing

Gerd says "it's okay. I've done lots sillier than getting stuck in the washing machine"

Said Selkie is in a big towel

"Oh darling. I didn't think I'd see any selkies this far inland. I guess there's the East coast?" Her nose wrinkles slightly, though in jest. Obviously a LESSER ocean.

"In the...." Brekke stops. "Foam, I do not know many selkies. Do you need access to water?"

"We are still some distance from the coast, but there is a lake."

Dag has gone silent again, looking mildly overwhelmed.

Connor pipes up, "I can Dog paddle, and seals are just sea-dogs..."

"Now and then I might want to...more than a lake.." Foam says//Gerd says "Chieftain.. uhm.." A sigh " I can flicker flash WITH her to the ocean if need be."

Foam giggles at Connor. She honestly thinks he's funny. But her eyes light up at Gerd's offer.

"Me too, Gerd? Me too?" Sounding a bit forlorn as his - HIS! - Sister dotes on the wee girl.

Gerd says "Well, you don't NEED to but I guess... If the Chieftain says so"

Piper simply nodded to Brekke's comment about a new life. "New, and improved." Emphasis.