#rivervale_lodge

"Ahhhhhh...." Kerri debates with herself. Briefly. "...-absolutely. A surprise. Not a word ahead of time." Another wink.

A nod then "They have some wonderful moments. "

"The childlings?"

"Yes," Sally Mae says with another drink "but that bomb moment.. Lord love a duck. " She shakes her head "The oddest thing is Tiffany is doing great with them... when she's not thinking about it. Hell, they adore or respect her.... and she takes no shinola"

"Even Ikenna?"

"Ikenna tries but she's got that 'get folks to talk' thing Pooka have? next thing you know she's got him spilling not just his past and present plans, but what he hopes to get away with in the future"

"Still hope to drop him off on Caspian though or someone he suggests though"

"Mm. Sounds like Tiffany can manage him, but Caspian might be able to find someone who can nurture him, eshu-style."

"Exactly... now... the younger wilders, they're getting excited for Pennons because of the Joust. I tell you, the Chief has made Dagmar the happiest kid... " And conversations of the OTHER young ones abound that night as they compare notes so Kerri can plan her own strategies about the events with Sally Mae as her back up.

(End Scene)