#rivervale_lodge

Kerri blinks. "Yup. That would work."

"Wow," Anne Marie says "Okay, he loaded the dice on that one."

Dilara blushes but chuckles "Yes he did. Sally Mae, I cannot tell you how you will know the right one... but one day I am sure, some man will make a gift of himself to you, and you to him... and you will find even that is not enough. You will feel... not less without him, but greater with him. Look out for that."

Anne Marie nods "yes, find a fellow or lady who makes you want to be your best self."

"Hmm, and don't be too surprised if it ends up being somebody who drove you absolutely crazy at the outset." Kerri's eyes twinkle.

That gets knowing laughs from the other two grumps.

Sally Mae blushes "Well, every kettle needs a little pressure and steam if the drinks to be any good. Ohl, speeaking of which, let me get you drinks while we wait." And she goes to serve.

The ladies get to chat ...and soon enough Ikenna will be ready to go meet Dilara's husband.

But first? Drinks and chatter.

(End Scene)

Vali and Torin are talking, "I'm telling you, Torin. I just don't understand it. She acted like the only way she'd ever consider having a child was in a Donner Party kind of way.... and now she and Margalita are inseparable, well, not on patrols, but I'm ... what happened?"

Torin says "Well, young man. From what I understand this nocker enjoys guns, explosions, and snares.... "

"Possible she's maternal... but just as like she's feeling like a big sister or just plain mentor. Your young lady came here worried she wouldn't be useful, now she's a thane, and is p roviding a good home as a foster ... sometimes it feels good to learn we can give more than we thought."

"I guess.. it's.. kind of.. yes, I want kids. I just.. you know, thought I'd start 'smaller'" Vali smiles.

"That might yet happen. but I'd advice you to see how this works out first" Torin suggests. "And oh, I don't know, marry the girl first?" A brow.

Vali winces "Right right I guess I.. heh.. yes. ah.. well... I don't want to scare her off true. And I .. if she says no? I'm gonna just die of embarrasment."

"You can't die of embarrassment, the Dreaming isn't that merciful" Torin says

"Gee... thanks" A sigh.

"You should have seen the Chief... I'm almost sure she was gloating... can't prove it, but like... something in her eyes." Vali says.

"I'd be laughing my ass off at it myself" Torin chuckles "That's some serious 'third person' humor there. Sides, at least it's not her... she's not adopting the twins is she?"

"Lucjan & Lauge? No I don't think she's even considered. Oddly, Lut and Tig seem to be the ones caught up in those two, more big brother buddies I think." he says "Well, maybe not oddly... the whole 'mini we' thing."

Vali then ponders "I wonder if anyone has asked Olgar for his take on the kids?"

"Olgar? I imagine that's a Kerri and Olgar conversation and we should just enjoy our drinks" Torin says.

"You are wise indeed," Torin says, "At least you're useful. I mean, I teach Spencer, but that's not but a few times a week. Tove would never forget me per se but she's so busy... and Dagmar has school... and now a quest." Proud.

"Yes, yes, but the next time I catch you low on glamour, I'm going to tell your grand daughter that you're skipping balefire use." A brow "And if that doesn't work, I'll tell your daughter."

"You're a mean man, Sir Vali" The older man hmmmphs

Sylvi comes in the front door from patrol, scuffing the dirt off her boots before stepping through the door. She sets her spear against the wall as she takes off her jacket. "Hey! Hi, Torrin. Hi, Vali. Everything okay?"

"Oh fine fine" Torin says "Thought i might stay by the bale tonight is all. How are you young lady?"

"Well...I'm okay...been kind of busy, though. I mean, Dagmar usually does a lot of the patrols, and Siv too, but with them away I'm trying to cover as much as I can."

Vali says "Well, so much for hitting you up for Babysitting" He says wryly

Sylvi blinks at him. "Babysitting? Oh, the kids. I think mom said Ikenna's going up to the Farm for a week or so. The rest are pretty manageable...well, except for Kid Boom-Boom."

Vali groans.

"Don't mind him, Sylvi, Vali's just realizing his huge house is not likely to ever be quiet again" Torin chuckles

"It was a nice house" Vali mutters

"Yeah....I guess that happened kind of suddenly, huh? But, I mean, you get used to having people coming in and out of your house all the time." She shrugs. "I did."

"Touche" Vali says "I hadn't thought of that. "

Torin frowns "Mmm Sylvi, if you ever need a quiet place to be.. my shack is yours. It's small and probably boring, but... well... sometimes folks just need space."

"Well, I've got my room. It's pretty quiet. But I do appreciate it, Torrin. That'd be nice." She smiles.

"Dandy" Torin smiles.

"Stop stealing the babysitters, Torin"Vali says

Sylvi smiles. "Hey, I thought Lut and Tig were helping, too."

"They are, but only with the twins" Vali says

"So...that's not so many to take care of, after that."

"Nope. I guess not, but between t his and my classes I'm almost too swamped to write" Vali says "Piper seems nice though- and she did revive me so... hey there you go. But enough about me, how are you doing , Sylvi? I mean, I thought with Jonas and Tiffany here you wouldn't be patrolling that much. And there's Dirk"

"Well, yeah, but...well....some things you just want to take care of yourself, you know?" She seems a bit sheepish. "I mean, for me and Siv and Dagmar, it's...I know that they know what to do. Tiffany's not shirking or anything, but she should be able to mentor, and then it's always a tough call to say what Dirk is going to do. And Jonas...he's new." A shrug. "I guess I'm a bit of a control freak, sometimes."

Vali looks very amused at something.

"But I've got other stuff I'm doing, too. There's cheer squad, of course. And school. And my YouTube demos. And Clem's teaching me more Spring...." She catches Vali's look. "What?"

"Nothing safe to say" Vali says "I'm wiser than I was. Not much, but enough . I do think it's noble of you to double up...but don't wear your self down. Let me know if you need me to take over a patrol sometime. I can find SOME time"

"Wellllll...if you could let me out of that verb quiz this week, maybe?"

"Oh..hahah.. no." He says with a raised brow