#rivervale_lodge

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Brekke gets a text

Followed by a phone call if she thinks about it. Her mom doesn't text well

There are several rings, probably due to troll thumbs fumbling the cursed machine. "Hello?"

"Hi, mom. " Siv's voice sounds a bit rougher but it's her, "Siv here. I thought I'd let you know I was at Fenix. All's okay...just busy. I'm going to hang here and help sis out for an eve. She's ready to recieve refugees if worse happens."

A sigh that sounds like relief. "That is good to know. Thank you, Siv. Are you well? You sound...rough, somehow."

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just practicing some cantrips. Just.. you know, you guys are trusting me more so I didn't want you to think I was ungrateful. I'll be back soon. Love you, mom. Tell dad for me? Love him too."

"I will tell him. We love you, Siv. Give our love to Jessica. Is she well? The stress of this...?"

"She's... tough mom. I think she needs more sleep, but she's standing strong like an oak. There's stuff to settle but... she's setting it in motion. I know you want to help. I do too, but I don't think it's needed ..yet, and hopefully won't be. "

"Mm." Siv can practically see the nod. "Hopefully. Help her however you can, Siv."

"Will do, Chieftain. And... if you want to do something that helps? Tell her what you feel about the pride and the love and so on. Works wonders for me. Bye." And she hangs up.

Brekke blinks at the phone. "I am proud of you, Siv," she says to the dead line, uncertain if she hurt her daughter somehow.

Dag slips in, heading for the kitchen.

Brekke looks up as she puts her phone away. "Dagmar."

"Chief." Up-nod.

"Come speak with me."

Gerd comes out of the kitchen, then sees Dagmar and sighs.

"Ah. Both of you, come and sit, please."

"Yes, Chieftain" She moves to take a seat

Dag's jaw juts out, expression sullen... but she does ocmply.

Brekke sits as well, no coffee in hand, focused on the two of them. "I have heard some of what happened yesterday. And before you assume, I have heard from more than one person. Dagmar...will you tell me what happened? I should have you leave for now, Gerd, unless Dagmar wishes you to remain."

Gerd looks at Dagmar

She grunts, scowling. "Whatever. Am I in trouble now?"

"I do not think so. Tell me what happened."

"Will she keep her trap shut?"

"If she cannot, she will leave until you are finished. Is that understood, Gerd?"

Gerd says "Sure... I wouldn't keep going if say a little kid were around." But she shushes.

Her eyes narrow. "Oh, fuck this."

Gerd rises and gestures to the kitchen, waves bye bye

"Gerd...wait in the kitchen."

A nod. "Like that, yes."

and nods. Heading that way. That's waht she meant

and closes the door

Dagmar scowls at the door.

"Fucking mean girl bullshit."

"Dagmar. Tell me what happened."

"If you don't eat her shit with a smile, that makes YOU the baaaaddddddddd guuuuuuuyyyyyyyyyyy and then she'll act like, what, you fucking kick puppies."

"And OH, she'll drop you the laaaaaaaaaaaaake. Tee-fucking-hee."

"Plus using Connor as some kind of damn prop - don't you call ME out, look, you're being mean to CONNOR, you BAD MEAN AWFUL PERSON."

"Dagmar." Brekke's voice is a firm interruption.

Grunt.

A pause. Then... "Tell me what happened."

"What does it matter? I'm sure you got the whole story. Apparently everybody and their brother heard that Tove is gonna have a baby. Whatever. I left to go get a drink." LIE.

"She decided to follow me to the kitchen to keep going ON about it, and I told her to fuck off and leave me alone, but we can't have that, no."

Eyebrow.

Huff.

"I went to the kitchen because I was upset." True.

"Mm." A nod. "She said she heard Tove is pregnant, and that upset you."

Jaw-jut. "I didn't know that everybody knew."

"I mean, fuckin' Gerd? Just throwing it in my face?"