#rivervale_lodge

yawns

A sneer. "You're lucky I've got a child in these arms. And now...." she expertly passes Connor over to Olgar "...you have a child in yours. Both of you take a nap."

"Okay." He says ..not going to argue.

And she does, indeed, slip out of bed, into a bathrobe, and off to get a shower, trying not to investigate the kitchen until after she's clean.

She's going to be pleased to find it's..well stocked, and pristine!

(End scene)

*****************

Brekke sends word to Adam that she's received his message and he should come to the Lodge at his first convenience.

And he does!

Although he slows his steps as he approaches, knocks.

The dogs have, predictably, put up a bellow, but a friendly one.

Yes. Sometimes it seems like they even vary the bark for specific folk

A moment later, the door opens, and the Chieftain is there. "Adam. Please, enter."

He swallows, and does.

And on the side, greets the dogs.

Oak wags. They're battle buds.

"Hey." Soft, and fond.

Brekke closes the door behind him. "I apologize for the delay in calling you here. And Adam, you need not request an audience. You have more than earned the right to come to the Lodge as you need."

"Had I not told you as much?"

"Yes, Chief. But I needed to talk to you in private."

And eyebrow. "I see." A pause, and she looks around the Lodge. "Does here suffice? I cannot promise we will not be interrupted."

He looks around as well. "If you're ok with it, I am."

Oak begins to patrol as if to make sure no one is eavedropping

"Well, I do not know the need for privacy," she says equitably. "But let us begin, at least." She takes a seat by the fire. "Do you thirst?"

An odd pause. "Uh. No. Thank you, Chief."

A nod. "Then tell me what concerns you."

"Ok, so... you have my report about the grocery store thing?"

She nods. "You think it is not a risk?"

"It is, I think, but not.... not, like, if we respect what it's doing?"

"Hm. A cooperative arrangement. Does the chimera wish some sort of formal agreement?'

"I didn't ask." Adam defends, then frowns. "No, he just.... he was ok."

A curious look at the brief defensive note, and she nods. "Well enough."

"Ok. Also. Uh."

Brekke stays still and quiet so as not to startle this skittish creature.

"Mrs. McGillicuddy....."

A nod, encouraging him to continue.

"She saw my mom."

A momentary still pause. Then.... "Ah."

"Like, she knew my mom before, I think, but..... now she sees my mom. Mortals, regular mortals.... shouldn't?"

"Well...Mrs. McGillicuddy has sometimes been enchanted. Sometimes it is necessary, and sometimes local wilders have done it as a prank." She looks irritated by this last part. "Perhaps that is what happened...she was enchanted?"

Helpless. "I don't know. But... my mom, right?"

A pause. "You are concerned for your mother's safety?"

"Yes." Defensive. "And, you know, my family but also, like, if she can just SEE....."

A deep breath. "It does not always happen, but sometimes enchantment lingers. She may have become attuned to it, and thus more likely to see."

"Adam...she is an irritant, but she has never been a threat."

"She's no threat to us?"

"Not actively, no. At least...not in my experience. Do you believe her to be?"

It may occur to Adam that the Chieftain is taking his opinion seriously.

"She can see.... you. Right? Isn't.. that...?"

Brekke leans back. "Finish the thought," she encourages.